- 1). Check the label on the device you want to operate using your linked batteries to find out the voltage it needs to operate. Check the label on one of the batteries to determine its output voltage.
- 2). Divide the voltage you got from the label on your device by the voltage on the battery label to work out the number of batteries you need to link. Use a calculator if necessary. For example, if the device needs 6 volts to operate and your batteries produce 1.5 volts, 6 divided by 1.5 equals four, so you need four batteries. If the result isn't a whole number, round it up to the nearest whole number.
- 3). Line up the batteries you want to link together on a table. Mark each battery with a number using a pen. So if you are using four batteries, number them 1 through 4. You obviously don't need to do this if there are only two batteries.
- 4). Cut strips of AWG 18 gauge wire using a knife. You need to cut two long strips so you can connect the batteries to the device your want to operate; you also need to cut several short strips, about 3 inches long, depending on the number of batteries you're linking.
- 5). Measure the distance from where the batteries are to be positioned and the device they will operate using a tape measure to work out the length of the two long strips of wire and cut them accordingly. The number of shorts strips is always one fewer than the batteries, so if you're wiring three batteries you need to cut two short strips.
- 6). Use wire strippers to remove the plastic off the ends of the strips of wire; ¼-inch is adequate. The bare wire that you expose connects to the battery terminals.
- 7). Attach one end of one of the long strips of wire to the "+" terminal of the battery you labeled "1." The opposite end attaches to your electrical device. The easiest method for attaching the wire to the battery terminals is by using a 3-inch strip of electrical tape. Place the wire onto the terminal and then put the tape over the wire and terminal. Fold each side of the tape down the side of the battery.
- 8). Attach the other long strip of wire to the "-" terminal of the last numbered battery you're linking. Use tape as before.
- 9). Attach the end of one of the short strips of wire to the "-" terminal of battery 1 using tape and the opposite end to the "+" terminal of battery 2.
- 10
Continue the process by attaching short wire strips to the "-" and then the "+" terminals of the batteries sequentially. The end of the last strip of wire connects to the "+" terminal of the last battery you're linking. - 11
Attach the opposite ends of the long wires attached to the "+" terminal of battery 1 and the "-" terminal of the last battery to the device you want to power.
previous post
next post