It does not matter how many batteries are connected in series to get your desired total voltage. If you need 48 volts you can use 8 6volt, 6 8volt, or 4 12volt. What does matter is that all batteries are identical. Mis-matched batteries will have different charge/discharge characteristics that will lead to problems over time.
Aug 18, 2009 Rating
Battery configeration by: gary
so, using 6, 6V is a longer lasting set-up then 3, 12V for a 36V system
Sep 15, 2008 Rating
Battery vs CELLS by: Anonymous
This stuff on battery voltage is a lot of hooey. Everyone should be thinking cells. The basic component of a battery is a cell. A cell is composed of an anode and cathode or positive and negative plates. More plates in parallel yield more capacity ie amp hour. Cells connected in series multiply the cell voltage (commonly 2.1 VDC per cell).
So what this all comes down to is yes you need to look at the 1. ampacity (maximum current) battery can supply for a very short time. 2. Amp hours - how long battery can supply X current for Y hours. 3. Kw Hrs how much power you can pull out of battery over Y time. The reason for this is that motor amps times the same time frame should be equal or less than battery Kw hrs.
So If I had to pick only one value for a battery of XX cells it would be Kw hr. Actually you can almost buy them based on weight since weight of battery = total weight of pos and neg plates. Kw Hr sounds more scientific though.
Just thoughts of former submarine electrician (5,000 AH 250 VDC 126 cell battery)
Dan Bentler
Aug 14, 2008 Rating
Not Sure that Answered the ??s by: Craig
I don't claim to know the answer either and have the same question only a slight difference in how I would say it. Is there a real determining factor in the selection of a 6, 8, 12 volt battery setup other than cost and size/weight constraints to the donor vehicle? If all other things being equal; is a 6V, 8V or 12V better than the other of the same total voltage?
Cycle life. The 6v will give you the most miles for your money. -Lynne
