Ice breaker
Emmett, Idaho
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I currently have two (2) 12 volt batteries on my travel trailer and I would like to add another bank of two (2) 12 volt batteries. Would there be any problems created in the trailer electrical system if I do this and what gauge wire should I use to connect the two extra batteries?
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TubaPete
Comstock Park, MI
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Probably would be OK. Keep all the batteries in series and use wire at least as heavy as your present system. I think my system used no. 4 guage
Tuba Pete
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Fabguy
Auburn, Washigton
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I would just go to an auto parts store and get some pre-fabed battery cables.
Jeff
2002 GMC Sierra 2500HD 8.1/Allison/4:10/Prodigy brake controler/Dual Cam HP
Pulling a 2004 Sprinter 274 RLS
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Fabguy
Auburn, Washigton
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TubaPete wrote:Probably would be OK. Keep all the batteries in series and use wire at least as heavy as your present system. I think my system used no. 4 guage
Parallel....
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Rick From Sequim
Sequim, WA
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Definitly PARALLEL, and 4 guage is good.
Rick 
& wife Loie & Kodi Dog (blk male std poodle)
2011 GMC Sierra & 2005 25' Bigfoot RQ
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Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
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Hi,
I agree with the above posts, +12 to all the + 12 posts, and - 12 to all the -12 posts. #4 wire is certainly large enough, so is #8 wire, with a expected load of less than 40 amps, that is what I would be using. Maybe even #10 wire, as you really have no reason to draw 30 amps from all 4 batteries at the same time, and #10 wire is good for 30 amps X 4 batteries, that is 120 amps total.
Fred.
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pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
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Hi,
It will be important to wire them in a balanced manner. Look at method #3 or #4 here:
correctly interconnecting multiple batteries
Regards, Don
Kustom Koach Class C 28'5" 256 watts solar, 875 amp hours in two battery banks 12 volt batteries 2500 watt inverter.
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WyoTraveler
Powell, WY
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Thanks fabguy. I couldn't believe someone would say series.
2012 Jay Flight 19RD TT/W thermal package
R19 walls, R22 roof, R24 floor
2008 F-250 Ford FX4 6.8L V10/4.10 rear axle
Curt class V hitch
Reese Trunion WD with dual cam
AC6CV/7 ex-W8RUR since 1954
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Greg Bunting
Port St. Lucie, FL
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I think that TubaPete meant that the batteries should all be of the same size/type/age or as close as possible. If they aren't, I would suggest disconnect switches and watching your charging rates carefully.
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Ice breaker
Emmett, Idaho
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Thanks to all for the information you provided me. I am going to set the battery bank up using the #3 diagram provided by pianotuna using 4 gauge cables. I learned alot, especially reading all the info about correct wiring to balance out the draw on the batteries.
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