How to Wire a Solar Battery Bank
Three specific methods of wiring are used to wire a solar battery bank; parallel, series and combination. Combination wiring schemes are the most customizable and allow for greater variations in voltage and amperage output. However, parallel and series are the two primary methods used to wire a solar battery bank. Wiring batteries in parallel will result in the amperage from all batteries being added together while the voltage will remain the same. A series wiring scheme will result in the voltage being added together with the amperage staying the same.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Wire strippers/cutters
- No. 12 black insulated wire
- No. 12 red insulated wire
- Terminal crimp connectors
- Crimping tool
- Multimeter
- Zip-ties or lacing-tape
Instructions
-
Parallel Wiring
-
1
Connect all negative (-) battery terminals to one another using black No. 12 wire. Connect all positive (+) battery terminals to one another using Red No. 12 wires.
-
2
Route No.12 red and black wires through the battery bank. Cut wires to the appropriate length. Leave 2 inches excess length for repairs, drip loops and ease of battery removal. Use shortest route possible to avoid adding current resistance in the line.
-
-
3
Strip approximately 5/16 inch insulation from both ends of the precut wire.
-
4
Crimp battery terminal connectors onto all wire ends.
-
5
Connect black No. 12 wires to all negative (-) battery terminal posts in the battery bank. Connect red No. 12 wires to positive (+) battery terminal posts in battery bank.
-
6
Test battery bank output power with the multimeter. If you have four, 12-volt, 75 amp batteries; output will 12-volts at 300 amps. It is normal to have a higher current reading when the batteries aren't under load.
Series Wiring
-
7
Route No.12 red and black wires through the battery bank. Cut wires to the appropriate length. Leave 2 inches excess length for repairs, drip loops and ease of battery removal. Use shortest route possible to avoid adding current resistance in the line.
-
8
Strip approximately 5/16-inch insulation from both ends of precut wire.
-
9
Connect No. 12 wires from negative (-) battery terminal posts to positive (+) battery terminal posts in the battery bank.
-
10
Secure No. 12 wires from all positive (+) battery terminal posts to negative (-) battery terminal posts in the battery bank.
-
11
Test the battery bank output power with a multimeter. If you have four, 12-volt, 75-amp batteries; power output should be 48-volts at 75-amps. It is okay if the reading is slightly higher. It is normal to have a higher current reading when the batteries aren't under load.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Leave at least 1-inch extra length on wire runs before securing crimp connector to allow for mistakes.
Dress all wiring runs where possible with zip-ties or lacing-tape.
Install a battery monitor to supervise battery charge, discharge and health.
Never connect the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals on the same battery. Shorting may cause damage to wiring, the battery and possibly cause personal injury or a fire.
Over-crimping terminal connectors may damage the conductor, resulting in broken wires, poor performance and added resistance.
References
- Photo Credit spindle of copper wire on white background image by phizics from Fotolia.com
More Like This
Comments
-
Couple of things: Would it not be better to keep the cable between each battery (for series) the same length? Then each battery interconnection would have the same resistance. The same goes for the cables (+/-) from each series string. This way, the battery bank should charge / discharge more evenly with the small voltage drops on the cables all being equal. #1 Should mention that #12AWG cable has a conservative current rating of 20 amps. #5 has an error- it should read as a slightly higher "voltage" is normal. Power output is variable according to the load that is being used.
