Re: [A/S] parallel or series, that is the question correctly stated

[schuetzen <chasm@xxxxxxxxx>]

I think it makes it worse - too verbose

Series combines volts and capacitance stays the same as one battery
Parallel combines capacitance and teh volts stay the same as one battery.

========Series:

simply stated - if you are using a 12 volt system and 12 volt batteries, you
canNOT connect them in series.  two in series gives you 24 volts.

And the capacity is the same as any one of the batteries.
(always use similar capacity batteries uless you are using AGM, then, it does
not matter; there being so little resistance in these cells)

However, if you are using a 12 volt system and 6 volt cells, then you can put
together TWO of those to make 12 volts.  


==========Parallel:

this is almost the opposite

given a 12 volt system --

putting together two 6 volt cells, gives you 6 volts with combined capacitance
of the two batteries.  thus two  200 aH batteries in parallel become 400aH but
still at 6 volts

putting together two 12 volt batteries, gives you 12 volts and the combination
of the capacitance.

==------------

Now, if you are running a 12 volt system and want max capacitance, you could put
together a combination of parallel and series.

thus  (in a perfect world)

4  6 volt  200aH in parallel = 6 volt and 800aH capacitance
plus (in SERIES)  another bank of the same or, 
4  6 volt  200aH in parallel = 6 volt and 800aH capacitance

would equal an output of 12 volts and a capacitance of 1600aH

now, didn't that save a lot of lengthy reading?


remember  you have to charge this array and control the charge rate and level.
much easier to do with Glass Mat and you can stack these cells inside your
trailer down the sides, a bank under each twin bed - also, you can charge faster
(univolt) than you can a wet.  AGMs do not get hot because of little resistance
internally.  Still, they need to be monitored so that they go to trickle when
they reach a proper charge.
 
BUT, using wet cells, you would have to make yourself an external carrier to
vent all that hydrogen gas and to allow frequent and easy access to checking
fluid levels.  sorry, but imho, wet cells suck big time!!

enuff
chas
--
Charles L Hamilton, Houston, TX, www.schuetzen.net
SMART, WBCCI #1130, DCU, VAC
77 Sovereign, 02 E350 PSD, Pullrite