Battery hookup Question

[IMHB]

OK...I have a 24 volt bow mounted trolling motor. It's run from two 12 volt batteries.
The two batteries are hooked together in series ( + connected to - ) the trolling motor is hooked to the other plus and minus for 24 volts. Works great..

Question...can I leave the batteries hooked up like they are, then....
attach my 12 volt down rigger to the ( + and - ) of just one of the batteries..

Anxiously awaiting your answers....Thank you....Harry

[oldmn19]

Yes, just fully charge each, so they end up with equal state of charge. If you don't, They will equalize to the lowest charged one. I use to do this with my golf cart battery's, if it was stored a long time, and wanted to be sure they were topped off. I had 6-6V deep cycle battery's and would use 2-6V chargers, and move it to next battery pr. The charger that came with the cart would shut off before all 6 were fully charged I discovered.