Batteries????

[delectric]

Ok guys and gals, being on a budget that is somewhat constrained, what is the best battery options for a solar array besides a shite pile of 1vdc Exide batteries. What I'm working on is a solar array that is charging a 5500 what inverter... the inverter used light weight 6vdc gel cells. I'm looking to replace them with something in the golf cart battery range. I plan on keeping them in a dry charge condition until the needed arises....

What are some good 6vdc batteries for the money?

[Bidah]

I must have missed this one in my travels.

What voltage can your inverter be setup to use? The higher the better.

Sometimes you can get batteries for scrap prices at scrap yards. A lot of the time the batteries can be good, just need some care. Take a hygrometer and test them. Golf cart batteries are a good choice for deep cycle applications. You may also be able to find forklift batteries, which are really deep cycle, and very large to boot. This is why my system runs on, and they are 125lbs each at 2.2v and 1780Ah.

-Bidah

[shob77]

I'm new to this, but interested. Do you wire your forklift batteries in series to increase the voltage to your inverter?

What are scrap prices on forklift batteries?

What is a dry charge state?

[Bidah]

I wired my batteries in series for 48v, which is what my inverter is setup for. You could wire them in banks of 24v or 12v. Not much on the market right now for 60 or 72v, yet.. Not too many years ago you could not find 48v either.

Batteries are charged dry, no acid in them, and then shipped that way. You add the acid, and off you go.

-Bidah

[shob77]

Thanks.

This is something I'll definitely have a closer look at.

[flopshot]

check with the smaller local telephone sub stations. they swap out the backup batteries on a schedule and the old ones work well. very large 12 volt deep cycles.