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I'm also off the grid, and fortunately it's sunny now so I can write this message :) Can you please explain what kind of batteries are you using?And what are y

• SwellJoe 13y ago
  I have three Interstate group 27 deep cycle marine lead acid batteries. They are rated for 65 amp hours (more at lower amperage draws...which is why having more batteries is helpful); which is enough to where I almost never have to run my generator, unless it rains for a couple of days. They're nothing special, just heavy as hell lead acid batteries. I also try to never discharge too low...my rule of thumb is 50%, though I've run them until the inverter shut off due to low power. So, I've obviously gone below 50% a few times. They're three years old, and starting to show signs of degradation. I bought them at Costco for, I think, $98 each, and I'm pleased with the return on investment, given that they've gotten me out of being stranded on more than one occasion (I'm in a motorhome, and the chassis battery has been an interesting component, having more than it's fair share of failures, always in very bad places to have a motorhome that won't start). I should point out that when I am off-the-grid, I am extremely conscious of my power usage. I charge everything during the day, religiously, so that I don't even have to turn the inverter on, some nights (lights, fans, water pump, and fridge igniter are 12V). It's a ritual...actually, it's a really satisfying ritual that I miss when I'm living plugged in. I need to go get lost in the desert or in Mexico this winter; been parked too long.