How to Connect Four 12v Batteries to Make a 24V - Introduction and Methods

Batteries are very crucial in the modern world. They serve as the main power storage system used in different applications. You will need batteries in cars, mobile gadgets, watches, and many other items.

Unfortunately, sometimes it's hard to get specific batteries for special applications, like where a high energy draw is expected. That means you cannot get enough power to run certain electronic machines unless you improvise.

For instance, how do you increase the power of your motor? By connecting several batteries together. This allows you to power applications without using heavy weight and larger batteries.

The best way to increase the total amount of volts in 12V batteries is by connecting several of them in series. Or, you can connect them in parallel to get more capacity or amps.

So, how do you connect batteries to get the volts you want? If you have two 12-volt batteries, you can connect them to get 24-vaults. In this guide, we shall be discussing this topic further. 

How to Connect Four Batteries In Series?

Connecting four batteries in series does not require rocket science. It's something you can easily do at home to get better performance.

Here are the steps.

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Step 1: Using the Series Connection to Increase the Voltage

You can increase voltage and make a battery bank by connecting four batteries in series. It's important to know this because you are not just connecting for fun but to get something specific.

A series connection combines the voltage of the four connected batteries, creating a power bank that will give you more energy. The storage system will retain the same amperage. That means four batteries with 12 volts each and 20 amps joined will give 48 volts but retain the same 20 amp capacity.

Always connect batteries with the same voltage and amps to ensure you get the best results. Doing anything less will shorten the battery's lifespan and make charging very difficult.

For this reason, you will need a measuring device to ensure the batteries are on the same level. The last thing you want is to have to buy other batteries because you were not very careful at first.

Step 2: Clamp the negative terminal of your first battery.

The idea here is to start slowly, making sure your connection is made in a way that does not affect its performance. You can do this by attaching a jumper cable to the negative terminal of one battery.

The terminal is the metal contact used in connecting the battery and allows electricity to flow. The negative terminal should have a (-) symbol marked on it or be covered in a black covering.

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Use the black jumper cable to make this connection. If the terminal has a lid on, you may have to lift it to access the metal part directly.

Step 3: Clamp the other battery to the positive.

Always start by clamping the negative terminal of the first battery. After this, take the other end of the cable and clamp it to the positive terminal of the second battery.

The positive terminal is the one that has a (+) sign on it and is usually covered with a red covering. Avoid scraping the clamps against the terminal to create a spark when connecting. This can easily lead to fire hazards.

Now you have one side of the jumper cable connected to the first battery's negative and the other side connected to the second battery's positive side.

Step 4: Connect the third battery.

You will need another jumper cable for this. Remember, the negative side of your second battery is still empty. Clamp one end of your second jumper cable to this terminal, and then clamp to the positive third battery.   

With this, you have three batteries connected in series. The batteries will have more voltage, but the capacity will remain the same.

Step 5: Connect the fourth battery.

At this point, you already know what is happening. The positive of one battery is connected to the negative of the other battery.

Your third battery has an empty negative terminal. Use another jumper cable to clamp this terminal, and they clamp the other end to the positive of the fourth battery.

With that, you have four batteries connected in series. But that is not the end of your task as there is one more crucial step to take.

Step 6: Connect your battery series to the application.

For this step, you will need another set of jumper cables. Use one to connect your first battery's positive terminal to your application's positive terminal. Then connect one end of another jumper cable to your fourth battery's negative terminal to your application's negative terminal.

Now you have connected the application in series so that it can draw power from the batteries. You need to have enough jumper cables for this task.

Here is an important note to take concerning your safety: never cross the cables or connect your batteries' free positive terminal to the application's free negative terminal. This will short circuit your arrangement and potentially cause an explosion.

How many 12V batteries can I connect in parallel?

There is no specific number of 12V batteries you can connect in parallel. Just know that the more batteries you add to the circuit, the more capacity you get and the most hours you will use it. Also, the more batteries you have arranged in this setup, the longer it will take to charge the system.

A huge parallel battery circuit system carries more current. You need to have proper fusing in place to avoid accidental short-circuiting that could cause serious damage.

With that in mind, you can connect as many batteries in parallel as you like to meet your needs. There is no limit to how many.

How to Hook Up 24v batteries?

You can connect together two 24-volt deep cycle batteries to make a 48V battery. The procedure is the same as discussed above. You need to get jumper cables and then connect the battery's negative terminal to the other battery's positive terminal. This connection is in series.

And if you want to get more capacity, you may connect the batteries in series. The only difference is that you are connecting positive to positive in a line instead of positive to negative. That should give you the capacity and run time you need for your application.