Looking to upgrade to two 6 volts. Can't fit a double box in the area my single 12 volt is. Would it be ok to locate one on one side of the camper and one on the other with the batteries wired in series appropriately. So there'd be 12" hot to the first, about 8' between the negative and positive of the 2 batteries, and then 8' return from the negative of the 2nd battery.And would be looking to put on portable solar.

You'll lose a little efficiency, but not much. This wouldn't be any worse than longer battery cables to the pair.Use as large of wire as possible and you'll be fine. I'd suggest a #4 if practical.

Sure you don't mean 4/0 ? There's a huge difference

Yes, there is a huge difference. I'm suggesting #4 because it's a practical wire diameter for commonly available connectors. 4/0 is about the size of your thumb and is not practical to work with. In a short run such as this there is not a significant difference in the resistance between the two.

Hiking Hunter wrote:Yes, there is a huge difference. I'm suggesting #4 because it's a practical wire diameter for commonly available connectors. 4/0 is about the size of your thumb and is not practical to work with. In a short run such as this there is not a significant difference in the resistance between the two.There is a five-fold difference between 4 AWG and 4/0 AWG, in resistance. I would recommend at least 2/0. If there is anyway to get the batteries closer together, I wouldn't locate them at a distance of 8'.

Recommending a wire size when you don't know the current is hit or miss. Yes, bigger is always better but if the OP can estimate his load he can then decide on a wire size that is going to work well for the application. In my bus I connect my batteries with 2/0 because I have an inverter that can pull some current, in my truck camper I use 6 gauge because the only thing I run is some lights so the charger is actually the highest current.Brian

7 feet between 6 volt batteries in series? | Good Sam Community

westend
Explorer
Jun 02, 2014
Hiking Hunter wrote:
Yes, there is a huge difference. I'm suggesting #4 because it's a practical wire diameter for commonly available connectors. 4/0 is about the size of your thumb and is not practical to work with. In a short run such as this there is not a significant difference in the resistance between the two.
There is a five-fold difference between 4 AWG and 4/0 AWG, in resistance. I would recommend at least 2/0. If there is anyway to get the batteries closer together, I wouldn't locate them at a distance of 8'.
Hiking_Hunter
Explorer
Jun 02, 2014
Yes, there is a huge difference. I'm suggesting #4 because it's a practical wire diameter for commonly available connectors. 4/0 is about the size of your thumb and is not practical to work with. In a short run such as this there is not a significant difference in the resistance between the two.
SCVJeff
Explorer
Jun 02, 2014
Sure you don't mean 4/0 ? There's a huge difference
Hiking_Hunter
Explorer
Jun 02, 2014
You'll lose a little efficiency, but not much. This wouldn't be any worse than longer battery cables to the pair.

Use as large of wire as possible and you'll be fine. I'd suggest a #4 if practical.

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7 feet between 6 volt batteries in series?

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