Hello. Need advice on the best way to put a 2012 SR3 on battery tender. As you probably already know, the SR3RS has 2 batteries. Someone advised me against using 2 battery tenders simultaneously, but I thought I'd come to the forums for best advice.
Should I
a) use 2 battery tenders
b) use 1 battery tender and alternate every couple weeks (this is a pain since my car is stored an hour's drive from me)
c) use 1 battery tender on the rear battery and just jump the front one when I need to start the car
d) other
Thank you for the help
Hi Will @archfarseer, I don't know if there is an issue charging both batteries at the same time, but I would think if it is wired properly it could be made to work. Here are a few images that should be helpful.
This image shows the layout and wiring for the two battery system. The rear battery is charged from the the engine and the side battery is charged from a separate charging box located in the cockpit wall.
This image of the single battery system you can see the optional lead that is used for charging or jumping the car.
In these images you can see an example of a car that has two leads to charge / jump each battery. In the other images you can see examples of chargers.
@charleyhradicalsportscarregistry-com
1) In that diagram, are the 2 power circuits even connected? If not, then I'm assuming they can be charged simultaneously? I apologize for some of the lingo, I don't have an engineering background so some of this is learning on the fly.
2) I have both Battery Tender and C-tek devices, but no adapter for the Radcial. Would you happen to know where to buy the adapter?
Much thanks, as always!
The two batteries are connected in series. The complete wiring isn't shown in the 24v diagram...It only shows the wiring that is added when the second battery is used. To get the full picture you would have to add in the wiring from the single battery diagram. I would think that it would be fine to charge both batteries simultaneously as long as you have it wired properly (I would get a second opinion on this). The reason I believe this is correct is because when you are using the car both batteries are being charged. The rear battery is being charged by the engine driven alternator and the side battery is being charged by an on board battery charger. So I can't see how using a charger would be any different. (But I haven't tied it)
Regarding the connectors... These are Anderson connectors that can be purchased on line or in many stores. Also, you can purchase a wiring kit from your local Radical dealer that has everything needed to do the installation. one thing that is nice about the kit is that it includes a bracket that holds the Anderson connector in place which makes it easier to connect and disconnect.
Charley
@charleyhradicalsportscarregistry-com
That was very helpful. I'm looking up the Anderson connectors, and since I don't know how to solder, I may need to go the Battery Tender route since I've managed to find a few connectors that are SAE-Anderson. I could not find a Ctek-Anderson adapter so I assume the one in the picture is custom made.
Two follow up extremely noob questions:
1) Even in the 24V diagram, I assume each battery is still 12V, correct? (I will need to purchase the correct voltage Battery Tender)
2) If both batteries are being trickle charged simultaneously, I assume you have to use 2 chargers, or is there a single charger route?
Thank you as always.
