This is great infoJimm391730 wrote:Charging an unbalanced pair of batteries (one discharged, one charged) is problematic. The charged one gets overcharged and the discharged one does not get enough charge. A battery equalizer typically takes equal power from both batteries but only returns this power to the more deeply discharged battery; essentially removing energy from the charged battery and giving it to the discharged battery. This is how the equalizer works.
Now let us do a rough thought experiment: If you use a 12V winch for one minute, and it draws 400 amps during that time (not unrealistic!) then that battery is being drained at 400A times 1 minute equals 400 amp minutes. The 6A equalizer will take over an hour (400 divided by 6 = 66.7 minutes) to theoretically bring things back into equalization. Until this time, the alternator is overcharging the upper battery - this creates heat (or at least more heat than "normal"). Heat is almost never your friend; the more heat, the shorter life most things will have. It is possible that a sealed battery might vent during this overcharge and venting is not normal for a sealed battery.
The above thought experiment shows that there is the possibility of damage/degradation even with an equalizer. However, if this only happens a few times per year and not an everyday occurrence, the likelihood of long term problems is probably almost zero - yes, the batteries are unbalanced, but in an hour (or two or three) things get back to an equalized normal. So it becomes a weighted decision to accept some slight possibility of creating a problem with the convenience of a 12V winch. The more you know and understand the better you can deal with the issues: what if you get REALLY stuck, and end up winching for a LONG time? After a bit, swap batteries! Balance their charge that way!
Everyone's "best" solution will be different. I elected to get a 24V winch and not worry about it. YMMV, but be sure to enjoy your choice and your truck!
So with a 60amp equalizer all of a sudden we go from 66 mins to about 7 mins. Gets interesting assuming the alt can keep up