Proper method to hook-up 6 banks of houseboat batteries.?

Question

I have a houseboat that I had to replace the 6 batteries that run all electrical on houseboat. What is proper method to reconnect the bank of batteries without getting shocked?

Answer 1

six batteries and six banks are two different things. I'm assuming this is all in one bank. How you hook them together depends upon the voltage of the batteries and the final output voltage you're trying to get.

For this application, make sure you have deep cycle batteries.

You shouldnt have to worry about which terminal you hook up first or last. This isnt a car. There should be a cutoff switch somewhere. to disconnect the battery bank from loads. This is between the batteries and the distrobution center (circuit breaker panel or fuse box). You may also have a main breaker that you can just turn off.

I am running two banks. I have three batteries for my "house" bank that runs the lights, electronics, etc. and one battery dedicated to starting the engine. I have an on and off switch for each bank and a combine switch to give the engine a few more amps of juice when I'm trying to start it as well as charge all of my batteries when the engine is running.

good luck!

Answer 2

Sounds like u dont know much about boat electrics. On one hand dealing with 12v is easy as big sparks tend not to happen. On the other hand when you begin to bank batteries you have potential of big problems if u dont know what your doing. First point, I hope you know difference between +ve and -ve battery terminals. If they are round, the battery terminals are different size and first you should identify all +ve and -ve terminals. Usually batts are marked as red +ve and neg -ve somehow. First step to replace a bank of batts in houseboat is to look at the old installation and draw what you see as a reminder. I assume from now you have a 12v parallel system. Be sure you have right connectors and at least one battery terminal type the same as the ones coming out. Try and sort out which is the first connected to boat system and which linked on. Remove all linked batts first then get ready to remove last old batt and replace with first of new. Once you think the first new batt is connected check a few low power units (radio, lights) to see if they work. Lights work even if connected wrong way around but anything electronic will only tolerate a +ve connection. Once you are sure one new battery is connected then add each additional batt, one at a time to the bank connecting +ve terminal of existing system to +ve terminal of next new batt. Add each -ve terminal to system -ve as you go. If you have volt meter on system check with each new batt in bank that nothing seems to have gone wrong.

Answer 3

I not sure if your just 12 volt or have 12/24 volt. But, if you know ho the wires connect. I connect positive first! Then connect negative. The reason; If, you touch ground when connecting positive (Other than a battery post) you not spark. Then when you connect negative and touch a ground it not do anything. Most sparks occur when tightening the positive cable and the wrench touch grounded metal.
If, you worry about touching the negative post, just lay an old rag or towel over it.

Answer 4

in series, one cable at a time, without shorting anything to ground.