24 volt system

[Desertboy]

I was on another thread reading about the Battery solenoid that separates your batteries when starting or charging. And I have a question. I switched from a f150 to a 3/4 ton 12 valve dodge. I haven't put my camper on the diesel yet. But it has 2 batteries under the hood. Is this a 24 volt system like On a Large john deere tractor? In the back of the dodge it has a tow package with the round plug for modern trailers and campers. Is it safe to plug my TC in to this plug? It had not occurred to me until I read that other thread. I think Im safe because I used this truck to pull my car hauler trailer and didn't over amp anything. This may be a stupid question Im asking but Im a Newbie and rather be safe than sorry.

[Desertboy]

2oldman wrote:

Desertboy wrote:
And The freightliner Im about to buy is the same deal correct?

I don't know what Freightliner you're buying.

Its a year 2000 fl 70 cummins, 26 foot flatbed. 48,000 original miles. Getting her cheap in Cali, I may buy some more if it works out. They aren't all flatbeds though. They wont pass the new emissions there. They have to retrofit the engines, or salvage them. Or sale them if they can. Markets becoming saturated with these older trucks. They are getting cheap!

[Desertboy]

@ Boatycall, Lol, Lets don't go there yet! My noodle already cooking. I never messed with electricity enough to learn it. Anything else I can do it. I could proly build a truck camper from scratch, Because my younger years were spent cutting and welding, carpentry, drywall, painting, every kind of roofing , and sheet metal fabrication. But I had a rule that I never messed with anything I couldn't see, And that's electricity lol, But now it seems Im gonna have to dive in to this one as well. Im building a New metal house here in Oklahoma for my home base. And just bought a few acres beside the Grand Canyon, South Rim. But I can see electricity is something I must learn. The property in Arizona is for Boondocking. Heres a Pic!

[2oldman]

Desertboy wrote:
And The freightliner Im about to buy is the same deal correct?

I don't know what Freightliner you're buying.

[Boatycall]

All personal-use trucks made in the US are 12v. The dual batteries are needed because the starter requires much more amperage than one battery can safely delivery.
Most all diesels made these days have dual batteries, Ford, Chevy and Dodge.

Wired in parallel batteries keep the same voltage but double the amount of current and/or reserve capacity they have.
Wired in series, they double the voltage but do not increase the reserve capacity.

And if you really want to cook your noodle, I have six 6volt golf cart batteries in my camper, wired in both series and parallel.

[Desertboy]

Ok , thanks! Man that clears a lot up. So if I want to take My Dodge and jump start one of my other vehicles I just pick a battery on the dodge, Either one is fine? And The freightliner Im about to buy is the same deal correct?

[2oldman]

Desertboy wrote:
when he would jump the tractor or charge batteries he would disconnect the cables for some reason.

He may have thought the slightly higher charging voltage would damage things, or that the batteries would charge faster. Neither of those assumptions would be true.

The batteries do not need to be disconnected, whether it's a tractor, a boat, or a truck. If a 12v charger was used on a 24v system, no problem. Just charging each battery separately would be fine also.

[Desertboy]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Diesels need a good starting system.....hence two 12V batteries in parallel

As for the plug (receptacle) on truck.......more than likely it is a 7 pin

Here is a good description of the various trailer plug set ups....LINK

Its the typical round plug and all, But I was worried about it having 2 batteries like my dads old tractor. Dads no longer around to ask questions. But I remember when he would jump the tractor or charge batteries he would disconnect the cables for some reason. Does anyone know how that works?

[Old-Biscuit]

Diesels need a good starting system.....hence two 12V batteries in parallel

As for the plug (receptacle) on truck.......more than likely it is a 7 pin

Here is a good description of the various trailer plug set ups....LINK

[sch911]

No it's a 12V system! The two batteries are in parallel.

[2oldman]

A voltmeter is a very handy tool you should possess and learn to use. It's not likely it's 24v, but don't take my word for it.