12v Battery Cable Connection Points

Here is a chart that was refered to in the posts on batteries. Please note that these diagrams are for 12 volt systems. Refer to a battery professional for diagrams regarding other voltage battery banks. Click on the chart to get a larger picture that you can copy and print for your files.

When wiring a battery bank a common mistake is made when multiple load or charge connections are made at various points in the system. Though everything appears to work fine, the life of the batteries is shortened when wired any other way than this chart. We sometimes find that other RV dealers or even the manufactures do it the wrong way.

Notice the positive (+) and negative (-) connection points in these various battery configurations. This often overlooked wiring method is essential to insure equal battery charging and discharging. The above method should be utilized in larger battery banks as well. All load cables and charge lines (+ -) should be connected only at these two connection points.

CAUTION:

These cautions (and others) should be observed when working with batteries.

Wear safety goggles and other protective gear when servicing batteries. Be careful around batteries, serious injuries can result. Keep a box of baking soda nearby. Batteries must be properly stored and vented to the outside of structure. Explosive gas rises off all wet-cell batteries when charging. Never allow battery terminals to be shorted out. This can cause serious explosions and fire.

You can find a link to the one-hour battery condition chart mentioned in the battery posts in another post in this blog.

Happy battering! Mike