Recreational Vehicle (RV) Technician Practice Test

What happens to the voltage when batteries are connected in series?

1. The voltage remains the same

2. The voltage is multiplied by the number of batteries

3. The voltage decreases

4. The voltage doubles

The correct answer is: The voltage is multiplied by the number of batteries

When batteries are connected in series, the total voltage of the battery system is the sum of the individual voltages of each battery. This additive nature is what leads to the correct understanding that the voltage is multiplied by the number of batteries in the series. For example, if you have two 12-volt batteries connected in series, the overall voltage would be 12 volts + 12 volts, resulting in a total of 24 volts. This principle applies regardless of the number of batteries used in the series arrangement. As each battery adds its voltage to the circuit, the total voltage increases proportionally with each additional battery. This characteristic of series connections is fundamental in applications where a higher voltage is required, and it’s important for RV technicians to understand to properly diagnose and construct electrical systems within recreational vehicles.