How to Hook Up Batteries for Solar Power
- 1). Cut four lengths of wire, and strip 1/2 inch of insulation from each wire end. Use the slip-joint pliers to loosen the top bolts on all four battery terminal connectors.
- 2). Twist together one end of the first wire with one end of the second wire, and solder the twisted wire junction together. Twist together one end of the third wire with one end of the fourth wire, and solder the pair together.
- 3). Insert the free end of the first wire into the hole created by loosening the top bolts on the first battery terminal connector. Tighten the bolts so that they hold the first wire snugly to the connector, and solder the connector to the wire.
- 4). Insert the free end of the third wire into the hole created by loosening the top bolts on the second battery terminal connector. Tighten the bolts so that they hold the third wire snugly to the connector, and solder the connector to the wire.
- 5). Insert the twisted wire pair created by joining the first and second wires into the hole created by loosening the top bolts on the third battery terminal connector. Tighten the bolts so that it holds the twisted wire pair snugly to the connector, and solder the connector to the wire joint.
- 6). Insert the twisted wire pair created by joining the third and fourth wires into the hole created by loosening the top bolts on the fourth battery terminal connector. Tighten the bolts so that it holds the twisted wire pair snugly to the connector, and solder the connector to the wire joint.
- 7). Attach the free end of the second wire to the negative ("-" or "NEG") terminal on the solar panel. Attach the free end of the fourth wire to the positive ("+" or "POS") terminal on the solar panel.
- 8). Loosen the retaining nuts on the battery terminal connectors. Connect the first battery terminal connector to the negative post on the first battery. Connect the third battery terminal connector to the negative post on the second battery.
- 9). Connect the second battery terminal connector to the positive post on the first battery. Connect the fourth battery terminal connector to the positive post on the second battery. Tighten the retaining nuts until each battery terminal connector fits snugly on its respective battery post.