You can multiply the voltage or the current supplied by individual batteries by connecting them together either in series or in parallel. The characteristics of batteries connected in parallel are that total voltage equals the average of the individual battery voltages, total current equals the sum of the individual battery currents, the positive terminal of one battery is connected to the positive terminal of the next, the negative terminal of one battery is connected to the negative terminal of the next, and two connections are made between each adjacent battery.

All conductors have resistance and the amount of resistance varies with the element. Metals exhibit increased resistance (and, therefore, lower conductivity) as their temperature increases.

Capacitors store electricity and are used in circuits as temporary batteries. Capacitors are charged by DC current (AC current passes through a capacitor) and that stored charge can later be dissipated into the circuit as needed. Capacitors connected in series produce less capacitance than capacitors connected in parallel.

Connecting the 8 batteries in series multiplies their voltage while keeping their current the same yielding a 120V 5A configuration. Connecting the 8 batteries in parallel multiplies their current while keeping their voltage the same yieleding a 15V 40A configuration. Using a series-parallel connection, 4 batteries can be connected in series and 4 can be connected in parallel resulting in a 60V 20A configuration.