Running batteries in parallel

Going to run 2 batteries in parallel for my trolling motor but I’ve been getting a couple different answers.

I know to hook pos to pos and neg to neg. My first question is the wiring for the socket. Does it go to 1 battery or both? I’ve seen people say put the positive on battery 1 and negative on battery 2. I’ve recently read an article though that stated to make sure you hook both positive and negative to the same battery

My Second question is about charging. Can a single bank smart charger be used to charge both at the same time? Or do I need to disconnect the batteries from each other and charge separately?

Jonesy wrote:

My Second question is about charging. Can a single bank smart charger be used to charge both at the same time?

That’ll work fine. One of the benefits of a parallel system.

Jonesy wrote:

know to hook pos to pos and neg to neg. My first question is the wiring for the socket. Does it go to 1 battery or both?

Connect your batteries to each other, then your device to one of those batteries. It draws equally from each battery.

From an electrical standpoint, it make no difference whether you put the leads to the TM on the same battery or not. With the jumpers installed, it becomes 1 big battery.

As far as charging with a single-bank charger, is there any chance you could add a 3-position battery switch? By adding a simple switch, you could charge each battery independently, assuring a full charge in each, yet still have the benefits of the parallel-wired battery bank when desired.

HRG

Hot Runr Guy wrote:

From an electrical standpoint, it make no difference whether you put the leads to the TM on the same battery or not. With the jumpers installed, it becomes 1 big battery.

As far as charging with a single-bank charger, is there any chance you could add a 3-position battery switch? By adding a simple switch, you could charge each battery independently, assuring a full charge in each, yet still have the benefits of the parallel-wired battery bank when desired.

HRG

Eventually I probably could but at the moment I have a single bank charger and now a parallel system upfront

Charging as separate batteries really only benefits when you have batteries of different ages; but you are only as strong as your weakest anyway…That is why it is recommended to buy two new batteries when going parallel.

I used to run 3 batteries in parallel and would still use one charger. Now i have two in parallel and two in series and i use 3 chargers.

You sure can use 1 charger but it may take twice as long to charge. That may be an issue with a smaller amp rated charger and back to back days of fishing. As stated above 2 batteries of the same size, age and general condition is also very important.

CBMN wrote:

You sure can use 1 charger but it may take twice as long to charge. That may be an issue with a smaller amp rated charger and back to back days of fishing. As stated above 2 batteries of the same size, age and general condition is also very important.

I bought 2 new batteries so that should hopefully not be an issue. Right now I only have the small 6amp charger from MinnKota but I will be getting that replaced. It is pretty rare though where I fish back to back days.