Batteries wired in parallel

Hi,
Firstly, I know very little on electrical side of things so please excuse my likely dumb questions. I have a couple 6 volt batteries and am thinking about hooking them in parallel to double the capacity of the batteries. The reason for considering this is I have a 6volt Ford 881 with starting issues, and while I try to figure out the problems I end up draining and having to recharge the single battery. Is using two 6v batteries in parallel a bad idea? Could hooking up two 6volt batteries in parallel cause damage to the voltage regulator? I wouldn't think so, but just checking with the knowledgeable here to be sure..
Thanks in advance.
 

Would that not be just as much work, as finding out the problem? If it drains one battery, it's going to drain both batteries still. Plus more time to burn something, that is doesn't in the time, or hot enough to drain only one.

I'd just find & fix the problem.

Just take the pos cable off the battery. Put a voltage meter of any kind between the post, and the cable.

With key off, lights off, start at the gen, and work you way around, unhooking things till there is no draw on the meter. re-hook things as you go, if they don't change the meter.

Once you have no draw, then you have found your discharge. Then fix it.

Pat
 
Is the battery draining while the tractor is just setting or while it is cranking when you are trying to start it? TinCan has given you a good method to check with, if it is draining while setting. If it is draining while cranking it could be a number of different things. You have two batteries, but what condition are they in, have they been load tested? What is the condition of the battery cables and connections? What is the starter draw? Check those things first then go through the condition of ignition system parts and timing, fuel issues, and compression. When it is running check the charging voltage, not just amperage. It should show around 7 volts to get a full charge in the battery.
 

That is, as Bob said, a perfectly good plan to help you to sort out the problems, or as TinCan puts it "finding out the problem"
 
Thanks for the replies. The battery drains pretty fast while cranking, not from sitting. The tractor sat for several months without running it. Ran fine when last used.
Now, the starter cranks the engine, but slower than usual. Won't start, even when using starter fluid. The spark is weak. Smelled gas, disconnected air tube from carburetor and some gas came spilling out that collected there. Switched carb to one that I just had rebuilt. Still would not start. Battery cables newer and tight. Removed spark plugs and were wet (as expected). While all the plugs were out, I tried cranking the engine.... the cranking speed was little changed versus when plugs were in (unexpected).
 
Thanks for the replies. The battery drains pretty fast while cranking, not from sitting. The tractor sat for several months without running it. Ran fine when last used.
Now, the starter cranks the engine, but slower than usual. Won't start, even when using starter fluid. The spark is weak. Smelled gas, disconnected air tube from carburetor and some gas came spilling out that collected there. Switched carb to one that I just had rebuilt. Still would not start. Battery cables newer and tight. Removed spark plugs and were wet (as expected). While all the plugs were out, I tried cranking the engine.... the cranking speed was little changed versus when plugs were in (unexpected).
 
Also, the batteries are good. The one in the tractor was fine, and actually had checked at the local auto store. The other battery is brand new from NAPA. The tractor acted the same way regardless of which battery was used.
 
A root cause problem solving method is required to define the issue. I'd surmise you have some wiring issues. Hard starting/non starting problems are 99.98% due to poor/incorrect wiring. Like Tin Can said- troubleshoot the problem, don't add to it. Get the correct wiring diagram for your tractor and verify it is correct with no deviations. I'm not certain, but believe the I&T F-20 Manual is good for the 800 Series tractors. While you go thru the electrical wiring, take your battery and generator, maybe the VR too, to your trusty local starter/alternator shop for bench testing. The battery must sustain a full charge UNDER LOAD in order to provide the necessary voltage for cranking. If the generator isn't charging, it needs a rebuild. Is it 6V or 12V? 6V requires heavy duty 0 Gauge battery cables. 12V can get by with the smaller automotive style. Start with the basics, do not start replacing parts, at least until you know if defective or not, and forget about connecting two batteries together.


Tim *PloughNman* Daley(MI)
 
(quoted from post at 21:52:40 10/20/18) Hi,
Firstly, I know very little on electrical side of things so please excuse my likely dumb questions. I have a couple 6 volt batteries and am thinking about hooking them in parallel to double the capacity of the batteries. The reason for considering this is I have a 6volt Ford 881 with starting issues, and while I try to figure out the problems I end up draining and having to recharge the single battery. Is using two 6v batteries in parallel a bad idea? Could hooking up two 6volt batteries in parallel cause damage to the voltage regulator? I wouldn't think so, but just checking with the knowledgeable here to be sure..
Thanks in advance.
In parallel may not work since 1 battery will be discharged by the other over time. You need a blocking diode in the connection to prevent that.
 
From experience: do not hook
batteries together. Much better
results if you hook both batteries
directly to solenoid. Sounds like a
starter rebuild may be in order. My
pulling tractor would barely turn
over with a 925 amp group 31. Added a
850 amp with little improvement. Ran
cable from 850 to starter solenoid
instead of other battery and it spins
great.
 
From experience: do not hook
batteries together. Much better
results if you hook both batteries
directly to solenoid

Electrically they are the same. Perhaps if you're using smaller cables, then two of them to the solenoid might provide less total resistance and allow more current to flow, but if you size the cables correctly then you shouldn't have to do it that way. Our '88 diesel Chevy P-30 Step Van came from the factory with two batteries wired in parallel with only one wire going to the starter solenoid. After you heat up the glow plugs it starts on one revolution or less.
 
Hooking both bats to the solenoid is electrically the equivalent of hooking them together.

Highschool Electronics, page 1, day 1.

That copper wire is not a unidirectional conductor!

Had you said 2 relays, then you could wire for isolation , but will then require extra wiring and devices for charging.
 

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