tom496
St.Louis
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I plan to replace the two 12V batteries in our TT with four 6V 220AH Costco golf cart batteries. The two batteries I’m replacing are connected to the Intelli-Power PD 9180 converter w/ Charge Wizard, with 2’ lengths of 4 AWG. Unfortunately, I don’t have room for four batteries in that location, so two of the new 6V batteries will have to be located about 10 feet away (that is, with 10’ lengths of 4 AWG.) The diagrams below are meant to show this - one pair of the batteries is closer to the converter and the second pair is farther away.
I would like to hear pros and cons of the options below and/or other approaches. I have not purchased the batteries or cable yet, so alternative suggestions are welcome.
Diagram 1: Wire each pair in series, with the pairs wired in parallel to each other.
Diagram 2: Same as Diagram 1, but with the cables from the second pair connected directly to the converter rather than through the first pair. (Would there be any appreciable difference from the configuration in Diagram 1? Would it make sense to just use the configuration between these options that takes the overall least amount of cable or with which it is easiest to make tight connections?)
Diagram 3: Wire each pair in parallel, with the pairs wired in series with each other.
DIAGRAM 1
DIAGRAM 2
DIAGRAM 3
Also, with a configuration like one of these, would there be a significant benefit to rotating the positions of the batteries periodically, or otherwise taking some action to try to equalize wear and tear on the batteries over time?
Thanks.
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2oldman
Winchester WA
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Probably doesn't make a hoot of difference how they're wired.
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smkettner
Southern California
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I like #3 and I would not rotate unless removed for some other reason.
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BFL13
Victoria, BC
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No 3 is out because 6v pairs need to be wired in series to make 12v.
I have two pair of 6s some distance apart and the rig's pos and neg wires cannot stretch to one going to each pair as is proper for balancing. Also the Trimetric shunt forces you to go through that for the neg.
I use a middle point as a sort of buss for the pos side. Rig pos to the buss and then a wire to each pair's pos (the pos left over after you run the series link)
The Trimetric shunt acts as a neg buss. Also try to middle that between the pairs. Rig neg to shunt outer end and two wires from the inner end (closest to battery negs), one to each pair's free neg terminal.
If the distances are uneven, you can make up for that by using fatter wire on the longer run.
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Bit Bucket
Brookings, Oregon
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BFL13 wrote:No 3 is out because 6v pairs need to be wired in series to make 12v.
I have two pair of 6s some distance apart and the rig's pos and neg wires cannot stretch to one going to each pair as is proper for balancing. Also the Trimetric shunt forces you to go through that for the neg.
I use a middle point as a sort of buss for the pos side. Rig pos to the buss and then a wire to each pair's pos (the pos left over after you run the series link)
The Trimetric shunt acts as a neg buss. Also try to middle that between the pairs. Rig neg to shunt outer end and two wires from the inner end (closest to battery negs), one to each pair's free neg terminal.
If the distances are uneven, you can make up for that by using fatter wire on the longer run.
#3 is most definitely NOT out, it is 2 pairs of six volters in series with each other, for 12 volts total.
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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Search for hte phrase 12 volt side of life.
Now, I will verbally describe how you do it
Take two six volt batteries and put them in serries, you now have a single 12 volt battery,, A very large single 12 volt battery.
Now take the other pair, and do the same thing.
now you have two big 12 volt batteries.
You already know how to hook up 12 volt batteries.
By the way,, Think of each pair as a single 12 volt battery and most all you quesitons go "POOF" just like that.
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
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Bit Bucket
Brookings, Oregon
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Except the question of where to hook up what.
Following this guide or the one referred to above, you will get equal charging and discharging of your batteries because the amount of cable to each battery from the load is the same.
The more you load your batteries (think heavy inverter load) or the harder you charge them, the more this matters.
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smkettner
Southern California
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Bit, that picture is very poor. Main cables should attach at each end of the stack for better balance.
BFL, #3 is two 6v in series. Provides best balance IMO. And less wire.
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tom496
St.Louis
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Thanks for the replies.
BFL13: That's an interesting idea about balancing the load on the two pairs of batteries by using heavier cable on longer runs. Like maybe 4 AWG for the 2' runs (which is already in place) and 2 AWG for the 10' runs?
Also, as to your references solar components, I didn't mention it since I didn't think it was relevant, but I have been considering adding some solar. I planned to evaluate that after taking a few trips with the new 6V batteries and after becoming more familiar with the power consumption of this TT, which is still relatively new to us. However, I would welcome comments about any considerations I should take into account now to prepare for possibly adding solar later.
wa8yxm: Diagram 3 is the "two big 12 volt batteries" arrangement that you mention, isn't it?
Bit Bucket: I am not understanding how I can achieve the same amount of cable from each battery with the constraints I mention in my original post.
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BFL13
Victoria, BC
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Ok I see it now.
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