question about batteries

[Ian Moriarty]

hello,i know im in the wind turbine section but my question is about batteries
i have 2 six volt 400 amp hour batteries from rolls they cost approx 600 dollars each
and my intention is to eventually have a bank of them. if wired in parallel keeping it
a 12 volt system will i still have 400 amp hours at total or does 400 plus 400 become
800 and so on. i think not myself but can any one else throw a bit more light on it.
also does the same principal work with batteries wired in seriees say for a 24/48 volt
systems is there any increese in amp hours.

kind regards ian:wondering:

[Dale Sheler]

If you want 12 volts out of two six volt batteries you have to wire then in series, you'll get 12 volts at 400 amp hours, if you hook them in parallel you'll get six volts at 800 amp hours.