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  1. #1

    Default drained batteries - help

    the previous owner set up the truck with dual 12V batteries connected in series. Something drained them to the point of not being able to start. Questions are: 1. can I jump start from a 12V car and should I? 2. can I charge the batteries one at a time with a12V charger?
    I have a 24V charger on order but want to start the truck sooner.
    these may seem like stupid questions but I'm new to 24V vehicles systems.

  2. #2

    Default

    Usually trying to jump start a 24 volt system with your 12 volt car doesn't work because you are only hooked to one battery of the 24 volt system. Charging each battery separately with a battery charger will work fine, just takes a little longer. Just hook your charger up to each battery separately and you'll be fine.

  3. #3

    Default

    There isn't any stupid questions here. So don't be afraid to ask

    Yes, you can charge them one at a time.
    Not sure if its necessary, but I always disconnect the short lead tying the two batteries together before charging individually.
    Mine is wing nutted so that I can easily remove the jumper while I maintain the two batteries during the idle winter months.




  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Fernandina Beach, FL
    Posts
    3,689

    Default

    Along similar lines, I have a leaky alternator, probably a bad diode. If I were to leave the batteries connected, I would be greeted with dead batteries. So, I disconnect the link between the two 12V batteries and only connect them when I want to drive the truck. One day, I will get off of my fat (yes!) arse and replace the alternator and see if that fixes the problem.

  5. #5

    Default Battery draining...

    I am not purposefully trying to sound patronizing here...but one thing I learned was to turn off the light switch on the dash. If you forget and leave it on (it's easy to do for new Mil Vehicle owners because it's a strange gizmo) the battery drains.

    Or so I learnt. haha

  6. #6

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    As Don said, the most common cause of the drained batteries is a bad alternate diode. I will flatten the batteries overnight and in some cases if the battery is discharged totally will ruin the battery so it won't hold a charge.

    I will disconnect the batteries when I am not using the truck to prevent the batteries from being drained.

    Leaving the ignition switch on is another common problem but usually results in a dead coil instead of a dead battery.

    Use military-style battery terminals they handle lots of current. and you only need a 9/16" wrench to remove the cable from the terminal. I used a wing-nut terminal on my deuce and a half because it was all I had handy at the time and it melted down.

  7. #7

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by jeepdan View Post
    There isn't any stupid questions here. So don't be afraid to ask

    Yes, you can charge them one at a time.
    Not sure if its necessary, but I always disconnect the short lead tying the two batteries together before charging individually.
    Mine is wing nutted so that I can easily remove the jumper while I maintain the two batteries during the idle winter months.



    the previous owner's set up is the same as yours, except with Optima yellow tops.

  8. #8

    Default

    I have done it on several of my jeeps. Use a high amp rated switch or it might melt down on you.

  9. #9

    Default

    does a 24 volt 50 amp sound about right?

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