Hooking up multiple batteries?

[NelsonM64]

Hi all, im just new here, i found your site googling my solar question. ok here goes, i have just gotten my first set of panels 3 x 20w for my RV, and i want to hook up more than one 12v batt. how do i do that properly so the panels will charge and use both batteries. sorry for the noob question, but im really new to this and want to learn. one day i would like to do my house aswell

[Mike90250]

The little 20W Harbor Freight or Norther Tool panels, are great toys.

Batteries - Don't try to use your vehicle starter battery for camping. You will kill it

Here's a great article about connecting batteries on the diagonal
http://www.smartgauge.co.uk/batt_con.html (connect batteries on diagonal )

and some other battery stuff:

http://www.windsun.com/Batteries/Battery_FAQ.htm (short & sweet)
http://www.batteryfaq.org/ (very large)

[NelsonM64]

The little 20W Harbor Freight or Norther Tool panels, are great toys.

Batteries - Don't try to use your vehicle starter battery for camping. You will kill it

Here's a great article about connecting batteries on the diagonal
http://www.smartgauge.co.uk/batt_con.html (connect batteries on diagonal )

and some other battery stuff:

http://www.windsun.com/Batteries/Battery_FAQ.htm (short & sweet)
http://www.batteryfaq.org/ (very large)

thx for the info. im using two kirkland (costco) deep cycle batteries.

[NelsonM64]

im trying out method 2 on the smart gauge link. now if i hook the load to the bottom right and top left, where would i hook up the solar panels? to the opposite posts? hope i'm making sense ...

[Mike90250]

Loads and chargers hook to the same posts.

[NelsonM64]

Loads and chargers hook to the same posts.

oh ok, so if i hook my batteries up like in method 2 and put my load and charge on the same posts i should be good?

[Mike90250]

oh ok, so if i hook my batteries up like in method 2 and put my load and charge on the same posts i should be good?

Should be good

[NelsonM64]

Should be good

seems to be working good. i hooked it up the way i said. i ran 2 60 watt bulbs all day off it and the batteries barely droped, like maybe 2%. thats not bad for a 60w setup is it? i was impressed

[Jason]

glad to see you got it up and running nelson

[NelsonM64]

glad to see you got it up and running nelson

thx. in your opinion is it doing ok for it is? sorry i'm green as they come.

[milezone]

Even greener here, as I have yet to purchase my system. But I was planning on getting the 80 watt Northern Tool system. And will use 2 batteries as well.

I found this forum searching how to hook up multiple batteries, and it answered that question. But where would the inverter be hooked up to as with the intakes of the solar lines? Hopefully that makes sense.

MZ

[JohnnyK]

I thought I read it all but thanks for posting this info on connecting bateries. I was always under the impression that the impedence of each of the batteries will vary and connecting them was critcle . this article really helps. this explains alot why one of the batteries in a bank usually does not always reccharge like the others . (all batteries were new). good lesson learned. should put a book out on frequently DIY mistakes. thanks.

[Jason]

JohnnyK...glad you attained some new knowledge here at Solar Panel Talk. Thanks for the feedback!

[cindynsg]

Nice bit of info there. I Knew there had to be a right and wrong way to do it. thanks for showing us the difference. As well as explaining why there is a right and wrong way to do it.

[Mike90250]

I found this forum searching how to hook up multiple batteries, and it answered that question. But where would the inverter be hooked up to as with the intakes of the solar lines?

Inverters connect to the battery bank, at the same terminals that the charger connects to.