How to Install Car Batteries in a Series

Connecting batteries in series is a way to get the combined voltages of the batteries as a power source. For example, two 6-volt batteries connected in series will deliver 12 volts of power, or three 12-volt batteries connected in series will produce 36 volts. Automobiles don't usually require batteries to be connected in series because they have 12-volt systems, and these batteries are widely available. But powerful sound and multimedia systems and other high tech accessories may require you to connect car batteries in series.

Things You'll Need

• Car batteries
• Battery jumper wires
• Wrench set

Instructions

1. Place the batteries in the battery compartment of the vehicle so that the jumper wires can easily reach from one battery to the opposite terminal of the adjacent battery. It is generally easiest to set the batteries so that their opposite terminals are facing each other.

2. Use a wrench to attach a jumper wire between the negative terminal of the first battery and the negative terminal of the second battery.

3. Attach the positive battery cable of the car (or the positive lead from the accessory the battery will be powering) to the positive terminal of the first battery.

4. Attach the negative battery cable of the car (or the negative lead from the accessory the battery will be powering) to the negative terminal of the second battery.

5. Connect more than two batteries in series by simply placing them in the circuit and connecting them in the same way with jumper wires. Opposite terminals are connected between batteries, and the corresponding leads from the device being powered are connected to the first and last battery in the series.

References

• Z Battery: Connecting Batteries in Series or Parallel

Resources

• Battery University