connecting two Batteries

Hi Johno,

Just connect it positive to positive and negative to negative. In parallel in other words.

Just make sure there is a good 30 amp circuit breaker on the output side of the two batteries, when you connect them together, feeding all the lights and appliances and all should be well.

Keep the interconnecting battery cables as short as you can and it should work fine.
All you'll need then is a solar panel and regulator to keep them charged and your off to a flying start. Remember 100 watts of panel for each 100 amps of battery capacity as a starting guide.



Hope this helps,
Cheers Bruce.

perhaps I should have drawn it like this to make it easier to pick up.



Cheers, Bruce.

The first response from Bruce C was entirely correct, particularly the advice to keep the interconnecting cables short.......... and I would add, of adequate gauge.

Then followed the occasionally expressed idealistic proposal of diagonal connection. As Olcoolone says, "it makes no noticeable difference in a dual battery system" ..... provided that the cabling is of adequate current carrying capacity.

For Andrew D to suggest that Olcoolone "needs some technical DC study" is both impertinent and uninformed. Olcoolone is no "rank amateur". He has considerable knowledge and experience in automotive electrical systems, particularly those with auxiliary battery setups.

As someone with more than 60 years of Electrical Engineering training and practical experience, I can state that the concept of diagonal connection is of no discernible value in a scheme that is adequately cabled. Its value exists only in the mind and expression of an idealistic theorist. Certainly it will work no worse than the direct alternative, but no better either, and only complicates the setup, particularly if the two batteries are separated by a metre or two.