Battery Bank Configuration - Wiring

Thanks again John, Yep it looks like the best option is going to be use the bus bar option. The problem I have now is how do I connect all the batteries to the inverter?

Specifically:

How do I keep all cables as short as possible?
How do I keep interconnections to a minimum?
Which metal has the lowest resistance (that is affordable)?

Help/suggestions would be appreciated

Steve

Steve,

Travis has the right idea.  The box keeps all of the wires safely enclosed and out of sight.  On the other hand, I try to get by as cheap as possible.  I poked around in the electrical section of my local hardware store and found bus bars for about $5.00 each.  Each bar allows about 15 heavy guage wires to be attached to it via large set screws.  I mounted each of the bars on a piece of plexiglass (for insulation).

Important:  Use the heaviest guage wire you can from the bus bar to the inverter, and keep THOSE wires as short as possible.  Those wires will be passing the heaviest current.

To answer your other questions:  You'll just have to use heavy guage wire, and keep each one as short as possible. I believe copper would be best.  The bus-bar arangement limits the number of connection points, so that helps.  I bought some large copper crimp lugs from Wal-Mart and soldered the wire to them instead of crimping. 

John