12/24 volt charging question

[fishtail]

Before I try this and blow something up, can I connect a 24 volt battery charger across two 12 volt in series batteries?

Scott

[brute4c]

Yep, should have showed you mine...puts out over 200 amps in 24 volt...

As long as the batteries are hooked together correctly, you are good to go.

In case anyone needs to know:

Negative of 1st battery to ground on frame.
Positive of 1st battery to negative of 2nd battery. (This is called the interconnect cable.)
Positive of 2nd battery to starter button.

Hook charger to negative of 1st battery and positive of 2nd battery.

The charger can be hooked up in 24 volt even if the ground wire to frame and the power to the starter switch are disconnected...so you can have the 2 batteries out of the truck connected with the interconnect cable and charge away.

[fishtail]

I probably have the same one, Shumacher. 6-12-18-24 volt options. I was just concerned that it wouldn't be good for the batteries trying that. Thanks for the help.

BTW, spotted a M715 in Point today, yellow wo/w, Marion FD formerly. Got any listers from Point besides me?

Scott

[brute4c]

None I can recall....interesting...

[brute4c]

Sounds like the same charger...roll around unit...same manufacturer...

[randygar]

Before I try this and blow something up, can I connect a 24 volt battery charger across two 12 volt in series batteries?

Scott

As long as the batteries are of the same brand, size, and state of charge, yes. If there's any differences between them, you'll end up with one overcharged and one undercharged, and should be using two separate chargers.

--Randy

[rboltz]

As long as the batteries are of the same brand, size, and state of charge, yes. If there's any differences between them, you'll end up with one overcharged and one undercharged, and should be using two separate chargers.

--Randy

Correct. In that case you need to "equalize" them.

[randygar]

Equalizing is for batteries with slightly different states of charge, not big differences, or different capacities, and especially not different brands... when using batteries in series, they should always be identical.

--Randy

[amphi]

Before I try this and blow something up, can I connect a 24 volt battery charger across two 12 volt in series batteries?

Scott

Yes!

The belt driven 24v alternator in the truck does it all day long.

Follow the advice of the others on the batteries.

[brute4c]

Good point Amphi!