How to charge just one battery?

[JakeJones8]

For those of you that use a separate 12v for accessories, how do you charge it?

Long story short I have a 4x12v set up and had a wire come loose and melt a terminal post. I just bought one new battery as the rest of the pack is only about 6months old. I installed the new one, charged it up, and equalized but it was still about .5v behind the rest. I took it for a drive then plugged it in immediately when I got home. After charging, it only gets to about 85% (12.55v) and the other 3 are at 100% (12.80v+). My thought is if I disconnect that one battery from the pack and use a car charger to get the voltage equal with the rest it will then maintain a similar voltage when connected together? Am I off on this?

Thanks!!

[scottyb]

You are on the right track, the other batteries are already broke in. It's normal for the new one to lower until it too is broke in. I would charge the new guy to about 14v then drive a bit and repeat daily until it starts to match the rest.

PS - no need to disconnect anything to do this. Just put the 12v charger on the new battery

[JakeJones8]

Sounds good, thanks for the help!