Backhoe Battery Charging

[Raspy]

Parallel Connected with a 12 Volt

Batteries of the same type only can be charged at the same time in parallel (+ to +, - to -).

When you connect the batteries in parallel, you are keeping the total voltage the same. For example, if you connect two 12 volt batteries in parallel, the voltage of the combination is 12 volts.



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This method shown for charging two batteries in parallel does not charge them evenly. They can be connected together as shown, but the charger should have the + lead connected to one battery and the - lead connected to the other battery. This equalizes the loss through the cables and terminals and charges them the same. I can easily measure the difference if I do it as shown and the batteries really need to get to full charge to avoid an early death through sulfation.

Since the batteries went completely dead, you would be better off trying to equalize them with a smart charger that runs them up to about 15 or 16 volts. These chargers are getting very cheap and Walmart has them.

If you are concerned that one might have a dead cell, you can disconnect them from each other and monitor the voltage for a while. But it's probably just that there was a small drain that ran them down. Maybe a bad diode in the charging system or something. I'd look at the tractor to make sure it has no draw with the key off, and if you suspect one, add a battery disconnect switch.

 

[Grayson Klassen]

Are you sure your batteries are connected in series? I don't know of any JD's with a 24 volt system. Of course I've not been around that many JD tractors.

1968 JD 4020 24V Starter and generator everything else is split to 12 volt

 

[ducks13]

In my opinion in you situation you charge the batteries separately. If the batteries are in fact the same then it won't matter but if one of them is sulfated and one is not charging them separately will work better.