24V charging question

[Holdimhook]

I recently bought a used pontoon that has a 24V 71lb thrust Motorguide trolling motor.This is the biggest tolling motor I've ever owned and, boy, will it ever push that little old 21ft pontoon boat! This is my first experience with a 24V motor. I have the two 12V batteries hooked up pos to neg. My question is, how do I charge them? Do I disconnect them and charge them individually or can I charge them together and, if so, how do I hook the charger to them?TIA

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 24V charging question

1) with a 24v charger, 2) two 12V chargers -- one on each battery, 3) one 12V charger on one battery at a time (no need to disconnect them) or 4) a two or three output on-board charger that is 24V capable.

 

[NateCCIE]

Re: 24V charging question

Can you take a 12v charger of sufficent amperage and connect it to the two 12v batteries in parallel?

 

[18rabbit]

Re: 24V charging question

NateCCIE - yes, but you need to remove the 24v series connection and create a 12v parallel connection, then you can charge both bats with a single 12v source.<br /><br />I recommend charging your bats the same way you discharged them. In this case, use a 24v charger. By doing it this way you aren’t messing around with removing bat cables, swapping charger hook ups, or risking accidentally crossing connections, etc.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 24V charging question

Paralleling the batteries for charging also means it will take twice as long to charge both. Buy a two output (24V capable) on board charger and be done with it. Plug in at the dock.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: 24V charging question

Upinsmoke has the right idea. However, don't get one of the cheap models that use a common ground. It won't work!!