Battery hookup

[JaySt.cloud]

I have 2 batteries with a 2 bank onboard charger hooked up to them. I was wondering if I can put a jumper on the batteries without wrecking the onboard charger. I was hoping to gain twice the time from the batteries than going with the discharge of one, then swtching the cables and discharging the other one. Anyone know if this can be done?

[stick]

You would want to connect jumpers to both the + terminals and both the - terminals. This puts the batteries in "parallel" so the voltage stays the same and you have twice the capacity in a 12 volt system. You would then only connect 1 bank of the charger to the batteries in this setup. If you want to use both banks of the charger, you'd want to remove the jumpers each time.

Any seconds to this plan?

[HarryG]

I think your way is the correct way. I think it is the only way to do what the OP wants. A parallel circuit. I don't understand the charge system you described. I think you could connect the charger to one pos connection on one battery and one neg on the other battery. Then you could charge both batteries at once. Or you could charge one battery at a time. I don't understand how the jumper would affect the charging of the battery.

[LMITOUT]

I would have to agree.....wire the batteries in parallel and treat them as one bank. Only use half of the two bank charger (leave the connections for the 2nd bank open).

[love to hunt]

Nailed down by previous replys.

[JaySt.cloud]

So anotherwards, by putting the jumpers on and hooking up both charger banks would fry the charger. Am I correct?

[stick]

"Bad stuff" could happen. By connecting the batteries in parallel, you essentially have one 12V battery with more amps.

[love to hunt]

You are correct, fried charger.

All parallel does is provide you with more available power when needed and subsequantly you get a longer run time between charges.

Hook your charger up like this;

[stick]

Can't add much to that!! Great diagram.

[JaySt.cloud]

Thanks love to hunt. Exactly what I needed to know.