Battery Types and Sizes

Using Multiple Batteries

As your power requirements increase, you may need to use more than one battery to obtain sufficient capacity. Read “Two Batteries Connected In Parallel” and “Two Separate Battery Banks” to determine whether two batteries or two battery banks are more appropriate for your applications.

Two Batteries Connected In Parallel

Two identical batteries can be connected positive (+) to positive (+) and negative (–) to negative (–) in a parallel system. A parallel system doubles capacity and maintains the voltage of a single battery.

Both Figure B-1and Figure B-2show batteries connected in parallel. Figure B-1shows a battery configuration suitable for normal loads; Figure B-2shows a configuration that is recommended for heavy loads.

CAUTION

Do not connect the following in parallel: batteries made by different manufacturers, different types of batteries, batteries that have different Ah ratings. Decreased battery life and improper charging will result.

FROM ALTERNATOR

OR CHARGER

 

 

FUSE OR

 

 

CIRCUIT

ALL

1

BREAKER

 

OFF

2

BATTERY

 

 

SELECTOR

 

 

SWITCH

TO DC

LOADS

 

 

 

TO VEHICLE

 

 

 

VEHICLE

GROUND TO

 

 

 

VEHICLE

 

 

 

STARTING

CHASSIS

 

 

 

BATTERY

 

BATTERY ISOLATOR

 

 

 

 

 

FUSE OR

 

 

 

 

CIRCUIT

 

 

DEEP-CYCLE

BREAKER

DEEP-CYCLE

 

BATTERY

 

BATTERY

 

 

 

 

 

GROUND TO

 

 

 

 

VEHICLE

 

 

 

 

CHASSIS

DEEP-CYCLE

 

DEEP-CYCLE

 

BATTERY

 

BATTERY

 

FUSE OR

 

 

FUSE OR

 

CIRCUIT

 

 

CIRCUIT

 

BREAKER

 

 

BREAKER

 

BATTERY

ALL

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

SELECTOR

 

 

PROwatt

1000

SWITCH

OFF

2

 

 

 

 

 

GROUND TO

 

 

 

 

VEHICLE

 

 

 

 

CHASSIS

 

Figure B-1 Configuration for Normal Loads

B–6

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Xantrex Technology PROwatt 1000 manual Using Multiple Batteries, Two Batteries Connected In Parallel