BigBendFishing.Net

Hello everyone! I am back to ask for assistance. I am illiterate when it comes to electricity and batteries, just thought I would put that out there to begin. I unhooked my 2 12 volt marine batteries to charge them and now am unsure in the configuration. I have an isolator switch on the back so I can use one or both batteries. I did not have the batteries hooked up positive to positive and negative to negative. I believe I had one jumper wire running from battery #1 positve to battery #2 negative. Does this sound right? I did label them before I unhooked but the ink on the labels faded so bad I could read it. As I said I fear electricity and do not want to blow up my batteries. I appreciate any guidance here that would be offered.

you are correct....that places the batteries is series giving you 24volts

Like this

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Why did you unhook them to charge? Besides onboard, there are some 2 battery chargers (I have an onboard for my saltwater boat, a Minn Kota 2 battery charger for my duck boat). You can leave them hooked up to charge.

Thank you! And I unhook them due to an unfortunate event when I tried to charge them while on the boat and lets just say I had to buy new batteries.......there was a loud POP and some instantaneous melting of battery terminals......again I know little about electricity and fear it more now.......haha. Is it wrong or bad to wire them this way if I am not running a trolling motor? will it harm the starter or the motor itself? Thank you again.

Yes it will harm your outboard motor starter and all the electronics on your boat including your lights. I am certain you have a 12 volt system. Connecting the batteries in the above diagram gives you a 24 volt source.
See the enclosed link, it should solve your issues.
http://www.jerrylabella.com/ship_shape_ ... grator.jpg

FF

Here is the pic I was trying to upload earlier. I hate brain farts....

Thank you for the diagram!