Battery placement

BradKW · Jul 16, 2016

Posting from phone, so briefly:
With four 6v's making a 24v bank, how important is "equal length wires" connecting? I really want to split them to 2 each side of van... consequences please?

ccbreder · Jul 16, 2016

The size of the wires is very important. Large large large awg. Figure the highest load you expect, the distance between the banks, and use a voltage drop table to determine the awg.

BradKW · Jul 16, 2016

Ok...so are you saying that distance between batteries can be compensated with using larger wire?

SternWake · Jul 16, 2016

BradKW said:
Ok...so are you saying that distance between batteries can be compensated with using larger wire?

Yes.

Look into this cable. Diesel locomotive cable.

Some of these have cable thicknesses thicker than your thumb:

http://www.skycraftsurplus.com/diesellocomotivecable.aspx

It really is better to have the batteries as close together as possible though so the interconnects are short and then it will act more like one large 24 volt battery

ccbreder · Jul 17, 2016

There has been as much controversy about locomotive cable as about choice of tires. That cable is designed to be used inside conduit. I used marine cable, as it is designed for safe use and has heavier insulation. These are good people = http://www.genuinedealz.com/custom-cables/custom-battery-cable-assembly?size=48
Ordered on Monday AM, delivered to my door Wednesday.

jimindenver · Jul 17, 2016

I don't like it. There is a difference between balancing two identical banks with heavy enough wire to keep them equal and having a half of a 24v bank in one spot and a length of cable to the other half to complete it. I'm probably wrong but it doesn't seem right.

My bank will be as close to the trailers axles as to not affect the tongue weight. In a truck I would think I'd want the weight balanced between the axles.