Great source for solar batteries

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   Hi all.  I hear of everyone talking about getting deep cycle marine, or golf cart batteries for your systems.  I have a couple of options.

One of the best sources of sealed maintenance free deep discharge batteries are those retired out of commercial UPS systems.  Companies are required to install new batteries as frequently as after one year.  These batteries have a life span of up to 10 years if cared for properly.  Check out your local battery recyclers in the yellow pages.  Trust me they will have skids of them.  I noramlly purchase these for around $30 each. They are a true 100amp/hour battery.  They do not gas when charged within specs. These are the one's I currently have.

  www.cdstandbypower.com/products/batteries/vrla/pdf/12_370.pdf

If you are on a budget get to know your local auto wrecker.  One close to me sells batteries pulled out of running cars for $5 each. Grab some of these.  I normally test them quickly with a piece of house copper wiring.  I touch them to the terminals quickly.  I take the one's with the stongest spark.  It should melt the wire.  If your not comfortable doing that, get one of the yard guys to help you out.  Yes I know these are not meant for constant deep discharge.  If you have enough of them that won't be a problem.  Just get a volt meter, and dont's let the volts get much below 12v.  These batteris should normally be just above 13v at rest. Don't be afraid to negotiate with the wreckers. Cash talks!  My wrecker will even let me return them if I'm not happy with them!  He will also buy them back for $2 each when I'm done with them.

The wreckers also sometimes get the industrial forklift batteries with scraped units.  The batteries are normally in perfect condition.  They are very heavy. Normal 2 volts each.  You'll need 6.  Don't forget to grab the cables.  I would only suggest taking these if you are knowledgable in electronics, or electrical engineering.

Chargers can be very easily made from a side shaft gas motor, and a car alternator.  There are tons of sources on the net regarding this.  These are more efficient at charging batteies than a normal generator, and seperate charger.  

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Canadian Boy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List advanced Member Joined: December 11 2006 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 26	Post Options Post Reply Quote Canadian Boy Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Great source for solar batteries Posted: February 18 2007 at 8:54am
	Hi all. I hear of everyone talking about getting deep cycle marine, or golf cart batteries for your systems. I have a couple of options. One of the best sources of sealed maintenance free deep discharge batteries are those retired out of commercial UPS systems. Companies are required to install new batteries as frequently as after one year. These batteries have a life span of up to 10 years if cared for properly. Check out your local battery recyclers in the yellow pages. Trust me they will have skids of them. I noramlly purchase these for around $30 each. They are a true 100amp/hour battery. They do not gas when charged within specs. These are the one's I currently have. www.cdstandbypower.com/products/batteries/vrla/pdf/12_370.pdf If you are on a budget get to know your local auto wrecker. One close to me sells batteries pulled out of running cars for $5 each. Grab some of these. I normally test them quickly with a piece of house copper wiring. I touch them to the terminals quickly. I take the one's with the stongest spark. It should melt the wire. If your not comfortable doing that, get one of the yard guys to help you out. Yes I know these are not meant for constant deep discharge. If you have enough of them that won't be a problem. Just get a volt meter, and dont's let the volts get much below 12v. These batteris should normally be just above 13v at rest. Don't be afraid to negotiate with the wreckers. Cash talks! My wrecker will even let me return them if I'm not happy with them! He will also buy them back for $2 each when I'm done with them. The wreckers also sometimes get the industrial forklift batteries with scraped units. The batteries are normally in perfect condition. They are very heavy. Normal 2 volts each. You'll need 6. Don't forget to grab the cables. I would only suggest taking these if you are knowledgable in electronics, or electrical engineering. Chargers can be very easily made from a side shaft gas motor, and a car alternator. There are tons of sources on the net regarding this. These are more efficient at charging batteies than a normal generator, and seperate charger.