Five battery house bank. Is this correct?

[Hoohaa]

Hi. I think I may have this wrong.
This is a diagram of my current setup.
It is not connected to the Earth bus.
But it does appear to be working.
Should it be connected to the Earth bus?
Thanks Jeff

[SailsWithFists]

Your drawing leaves out relevant data.


If the batteries are all the same size, same voltage, and relatively the same age, you should be fine.

[CarlF]

I don't see how it can "work" without being attached to a negative (earth bus) cable. But I assume you plan to. This arrangement should be fine.

Be sure to attach the negative cable (usually black or yellow in color) to the negative battery terminal that is at the opposite end of the bank (the battery at the bottom of your diagram). This will help the batteries to charge and discharge more equally.

[john61ct]

The issue of "working" is not being ungrounded (to the water). Think land vehicles insulated by rubber, hardly earthed at all.

But the charge and load devices **must** have a complete circuit, round trip via a "negative return" path back to the bank.

[Hoohaa]

Thanks for the replies guys.
I want to attach the earth to bat 1.
It involves about 1foot of cable.
To earth it to bat 5 would involve 5 to 6 feet of cable. The batteries are located in clusters around the boat.
So it may not be ideal but is there a significant disadvantage in earthing to bat 1 over bat 5?
Thanks again for the help.

[Hoohaa]

Originally Posted by Hoohaa

Thanks for the replies guys.
I want to attach the earth to bat 1.
It involves about 1foot of cable.
To earth it to bat 5 would involve 5 to 6 feet of cable. The batteries are located in clusters around the boat.
So it may not be ideal but is there a significant disadvantage in earthing to bat 1 over bat 5?
Thanks again for the help.

Pic

[smac999]

that bank is doing nothing. not draining, or being charged. IE not being used. if there is no neg cable that leaves the bank.

[smac999]

you should connect the ground to battery 5.

[Hoohaa]

Originally Posted by smac999

you should connect the ground to battery 5.

I understand 5 is ideal but Its really not practical. I want to connect to bat 1.
Is there a significant reason to go to 5?

[Pete7]

Jeff, have a good read of this which should answer your questions:

SmartGauge Electronics - Interconnecting multiple batteries to form one larger bank

[Hoohaa]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Jeff, have a good read of this which should answer your questions:

SmartGauge Electronics - Interconnecting multiple batteries to form one larger bank

Thanks Pete.
That clears it up. I will have to find a way to hook up Bat 5 to an earth.
Thanks

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by Hoohaa

Hi. I think I may have this wrong.
This is a diagram of my current setup.
It is not connected to the Earth bus.
But it does appear to be working.
Should it be connected to the Earth bus?
Thanks JeffAttachment 170646

Jeff, mate, if it appears to be working then it must be connected to the earth bus. There must be a connection somewhere.

[Hoohaa]

Hi Bob
To date I think its been using the negatives on the bats for earth. I haven't really noticed in the past as the batteries where in good condition.
But I have a plan to Earth bat 5 directly to the engines earth which should save me a meter of cable.
Cheers

[john61ct]

Each of the "intra bank" wires should be the same gauge and length.

You will have balancing issues and reduced lifetime regardless, the usual guideline is 2-3 parallel max.

When you replace the bank, move to a higher-amp lower-voltage batt like 6V GCs. Greater total capacity and better longevity.

Larger banks go to strings of even 2V cells.

[Peregrine1983]

This...

Originally Posted by Uncle Bob

Jeff, mate, if it appears to be working then it must be connected to the earth bus. There must be a connection somewhere.