6 volt vs 12 volt batteries

Submitted: Monday, Apr 28, 2008 at 21:25
ThreadID: 57092 Views:3965 Replies:5 FollowUps:1
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hello, i was looking at battery power to run my fridge in my 'truck'
and i see that 6 volt batteries put out more 'amp hours' than 12 volt batteries. so if i join two 6 volt in series will it supply double the amp hours as it does volts. thanks, and good on yous for having the know how.
p.s any stupid or off the track responses will be pulped and stomped to smitherinees ( thats a squashed anchovey ).
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Reply By: Member - Footloose - Monday, Apr 28, 2008 at 21:29

Monday, Apr 28, 2008 at 21:29
No.
AnswerID: 301055

Reply By: Member - Mudduck (NSW) - Monday, Apr 28, 2008 at 21:49

Monday, Apr 28, 2008 at 21:49
No, only the voltage will double, the amp hours will remain the same as stated by the battery manufacturer. l hope you have room for 2 batteries where one would work OK.
Cheers Steve VK2UD
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AnswerID: 301061

Reply By: Matt(WA) - Monday, Apr 28, 2008 at 22:26

Monday, Apr 28, 2008 at 22:26
Sam,
2 6v batteries together will give you 12v with the amp hour rating the same. I have just purchased 2 x 6v 275amp hour batteries for my caravan. So I will have 12v @ 275a/h. The 2 6v batts are lighter than 2 12v batts with the same amp hour capacity(in my case) and I got a really good deal. Both delivered to my house for $460. Local battery place could go to $600 and when I told them the price they got me to show them on the net. Then they rang them up and after that they said buy em. We cant get them anywhere near that. So I hope you enjoy my long answer
Matt

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AnswerID: 301082

Reply By: Nomadic Navara - Monday, Apr 28, 2008 at 23:08

Monday, Apr 28, 2008 at 23:08
For a good explanation of working batteries in series and parallel see this link. It also gives a good explanation as to why it is better to run two batteries in parallel than two in series.

PeterD
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AnswerID: 301088

Reply By: KSV. - Tuesday, Apr 29, 2008 at 07:46

Tuesday, Apr 29, 2008 at 07:46
As other says – connecting 12v batteries in parallel will double capacity and preserve voltage, while connection 2 6v ones in series double voltage and preserve capacity. From volume/weight/price ratio it is not much difference and it depends on manufacture or deal what you have from distributor. 12v parallel setup has advantage to supply more amps, thus preferable for winch applications. However it has disadvantage – if one battery crooked it eventually shorten another battery life. It is often impossible to notice that one battery playing funny until it is too late – thus regular check under load highly recommended. 6v series setup IMHO better for low to medium amps drawn and you definitely notice straight away that one playing funny, but it gets more effort to crank more amps from such setup. IMHO for fridge and caravan application 6v series setup perfect. In fact 6 2v even better.

Serg
AnswerID: 301097

Follow Up By: bigjohn1 - Friday, May 02, 2008 at 16:58

Friday, May 02, 2008 at 16:58
I found it easier to stick to 12volt batteries,especially the new AGM type.Got a good deal on a set from a guy on the net who does the best deals on them I know.
here is his website.
www.allpurposebatteries.com.au
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