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Battery Types and Sizes
B–6
Using Multiple Batteries
As your power requirements increase, you may need to use more than one
battery to obtain sufficient capacity. Read “Two Batteries Connected In
Parallel” and “Two Separate Battery Banks” to determine whether two
batteries or two battery banks are more appropriate for your applications.
Two Batteries Connected In Parallel
Two identical batteries can be connected positive (+) to positive (+) and
negative (–) to negative (–) in a parallel system. A parallel system doubles
capacity and maintains the voltage of a single battery.
Both Figure B-1 and Figure B-2 show batteries connected in parallel.
Figure B-1 shows a battery configuration suitable for normal loads;
Figure B-2 shows a configuration that is recommended for heavy loads.
CAUTION
Do not connect the following in parallel: batteries made by
different manufacturers, different types of batteries, batteries
that have different Ah ratings. Decreased battery life and
improper charging will result.
Figure B-1 Configuration for Normal Loads
FROM ALTERNATOR
OR CHARGER
TO VEHICLE
VEHICLE
STARTING
BATTERY
DEEP-CYCLE
BATTERY
DEEP-CYCLE
BATTERY
DEEP-CYCLE
BATTERY
DEEP-CYCLE
BATTERY
FUSE OR
CIRCUIT
BREAKER
FUSE OR
CIRCUIT
BREAKER
BATTERY
SELECTOR
SWITCH
BATTERY ISOLATOR
BATTERY
SELECTOR
SWITCH
TO DC
LOADS
PROwatt
100 0
GROUND TO
VEHICLE
CHASSIS
GROUND TO
VEHICLE
CHASSIS
GROUND TO
VEHICLE
CHASSIS
ALL
OFF 2
1
ALL
OFF 2
1
FUSE OR
CIRCUIT
BREAKER
FUSE OR
CIRCUIT
BREAKER
PROWatt100.book Page 6 Friday, January 5, 2001 3:03 PM