Hey Walt,
Pretty slick setup you are planning there with all that solar stuff. I personally haven't really played with solar yet, but I do know a bit about the batteries:
If you hook the four batteries in series like you said, and measure the voltage on one of the batteries, you will get ~12V, and so, theoretically, you could have four different 12v circuits, each running either a 12v inverter or some 12v light or something like that. There are real life problems with this though. For example, you will never be running exactly the same load on all four 12v circuits, and this will lead to imbalances in the charging of the batteries, possibly ruining one. Another possible problem with this, is that the total amperage will be spread out over the four batteries, so you will never be able to take full advantage of your system with one large load. This means that if say your solar panels are 1kw total power (just an arbitrary figure, i didn't work out the numbers you called in you post), you will not be able to run a 1kw load at any extended time period using the 12v system. So this brings me to my concluding point:
It would seem that you have already spent a lot of money on the panels, and I would therefore assume that you are looking to build/install a good quality, long-lasting, properly setup system. If this is the case, it would make a lot more sense to properly complete the system with a 48v inverter. That way, if you by a good one, your system should last for years, and you would never have to worry about load balancing, or which inverter you were on etc, and you would be able to operate high power equipment (power tools, fridge, etc), and therefore use your solar panels to their full potential.
Why make your high-quality solar panels suffer the shame of being mated with a half-way, knock-together, make-shift 12v setup?
DISCLAIMER:
I do not guaranty that what I have posted is 100% accurate.
I also do not mean to offend anyone. If you disagree with what I have said, please say so nicely.
Lots of Love,
Peace and Unity,
Stephen.
P.S. Only four batteries sounds a bit limited. I guess you could see how they work and get more as your need increases. They certainly won't last you a week's use without proper sunlight. Maybe consider wind as well, or the simple thing to do would be to get a lawnmower style engine and attach four automotive alternators to it, connect each to a separate battery, and charge away in the days of no sunlight!!