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Racorman's avatar
Racorman
Explorer
Jun 21, 2015

Adding More Batteries to My Class A - What gauge Wire?

Hi all,

I've got a 30' Itasca Class A. It comes with (2) new 12 volt deep cycle batteries located under the doorway steps. I've build a new battery compartment which will hold (2) more batteries however it is located 6' from the existing batteries.

I'll be getting rid of the 12 volt batteries and will install and marry (4) 6 volt deep cycle batteries. What is the best size welding cable to run for that 6' distance between the two separate battery compartments?

Thanks in advance!

45 Replies

  • Ivylog wrote:
    I just installed a four battery bank (500 AH) feeding a 1000W inverter and a 100A charger using 4 gauge cables.


    Was that 4 gauge or 4/0 gauge. Big difference!
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    I just installed a four battery bank (500 AH) feeding a 1000W inverter and a 100A charger using 4 gauge cables. Like you two were 6' apart and I used the frame and a 2 gauge 6' cable between the two sets of batteries. This is not a starter system where you need 1000+ amps... just 100 or less. You can balance the hookup by taking off from opposite ends of the two batteries with the + and - cables and SCV... 4/0 for 6' of 100 amps ???:S
  • It's actually 12' by the time you make the full run. Personally I would run 4/0 to keep the balance of the batteries as close as possible, otherwise your remote stack will never charge to the same level as the ORM location, nor will it share the same discharge load as the OEM. The only way to fix that is reduce the line loss between the two locations, especially since these are all new batteries.
    But that's just me..
  • I used 1/0 welding cable for a 6' run from one bank to the distribution buses. This was for one pair of 6V GC2 batteries. I based the wire gauge on anticipated amperage draw of a 1000W inverter.

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