Charging batteries

Laggard · Dec 10, 2019

Need to charge the 2 Varta H3 100Ah 12V batteries on the combine see photo. If I charge them in situ without disconnecting the leads am I charging at 12V or 24V? Is it ok to charge them without disconnecting them from the combine? I need to buy a new charger, what electronics protection is best please? The combine is a NH TF78 ELECTRA PLUS, I really don’t won’t to upset the electrics on that.

Sharpy · Dec 10, 2019

It looks like a 12v system, if it was mine I would put the (12v) charger on one battery and the other will charge at the same time. If you are really worried about the electronics then disconnect the batteries before charging, but in reality its overvoltage from boost packs that can fry them.

davidroberts30 · Dec 10, 2019

disconnect and charge 1 at a time
or use small jumper leads to charge both at once ,but leave the combine electrics disconnected while charging

farmerfred86 · Dec 10, 2019

You can charge these by placing the charger leads on one battery at a time (without disconnecting the wires). You can confirm this by placing a volt meter on each battery and seeing 12v. Most modern (CTEK) chargers will protect you from any mistakes anyway. You will only get 24v if you try to charge both batteries (one +, and one -, from separate batteries in a series linked system. )

Blue. · Dec 10, 2019

As above,charge individually.?

Steevo · Dec 10, 2019

I don’t think it matters if you connect the charger to one battery, or both. Either way the wires will spread the current across both batteries.

Long as the black is on a black, and the red on a red.

Father tried to use the 12v jumper on the 24v digger the other week! Gave me a headache trying to work out how but to charge the batteries without removing from the machine too.

Pennine Ploughing · Dec 10, 2019

don't be lazy, take off the battery leads where they are, and charge each battery separately in situ,
that way you will not do any damage to the machine at all

Exfarmer · Dec 10, 2019

that is probably a 12/24 system. The system uses 24 volts to start but the rest of the system is 12.
I would just charge one battery at a time, and remove the earth terminals. You may find anything else and only one battery is taking the charge.
Although charging should not upset the electrics, it is common knowledge that these combines electrics are not supported by NEW Holland any longer.

Pennine Ploughing · Dec 10, 2019

word of warning here,
i know it may not apply to battery chargers, although it might,
but put jump leads on wrong way, and it cooks the ECU, and that is costly,
that's why i would disconnect the batteries before charging each one at a time

Netherfield · Dec 10, 2019

You must disconnect to charge them, if they are in parallel and one is really down and the other quite healthy you can cook the healthy one before the other is fully charged.

I had a VW Phaeton with two batteries, one for starting, the other for everything else, theory was if the lights where to get left on and flatten the second battery, you would still be able to start the engine.

ollie989898 · Dec 10, 2019

Buy a CTEK for jobs like this. It won't allow you to do anything daft as they are designed for this application in mind. I would charge them individually (and disconnected) anyway just out of caution.

betternextyear · Dec 10, 2019

I would definately charge them seperately. One could be in good condition one could be failing.

Scrambler · Dec 10, 2019

I charge my TX65 with the batteries in situ. I bought a Ctek MXS 5.0 last month for just this job as it is safe to leave on to maintenance charge all winter if I wish. It can also charge motorbike/quad bike batteries as well. Also does desulphation and reconditioning. Good bit of kit and incredibly compact. I've no idea if it's better to charge them individually or not, but I've never had a problem in the past charging them together.

ollie989898 · Dec 10, 2019

Scrambler said:
I charge my TX65 with the batteries in situ. I bought a Ctek MXS 5.0 last month for just this job as it is safe to leave on to maintenance charge all winter if I wish. It can also charge motorbike/quad bike batteries as well. Also does desulphation and reconditioning. Good bit of kit and incredibly compact. I've no idea if it's better to charge them individually or not, but I've never had a problem in the past charging them together.

I'm not sure what model CTEK can do 24 volts or big batteries of this size, is the MXS 5.0 big enough?

Steevo · Dec 10, 2019

ollie989898 said:
I'm not sure what model CTEK can do 24 volts or big batteries of this size, is the MXS 5.0 big enough?

An MXS 5 puts out 5A/hr. Both batteries together are 200Ah, so I assume it would take 40hrs to charge assuming straight line. In reality it’s only full amps up to 80% charge and then drops off, so a good couple of days for a full charge.

I have the 25A version which works quicker for large batteries like this but is quite a bit more pricey.

ollie989898 · Dec 10, 2019

Steevo said:
An MXS 5 puts out 5A/hr. Both batteries together are 200Ah, so I assume it would take 40hrs to charge assuming straight line. In reality it’s only full amps up to 80% charge and then drops off, so a good couple of days for a full charge.

I have the 25A version which works quicker for large batteries like this but is quite a bit more pricey.

Ah I see, I did think the MXS 5 was more for cars, I know they do a big brute of a thing for bigger vehicles, as you say it is a clever thing that does a nice steady charge and won't do anything too harsh.

rob h · Dec 10, 2019

why would you have problems charging with whilst connected. the alternator charges without disconecting

beef 1 · Dec 10, 2019

Laggard said:
Need to charge the 2 Varta H3 100Ah 12V batteries on the combine see photo. If I charge them in situ without disconnecting the leads am I charging at 12V or 24V? Is it ok to charge them without disconnecting them from the combine? I need to buy a new charger, what electronics protection is best please? The combine is a NH TF78 ELECTRA PLUS, I really don’t won’t to upset the electrics on that.View attachment 847997

Any ctec 12 v will be fine in situ.

v8willy · Dec 10, 2019

That lever on the left of the pic, with the chain on it? if you give it a quarter turn it will disconect the batteries from the combine, if you pop it out when finished for the season it shouldn't drain the battries, least that's the setup on a Claas.

A1an · Dec 10, 2019

Personally I like to take batteries OFF the machinery and store somewhere warmer than a cold shed.

Id charge them individually then stick a MAINTANENCE charger on them during the winter to keep them healthy.

There is a difference between charging and maintaining.

Charging batteries

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