Making a dual charger?

dse

Cadet
Joined
Apr 24, 2007
Messages
12
Would it be possibly to make my charger into a dual charger by splicing into the red and black wires and putting two more clamps on so that I could charge both my batteries in my boat? Safe? Or stupid idea? Thanks for any input.

Doug
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: Making a dual charger?

That doesn't make it a dual charger. It makes it a single charger with a parallel output. You don't double it's capacity and you could confuse its regulation circuitry because it doesn't know which battery it is monitoring. It can therefore overcharge one battery as it tries to fully charge the other one or it might undercharge one because the other one tells the charger its fully charged. That said, what type of dual battery system do you have. 24V troller motor system or a dual battery (one start - one troller) system. Some chargers will have a sticker on them that tells you not to shorten or cut the output leads as they can upset and even damage the charger. Temperature compensation circuitry is probably the reason.
 

dse

Cadet
Joined
Apr 24, 2007
Messages
12
Re: Making a dual charger?

Thanks for the reply! Didn't know if it would work or not. I have two batteries, one for the starting and one for my trolling motor. Can't really afford a dual on-board charger and was just think if it would be the same if I did what I described. Guess I'll just keep putting the charger in the boat and switch from one battery to the other.

Doug
 
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