6 volt vs 12 volt
What is better or supply power longer? Two(2) six(6) volt batteries wired in series or two(2) twelve(12) volt batteries wired in series? I am debating which way to go for the longest lasting power as...
Forum Discussion
Starting and most 12V batteries have six 2V cells wired in series. To fit six cells in the space of the battery housing, the plates have to be somewhat thin. This gives a lot of surface area relative to the volume of the battery. Surface area = high amps.
This also gives each lead plate less volume relative to its surface area.
Volume = length of discharge over time, so the 12V has shorter discharge time.
The 6V has only 3 cells in the entire battery housing. It can have really thick plates (which most deep cycle/golf cart batteries have). Lower surface area = lower amps, but much, much longer discharge time.
(You therefore have to put two 6V batteries in series to get 12V. You don't add amps in series, so two 225Ah batteries in series gives you 12V at the same 225Ah.)
This also gives each lead plate less volume relative to its surface area.
Volume = length of discharge over time, so the 12V has shorter discharge time.
The 6V has only 3 cells in the entire battery housing. It can have really thick plates (which most deep cycle/golf cart batteries have). Lower surface area = lower amps, but much, much longer discharge time.
(You therefore have to put two 6V batteries in series to get 12V. You don't add amps in series, so two 225Ah batteries in series gives you 12V at the same 225Ah.)
