Batteries are the gas tank of your system. This is where the solar, wind and hydro power is stored for later use. Although we sell all types of batteries, we recommend the use of low cost electric vehicle batteries typically used in golf carts and forklifts. This type of battery is called a “lead acid” battery. It has lead plates which react with the acid that fills them to create a storage environment. These batteries need to be housed in a closed space that is vented to allow “lighter than air” hydrogen gasses to escape. They need regular maintenance which includes checking the water level in each cell (use only distilled water) and keeping the tops and terminals clean.

Batteries are where you collect the electric which is made by the Sun, Wind, Water, or by your Back-up Generator. 

Batteries are an extremely vital part of your electric production system.

Although you can run your inverter directly from the Sun and Wind, what are you going to do when the Wind dies down or when the Sun has set for the evening? Batteries are the answer, that's what!  

Basically a deep cycle battery is one which can be charged, than discharged, and re-charged again and again without damaging the battery such is the case with a cranking battery which never recovers from deep discharging.  It is important to note, that even deep cycle batteries are susceptible to failure if they are cycled below 40 percent especially in sub-freezing areas.  And if the liquid levels drop too low causing build-up on the plates.

The rule of thumb is that you need to stay on top of your battery maintenance in order to have a healthy system.  And the heavier the battery the better the plates and that means a better battery.

Batteries range from golf cart batteries which are less expensive per battery (under $100 per 6 volts with about a 2 year life) to batteries that can cost you over a $1,000 per 2 volts and last up to 20 years.  Basically batteries come in 12 volts which most of us are familiar with, 6 volts and 2 volt which are more common in deep cycle applications.

To better understand batteries, they all are comprised of 2 volt cells.  Thus some batteries are sold as individual 2 volt cells, others are sold as three groups of 2 volt cells or as 6 volt batteries while other are available as six groups of 2 volt cells or as 12 volt batteries.

Most of the batteries we sell are liquid lead acid and the main reason for that is because you get more amp hours (storage capacity) for your dollar.  We also carry a number of sealed gelled batteries as well.  Although you pay more per amp hour, you should ask yourself if you will really stay on top of your battery maintenance?  If the answer is no, than I can assure you that your per amp hour cost will be much more expensive with the liquid lead acid battery because you will more than likely damage your batteries causing a battery failure which will cause early replacement of your battery bank.

I don't want to scare you but I think you should know that most of the problems I have encountered on solar installations has been due to battery failure.  With most of those cases due to dried up batteries.  One thing you can do if you have let your batteries go a bit dry, is to revive them with a Battery Desulfator.  These are devises that use electric pulse to break away the sulfate crystals that build up on the battery plates.  A Battery Desulfator not only rejuvenates weak and almost dead batteries, we  recommend them because they can help keep your battery stronger longer!  And while I am on the subject, you should also have a good Hydrometer and System Monitor such as a Tri-metric Meter so you can keep track of your battery's health and usage.

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General Information About Batteries and How They Work 

We carry batteries from several manufactures including Surrette, Interstate, Trojan and several other battery companies.  Most of our solar storage batteries are 6VDC Deep Cycle Batteries, deep cycle means that they can be recharged more often than standard cranking batteries found in automobiles. The reason that they are 6VDC is because of their weight it is easier to handle batteries weighing under 200 pounds rather than batteries weighing over 760 pounds for a 24VDC system. Some battery banks can weigh well over 2,000 pounds. 

Rule of thumb is that the heavier a battery is per voltage, the longer it will last.  Also, alot of how long your battery investment will last depends on how well you stay on top of their condition.

For maintenance free power back-up systems and remote access areas we recommend using the sealed gel-cell batteries, these are 12VDC.  The life span of these batteries is less than that of the lead-acid batteries.  However, on power back-up systems where the demand is quite a bit less than on normal systems, this helps balance out the cost.

Our batteries range from Interstate Golf Cart Batteries (GCB) at $75 to the Surrette CS-25PS at $799.

Our system is a 48VDC system and uses 16 Interstate L-16 HC (at a cost of $185 each) and we have been happy with the results.  Prior to upgrading to these batteries we used another brands golf cart batteries and these worked but we were replacing batteries every 12 to 18 months.  Our present batteries are going on their 4th year, quite a bit of savings on the wear and tear of the ole back and I can see that it will be a financial savings as well.

The Surrette Batteries are some of the best batteries we sell.  They are really highly rated and if your budget can handle them (starting at $450 per 6VDC Battery) I know that you will have many years of service from them.

Solar Storage Batteries

• Concorde Batteries
• Interstate Batteries
• Surette/Rolls Batteries

Generator Start Battery

• Interstate Battery Company

To help keep the water (acid) level up in your batteries, consider the Water Miser caps below. They help recycle water that is normally lost to hydrogen gas escaping the cells as the batteries reach near full levels.