What Cable Connections Should I Use?

All cable connections should be adequately sized, insulated, and undamaged. Connectors should be clean and properly mated with the battery terminals to ensure a secure and low resistance connection. Terminal connections should be torqued to the recommended specification in TERMINAL TORQUE. Although Rolls R-Series and S-Series drop-in LFP batteries do not require maintenance such as cell inspection & watering, routine inspection of cabling and terminal connections should be performed semi-annually. Double check torque specification and that lugs cannot be rotated after installation. If the batteries are installed in a high vibration environment, this should be done more frequently.

NOTE: Undersized or improperly insulated cables may lead to cable and/or battery damage, charging issues, terminal heating, or fire. The gauge table above is provided for reference only. Always refer to the connector and wire manufacturers’ specifications prior to purchase and installation.

Like lead acid batteries, connecting devices (like batteries, inverters, chargers, MPPTs, etc.) at different voltages can result in large current spikes and arcing. Sparks may fly if you are connecting a power supply or charger with high output capacitance, or a discharged inverter with high input capacitance, as the battery rapidly charges the components in the device. Connecting terminals quickly and decisively is recommended for the least component wear and tear, or using in-line overcurrent protection devices such as an open breaker, to eliminate arcing.