6V bank to replace 12V bank

[Zil]

Andina was referring to initial charging to balance the batteries.

With only 4 batteries to worry, I would use Trojan's plan for permanent connections.

[gpeacock]

Im going with Trojan's plan. The other thread posted this link:
SmartGauge Electronics - Interconnecting multiple batteries to form one larger bank
While it doesn't show how to connect 4 6V bats to make a 12V bank it does go over a very important consideration when you are putting your cables together: Length.
As I understand it, when doing 4 6V's the two parallel cables should be the same length and the two serial cables should be the same length. As long as you can make this happen it seems that the banks will be pretty balanced and there is no need for the cross connects.
It was fun figuring out how to optimize this given my battery layout but I think I've got it sorted.
Thanks for helping me through this.
Gary

[smac999]

6v's are fine for the house. I use lots. both golf carts and L16's. but keep a 12v for engine. golf carts have low cca

[daddle]

The fancy wiring of 4 more 6V batteries is only important in high current charge and discharge systems. A cruiser living off solar and such will not experience the voltage drops in the wiring that cause trouble for EV users.

[onestepcsy37]

smac - i start my perkins 4-108 with my four golf cart batteries all the time.

[Maine Sail]

Originally Posted by onestepcsy37

smac - i start my perkins 4-108 with my four golf cart batteries all the time.

I used to start my large Cummins turbo diesel in a down east style boat in the middle of winter in Maine with two T105's. Never even hesitated...

A pair of 6V will range from 650CCA to over 800CCA depending upon brand... Of course who's starting a cruising boat engine at 0F....?? At normal summer temps 70F - 90F they are pushing into the 1000 CA range yet we are starting motors that require just a couple hundred......