2 x 12 volts or 2 x 6 volts batteries?
Hi, I am about to replace my house batteries. I was reading that connecting 2 x 6 volts in series will double the voltage but not the amps. Connecting 2 x 12 volts in parallel will keep the same 12 vo...
Forum Discussion
It depends on the price and on your electric needs. Usually the 6V GC2 batteries end up being the most cost effective for the capacity. However, if you have rather minimal needs (you're basically always plugged in or driving down the road), a single 12V house battery may be sufficient and would be less expensive than a pair of anything.
You are correct that putting two identical batteries in series provides double the voltage but no increase in charge capacity (amp-hours), while putting them in parallel provides no change in voltage but doubles the charge capacity. I think it can be helpful for comparisons to think in terms of energy rather than charge--that is, watt-hours or kilowatt-hours rather than amp-hours, which you compute by multiplying the voltage by the charge capacity. Whatever battery gives you the most watt-hours per dollar is, all other things being equal, the most economical in some theoretical sense. (That is assuming you have need of the capacity...though it is generally preferable to have extra excess capacity as it means not discharging the batteries as heavily.)
I have a pair of 6V Sam's club golf cart batteries for my motorhome and they're working out very nicely for me.
You are correct that putting two identical batteries in series provides double the voltage but no increase in charge capacity (amp-hours), while putting them in parallel provides no change in voltage but doubles the charge capacity. I think it can be helpful for comparisons to think in terms of energy rather than charge--that is, watt-hours or kilowatt-hours rather than amp-hours, which you compute by multiplying the voltage by the charge capacity. Whatever battery gives you the most watt-hours per dollar is, all other things being equal, the most economical in some theoretical sense. (That is assuming you have need of the capacity...though it is generally preferable to have extra excess capacity as it means not discharging the batteries as heavily.)
I have a pair of 6V Sam's club golf cart batteries for my motorhome and they're working out very nicely for me.
