Prepare to Connect

• 1). Line up your two 6-volt batteries on a table. Place then next to each other.
  
  
• 2). Cut strips of single-core AWG 16-gauge wire using a knife. You need to cut four, if you've chosen to connect your 6-volt batteries in parallel, or three, if you've chosen to connect in series. Ensure you cut two strips of wire long enough to connect between the two 6-volt batteries and the device you want your batteries to power, whichever method you have chosen. The other strip, or strips only need to be long enough to connect between the battery terminals.
  
  
• 3). Strip ¼ inch of outer plastic covering off the ends of all the strips of wire using wire strippers. This reveals the inner metal core that connects to the two 6-volt battery terminals.
  
  

Connect in Parallel

• 1). Attach one end of one of the two short strips of wire to the positive battery terminal labeled "+" on the first of the two 6-volt batteries. Use a strip of electrical tape to hold the wire on the battery terminal. Attach one end of the second strip of wire to the negative battery terminal labeled "-" on the first battery. Use tape to hold it in place as before.
  
  
• 2). Attach the opposite end of the strip of wire that's connected to the "+" terminal on the first battery to one end of one of the long strips of wire. Twist the metal strands on the end of the wires together using your fingers.
  
  
• 3). Place the two twisted metal ends of the two attached wires onto the positive terminal of the second battery. Use a strip of tape and place it over the top of the two wires on the battery terminal to hold them in place.
  
  
• 4). Attach the opposite end of the wire that's connected to the "-" terminal on the first battery to one end of the second long strip of wire. Twist the metal ends together using your fingers.
  
  
• 5). Place the two twisted ends of wire onto the negative terminal of the second battery. Put tape over the wire and the battery terminal to hold it in place. Connect the opposite loose ends of the two long wires attached to the positive and negative terminal of the second battery to your electrical device.
  
  

Connect in Series

• 1). Place one end of the short strip of wire onto the negative battery terminal labeled "-" on the first battery. Use a strip of electrical insulating tape to hold the wire onto the terminal.
  
  
• 2). Place the opposite end of the short strip of wire that's connected to the "-" terminal of the first 6-volt battery onto the positive terminal of the second battery. Use tape to hold the wire in place.
  
  
• 3). Attach one end of one of the two long strips of wire to the positive terminal of the first battery using tape. Attach one end of the second strip of wire to the negative terminal of the second battery suing a strip of tape. The two loose ends of wire attached to the positive terminal of the first battery and the negative terminal of the second battery connect to the 12-volt device you want to power.