Maintaining Your 12V Battery Series
Batteries are available in a range of voltages and capacities. Most battery chemistries lend themselves well to wiring in either series or parallel configurations.
When batteries are wired in series their voltages increase but their amp-hour capacity stays the same. For example, a sailboat captain who needs a long-lasting power system wired 80 of our 12V batteries in parallel to create a single battery with 800 Amp-hours.
Reliability
Whether it’s powering the lights and appliances in your RV, running an electric trolling motor on your boat or providing backup power to essential electronics, you need a battery that can dependably provide the energy you need. Whether you choose an AGM, gel or lithium 12V battery, the right maintenance practices (including proper charging and limiting deep discharges) can help ensure your battery performs as intended for years to come.
Lithium batteries are rechargeable deep-cycle batteries that use lithium electrolytes for higher electricity storage efficiency and lighter weight materials. They offer the highest storage capacity, quickest and most efficient charging and can last 3-5 times 12V Battery Series longer before needing replacement than traditional lead-acid batteries. These benefits can offset their initial cost premium over other 12V batteries.
When connecting batteries in series, you want to make sure the battery’s voltage stays the same. Otherwise, using a 12-volt battery with a 24-volt system can damage components and cause other issues.
While a battery with different voltage ratings can work in a series configuration, it’s best to use batteries of the same make and model in order to minimize differences in exact voltage and amperage. Doing so can also prevent internal battery damage caused by undercharging over a prolonged period of time. Battery failure can be costly, so it’s crucial to understand how to diagnose problems before they escalate.
Innovation
As new technologies emerge, the 12-volt battery remains an important component of powering modern vehicle electronics and accessories. Batteries that feature a hybrid or electric vehicle drivetrain may offer different energy storage solutions, but the 12V battery is still essential in conventional vehicles as well as recreational vehicles and boats.
While traditional lead-acid batteries are an effective solution for many applications, new battery technologies can offer improved performance and efficiency. For example, Enhanced Flooded Batteries (EFB) and Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) batteries provide higher levels of maintenance and safety, while Lithium-Ion batteries are lighter, smaller, have longer lifespans, faster charging rates and have the ability to be connected in series or parallel for higher voltage and capacity options.
Connecting two 12V batteries in a series configuration increases the voltage of the battery system, while maintaining the AH rating. In a parallel configuration the positive terminals of each battery are connected to each other, increasing the total capacity. When connecting multiple batteries in both series and parallel, it is important to make sure that the batteries have the same voltage and AH rating to prevent damage or short circuiting.
While it is possible for battery technology to improve significantly, significant innovations in this space are likely to take time. As a result, the traditional lead-acid battery will continue to serve as a reliable and affordable energy source for many applications.
Maintenance
As a result of innovation, 12-volt batteries can hold more energy per unit volume and charge faster than ever before. This translates into lower battery replacement costs and more uptime for your vehicle or power equipment. Keeping a battery properly maintained is crucial to its longevity and performance, and it’s not always easy. That’s why a quality multimeter is an essential tool to have on hand. Using one to test specific gravity and voltage can help keep your battery healthy and reduce unexpected failures.
Wet-cell batteries need regular maintenance, including adding distilled water to each cell to ensure the electrolyte covers the plates. Tap water may contain dissolved minerals that coat the lead plate and inhibit the chemical reaction necessary to store energy. A hydrometer can also help determine the balance and true charge level of a battery. Equalizing deep cycle batteries on a regular basis is also a good preventative measure.
The best way to extend the life of a 12V Battery Series is to maintain a clean, dry environment and tight connections. Dirty or loose connections can lead to internal shorting, which reduces the capacity of the battery and deteriorates its service life. Additionally, a battery that is left partially or fully discharged for long periods of time will suffer from irreparable damage and require early replacement.
Safety
Batteries come with various safety capabilities to protect against internal short circuits, high-voltage sparks and fire hazards. Typical battery systems incorporate a fuse to prevent high current flow that can result in thermal events such as lithium plating and NMC copper dendrite growth, as well as a solid state switch on larger packs to bypass failing cells allowing continued current to flow at a reduced string voltage.
Battery manufacturers also employ a variety of tests to ensure that batteries meet their performance specifications, such as charging Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery and discharge cycles. This testing helps to reduce the likelihood of premature degradation of the electrolyte, and ensures that all components are working properly. Additionally, many of these tests help to identify and diagnose issues before they can lead to power loss or fire hazards.
It is also important to consider the way in which you will connect your batteries to your device or application. Batteries can be wired in a series or parallel configuration, which will affect the voltage and capacity of the system. When wiring batteries in a series connection, it is best to use the same battery type and make, as this will minimize any differences between the exact voltage and capacity of each individual cell. The same principle applies when wiring batteries in parallel, as the AH rating of each battery is added together to determine the total watt-hour capacity of the system.