How to Make a Parallel Circuit Using a Large Square Size Battery

Put the number of electrical devices you want to wire in a parallel circuit on a work surface. Each device, such as a light bulb, needs to operate using the same voltage as the large square sized battery, so check the label---it will likely be six volts. It doesn't matter how many items you wire in parallel, but the greater the number, the less time the battery will last. For example, if you wire one light bulb and the battery lasts four hours, wiring four light bulbs means the battery will last one hour.

Cut strips of wire with a knife. Cut the strips the length you need to connect between the large battery and all of the electrical items. The number of strips depends on the number of items you are wiring in parallel. Multiply the number of electrical items by two and the result is the number of wire strips. For example, if you are wiring four items, multiply four by two to get eight.

Use wire cutters to remove ¼ inch of plastic coating from the ends of the strips of wire. This will reveal the metal core inside the protective coating.

Attach one end of a strip of wire to one of the terminals on the items you are wiring in parallel. If you are wiring an item that has terminals labeled "+" and "-,"attach it to the "+" terminal. If you are wiring light bulbs, it doesn't matter which terminal you connect the wire to. Loosen the terminal screw with a screwdriver, slide the wire under it, and then tighten the screw. If the item does not have a terminal connector screw, simply cut a small strip of electrical tape so you can hold the wire in place. Use the same method to attach a second strip of wire to the remaining terminal on the electrical item.

Twist the opposite end of the first strip of wire to the end of a third strip of wire. Do the same for the opposite end of the second strip of wire that is connected to the electrical item by twisting the end together with one end of the fourth strip. Repeat the procedure until you have linked all the wire together in two lines and have two loose ends. These connect to the battery.

Loosen the screws on the terminals of the second and any subsequent electrical items you are wiring with a screwdriver. Place the items at the place where you have twisted the wires together.

Slide the two twisted wires from the first electrical item under the terminal screw and tighten the screw. If the terminals are labeled "+" and "-" you need to attach it to the "+" terminal. All of the "+" terminals must be connected by the same wire. If it does not have terminal connectors, use tape to attach the wires.

Using the same method, attach the first set of twisted wires from the second terminal on the first electrical item to the second terminal on the second electrical item. If the terminal is labeled, it will be the "-" terminal.

Repeat the process by connecting any other electrical items in the same manner, ensuring that if the terminals on the items are labeled, you connect all of the "+" terminals together and all of the "-" terminals together.

Attach the remaining two loose ends of wire to the battery terminal. If the terminals on the electrical items have labels, make sure you attach the loose end from the last "+" terminal on the electrical item to the "+" terminal on the battery. Do the same for the "-" wire. When you attach the last wire, the parallel circuit will be complete and your battery will power all of the electrical items.