Detailed knowledge about batteries in parallel vs series and FAQs

Batteries can be made in parallel or series designs or do both in series and in parallel, the three most typical designs. Each design has advantages and disadvantages, so it’s essential to understand their differences before deciding which one to use. Therefore, making choice on particular requirements is important. This article will answer various questions about batteries in parallel vs series in detail.

What’s the difference between batteries in parallel vs series

Batteries in parallel vs series are different from the influence of the voltage and the capacity of the battery system. 

Battery parallel connection is a method of connecting the positive electrode and the positive electrode of the battery, and the negative electrode and the negative electrode of the battery, whereby the capacity of the battery pack is increased while the voltage is unchanged. 

They have the same voltage but higher current. This is good for applications where you need much power. 

When the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the battery are connected to each other, the battery is connected in series, whereby the voltage of the battery pack increases while the capacity remains unchanged. This is good for applications where you need high voltage.

1.Pros and cons of parallel batteries

Pros:
● Higher capacity
● Each battery charges at the same rate
● If one battery dies, the others can continue to provide power

Cons:
● Batteries is better to be of the same type and age
● More energy consumption due to large current.

2.Pros and cons of series batteries

Pros:
● Higher Voltage
● Takes up less space than batteries in parallel

Cons:
● Lower capacity
● Batteries is better to be of the same type and age
● If one battery cell dies, the whole system fails
● Higher requirement of BMS

3.Conclusion

Batteries in parallel are indeed the way to go if high power is required. If you need much voltage, then batteries in the series are the way to go. Choosing batteries in parallel vs series just depends on your specific needs. Now that you know the pros and cons of batteries in parallel vs series, you can make a knowledgeable choice.

Batteries in parallel vs series-which is better

In fact, both batteries in parallel vs series have pros and cons. It can not be determined simply that which kind is a better one. Only the circuit connection mode that is suitable and meets the demand is better. There are various factors to think about when choosing whether to connect batteries in parallel vs series.

● Voltage:

Batteries are linked in series if the voltage is the key concern; because when batteries are linked in series, their combined voltage increases. If we combine two batteries in series, each with a voltage of 3 volts, both batteries’ combined voltage will be 6 volts.

● Current: 

Batteries should be connected in parallel if the key concern is current. This is because when we connected batteries in parallel it increases their combined current. For example, if two batteries had a flow of 3 amps each, the combined current of the paralleled batteries would be 6 amps.

● Resistance: 

It is also worth noting that connecting batteries in the series increases the overall resistance of the circuit while connecting batteries in parallel decrease the widespread resistance of course. This is something to keep in mind if resistance is a factor that needs to be considered.

Batteries in parallel vs series-do batteries last longer in parallel or series

When connected in series, the internal resistance of each battery may be different, which may lead to inconsistent discharge speed, or even lead to overdischarge of a battery and damage. If the rechargeable batteries are used in parallel, the batteries will charge each other and discharge in balance. Therefore, when batteries in parallel vs series, putting batteries in parallel will prolong their useful life.

Is parallel or series more efficient

The answer depends on your specific needs. Batteries linked in series provide more voltage, while batteries linked in parallel generate more amperage (current).

If your equipment has high requirements for the voltage and capacity of the battery, you can choose the combination of series and parallel connection: series parallel connection, which can increase the voltage and capacity of the battery pack at the same time. 

For example, the common 12V 100Ah battery is made of 3.2V 6ah cells in series and parallel.

4s17p: 4（3.2V x 4 = 12.8V）17（6Ah x 17 = 102Ah）

Which is safer-series or parallel

Batteries in series and parallel have their advantages and disadvantages. Parallel batteries are generally considered safer than batteries in series. The foremost reason is that batteries in series are more likely to experience voltage fluctuations. When one battery in a series starts to die, the others are affected and can also fail. This may cause a chain reaction that can be dangerous.

On the other hand, batteries in parallel are not as susceptible to voltage fluctuations. Even if one battery dies, the others can continue to function normally. This makes batteries in parallel a safer option overall.

Is it better to series or parallel battery in the energy storage system

Due to the restriction of single battery voltage and capacity, lithium ion batteries are usually used in series, parallel or series and parallel hybrid way in order to meet the requirements of high voltage and large capacity of electrical equipment and energy storage system. 

Lithium ion battery is a kind of portable battery with a long cycle life of up to 4000 times and low self discharge rate of 3.5% per month. The series and parallel mode of lithium ion battery have great influence on the performance of battery system.

In the application of pure electric vehicles and grid energy storage, single batteries are connected in series to meet the voltage demand and in parallel to meet the capacity demand. 

The series and parallel connection modes often exist simultaneously. When choosing batteries for your energy storage system including home energy storage battery, several things to consider.

When you demand a system with a greater capacity, batteries are often combined in parallel. This is because each battery in the system contributes its total capacity. When a higher voltage is required, batteries linked in series are often utilized. This is because each battery in the system contributes its full voltage to the system.

Lithium ion battery is the battery with the highest cell voltage and considerable capacity among common battery types on the market at present. It is a high-energy density battery with a cycle life of up to 4000 times, which is very suitable for energy storage system. 

In recent years, battery manufacturers have been developing lithium-ion cells with larger capacity and higher energy density.

In large-scale applications, series-parallel connection in lithium ion battery is usually adopted to meet the high voltage and large capacity requirements of electrical equipment and energy storage systems due to the limitations of battery cell voltage and capacity. Single cells are connected in series to meet voltage requirements and in parallel to meet capacity requirements.

The series and parallel connection modes often exist simultaneously. The series and parallel connection modes of lithium-ion batteries have a great impact on the performance of battery systems. Choosing the suitable batteries for your energy storage system will depend on your specific needs.

FAQs

1.Do batteries in parallel drain equally

No, batteries in parallel do not drain equally. When batteries are connected in parallel, the voltage is shared between them. This means that the battery with the higher voltage will discharge first. However, all batteries will eventually reach the same voltage and terminate at the same rate.

2.How many 12-volt batteries can you run in parallel

Theoretically, you could connect an infinite number of 12-volt batteries in parallel. However, batteries in parallel will drain at different rates if they are not the same brand or capacity, which will cause the battery to be easily damaged. 

It is recommended to only connect batteries in parallel that are the same type, from the same manufacturer, and have equal power. And it should also consider the actual application scenario requirements of the battery and its series parallel connection.

3.How many batteries do I need for a 1000-watt inverter

The matching between the battery and the inverter is mainly that the discharge capacity of the battery is greater than that of the inverter. If the inverter is 1000W, then the discharge current of the battery multiplied by the voltage should be greater than 1000W.

4.Can you put two different amp hour batteries in parallel

No, parallel batteries should have the same voltage and amp hour rating. If you put two different batteries in parallel, they will try to equalize themselves, which can cause damage to both batteries.

5.Can I charge 12v batteries in parallel

Yes, you can charge 12v batteries in parallel and you should use a lithium ion battery charger to charge them. The capacity of a battery pack can be increased by charging many batteries at once in parallel. Parallel connections between batteries maintain a constant voltage while distributing current more evenly. Each battery gets a portion of the total current from the charger.