Splitting Load Between Both Battery Terminals on Ser/Par Config? Yes, No, Sometimes?

[austexdude469]

I saw a couple diagrams while searching on the net that had it wired like A, but most wired like B. Not sure what the reason is for the difference.


BATT CONN.jpg

[Mike90250]

I would suppose B is more correct, and repeatable over time, All connections should be at one point on the + and -

[austexdude469]

I would suppose B is more correct, and repeatable over time, All connections should be at one point on the + and -

OK thanks. How many lugs can you stack on a post, or I should say "should" you stack on a post at the most.

[Mike90250]

So, the highest current cable, goes closest to the battery terminal. That's usually the inverter + & - cables. Then the charge controller cables on top of that, then any others on that, then the bolt/nut on top.
Fuses.
I love these -

https://www.bluesea.com/products/2151/Dual_MRBF_Terminal_Fuse_Block_-_30_to_300A

rugged, you can put inverter on it's own fuse, and good sturdy low resistance connections

MRBF blue sea fuse block.png

[Sunking]

Technically neither is correct. You only want just one feeder circuit from the battery. If you need battery power to more than one device, you should use a buss with breaker panel to distribute loads. Something like this.

[austexdude469]

So, the highest current cable, goes closest to the battery terminal. That's usually the inverter + & - cables. Then the charge controller cables on top of that, then any others on that, then the bolt/nut on top.
Fuses.
I love these -

https://www.bluesea.com/products/2151/Dual_MRBF_Terminal_Fuse_Block_-_30_to_300A

rugged, you can put inverter on it's own fuse, and good sturdy low resistance connections

[ATTACH=CONFIG]n332590[/ATTACH]

Those are awesome. Here is the question though. One thing that does suck some amps, is the amps. The stereo is a beast. I need to run a supply line to them on a 200 watt fuse, each amp getting a 100 watt fuse. The terminal fuse buss is only 300 amps, I need to run a 200 watt fuse on that for the inverter and another 50 amp fuse for accessories so both those banks are allocated. Can I stack two or more of these terminal fuses on the battery post, one being a combo 200/50 amp and the other being a single 200 amp for the stereo?

[austexdude469]

Technically neither is correct. You only want just one feeder circuit from the battery. If you need battery power to more than one device, you should use a buss with breaker panel to distribute loads. Something like this.

Do you have a particular brand/style you suggest?

[austexdude469]

And could you use a bus like this


and connect terminal fuses to it?

[Mike90250]

I would NOT stack the terminal fuse blocks on the battery terminal

[Sunking]

Do you have a particular brand/style you suggest?

Blue Sea has what you want

[austexdude469]

Technically neither is correct. You only want just one feeder circuit from the battery. If you need battery power to more than one device, you should use a buss with breaker panel to distribute loads. Something like this.

OK thanks. Now where do I want to connect the positives from both the DC converter (30 amp) and from the 200 amp HO alternator/isolator? Should I go into the bus with them? I see many people going to the blade fuse block bus from the DC converter but I am more concerned about the feed from the HO alt.

[Sunking]

Does this help?

NOTE:Use a Cartridge Type Fuse at the Isolator.

[austexdude469]

Does this help?

NOTE:Use a Cartridge Type Fuse at the Isolator.

yes thank you

[austexdude469]

Does this help?

NOTE:Use a Cartridge Type Fuse at the Isolator.

Question on this SunKing.... the 4-6 awg going to the isolator may only account for a stock alt running at 90 amps. Mine will have a HO 200 amp alt. The cable will have to run about 15' to 20'. Do I need to upgrade wire size from the isolator and to what gauge?

[Sunking]

Question on this SunKing.... the 4-6 awg going to the isolator may only account for a stock alt running at 90 amps. Mine will have a HO 200 amp alt. The cable will have to run about 15' to 20'. Do I need to upgrade wire size from the isolator and to what gauge?

Kind of a gray area. 200 amps is to much unless you have a 2000 pound battery. By using 4 or 6 AWG over the distance limits the current via the resistance in the length and size of the conductor. So the answer to your Question is I would start use 6 AWG. By fusing both ends will protect the conductor and battery. Al lot is going to depend on the battery. As a general rule you do not want to hit the battery with anything greater than C/8. Trojan, Rolls, and some other hybrid batteries are good up to C/5 charge current. On the other hand some AGM batteries can be charged at 1C. That makes your question a little hard to answer.

However if you use 4 or 6 AWG coupled with using fuse son both ends I am confident the resistance of the wire and fuses will limit current to a safe value. Real easy to tell. If a fuse blows, you gotta problem.