Equal length + and - to terminals

[jimindenver]

The negative terminal of my bank is 30 inches farther away from my inverter and controller than the positive terminal. I understand keeping wiring between separate banks equal but does it matter if the negative wire is longer than the positive?

 

[Almost There]

I certainly hope not...  

No, it doesn't matter! Just make sure you leave enough extra line to pull the batteries for service and a little extra at the inverter end to allow for slack.

 

[BradKW]

I was actually just wondering about this today...good timing!

So when/where exactly does equal length matter? I know the jumpers between batteries should all be same...what about the +/- lines from batter to bus bars?

 

[GotSmart]

I know it matters in speakers.  

 

[firebob]

delete.

 

[highdesertranger]

when you are connecting your batteries in series all the cables should be the same length. highdesertranger

 

[frater secessus]

Cariboocoot over on the Wind & Sun forum summarizes it like this:

If you have just two batteries in series the consideration is the over-all length of the negative, positive, and connecting cable in respect to it all adding resistance to the circuit. The connecting cable should be the same size as the (+) and (-) and kept short to avoid adding resistance.

If you have battery strings in parallel then the length of the connectors between batteries should be equal. This is particularly important on 3 or more in parallel where the (+) and (-) leads go to bus bars and need to be kept equal length.

 

[Matlock]

Your pushing electrons so wire size, distance and connections all add to your systems resistance. So yes, it does matter.

 

[Almost There]

when you are connecting your batteries in series all the cables should be the same length.  highdesertranger

Cariboocoot over on the Wind & Sun forum summarizes it like this:

Yes, but connecting the batteries to each other is NOT what was asked.

Jim asked about connecting his inverter to the battery bank, not wiring the banks themselves.

 

[Almost There]

Darn free wi-fi...lol.

Running short on my own time, so trying to use the freebie. Maybe I should just ante up and get more time...sigh!

 

[Reducto]

The only time I can see cable lengths being an issue is when charging parallel battery banks. Even then I don't completely believe it if the wires are thick enough.

Many of us don't even run a cable straight to the battery for things like inverters, we use a chassis ground. That effectively makes the negative cable longer than the positive.

You're fine. If you'd like to make them equal that's fine too, just not necessary.

 

[jimindenver]

I appreciate the answers. I knew it isn't the same as separate banks but with the pills they have me taking I thought it better to ask. The cables are 1/0 welding cable.