Battery wiring question. (8 batteries)

(trickyboarder08)

ok, so I have 8 6 volt batteries that I want to be wired into a 12 volt load. I need know the best way to do this. Here is a picture of what I thought was the best way but I am not sure. There are 2 groups of 4 batteries, so I can keep the weight level on both sides of the boat. Is this the best way to wire my batteries, or does anyone have any better suggestions? Thanks.

(javony) · (javony) **Join Date: Oct 2006** 04-02-2009, 3:00 PM

Google battery wiring. That is what I did to wire my 4 6v batteries into 12v. I can play mine for a good 4-5 hours without it cutting out or dying. I can only imagine how long 8 are gonna last

(uofamox) · (uofamox) **Join Date: Feb 2007** 04-02-2009, 4:54 PM

Brandon,
Try the12volt.com and bcae.net

Between the two sites you will have a wealth of info at your fingertips

(burbanized) · (burbanized) **Join Date: Mar 2004** 04-02-2009, 5:00 PM

8 batteries....You packin some serious juice

(formfunction) · (formfunction) **Join Date: Jun 2008** 04-02-2009, 5:22 PM

To get a 12 volt load all you need to do is link two six volts together.
Take the positive from battery 1 and connect it to the negative on battery two.Use the remaining posts to connect a (12 volt pack) to the boats battery.
Do this four times and your done.

(cyclonecj) · (cyclonecj) **Join Date: Jul 2001** 04-02-2009, 9:55 PM

so's your alternator;)

(denverd1)

what Brock said. You wont need any ballast son!!
Here's a really weak pic. Repeat on the other 3 and your good to go. Linking 2 batts like this makes one 12vt bank.
Upload

(denverd1)

wiring them "in series" if you want to search it out.

I'd also look into distribution blocks. Will this bank (all 8) be separate from engine/alt/other accessories?

(Message edited by denverd1 on April 03, 2009)

(polarbill) · (polarbill) **Join Date: Jun 2003** 04-03-2009, 9:57 AM

Does this look right.

Upload

(w00taz) · (w00taz) **Join Date: Jun 2007** 04-03-2009, 10:08 AM

Yea typically you flip every other batt and put a bonding bar on them but this works too. This system is going to be insane amperage. You will need a charging setup like Grant's to feed this monster.

(polarbill) · (polarbill) **Join Date: Jun 2003** 04-03-2009, 10:21 AM

Either that or if you are just going to keep your stock alternator I would make it completely stand alone and use a big onboard charger every night. This system if you really use it would smoke a stock alternator in no time.

That is going to be close to a rating of 1000 AH. Jesus.

(wotan) · (wotan) **Join Date: Jul 2008** 04-03-2009, 12:46 PM

What's the advantages of a 6V battery vs a 12V?

(polarbill) · (polarbill) **Join Date: Jun 2003** 04-03-2009, 1:02 PM

Robert, there is another thread that has some good info. The 6V batteries have thicker plates and more lead in them. They are made to be beat on really hard so they last long and have really good reserve capacities.

They are also cheaper.