BasicB-003-016-009
What voltage and capacity will you achieve by connecting two 12 volts, 20 ampere-hour batteries in parallel?
B
Answer
Basic radio theory
Type
A
24 volts, 40 ampere-hours
B
12 volts, 40 ampere-hours
C
24 volts, 20 ampere-hours
D
6 volts, 80 ampere-hours
Answer Notes
When connecting batteries in parallel, you connect the positive terminals together and the negative terminals together. In this configuration, the voltage of the system remains the same as a single battery, but their capacities (ampere-hours) are added together.
Therefore, connecting two 12-volt, 20-ampere-hour batteries in parallel results in a system that still provides 12 volts but has a total combined capacity of 40 ampere-hours (20Ah + 20Ah).
The 24-volt options are incorrect because voltage only increases when batteries are connected in series, not in parallel.
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Battery capacity is commonly stated as a value of current delivered over a specified period of time. What is the effect of exceeding that specified current?
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What voltage and capacity will you achieve by connecting two 12 volts, 20 ampere-hour batteries in series?