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The cheapest you can go with solar? | 24 comments (24 topical, 0 editorial)

Re: The cheapest you can go with solar? (3.00 / 0) (#18)
by freeEnergy4me on Tue Apr 8th, 2008 at 07:50:57 AM MST
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But where? I can't find anything that cheap. For a pair, the cheapest golf car batteries I find are over $300. No where near $100 or less per battery. That would be a great bargain.

My deep cycle marine batteries aren't doing too badly so far. I just need to string them together and keep the solar on them all the time and I will be ok.

For 225aH of marine deep cycle, it's $240. Not terribly bad.

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Re: The cheapest you can go with solar? (3.00 / 0) (#19)
by ghurd on Tue Apr 8th, 2008 at 08:23:50 AM MST
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Where? Maybe try CostCo or Sam's Club? 220AH at 12V is $140 for 2 golf cart batteries.

"For 225aH of marine deep cycle, it's $240. Not terribly bad."
Yes it is, when you have to buy them every other year.
Gosh. $240 should get a pair of golf cart batteries at retail from a golf cart shop. And they'll last longer than marine batteries.

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Re: The cheapest you can go with solar? (3.00 / 0) (#21)
by freeEnergy4me on Fri Apr 11th, 2008 at 05:08:21 PM MST
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yeah. I found two 6v 220aH for $190. The Sams and Costco near me don't carry golf cart batteries.

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Re: The cheapest you can go with solar? (3.00 / 0) (#20)
by scottsAI (user name at eml dot cc) on Tue Apr 8th, 2008 at 05:26:47 PM MST
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FreeEnergy4me,

Like ghurd said; Costco or Sam's club would be my first choice.
Costco caries the real golf cart batteries in spring/summer only. (at least mine does)
225ahr at 6v, Last summer they were $57 each + 7.50 "core" charge.
Should weight near 70lb each. My costco never had more than two on the rack.
You must pre-buy them if you want more, they will not order then, just don't sell enough in case you don't pick them up, part of the reason I bought mine else where.

Beware of other batteries, deep cycle marine batteries are not the same nor will they last as long.
Sam's had a 189ahr battery, its not a golf cart, saves a few bucks. Much lighter than the golf cart.
I do not have a Sam's near me, checked one out when looking for my battery, they did have a real golf cart battery. Wanted to buy the battery near home.

I seriously looked at 110ah at 12v "golf cart batteries" takes half as many to hit 48v I needed. I went with 6v real golf cart for the higher capacity.

A near by battery store had a crown after market battery for $57, bought 8 couple years ago, working great. That price got delivery to my house with it! This store supplied batteries to most auto shops in a large area.

You live in the greater Detroit area, should NOT be a problem to find a golf cart battery for much more than $60, I only say that because the cost of lead has gone up and I have not been watching their cost.

Have fun,
Scott.

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The cheapest you can go with solar? | 24 comments (24 topical, 0 editorial)

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