2014Batteries/Power forum
Connecting batteries in parallel using P-Tap connectors and risks of back-charging
12 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
DisputedParticipants disagreed and reached no conclusion. Read the findings as positions, not as an answer.
What the thread found
- Batteries at significantly different voltage levels may attempt to charge each other when connected in parallel
- Batteries of the same age and brand can still have cells that degrade at different rates, leading to voltage mismatches over time
- V-Lock batteries can typically be placed in parallel without protection, but some battery types are prone to back-charging issues
- A diode installed on the battery plate can prevent back-charging between batteries connected in parallel
Depends on
- The discussion assumes only a few inches of cable and low current draw (a few amps)
- Practical concerns about maintaining identical charge states and battery matching during actual use were raised but not fully resolved
- The statement about V-Lock batteries versus other types lacks detailed technical clarification
- Whether a diode completely eliminates back-charging risks with certain battery types remains unclear from this discussion