Parallel Batteries?

scooterman · 03-26-2014, 05:52 PM

Has anyone ever Parallel Batteries, as in a cart that had 4 12's, could they add two more in parallel to increase the current capabilities?

jjance · 03-26-2014, 06:09 PM

You max current would still be limited by the series batteries. Now if you could squeeze eight 12v batteries in there like some people talk about 8 6V batteries that would make a dramatic difference.

720Deere · 03-26-2014, 06:41 PM

If you were going to use 8 batteries, why would you use 12v at less than half the capacity? A 12v battery has no advantage in a cart other than initial cost. Overall long term cost isn't going to be much better than the 6v batteries because the 12s won't last as long.

scooterman · 03-26-2014, 06:46 PM

only because I already have 4 12v batteries now lol
I would think adding two you would get some more run time, not half but some, I can't see how not. When I get back to the office I'll have to do a little math.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 720Deere

If you were going to use 8 batteries, why would you use 12v at less than half the capacity? A 12v battery has no advantage in a cart other than initial cost. Overall long term cost isn't going to be much better than the 6v batteries because the 12s won't last as long.

LostHusker · 03-26-2014, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooterman

only because I already have 4 12v batteries now lol
I would think adding two you would get some more run time, not half but some, I can't see how not. When I get back to the office I'll have to do a little math.

The problem with this though if it were to work is the pack will not discharge equally and you will end up killing one or more of the batteries.

scooterman · 03-26-2014, 06:55 PM

Yea I figured you'd have to charge them somehow.

jjance · 03-26-2014, 07:06 PM

With 2 strings of 4 batteries wired in series then connect these two strings in parallel and you wind up with 2 48v Battery packs. Double what you had before.

joesam · 03-26-2014, 08:15 PM

I used to work with NiCd batteries years ago, and used quite a few parallel configurations - BUT - the packs were isolated thru an electrical circuit - neither pack could 'see" the other one. That's CRITICAL because if you had a battery suddenly fail in one pack, the good batteries would Dump their current into the failed pack. Of course that's more critical with NiCd and Lithium Ion because they give up their power so quickly - but I'm sure you would want the same protection with Lead Acid.

Anyway - two extra batteries won't work - the weakest link (the single batts) would determine your capacity.

scooterman · 03-26-2014, 08:33 PM

Makes sense, I remember the isolated NiCad packs, been a while. It isn't practical that is the answer, also would be expensive but doable if someone had money and just wanted to have extra run time.

I don't have the money to do that

l so that ends my thought.

03-26-2014, 05:52 PM	#1
scooterman Gone Wild Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Lafayette, Louisiana Posts: 1,677	Parallel Batteries? Has anyone ever Parallel Batteries, as in a cart that had 4 12's, could they add two more in parallel to increase the current capabilities?

03-26-2014, 06:09 PM	#2
jjance Gone Wild Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Chattanooga TN Posts: 2,105	Re: Parallel Batteries? You max current would still be limited by the series batteries. Now if you could squeeze eight 12v batteries in there like some people talk about 8 6V batteries that would make a dramatic difference.

03-26-2014, 06:41 PM	#3
720Deere Gone Wild Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Jarrettsville, MD Posts: 326	Re: Parallel Batteries? If you were going to use 8 batteries, why would you use 12v at less than half the capacity? A 12v battery has no advantage in a cart other than initial cost. Overall long term cost isn't going to be much better than the 6v batteries because the 12s won't last as long.

03-26-2014, 06:55 PM	#6
scooterman Gone Wild Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Lafayette, Louisiana Posts: 1,677	Re: Parallel Batteries? Yea I figured you'd have to charge them somehow.

03-26-2014, 07:06 PM	#7
jjance Gone Wild Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Chattanooga TN Posts: 2,105	Re: Parallel Batteries? With 2 strings of 4 batteries wired in series then connect these two strings in parallel and you wind up with 2 48v Battery packs. Double what you had before.

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03-26-2014, 08:15 PM	#8
joesam Gone Wild Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Chestermere, Alberta - Canada Posts: 1,146	Re: Parallel Batteries? I used to work with NiCd batteries years ago, and used quite a few parallel configurations - BUT - the packs were isolated thru an electrical circuit - neither pack could 'see" the other one. That's CRITICAL because if you had a battery suddenly fail in one pack, the good batteries would Dump their current into the failed pack. Of course that's more critical with NiCd and Lithium Ion because they give up their power so quickly - but I'm sure you would want the same protection with Lead Acid. Anyway - two extra batteries won't work - the weakest link (the single batts) would determine your capacity.

03-26-2014, 08:33 PM	#9
scooterman Gone Wild Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Lafayette, Louisiana Posts: 1,677	Re: Parallel Batteries? Makes sense, I remember the isolated NiCad packs, been a while. It isn't practical that is the answer, also would be expensive but doable if someone had money and just wanted to have extra run time. I don't have the money to do thatl so that ends my thought.

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