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Posts: 585
Location: Gaithersburg, Maryland | I have two motors on my boat for electric-only lakes. A 24 volt motor in the front. I know how to hook it up properly. The second motor is a 12 volt motor in the back. Presently, I carry two batteries for that motor also. I use one battery until it runs out of juice and then attach the motor to the second battery. Now here's the question:
With a 12 volt motor, can I attach both batteries to each other and then to the motor (positive to positve)? I've heard (on the boards, but couldn't find the posts in archives) that you can and there is an advantage to it. Your comments are appreciated. Tom
Edited by muskiekid 5/19/2003 9:08 PM
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Posts: 5874
| Kid, yes you can. Connect the Pos of the batteries together, and the Neg of the batteries together. This is a parallel connection, and will double your power, and time on the water.
The 24 volt system has the batteries connected in series. Hope this helps. |
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Posts: 4266
| I'm one of those dinosaurs that still runs a 12 volt system.
Shep is right, that is a parrallel setup. I do it in my rig. I have 2 150amp deep cycle batteries hooked up pos to pos, neg to neg. I can fish long and hard all weekend and never run out of juice. I used to run one battery and then switch it out when it ran down, but this works alot better.
Beav |
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Posts: 585
Location: Gaithersburg, Maryland | Thanks. I thought I had heard this before on the board. I will give it a try. Tom |
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Posts: 1996
Location: Pelican Lake/Three Lakes Chain | When running these batteries in a series what is the charging protocol? Can you charge both at once using a 12 volt charger or do you need to disconnect them and charge them seperately? I too am using a dinosaur 12 volt system and would like to extend my play time. |
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Posts: 41
Location: Green Bay, WI | I also switch batteries when one goes dead. I would like to hook them together. Should the batteries be the same make and model if I want to hook them together? |
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Posts: 5874
| I think the key to connecting these batteries is to have the same batteries, and the same age. It seems that some time ago, I had 2 batteries in a diesel truck, and needed to put a battery isolator between them to keep one from discharging the other. Not sure if that applies here, or not. However, if you call Guest, and ask for Sue, I am sure she will have the hot ticket for the setup. I'll try to find the number. |
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Posts: 2754
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | OK-Guys. Here's the skinny on using two batteries in parallel versus using them separately on a 12V trolling motor. There is little know rule of battery physic's. - If you cut the battery load in half you will get 3 times the runtime. F.ex your trolling motor draws ~25A and each battery will power it for 4 hours when connected individually. If you parallel the batteries- each battery will see half the load and you should get 12 hours, versus 8 hours using them individually. Al Warner http://www.zaltnad.com http: |
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Posts: 346
| Synergy Al  |
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Posts: 585
Location: Gaithersburg, Maryland | OK: I give up. How does one hook up three batteries for a 36 volt trolling motor? Thanks |
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Posts: 1023
Location: Lafayette, IN | Also, in response to your question about "matching batteries" the answer is "Yes, they should be the same model and size". This has some scientific explanation that I've read somewhere but can't remember the details. I run (3) 12v batteries in parallel for my 42# Auto Pilot simply because I have the room in my boat to do it. I don't care about running 60+ mph but I care a great deal about keeping my trolling motor running for an all day outing. I'll try to post a link to a very helpful battery FAQ site I use as a reference |
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Posts: 2754
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | Dawg- The matching batteries in parallel requirement is a myth- The only requirement is that they have same technology/charging voltage requirements. There are no problems with them sharing load or charging. My day job company is the largest single user/purchaser of batteries in the world. I have personnally confirmed this with some of the largest battery manufacturers in the world, i.e., their R+D engineering staff's. Also for those of you that are uncertain about wiring of batteries for different voltages- 12V parallel, 24V series and 36V series here a diagram. The fuse and interconnecting cables shown should be sized/rated per the trolling motor manufacturer's recommendation. Al Warner
(Trolling Battery Wiring.jpg)
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 Trolling Battery Wiring.jpg (65KB - 1658 downloads)
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Posts: 1023
Location: Lafayette, IN | Thanks for the clarification, Al. I'm always learning... |
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Posts: 392
Location: KY | Great stuff!
I am wondering the same question as nwild asked. "When running these batteries in a series what is the charging protocol?" Assuming you add a second battery exactly the same as the first and set them up in parallel as shown in the diagram ESOXManiac provided, will a charger that charged the first alone charge both in parallel? Esox Maniak, would it take twice as long to charge both or three times as long? Where would you attach the leads?...
Thanks,
Bruce
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Posts: 2754
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | For a 12V parallel system, The same charger can be used to recharge both at the same time. The same rule of battery physic's also applies to charging only in reverse- It will take 3x the time to charge them, versus charging them individually. You have to remember you've removed three times the energy not twice and you have to put the energy back. So best strategy is to use them in parallel (you get most runtime) but charge them individually (they will recharge faster). For 24 & 36V systems there are battery chargers that are designed specifically for those voltage configurations. However, they can also be recharged with a standard 12V battery charger by charging the batteries individually. I have a 24V trolling motor in ESOX Maniac and I use two 12V chargers to recharge the batteries simaltaneously without unhooking them. Here's the diagram- Only caution is to ensure you have the two chargers connected properly. Al Warner
(24V Trolling Battery Charging.jpg)
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24V Trolling Battery Charging.jpg (30KB - 1033 downloads)
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Posts: 1996
Location: Pelican Lake/Three Lakes Chain | Thanks Al, your information is much appreciated. |
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Posts: 109
| The whole 3x the anything confuses me.
Could someone explain the way this works? |
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Posts: 1023
Location: Lafayette, IN | Al, Short question... Since I have 3 in parallel would in be more benificial to the life expectancy of all 3 to charge them overnight at say, 15 amps (or higher) instead of 3amps? Of course, I'd like to charge them as quickly as possible without disconnecting them. What's your take on this scenario? Thanks again! |
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Posts: 2754
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | Dawg-If you're charging them with a 15A charger, each one should be getting about 5A- That's OK. The three most important things in taking care of your batterry's/charging them is: 1.) not to let then set in a discharged condition-start charging them as soon as you get back to the dock/home., 2.) don't undercharge them and 3.) don't overcharge them. Obviously they can be recharged faster individually. But if you have the time, charging them in parallel is OK too. EViL0nE
- It's fairly complex, i.e., the 3 x rule, as it involves the electro-chemical operation of the battery.... I'll see if I can come up with a simple explanation. Al Warner
Edited by ESOX Maniac 5/22/2003 7:48 AM
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Posts: 1023
Location: Lafayette, IN | Thanks Al. You want an Indiana netter sometime, I'm available to buy YOU a bait and some lunch! Your help is appreciated! |
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