Can You Charge a 48-volt Battery with a 12-volt Charger? Find out the truth, and learn how to safely charge your battery without damaging it.
If you have a 48-volt battery, you know how valuable it is. It can power your electric bike, your golf cart, or your RV. It can also store energy from your solar panels, your wind turbine, or your grid. But what if you need to charge it, and you don’t have a 48-volt charger? Can you use a 12-volt charger instead?
The answer is: no, you can’t. Or rather, you can, but you really shouldn’t. Charging a 48-volt battery with a 12-volt charger is a bad idea for a lot of reasons. It can damage your battery, your charger, and your device. It can also waste your time, your money, and your energy. But how does that happen? And are there any situations where you can use a 12-volt charger safely?
In this post, I will tell you the truth about charging batteries. I will discuss the consequences of using the wrong charger. I will also suggest the best solutions for charging your 48-volt battery correctly. I know this because I have been there, and I have done that.
So read on to find out more!
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- It’s not possible to charge a 48-volt battery with a 12-volt charger.
- You must use a 48-volt charger to charge a 48-volt battery.
- Charging a 48-volt battery with a 12-volt charger can damage both the charger and the battery.
Can You Charge a 48-volt Battery With a 12-volt Charger?
Well, let me put it this way: The answer is no. Not all at once, anyway.
This is because a 48-volt battery requires a charge voltage of around 58 volts. A 12-volt charger can only supply 12 volts or slightly more. Charging a 48-volt battery with a 12-volt charger is inefficient. But, even worse, by unbalancing the cells it can cause irreversible battery damage.
So now we know that the charge current supplied by a 12-volt charger will be inadequate for a 48-volt battery. But what might some other consequences be? Well, the inefficiency results in a longer charging time. Additionally, a 12-volt charger will not handle the load of a 48-volt system, which will cause the charger to fail.
| Charger Voltage | Charge Type | Full Charge Time | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12V Charger | Series | 240+ hours | Charging a 48V battery in series with 12V charger requires charging each 12V battery making up the stack separately. At a typical charge rate of 10 amps from 12V charger, each 12V battery takes 8+ hours to charge fully. Must charge 4 batteries in series, so total time is excessive. |
| 48V Charger | Parallel | 5-6 hours | With matched voltage output, 48V charger can directly charge entire battery bank simultaneously. Only needs to restore 100Ah capacity so much faster. |
How to Charge a 48-volt Battery with a 12-volt Charger
Now, I don’t recommend charging your 48-volt battery with a 12-volt charger. Because here’s the thing: it can imbalance your cells, and this is a BAD idea.
But you asked, so here goes.
If you only have a 12-volt charger, you can charge the individual 12-volt batteries one at a time without rewiring anything.
Here’s how:
- Disconnect the Batteries: Disconnect the 12-volt batteries that make up the 48-volt stack. Why? Because if you charge them one at a time while they are all wired in series, you might short out a battery.
- Charge each battery individually: Connect the 12-volt charger to each battery individually and charge them.
- Monitor the Charging Process: Keep an eye on the charging process to prevent overcharging, which can damage the battery.
- Equalize the Cells: For flooded cells (liquid electrolyte that you can “top up” with distilled water as needed), you can do an “equalizing charge” to ensure that all cells are fully charged and balanced. This procedure will result in much gassing of the electrolyte. Therefore, complete the procedure in a well-ventilated area and remember to add water to compensate for the water loss. This procedure MUST NOT be done on Gell Cells or AGM batteries, and preferably not on “maintenance-resistant” flooded batteries.
The problem is that while you can use your charger’s Equalization setting to equalize the cells in the individual batteries, ensuring that the 12-volt batteries are equally charged is much trickier. To do that, you will need a 48-volt charger.
That’s why I recommend that you only use this method in an emergency.
Steps to Properly Charge a 48-Volt Battery
But let’s not get all depressed! Of course, we can charge our 48-volt batteries, no problem.
As I have mentioned already, to charge a 48-volt battery properly, you need a 48-volt charger. Then, do this:
- Identify the Battery Type: The type of 48V battery you have (lead-acid, lithium-ion, or gel cell) determines the best way to charge it.
- Determine the Charging Rate: The charging rate depends on the type of battery and its capacity. For example, lead-acid batteries should be charged slowly, at about 1/10th of the amp hours of the battery capacity. Lithium-ion batteries can be charged faster, at about a quarter of the amp hours of the battery capacity.
- Monitor the Charging Process: Keep an eye on the charging process to prevent overcharging, which can damage the battery.
- Check the Battery Voltage: Depending on the type of 48V battery you have, the charging voltage will vary. For lead-acid batteries, the recommended charging voltage is 55-65V. For lithium-ion batteries, the recommended charging voltage is 42-48V
Tips for Maintaining a 48-Volt Battery
Before we dive into the nitty gritty, let’s clarify what we are talking about here.
Individual 48-volt batteries are commonly lithium batteries for electric bikes. Here, we focus on battery banks. These consist of 6-volt or 12-volt batteries wired together to create one big bad battery.
To maintain a 48-volt battery stack, follow these tips:
- Keep the battery bank squeaky clean, and free from corrosion.
- Check the battery voltage regularly. If it drops below the recommended level, recharge the battery.
- Avoid overcharging the battery – this can reduce its lifespan.
- Use a charge controller when charging the battery with a solar panel. It regulates the charge current.
Popular Chargers for a 48-Volt Battery Chargers
So, which chargers can we use to charge our 48-volt stacks? Don’t worry; I’ve got you covered. Here are my picks.
1. Lester Summit Series II 48V/13A Battery Charger
The Lester Summit Series II 48V/13A Battery Charger is a fast charger. It can charge a 48-volt battery in just a few hours. It’s also compatible with most types of lead-acid batteries, including AGM and gel cell batteries. And it has a Bluetooth feature, which is always a bonus.
2. DPI 48V 17A Golf Cart Charger
Let’s talk about the DPI 48V 17A Golf Cart Charger. Like the others, this one is designed for 48-volt systems. It’s part of DPI’s Accusense Intelligent Charger series, which means it’s smart enough to adapt to your battery’s needs. So, whether you’re hitting the greens or cruising around in your electric vehicle, this charger has got your back! Neat, huh?
3. Delta-Q QuiQ 48V Battery Charger
Many users have praised the Delta-Q QuiQ 48V Battery Charger for its impressive performance. This charger is specifically designed for electric vehicles and industrial equipment, and it charges 48-volt batteries a bit lively. It’s also versatile, as it is compatible with a wide range of lead-acid batteries. Has a user interface showing charge status.
4. Schumacher SC1359 48V Battery Charger
If you’re in need of a charger for your electric vehicle or industrial equipment, the Schumacher SC1359 48V Battery Charger could be a great option. It’s a speedy charger that can fully charge a 48-volt battery in just a few hours. Additionally, it’s compatible with a variety of lead-acid batteries, including AGM and gel cell batteries.
5. NOCO Genius GEN4 48V Battery Charger
The NOCO Genius GEN4 48V is a fast charger that can charge a 48-volt battery in just a few hours. This charger is also compatible with most types of lead-acid batteries. It is also used with industrial equipment and EVs, amongst other things. And it has a reputation for bringing old batteries back to life.
6. Pro Charging Systems Dual Pro Eagle 48V Charger
The Pro Charging Systems Dual Pro Eagle 48V Charger is a charger for use with electric vehicles and industrial equipment. It is a fast charger that can charge a 48-volt battery in just a few hours. This charger is also compatible with both AGM and wet batteries, with a reliable, water-proof construction.
Before You Go…
If you’ve made it this far, you now know that charging a 48-volt battery with a 12-volt charger is a bit of a no-no. But what about charging a 24-volt battery with a 12-volt charger? Is that any better? The answer is: no, it’s not. Or at least, it’s not that simple.
Charging a 24-volt battery with a 12-volt charger can harm the battery, charger, and device. It can also lead to overheating, overcharging, and exploding. But why is that? And are there any circumstances where you can use a 12-volt charger without any problems?
In my next article, I will show you the difference between 24-volt and 12-volt batteries. I will also explain the problems of using the wrong charger. Lastly, I will share the best ways to charge your 24-volt battery safely and quickly.
This is one you don’t want to miss. For all the details, read Can You Charge a 24-Volt Battery with a 12-Volt Charger?
Frequently Asked Questions
Here’s the FAQs
Can you charge a 48V battery with a 12V charger?
No, you cannot charge a 48V battery with a 12V charger. The voltage of the charger must match the voltage of the battery being charged. Attempting to charge a 48V battery with a 12V charger can damage the battery and the charger.
Can a 12V charger charge a 48V golf cart battery?
It’s not possible to charge a 48V golf cart battery with a 12V charger. Golf cart batteries usually require a charger that matches their voltage to avoid causing damage to the battery and the charger.
What charger do I need for a 48V battery?
You need a charger that matches the voltage of your 48V battery. Several types of chargers are available, including smart chargers and multi-stage chargers. It is important to choose a charger that is compatible with your battery and has the appropriate charging capacity.
How long does it take to charge a 48V battery?
The time it takes to charge a 48V battery depends on its capacity and the charger’s charging rate. Typically, it can take several hours to charge a 48V battery fully. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for charging your battery. Use a charger that is compatible with your battery.
