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ag, Settign here, Im unsure if you have two 12 volt batteries in series, which is a typical 4020 Diesel 24 volt 2 wire configuration, or if you have converted to 12 volts and your two 12 volt batteries are indeed in "parallel" as you stated????? If the 2 are in series, a good first thing to look at is like my old friend Gerald J mentioned in that the + and - battery posts are different sizes (diameter) and the old connections should provide a clue as to how it was connected prior. If they are in series and you have the 24 volt system, the batteries are connected + of one battery to - of opposite side battery and that mid inner tie point (+ of one to - of other) also has a bond or jumper or cable tied to frame ground. Then, the 2 outer most untied posts (remaining other + of one - of other) goes to the 24 volt starter, i.e. the starter has TWO big cables to it versus only one as in 12 volt systems, and the voltage scross them is 24 volts. Again, those two outermosts untied to starter posts ARE NOT the two posts tied in the middle and bonded to frame ground. On the 6 versus 12 volt debate, we have discussed that several times here and the bottom line (from an engineering view) is that whichever configuration (single 12 or two sixes in series) stores the most energy provides more reserve cranking capacity. A battery is an energy storage device and electrical energy is expended in Power which is Volts x Amps over time. If the batteries are of equal design type n construction, the most energy is whatever combination has the most LEAD AND ACID AND PLATES (usually corresponds with physical size n weight) and thats why two sixes in series (physically bigger n more lead acid n plates) can store more energy than a single smaller 12 volt unit. HOWEVER, thats NOT to say that two light wimpy six volters in series stores more energy than a single super heavy duty 12 volt unit. Just cuz theres two dont necessarily mean they store more total energy, again its the lead n acid n plates so an apples to apples comparison usually means the two stores more energy, which is why the early A"s etc used two sixes in series. That simply had more lead n acid n plates (more weight n total physical size also) than a single smaller 12 volt battery. Then as my other friend GT (B n D) pointed out, two batteries in series adds voltages, but the amperage (like its CCA rating) stays the same, therefore, a single 1000 CCA 12 volt can pump more amps into a starter than two sizes in series which only has say a 650 CCA rating. HOWEVER, the two sixes (again provided equal construction) can pump its 650 amps for a longer time than the 12 can deliver its 1000 amps. The single 1000 CCA 12 will spin her over faster to begin with, but the two sixes of 650 CCA in series will crank her longer (Volts x Amps x Time is how a batteries stored energy gets expended). If you wanna spend the big bucks and store even more energy, these new AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) spiral cell technology batteries like Optima makes (I think Lifeline maes them in flat cell type) will really crank her fast n for a long time. Hope this helps n dont cornfuse. God Bless n Merry Christmas to yall John T in Indiana
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