[Shop-talk] Hooking up a trickle charger to a truck with two batteries and a thermoswitch

[Lee Daniels]

I use the BatteryMINDer brand, keeps one of my rarely-used Triumphs with a
fresh battery. And a battery maintained this way seems to last for many years
(the benefit of the desulfating function).

They claim that "Unit can maintain up to six 12 Volt batteries at one time
when connected in parallel by using SmarTechnology™ Y-Connectors 210AY or
customer supplied 18-Gauge insulated wire." So you should be able to handle
both at the same time. They do specify that the multiple batteries should be
at the same condition and stage of charging. It's temperature compensated so
you don't get over/under charged in extreme temperatures.

Here's one of them,
http://www.batteryminders.com/2012-12-volt-desulfating-battery-charger-worldwide-use
Several other models available also. Their web site is nice, it has a good
"Knowledge" section to explain some of the details of the technology.

Lee

On Sun, March 3, 2019 13:04, eric--- via Shop-talk wrote:
> OK, a few clarifications....
>
>
> first, the truck is a 12vdc system (Ford f350 diesel)  I want to keep both
> batteries charged as it will not get too much use.  I would prefer one charger
> but would get two if needed.  (BTW, does anyone have any suggestions?  I burn
> through these pretty quickly it seems.  The best one I have they don't make
> anymore.)
>
> As for the thermostat, I never know when I need to use the truck, so the
> 'few hours before' doesn't work.  I did buy one of the "on below 35, off
> at 45" units mentioned here.  How much electric can that use?  (BTW, I'm also
> 100% solar right now.)