How do I connect batteries to create a battery bank?

Question

I have 4 x 110ah 12v batteries with standard terminals.

How do I connect these together to create a 12v battery bank of 440ah?

Also any suggestions on what sort of connectors / bus bars i need?

I was going to speak to an electrician but thought I'd try here first.

Also when wiring is it best to connect positive to positive, negative to negative. I need to keep 12v not 24 as my charger, solar panel and inverter are all designed for 12v.

Thankyou

Answer 1

You are right , positive to positive then negative to negative keeps you on 12 volts. This is parallel connecting.

Use a wire diameter that is much the same as what you find on a car battery in a car.

Answer 2

Positive to positive , then negative to negative will give you in your case 440ah at 12 volt and your charger will be slow but ok. Pos neg pos neg will give you 110ah at 48 volts and blow your circuits to pieces. Sorry cant remember which is series and which is parallel..Ps Go to a car parts shop and get battery terminals and use 6 or 10mm flex to connect them.

Answer 3

Yes, you are correct and both response are giving you the right answer.

If I were you and had similar questions like this and need an immediate answer, I would contact my local Batteries Plus ( http://www.batteriesplus.com ). They're very knowledgeable with this stuff.