Abstract: A charger (20) for simultaneously charging a plurality of batteries (22). The charger has a number of current sources (54) each of which selectively applies charging current to a separate battery. The generation of currents by the current sources is controlled by a controller (56). The controller maintains data indicating the total amount of power that the charger has available for charging batteries. When a battery is connected to a current source, the controller determines if the charger has enough power available to charge that battery. If this evaluation is positive, the controller causes the current source to supply the charging current and adjusts the power available data for the charger downwards to reflect the dedication of power to the battery. Upon the completion of the battery charging, the controller adjusts the power available data upwardly to reflect the availability of the power previously dedicated to that battery.