Thread: Wiring batteries and charger

Thanks for the post. I just bought a used 12/24 today and wasnt sure how to wire it up!

I have another question...that I didn't see covered in the forum.

I am looking at getting (2) Guest (two bank) chargers to connect to my four batteries. Two are way, way cheaper than a four bank charger. Plus being on sale for $50 bucks each....

Now my question. I am expecting to hook one lead from the charger to the starting battery. Then I get lost, as my trolling motor batteries (2) are wired in parallel. Since they are already connected together, do I hook just one lead from the charger to one of the batteries to charge both, or hook a seperate lead to each battery for a true two battery charge? Then my second lead from the charger on the starting battery will charge an auxillary battery.

The charger states is works with lead acid, gel or agm batteries...what about marine batteries (would this be the same as a lead acid)? Or is the charger not what I need?

http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0056609019523a.shtml

Thanks in advance...

You can get marine batteries with lead acid, gel or AGM so you are ok there. Hook one of the chargers to the TM batteries (1 lead to each or both leads to one of them since they are hooked in parallel). The other charger hook up just like you said. One lead to the starting battery and the other to the aux. You could get by with one 3 bank charger. But by doing it the way you said, if you ever decide to go to a 24V TM, you won't need a new charger.

thanks bill....that helps a lot....

when wiring in parallel do the batteries have to be the same amps? They are both deep cycle, but one have more amps that the other? just wondering

Originally Posted by tommyboyrn

when wiring in parallel do the batteries have to be the same amps? They are both deep cycle, but one have more amps that the other? just wondering

They don't have to be but will work much better if they are.

Originally Posted by IBNFSHN

That picture is for the older 12/24 trolling motors. If you are set up that way, yes you could use the 12V lead for other things. But I wouldn't recommend using it for a depth finder or GPS as you can get interference from the trolling motor. And yes the 12V comes from 1 battery. If you do it, double check yourself with a meter. You don't want 24V going to anything except the TM.

I have a buddy that has his front and back fish finders connected on the same power post, do you know if this could be causing a problem with his equipment?

He is losing the bottom on his back fish finder once and a while and it's acting very eratic. Let me know what you think

Originally Posted by Jig Wig

I have a buddy that has his front and back fish finders connected on the same power post, do you know if this could be causing a problem with his equipment?

He is losing the bottom on his back fish finder once and a while and it's acting very eratic. Let me know what you think

NO, he is probably just getting interference from the front DF. This can happen a lot in deeper water when both DFs operate at the same frequency. Thye next time it happens tell him to turn the front one off temporily and see if it clears up. Make sure they are connected to the starting battery and not the the trolling motor battery.

Hey thanks for the quick response we will try that the next time out!

I just bought a boat that has a 12 volt trolling motor but has two batteries hooked to it, positive to positive and neg to neg. Is it wired this way so the batteries will last longer and when I hook my charger up do I need to hook to just one of the batteries and will it charge both at the same time? Thanks