BATTERIES
Trace Engineering Co. Inc. Tel (360) 435-8826 Part Number 3179
5916 195
th
Street, NE Fax (360) 435-2229 Effective August 6, 1998
Arlington, WA 98223 USA www.traceengineering.com Page
49
turn the DC disconnect switches to the ‘Off’ position. Using the appropriate tool, remove the
Negative battery cable first and install it last.
Use a toothbrush (or other soft bristle brush) and baking soda to remove any stubborn residue.
Sprinkle the baking soda directly on the area and scrub with a wet toothbrush, adding water as
required, then rinse.
Reconnect the battery cable terminals to the battery lugs and tighten to approximately 10 to 15 foot-
pounds using the torque wrench. If you do not have a torque wrench, use the appropriate tool to
tighten the bolts reasonably snug. Do not over-tighten.
After tightening the cables, evenly coat all the exposed metal surfaces of the battery terminals and
lugs with liquid neoprene, which will cure to form an airtight protective layer. If liquid neoprene is not
available, use a light coating of white lithium grease or other sealant. Don’t let anything come
between the mating surfaces of the lugs and terminals.
Cables
Inspect all battery cables for missing or damaged insulation or loose connections. Look closely at any
openings through which the cables pass. All such openings must be equipped with a rubber
grommet or conduit to prevent chafing the cable. If necessary, replace worn grommets. If the cable
insulation is worn, replace the cable.
Cabling & Hook-up Configurations
Connect individual batteries together to make a larger battery “bank” with heavy cables. The actual
size of the cable depends upon whether the batteries are connected in parallel or series. Generally,
the cables should not be smaller than the inverter cables - if the main cables are 4/0 AWG, the
battery interconnects should be 4/0 AWG.
It is usually preferable to first connect the batteries in series and then in parallel when connecting
smaller batteries together. The best configuration is to connect the batteries both in series and
parallel - a configuration often called “cross-tying”. This requires additional cables but reduces
imbalances in the battery and can improve the overall performance. Consult your battery supplier for
more information regarding the hook-up configuration required for your system.
Connect several smaller batteries together when creating a battery bank of substantial size. There
are three ways to do this. Batteries can be connected in parallel, series, or series - parallel.
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