Battery Charging Question

[stratodown]

I recently purchased an on-board charger (from the iboats mall) for my new-to-me '88 Stratos 189v boat. I have a 24v trolling motor that is powered by 2-12v batteries connected in series. The new charger (i think, i don't have it yet) will charge 3-12 volt batteries, a 3 bank charger. Will I be able to leave the 2 trolling motor batteries connected when i charge them? Thanks in advance!

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Battery Charging Question

Yes

 

[Boatist]

Re: Battery Charging Question

Yes if the ground are all independant.
If they are not then when you hook up the second battery you will short out the first
battery. If you have a OHM Metter then connect between battery black leads.
If you get a open circuit then you can charge in serries.
If the black battery leads are shorted together then you can not charge in series.

Your manual should tell you if you can charge batteries in serries for a 24 volt or 36 volt system.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Battery Charging Question

Yes if the ground are all independant.
If they are not then when you hook up the second battery you will short out the first
battery. If you have a OHM Metter then connect between battery black leads.
If you get a open circuit then you can charge in serries.
If the black battery leads are shorted together then you can not charge in series.

Your manual should tell you if you can charge batteries in serries for a 24 volt or 36 volt system.

Do they still make them with a common ground? I haven't seen one in quite a while but then haven't been looking either.

 

[stratodown]

Re: Battery Charging Question

I don't think I understand...If both batteries have a common ground, then they would be in parallel...what am I missing?

 

[stratodown]

Re: Battery Charging Question

I realized you're talking about the black leads from the charger...now I'm with ya...Thanks for all the help guys!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Battery Charging Question

Modern multi-bank chargers are like two, three, or four totally independent chargers in a single package. The ground leads in these units are not common so series connected batteries do not have to have the series connection broken to attach a charger.