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02-18-2019, 11:37 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 408
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New battery cables ?
I just bought 4 6V deep cycle batteries to replace the 2 4D 12 V batteries. Do I need to replace the existing cables that link all the batteries together and if so what gauge ? Thanks
__________________
Chuck and Robbin Harrison....plus 1 PB, a G Pyrenees and 1 Jack Russell. Zenie, Smokie and Buddy ! 1998 38' Monaco Dynasty Duke with a 8.3 Cummins. Everyday truck is a 2010 F150 XLT 4x4 and 2016 Ford Escape.
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02-18-2019, 11:42 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Dallas,OR
Posts: 4,584
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Measure how much you need, go to a welding supply store and buy the length of 0 or 00 welding cable you need. Go buy a quantity of lugs and either get them soldered on or find someone who can swage them on. Welding cable is very flexible, so its easy to handle.
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Don and Lorri
Resident Dummy.
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02-18-2019, 11:59 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,037
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Yeah they look like they could be a little tired. Reason you want to consider new ones is because over time the strands corrode up the insulation and that creates resistance which then creates HEAT. And heat is bad.
Also you're going from 2-12V parallel to 4-6V, so you'll need to make two pair (2x2) in series, and then parallel them. If you don't know what that means find someone who does. There's a description of that on my blog of my BMK install and it does explain this. https://dragonship.blog/battery-monitoring-kit/
So, you will need MORE cables than you have now. You can order the parts on line and make them. There's 12,568 you tube videos on how... or you can order them pre-made on Amazon, or you can call these people and they will advise you and make them.
https://www.custombatterycables.com/
As far as size.... sounds like this is a house and not a starting bank so a 1 or 1/0 oughta be more than plenty. If they are not maintenance free batteries, ie need watering, make sure to size and route the cables so you can get the caps off.
__________________
'20 RAM 3500, '20 Heartland Road Warrior 430 https://thecastle.blog/ Also: Eagle Cap 950 Before:'17 Berkshire 38A class A https://dragonship.blog/ '11 Heartland Cyclone TH, '11 Lance TC, '05 Keystone TT, '76 Coachmen class A and a '16 DIY Transit conversion........
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02-18-2019, 12:05 PM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 39
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Use what you can and already have but you will need extra cable to link the 4 batteries instead of 2. You probably already know, but remember that 2 of the 4 6 volt batteries will be in series then parallel the 2 that are in series.
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02-18-2019, 12:17 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Georgie Boy Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 477
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 450Donn
Measure how much you need, go to a welding supply store and buy the length of 0 or 00 welding cable you need. Go buy a quantity of lugs and either get them soldered on or find someone who can swage them on. Welding cable is very flexible, so its easy to handle.
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I have two cars that are on the 6v pos ground system. I made the mistake of buying 12v cables. ot or double ot cable is the way to go. 12v cable cannot carry the amperage needed.
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Now in a Class C Coachman Leperchaun, trailer towing a 1950 Crosley Station wagon, or a '42 Pick-Up. Member of the Non-Affiliated Camping Group FMCA #F462997 RVM #146 Jon & Ellen
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02-18-2019, 12:20 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,037
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eyephoto
I have two cars that are on the 6v pos ground system. I made the mistake of buying 12v cables. ot or double ot cable is the way to go. 12v cable cannot carry the amperage needed.
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There really is no such thing as a "12V cable" but you are correct about the theory, except that it sounds like a house bank so no starter load. 2/0 would be a little unwieldy considering he has to make 6 cables.....
__________________
'20 RAM 3500, '20 Heartland Road Warrior 430 https://thecastle.blog/ Also: Eagle Cap 950 Before:'17 Berkshire 38A class A https://dragonship.blog/ '11 Heartland Cyclone TH, '11 Lance TC, '05 Keystone TT, '76 Coachmen class A and a '16 DIY Transit conversion........
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02-18-2019, 03:14 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 408
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__________________
Chuck and Robbin Harrison....plus 1 PB, a G Pyrenees and 1 Jack Russell. Zenie, Smokie and Buddy ! 1998 38' Monaco Dynasty Duke with a 8.3 Cummins. Everyday truck is a 2010 F150 XLT 4x4 and 2016 Ford Escape.
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02-18-2019, 03:19 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 408
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 450Donn
Measure how much you need, go to a welding supply store and buy the length of 0 or 00 welding cable you need. Go buy a quantity of lugs and either get them soldered on or find someone who can swage them on. Welding cable is very flexible, so its easy to handle.
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Thanks...I will go find a welding store in Knoxville . The existing cables say 4/0
__________________
Chuck and Robbin Harrison....plus 1 PB, a G Pyrenees and 1 Jack Russell. Zenie, Smokie and Buddy ! 1998 38' Monaco Dynasty Duke with a 8.3 Cummins. Everyday truck is a 2010 F150 XLT 4x4 and 2016 Ford Escape.
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02-18-2019, 03:32 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 408
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oscarvan
Yeah they look like they could be a little tired. Reason you want to consider new ones is because over time the strands corrode up the insulation and that creates resistance which then creates HEAT. And heat is bad.
Also you're going from 2-12V parallel to 4-6V, so you'll need to make two pair (2x2) in series, and then parallel them. If you don't know what that means find someone who does. There's a description of that on my blog of my BMK install and it does explain this. https://dragonship.blog/battery-monitoring-kit/
So, you will need MORE cables than you have now. You can order the parts on line and make them. There's 12,568 you tube videos on how... or you can order them pre-made on Amazon, or you can call these people and they will advise you and make them.
https://www.custombatterycables.com/
As far as size.... sounds like this is a house and not a starting bank so a 1 or 1/0 oughta be more than plenty. If they are not maintenance free batteries, ie need watering, make sure to size and route the cables so you can get the caps off.
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Thanks for the links...very informative ! You have a nice rig there !!!
__________________
Chuck and Robbin Harrison....plus 1 PB, a G Pyrenees and 1 Jack Russell. Zenie, Smokie and Buddy ! 1998 38' Monaco Dynasty Duke with a 8.3 Cummins. Everyday truck is a 2010 F150 XLT 4x4 and 2016 Ford Escape.
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02-18-2019, 04:49 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,037
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OK, other eyes please look at this and correct me if I'm having a brain fart...
The best way I can fit this for you, and hope your connections are long enough is like this....
2-6V #1+#2 in series makes 1-12V....think of this as ONE 12V battery 1+2 now.
2-6V #3+#4 in series makes 1-12V....think of this as ONE 12V battery 3+4 now.
To parallel those two "12V batteries":
Connect the outside Negatives of 1+2 and 3+4
Connect the outside Positives of 1+2 and 3+4
Connect House Negative to an outside negative
Connect House Positive and Inverter Positive to an outside Positive
I see only ONE negative connection to the house so I assume the inverter negative is connected to chassis ie the ONE negative is both house and inverter.
If in your photo you are connecting the House Negative to the CENTER negative of a pair... this will NOT work. The series connection should be in the center of a pair, the 12V connections on the outside of a pair.
__________________
'20 RAM 3500, '20 Heartland Road Warrior 430 https://thecastle.blog/ Also: Eagle Cap 950 Before:'17 Berkshire 38A class A https://dragonship.blog/ '11 Heartland Cyclone TH, '11 Lance TC, '05 Keystone TT, '76 Coachmen class A and a '16 DIY Transit conversion........
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02-18-2019, 04:57 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,037
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One more thing.... I STRONGLY suggest you invest in a multi meter and that you wire the batteries together and then VERIFY voltages as you puzzle it together.
__________________
'20 RAM 3500, '20 Heartland Road Warrior 430 https://thecastle.blog/ Also: Eagle Cap 950 Before:'17 Berkshire 38A class A https://dragonship.blog/ '11 Heartland Cyclone TH, '11 Lance TC, '05 Keystone TT, '76 Coachmen class A and a '16 DIY Transit conversion........
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02-18-2019, 05:03 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 408
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oscarvan
OK, other eyes please look at this and correct me if I'm having a brain fart...
The best way I can fit this for you, and hope your connections are long enough is like this....
2-6V #1+#2 in series makes 1-12V....think of this as ONE 12V battery 1+2 now.
2-6V #3+#4 in series makes 1-12V....think of this as ONE 12V battery 3+4 now.
To parallel those two "12V batteries":
Connect the outside Negatives of 1+2 and 3+4
Connect the outside Positives of 1+2 and 3+4
Connect House Negative to an outside negative
Connect House Positive and Inverter Positive to an outside Positive
I see only ONE negative connection to the house so I assume the inverter negative is connected to chassis ie the ONE negative is both house and inverter.
If in your photo you are connecting the House Negative to the CENTER negative of a pair... this will NOT work. The series connection should be in the center of a pair, the 12V connections on the outside of a pair.
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My bad here on the photos ! Only use the top photo that has the green wires as a reference. I had to turn around #3 so I could get the positive coach cable to reach a positive post. Thanks
__________________
Chuck and Robbin Harrison....plus 1 PB, a G Pyrenees and 1 Jack Russell. Zenie, Smokie and Buddy ! 1998 38' Monaco Dynasty Duke with a 8.3 Cummins. Everyday truck is a 2010 F150 XLT 4x4 and 2016 Ford Escape.
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02-19-2019, 04:53 AM
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#13
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Sumter, S. C.
Posts: 24
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What 450don said. The larger the cable the better. One can't hardly get too big
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02-19-2019, 05:20 AM
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#14
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Community Moderator
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Central, Arkansas
Posts: 11,285
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Size your cables to your master circuit breaker size and the distance it is from the batteries
. My cables are short and I have a 200 amp breaker so I used 2/0. You never want your wire size to be rated for less than the protection device is rated for or a meltdown could occur before it trips.
https://www.bluesea.com/resources/1437
__________________
2004 Beaver Monterey Laguna IV
Cummins ISC 350HP Allison 3000 6 speed
2020 Chevy Equinox Premier 2.0t 9 speed AWD
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