Converting to 6 volt batteries

[Nancy & Hugo Shaw]

I asked some questions a few weeks ago about my house batteries and got some great feedback - thanks everyone.

Several people have suggested I replace my 12 volts house batteries with 6 volts batteries and wire them in series. I would still have 12 volts batteries for my starter and thrusters - and of course still want to use my charger/inverter and solar panel.

Has anyone converted/replaced their house batteries to 6 volts? Does it make sense to do this - I understand you can cycle them much more. Are there issues with having the house being 6 volts and the starts and thrusters on 12 volts.

Any advice appreciated

Thanks

 

[NorthernFocus]

If you hook them up in series and they are the same type batteries(e.g.flooded cell) there are no issues. If the batteries are different types you have the potential issues with charger etc that have been discussed in various threads here.

 

[BB marine]

As Dan said there should not be any issues in doing this. The only issue I would see is weight. What are you trying to accomplish ? Remember 2, 100 amp 6 volt batteries wired in series equal 12V 100 amp. Voltage doubles but amperage stays the same. 2 100 amp 12 volt batteries wired in parallel equal 12V 200 amps.

 

[knotflying]

Sometime we can take a simple situation and make it complicated. First ask yourself why you want to change from the two 12 volt batteries to the two 6 volt batteries. Granted, the 6 volt batteries are most likely true deep cycle, but do you want to have half the amp capacity? I have been boating for many years and never really had a time that I wished I had 6 volt in series rather than 12 volt in parallel. As they say, if it works, don't fix it. Just my 2 cents. 😀