Common RV Battery Configurations

Depending on your RV battery configuration and your power requirements, you may need to configure your battery array in either a series or a parallel configuration.

Parallel circuits provide multiple paths for electrical currents, so a break in the current for one device doesn’t shut all devices down. This is the common configuration for households.

When wiring solar panels in parallel, the amperage (current) is additive, but the voltage remains the same.

Series circuits provide only one path for currents, so a break at any point shuts the entire system down (think a string of old-school Christmas lights).

When wiring solar panels in a series, the voltage is additive, but the amperage remains the same.

Here are the common battery configurations in RVs and trailers:

SINGLE 12 VOLT BATTERY

PARALLEL BATTERY CONFIGURATIONS

SERIES BATTERY CONFIGURATIONS