Wiring batteries in Series and Parallel

[limpport]

This diagram shows how to wire batteries in series and in parallel, and what the difference is.


In series, the Volts add up, but the Amps stay the same. In parallel, the Amps add up, but the Volts stay the same. This works the same way as LED's do.

[thewise1]

Awesome, I was just thinking today of how many times people ask this question. Thanks!

[silver]

so,if i had ni-cd batteries-1.2v at 1300mah what would be the best way to wire them to get 7.2v and maximum mah with the fewest batteries?

[Black Six]

so,if i had ni-cd batteries-1.2v at 1300mah what would be the best way to wire them to get 7.2v and maximum mah with the fewest batteries?

Six batteries in series would give you 7.2V at 1300mAh. If you want more mAh you could get another six batteries, put them in series, and then wire them in parallel with the first six. Then you'd have 7.2V at 2600mAh.

[gamemasterful]

Do the batteries have to be in series/parallel in even amounts? Like say I have six batteries (assuming they are all the same), four are in a series of two each (two pairs of two) and the remaining two are in parallel with the dual pairs? Or would this ruin the batteries when being charged together?