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EDITOR
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and why. I’m kicking around the
following options and am certainly
open to others.
1) Connecting the batteries in daisy-chain fashion, where B1 is connected
to B2, B2 to B3, ... and B12 to B1.
Somewhere in the loop, there would
be a cable to feed the loads, and one
or more charging cables. This would
require large cable everywhere, as all
the current from the bank would be
carried throughout the loop.
2) A spider-web approach, where
each battery is attached to every
other battery. Again, somewhere
there would be a cable to feed the
loads, and one or more cables to
charge the bank. I’ve read somewhere
that this is favorable, although it seems
a bit unwieldy given 12 individual
batteries. It may not be practical.
3) A star configuration in which
each battery is connected to a
common bus bar. The feed cable and
charging cable(s) would also connect
at this common bus bar. This may
allow for smaller cables from each
battery to the bus bar, then large feed
and charge cables.
4) A pyramid approach in which
two, three, or four batteries are
connected to an intermediate bus,
and the intermediate buses are then
connected to a main distribution bus,
using successively larger cable for each
step up. The only advantage I can see
to this arrangement is that it might
allow a spider-web configuration in
each of the battery groups, if that is
really important.
There will also be sensing devices
for each charging device (charger,
alternator/regulator, etc.). Your
thoughts are much appreciated.
Richard Minton
Hamilton, Mississippi
Proper wiring of large house
battery banks is critical for both the
efficiency and the longevity of the
batteries in the bank. Safety, of
