How to Connect Two Deep Cell Batteries Together

Connecting two deep cell batteries together can be accomplished with one of two different methods. Depending on what you are needing, you will want to choose only one method of connecting the batteries. The first method is called connecting the batteries in a series. This will give you the voltage accumulative between the batteries, so that two 12-volt, 100 amp-hour batteries connected in a series will give you 24 volts. The other method is called connecting them in parallel. This will provide you with the same voltage, but accumulative amp hours, so that two 12-volt, 100 amp-hour batteries connected parallel get 12 volts and 200 amp hours.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 2 pairs of battery cables (type depends on connector that is on the battery, eg: screw-on or clamp-on)

Connecting in a series

1. 

   Place your two deep cell batteries next to each other so that as you look down on the batteries, the top battery has the positive on the left, and the bottom battery has the negative on the right (refer to picture).

2. Connect the positive terminal of the top deep cell battery to the negative terminal of the bottom deep cell battery.

3. Connect the negative terminal of the top deep cell battery to your device, and the bottom deep cell battery's positive terminal to your device. This will give you the volts of both deep cell batteries added together and keep the amp hours the same.

Connecting Parallel

1. Place your deep cell batteries next to each other so that as you look down on the batteries, the top battery has the positive on the left, and the bottom battery has the positive on the left as well.

2. Connect the positive terminal of the top deep cell battery to the positive terminal of the bottom battery.

3. Connect the negative of the top battery with the negative of the bottom battery.

4. Connect the positive terminal on the bottom battery to your device, and the negative terminal of the top battery to your device. This connection will keep the volts of the batteries the same, but add together the amp hours.