Distance between batteries in a house bank

Feb 22, 2015
21
Freedom Hoyt 32 Warwick
Did some searching and found a few opinions, but not a lot of luck getting some facts on whether having a longer distance 7-10' between batteries in a bank can pose a problem with charging, etc.

I'm considering moving to 6v golf cart batteries for the higher AH rating available, configured for 12v setup, in which case, I could get 2 in the original location, and the other 2 would be a ways away. If I have the appropriate gauge wire between them to carry the amperage, will this work out, or will I have more problems.?

My alternative will be to do a bank of 2 Group 29's which will fit in the current location under the companion way, allowing a separate reserve battery for 3 total.
 
Sep 15, 2009
6,243
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
if you use the proper wire gauge between the batteries it should be ok just make sure you figure the distance as a round trip instead of as the crow flies and it wont hurt to go one size larger on the wire gauge after you figure the distance there are wire sizing charts on the net to figure the size you need just google wire gauge size for dc current and distance a lot of infor will pop up
 
May 7, 2012
1,547
Hunter e33 Maple Bay, BC
I'm assuming that the separation of 6V house bank batteries is fairly common, particularly on smaller boats. The installer used 2/0 AWG battery cable on my 33' boat and the 2 banks (deep cycle flooded) are about 10'-12' apart. Other than the cost of the cable and the fact that I should have 2 regulator temp sensors vice 1, all is well after 30 months in service.
 
Feb 6, 1998
11,709
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
As long as all system positives connect to one set of series batteries and the system negatives connect to the other series bank then yes this can work but do use large wire for all connections... If you connect all your positives and negatives to one end this can create an imbalanced bank...
 
Jan 4, 2010
1,037
Farr 30 San Francisco
Pay particular attention (as we all should) to what Mainsail said! That connection scheme places the same resistance to the alternator for both batteries.
 
Oct 21, 2014
6
CS 30 norfolk
As long as all system positives connect to one set of series batteries and the system negatives connect to the other series bank then yes this can work but do use large wire for all connections... If you connect all your positives and negatives to one end this can create an imbalanced bank...

Gotta check mine now, but then I only have one Bank. This I didn't know and I don't even think I know everything.
To be clear this is important if you have two sets of banks, if only one Bank does it matter (??)
Basically you are equalizing the resistance and voltage drop on the cables by connecting in this fashion? correct.
If that's so then the connections are the same as you describe regardless of how many banks you are using.