I can confirm that the wire is tinned copper 5x3.2mm (WxH), PVC insulated, maximum temperature 80°, rated current 7.5A, stranding 24x0.2mm, diameter 1.9mm, AWG 18. It chains the 2 batteries via a 45A Anderson powerpole connector set. The length of cable between the 2 batteries is 2m.
The cables that they gave me for connecting the chaining port to the terminals on the second battery were much thinner cables made of a silver coloured metal. What metal is this likely to be? The copper cables are a lot more expensive per metre and look much more robust.
The recommended cable gauge for constructing a battery bank with multiple 12V batteries in parallel is typically 4 or 6 gauge wire. However, for most RVs and travel trailers, a 10-gauge wire is sufficient. How does the length of the cable affect the gauge needed for wiring 12V boat batteries in parallel?
Copper is the most common material for battery cables. It has copper conductivity that’s hard to beat. Copper cables can carry a lot of current, making them good for many uses. They’re also tough, don’t rust easily, and conduct electricity well, ensuring power moves efficiently.
If your battery allows it, you can repeat the above steps to connect more batteries in series. You can wire three 12V batteries in series to create a 36V battery bank. Once again, just connect the negative terminal of your 2-battery series string to the positive terminal of the third battery.
The wire gauge will depend on the maximum current between the batteries, which is determined by the amp hour rating of the batteries and the expected load. For most RVs and travel trailers, a 10-gauge wire is sufficient for connecting two 12V batteries in parallel. However, the official recommendation may be 4 or 6 gauge wire.