How do Two 6 Volt Batteries Wire on a Motorhome for 12 Volts

Question:

We bought 2 6v batteries for our motorhome and were trying to install them. We connected pos on battery 1 to neg on battery 2. Then connected cable from motorhome to neg of battery 1. Then cable from motorhome to pos of battery 2.The house lights still dont work. What are we doing wrong,please. We have a 1998 Southwind.

asked by: Elaine M

Expert Reply:

There are two ways to wire up 6 volt batteries depending on what output voltage you are looking for.

If two batteries are wired in parallel, the positive terminals of each battery will be connected together, as will the negative terminals. Assuming both batteries are 6 volt, you'll have a 6 volt output but there will be more capacity.

If the batteries are wired in series, the positive terminal of one battery will be connected to the negative terminal of the other. This would double the output of the batteries, assuming each battery is a 6 volt, wiring the batteries in series would provide 12 volts of output.

If you had wired up everything the wrong way for your application it is possible the circuits could have been damaged.

expert reply by: Jameson C