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Message Subject: Another Battery charging question

tomcat

Posted 7/12/2004 2:20 PM (#111839)
Subject: Another Battery charging question

Posts: 743

OK, i use to run two 12 volt batteries for my 12 volt Trolling motor so i could have the expanded battery life on the water. Well, i just got a different 24 volt TM to mount, and i rewired my two 12 volts to obtain 24 volts for new TM. My question is, is there a "wrong" way to charge both my batteries for new 24 volt TM?

I have a TrueCharge dual bank, onboard charger. It has 2 positive wires and one negative. Can i just charge it like i use to charge them before when i had it hooked up for 12 volt? (i had one postive to each battery and negative one one negative end. It's a true 2 bank charger...
I dont want to start charging both batteries at the same time when i have them wired for 24 volt to find out i just ruined my charger, batteries or caused a fire... thanks
tomcat

ESOX Maniac

Posted 7/12/2004 2:36 PM (#111841 - in reply to #111839)
Subject: RE: Another Battery charging question

Posts: 2754

Location: Mauston, Wisconsin

Tomcat- Smart move! Don't do anything until you resolve the proper connections with the TrueCharge folks. The single negative may have been a matter of convienence for the parallel 12V batteries. You may have to rewire the charger for the new 24V system. Better to talk to the manufacturer.

Al

B420

Posted 7/12/2004 2:40 PM (#111843 - in reply to #111839)
Subject: RE: Another Battery charging question

Posts: 382

T-CAT,
This is how I approach it (haven't had a fire yet!) . I take the wire that connects the batteries together in series off of one of the batteries. I then charge the each battery as an individual. All you have to do after one is charged, is take the charger off, and put it on the other battery. Charge her up, and hook the series wire up and you are gone. Not to hard ol Bernie St.Clair!

lambeau

Posted 7/12/2004 3:50 PM (#111850 - in reply to #111839)
Subject: RE: Another Battery charging question

first: definitely check with the manufacturer.

i know in my case, (24v) the batteries are fine to charge without having to change anything from their operational setup - the charger owner's manual said this was ok to do.
from the charger i have one positive lead connected to each battery and the negative lead attached to the battery that is not connected to the ground. the "jump" wire between the batteries stays in place, even while they are charging (thus completing the circuit via the jump wire to battery 2 and to the ground from there).

ESOX Maniac

Posted 7/13/2004 3:40 AM (#111918 - in reply to #111839)
Subject: RE: Another Battery charging question

Posts: 2754

Location: Mauston, Wisconsin

Tom- I just sent you this in an Email- thought I'd post it here too. I checked the Xantrex Technologies website and downloaded the 20A users manual-> http://www.xantrex.com/support/docdisplay.asp?prod=159

Based on that, I would say you cannot directly connect the charger to your batteries without first disconnecting the mid-point jumper. I will attach 2 jpgs to this Email to show you how to do it. I would just make the midpoint jumper (neg to pos connector) long enough to reach for both wiring schemes, i.e., normal and charging. You could also do this with a switch and have the charger permanently connected. But if you're in a hurry it will work OK doing it manually, just put some alligator clips on the leads from the charger.You can get them at Radio Shack.. Just remember to unplug the trolling motor before changing the mid-point jumper location, attaching the charger and while charging the batteries.

Good Luck
Al

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Normal-24V.jpg (32KB - 130 downloads)
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ESOX Maniac

Posted 7/13/2004 12:56 PM (#111958 - in reply to #111918)
Subject: RE: Another Battery charging question

Posts: 2754

Location: Mauston, Wisconsin

Edited by ESOX Maniac 7/13/2004 1:05 PM

ESOX Maniac

Posted 7/13/2004 12:56 PM (#111959 - in reply to #111918)
Subject: RE: Another Battery charging question

Posts: 2754

Location: Mauston, Wisconsin

Tom- Here's how to do it permanently using a rotary cam-switch for the Dual Bank TrueCharge chargers shown on the Xantrex Technologies website link above. I just spoke to a cam-switch importer/distributor. This kind of 50A switch is probably ~ $75 -$100. If it's installed in a waterproof nonmetallic box ~ $100 - $150. I will have some firm pricing from him later in the day if you're interested. You can order direct from them & pay via credit card.

Don't try to do this with three separate switches. You could damage the charger, burn up the wiring or the boat. You need a make-before-break 3-pole double-throw rotary cam-switch.

Good Luck
Al

Edited by ESOX Maniac 7/13/2004 1:07 PM

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Tomcat's 24V battery system.gif (24KB - 135 downloads)
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12-24V battery system.gif (25KB - 128 downloads)

tomcat

Posted 7/13/2004 1:44 PM (#111961 - in reply to #111839)
Subject: RE: Another Battery charging question

Posts: 743

You the man Al!!!! i think i'm going without the rotary cam switch. I think it will be OK to move my connector wire for charging vs running. I only plan on keep this boat less than one and 1/2 years, so this fix should be cool.

Esox Maniac, thank you so much for your help. Your info is quite valuable to a non seasoned boater like myself. thanks for all the info. No doubt you are a very postive contributor to muskies first and all musky nuts out there who check this place out. Again, you da' man!!! thanks again Al. what else can a guy ask for??? Got diagrams/drawings and procedures...way cool. GOOD LUCK to you this season.

tomcat

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