battery tender setup for three batteries

I have a battery tender , the output is 12V 750 mA. I use it over the winter to keep my three bike batteries top charged. I switch the cables from one battery to another every time I pass by (they are in my basement on my way to the food storage), but I wonder if there could be a way to plug them all together to keep them all charged with the only battery tender I have, and what gauge of wire would be required to do so?

 

I recommend against that practice. The tender will see the bank of batteries as a single battery, leading to some of the batteries not being fully charged, and perhaps others being overcharged. It's better to invest in a tender that's designed for multiple batteries, or one individual tender per battery.

 

All right, thanks, I prefer to continue switching the leads from one battery to another, instead of doing something that could cause problems.

 

I have 4 bikes and keep each one on a battery tender anytime they are in the garage. One is a Battery Tender, jr, one Igot at WalMart, and two I found at Tractor Supply really cheap. Best things I ever did for my batteries.

 

For only $25 for a battery tender, I too recommend getting one for each battery. As described above, you risk the weakest battery "making the charge decision" for the rest of the batteries, or vice versa.

HarborFreight equipment is a mixed bag of quality, but I've had good results from their battery tender (I got the second from the cheapest they had and paid about $20 as I remember).


Harbor Freight....where Chinese made tools go to be used once and then be discarded....

 

I buy the harbor freight ones when they are on sale for $5 each........I have a whole stack of them. I use them til they go bad then throw them away. Some last a year, some have lasted 5 years now-----

 

you could buy a 3 position switch and just switch between batteries.

 

One battery can cost as much as 3 battery tenders ... do the math

 

This one is a bit more, but has lasted 3 seasons for me: http://www.harborfreight.com/12-volt-deluxe-battery-maintainer-and-float-charger-62813.html

I originally bought it because of the onboard "pigtail" connector to easily connect and disconnect without taking the seat/cover off the bike to get to the battery.

It is also fused, so if I ever wanted to use it for a 12 volt tap I could (phone charger, etc).

 

I saw the one in the above link at HarborFreight today for $19.99. I think I paid $29.95 for my Battery Tender, Jr and it has a 5 year warranty.