BigBendFishing.Net

I have a handheld spotlight that I use on my duckboat. I keep a little lawnmower battery that runs it. Charge it each night and gives me time to set the dekes and ward off other hunters. About 30-40 minutes run time. I am going to be doing some night fishing and don't want to lug that battery (and charger) so I will use clips and the onboard battery for power. I know I can use it on the cranking battery as long as the motor is running, but would be nice to use it on the TM batteries as if they die, no biggie. Also, would not have to worry if there is enough amps to run the light and recharge the cranking battery while the motor is running. Plus, the big TM batteries are deep cycle and should run the light a long time.

So, here is my question. The TM batteries are inline for a 24 volt system (positive-battery A to negative jumper-Battery B and then positive -Battery B and negative-Battery A to the TM for 24 volts). If I put the clips on just one of the batteries, and the TM is not running, would that be just 12V? (not pulling the jumper). I will put my tester on it to be sure. But it seems to me if I put the leads on just one battery, it would not make a difference if the jumper is in place. Right?

Yes, as long as you only hook up to one of the batteries you will have 12v. Don't hook to the cables but to the terminals and you should be good for a long time.

My 24v system only reads 12.4v on the tester when batteries are checked independently.

Thanks guys. Made sense to me and I tested it first. 12 V. Then tested it with the light. Good to go. The light is hooked to + and - on one battery only. Easy peasy.