Batteries, batteries, batteries

[Farkey]

I posted my problem in the Monaco forum, but I think I need to have more people look at it.

Here's the skinny.

I replaced my 4 - 6 volt batteries because they were toast, but what I didn't do was take a picture of the set up......why? because I figured it would be fairly simple to hook them back up as I have a boat with a similar set-up but using 12 volt batteries.

Setting up for house batteries.

So the issue......4 - 6 volt batteries set up in 2 banks. Bank "A" has positive of one battery hooked up to negative on the other battery.

Bank "B" has the same hook up.

Result is two 12 volt batteries.

Bank "A" has positive hooked up to bank "B" positive.

Bank "B" has negative hooked up to bank "A" negative.

The readings on my multi-meter.

Bank "A" # 1 positive to bank "B" # 1 negative reads 12 volts.

Bank "A" # 2 positive to bank "B" negative # 2 reads ZERO.

The switch inside the cabin reads 12 volts for starter battery and 6 volts for house battery.

I have looked at many videos on youtube and brought my car mechanic neighbour over to look at it to see if I'm missing something and he scratched his head and said, why don't you just put in a 12 volt battery and be done with it because you are going to be plugged in most of the time..........thanks pal.

Help.........I'm losing my mind.

[Skip426]

It would be great if you could post a picture .

Here's a picture of a diagram that Newmar attached to my battery tray .

And a site with diagrams that may help.

www.marxrv.com/12volt/12volt.htm

[WinnieView]

So is this what you have?;

[Woodman018]

Hope this makes sense.
Check all connections in this order.

Two of your batteries should be hooked together with positive to negative. After this step.

The two batteries with negative connections not hooked up should be hooked to each other and run to the ground of the coach. After this step.

The two batteries with the positive connections not hooked up should be hooked to each other and run to the 12 volt connection of the coach.

If these steps are followed and your batteries are good you should have 12 volts to the coach.

Hope this helps
Dave

[vsheetz]

Look at a pair of 6v batteries as one 12v battery. The pair has one negative and one positive terminal connected - two batteries in series. That makes the pair a 12v battery.

If you have multiple pairs, they are connected in parallel. The negatives of each pair connected, and the positive connected.

The two wires that connect to the RV connect to any positive and any negative that are parallel connected.

So start by making the series pairs. Then connect the pairs. Then connect the RV.

[Skip426]

Ok, I've found a picture of a Diplomat battery bay , that I've used before , so please ignore the items circled on the back wall.

On the four 6 volt batteries , red circles are the positive terminals , and blue are the negative.

Make sure the batteries are all oriented correctly , before you start hooking up cables.

[Farkey]

I've taken a picture, but for some reason I can not up load it to my Mac.........hold on I will do it.

[Farkey]

Here is the bank. The black cable on the right side is blocking where the red parallel cable is attached.

[Dave_H]

Move black - ground wire on bottom right battery to - post on bottom left battery.

[Farkey]

Will do Dave, but everything I've read says to keep + & - as far from each other as possible.

[Farkey]

No change Dave, switch on house batteries still says 6 volts and starter batteries are 12 volts.

Now ground for house and inverter are on are same post.

[twinboat]

There are 2 issues. I can't tell where the wires go. Taka a wider angle picture.

Both red circular are a problem.

First pix, that cable doesn't go there.

Second pix is a guess where it goes, but don't go where it is.

Both short, battery to battery, cables will have NOTHING with them.

[Dave_H]

By connecting the short jumper from + to - on both upper two and lower 2 batteries you end up with basically 2 12 volt batteries. Now you have to make the parallel connection to tie the 2 12 volt sources together by positive connections on one side of the bank and negatives on the other. Currently you have the positive side correct on the right but the negative is also currently on that same side as well thus the 6 volt reading you are getting.

[Dave_H]

Originally Posted by twinboat

There are 2 issues. I can't tell where the wires go. Taka a wider angle picture.

Both red circular are a problem.

First pix, that cable doesn't go there.

Second pix is a guess where it goes, but don't go where it is.

Both short, battery to battery, cables will have NOTHING with them.Attachment 242544Attachment 242545

I agree. Is it possible that black wire is the negative for the volt meter inside the coach. If so it needs to be connected the a negative terminal on the left side, not on jumper from + to -.