Battery Wiring Question

[LD1]

The only way three batteries can be used is either ALL in series (36v) or all in paralled (12v 3x's amperage). But never a combination as mentioned.

Either run on two batteries in series, get a 4th battery and run series-parallel with an even count, or get 4 6v batteries in series. These are the only options I see.

As to the charger....if you are actually measuring 36v....it probably is a 24v charger but I would want more confirmation. A 24v charger HAS to put out more than 24v or it would never charge. 24V via 4 6v batteries or 2 12v batteries is actually ~25.2v. Most 12v chargers run 14-16v. So I would think a 24v charger would be somewhere in the 28-32v range in order to charge.

 

[aczlan]

Might they have originally been 8 volt batteries? They are not exactly common, but they are used on golf carts.

Aaron Z

 

[Tx Jim]

I'm very familiar with older JD tractors that utilized four 6 volt batteries for 24 volts. The main reason four 6 volt batt were used instead two 12 volt batteries is high CCA 12 volt batteries weren't available so four 6 volt batt were used to get higher total CCA's. With today's high CCA 12 volt batteries I'd use two 12 volt instead four 6 volt batt or better yet change system 24 volt system over to 12 VOLTS. From what I read service life of today's 6 volt isn't very good.

 

[joefromga]

There won't be any smoke how do you think the insides of batteries are made? They are cells in parallel.

Using 2 batteries in parallel just makes a bigger 12v battery. Another in series to those makes 24v.

Since they are now 2 batteries of different sizes the single one will discharge faster and will probably have a shorter life but it will work. It's not ideal but it will work.

There is a proper way to do it, though and you should try that. If you need 24v just use two 12v batteries in series and it will be fine. Large ahr batteries will probably provide as much runtime as the original ones.

Golf cart 8v batteries in series would allow you 3 large capacity batteries for 24v and this may be the best and proper way.

 

[Tx Jim]

There won't be any smoke how do you think the insides of batteries are made? They are cells in parallel.

Using 2 batteries in parallel just makes a bigger 12v battery. Another in series to those makes 24v.

You need to read & comprehend what rutwad stated which I'll quote an excerpt of the rutwad's original post [/quote]I can hook them up for 24v by having 2 in series and the other parallel[/quote] If you don't understand then read OP's original post again. I'll guarantee that three 12 volt batteries attached together on a 24 volt wiring harness will cause SMOKE to the wiring harness!!!!!!!!! I did not state or imply it would smoke the batteries but it's very possible that that could happen.

 

[joefromga]

2 12v batteries in series is 24v and a third in parallel is still 24v. How will that smoke the wiring harness?

 

[TomSeller]

The 24 V from the two in series will effectively try to charge the single 12 V battery wired in parallel by a reverse flow of current through it. Given the huge current available and the high voltage, it would likely overheat and boil off gasses, a potential of explosive levels. Makes no sense to do this. Don't do it.

 

[joefromga]

I guess it depends on how he has it wired. If he's wanting 24v he can get it with the three but definitely not hooking up the 24v series set to a 12v from the 24' terminals. I was hoping he had used them all together as 24v, meaning 2 parallel to the one 12v series Making 24v.

 

[TomSeller]

If he's wanting 24v he can get it with the three .

How would he do that?

 

[joefromga]

How would he do that?

12v to 12v series is 24v.

Take two batteries and parallel them. Now you have one 12v battery. A large one with 4 posts. The terminals you use will be at the ends (of battery 2) with 12v DC between them. You can then connect the + of battery two to the - of battery 3 (series) and the leftover terminals are going to give you 24v DC.