can you charge 5 car batteries , in parralel at the same time?

Question

do they need to be of a similar charge when you connect them?(to stop power surging into the empty ones)
what charge rate would you advise?
Does it matter if its a mix off batteries(size/type)? if so which types would be compatable?
CHEERS

its just dawned - rejuvinating the sealed ones has gotta be a go-er from the answers
rocky- do you charge the batteries up before you connect them up to your windmills??

Answer 1

It's best to charge similar batteries together but I have charged all sizes together without a problem providing they are all the same voltage. In fact I sell banks of batteries to go with the wind turbines I sell

Answer 2

If they are ganged up all the time then you can leave them together and charge them. If they aren't then you need a split charge system like they use on vehicles with a separate radio or winch battery.

Yes it matters. If you put something powerful like a big Optima Red Top next to a completely flat regular 12v battery you could get hundreds of amps going between them. A good way to start a fire, expecially since the flat battery would be dumping oxygen and hydrogen out of its cells.

Have a look at Xsplit, below, as an example.

Answer 3

Yes

Would suggest you keep monitoring them. Trickle charge is always best.

I assume all batteries are lead/acid 12vdc.

Answer 4

CHARGE THEM ALL AT ONCE, as many as u can get, any size, as big a charge as poss, stand well back, about 20-30 yards, watch the display, phone 999, ask for FIRE BRIGADE & AMBULANCE. Have fun.................!!!!!!

Answer 5

I blew up a battery charger doing this...

Answer 6

CHARGE ONE BATTERY AT A TIME IT IS SAFER.