"rutman" wrote in message
...
Hi


I have identical batteries. Each are rated at 12v 7amps


I would like to know if its possible to combine both batteries to give
me 12 volts 14 amps.

I am guessing that if I hook them up in parallel it should do the job?


please let me know.



Yes, with a note of caution.... The batteries should both be in the same
condition, i.e., brand new, or having been used in the same type of service
for the same amount of time.
The reason for this is to avoid the possibility of one battery discharging
into the other, and to make sure that they both supply current into the load
equally..
Suppose that one battery is new, and the other has seen many
discharge/charge cycles in its life. That means that the used battery may
have deterioriated somewhat so that its internal resistance is higher than
the new battery. When the batteries are connected in parallel, the new
battery will have to supply a greater amount of current to the load,
possibly damaging it. It also may not accept a charge as well as the new
battery, and may cause the new battery to be overcharged.

--
Dave M
MasonDG44 at comcast dot net (Just subsitute the appropriate characters in
the address)

Never take a laxative and a sleeping pill at the same time!!