jim ward

Aloha Frank,
We've been very happy with the SimpliPHi batteries so far. With the holidays we have guests running the shower at all hours ( after being asked not to...) and I'm impressed how the batts can take continual hits from the 1 horse water pump and still have reserve. I did add a 4th battery as we have 2 buildings , 2 fridges etc. We aren't seeing a discharge past 50%, and they're guaranteed 10 years even if taken down to 0%. They behave much different that lead acid ( a good thing) Charge really fast.
Happy Holidays
Jim

UPDATE TO BATTERY SAGA,
Well it appears the semi truck carrying my batteries from Canada to shipping point in California was stolen over the holiday weekend. As I can't wait another 4 weeks to have storage I ordered 3 Simpliphi 3.4KW 48v 67ah lithiumferrousPhosphate batteries that will be here next week. The cost was considerably more ($7800) for the same 10.2 KWH of the lead acid, but these are warrantied for 10 years, and apparently if I keep at a daily 80% DOD they will go 15-20 years. Big leap of faith here but it's nice they're non toxic, don't need watering, equalization etc.
Aloha!
Jim

Mahalo Frank!,
Great info. I'm waiting for my 16 x 6v 420ah batteries to ship. Realistically I'm hoping for a 20-25% nightly discharge, and I'm hoping they go 5-6 years. I got 3.5 years on the 8 6v that I have now, but they were never charging fully ( I've added panels) and I over watered them so I've ordered a "watering kit" that shuts off when the batteries are at optimal level) I appreciate the info about absorb time etc. Hoping in 5-6 years I can switch to Litihium ion Phosphate ( $10,000 now!) 16 6v Rolls are $5000 so that's what I'm going with for now
Best,
Jim

Hi Eric,
The only thing that's really power hungry is my Grundfos 1horse water pump ( pulls 1800 watts for 30 seconds....) I'm looking into a smaller pump , but bigger pressure tank ( I draw water from my 22,000 gl tank) other than that everything is LED, Propane stove, water heater, dryer. LED lighting has helped a lot. The new Vizio 60 inch lcd draws Half what the 46 inch sony ( eight years old) does.  I'm hoping to draw a max 25% at night on the new bank of 16. I've been drawing 50% on the eight I now have combined with the fact they weren't getting fully charged. ( with 24 panels that issue should go away:)
best,
Jim

Mahalo Eric,
Yes living off grid has been a learning experience. I have an outback system as well, but it turns out my charge controller wasn't tracking the panels correctly....I've now added a second charge controller and 9 more panels ( total 24 now)
My hope is that I can now truly charge my bank to 100%  I too check the specific gravity and regardless of what the mate was telling me, they weren't getting to 100%  Now my tired abused bank is fully charged by the afternoon ( but it's not holding the charge well at all).
I've ordered 16 Surette Rolls S550 6v 428 AH batteries and I'm going to limp along until they arrive. If I could get a forklift battery on to my property here in Hawaii I would do it, but the weight makes it cost prohibitive ( I'm picking up my Rolls 8 at a time from the harbor here).  I'm going to go one more round of lead acid, and then see if Lithium ion phosphate become cheaper and more tried and true for off grid application.
All the best
Jim

Aloha,
I have a 48 volt solar system with 6.2kw worth of panels on my roof. ( recently upgraded to 6.2kw from 3.2kw)  I started 8 years ago with 16 interstate L16 which crapped out after 3.5 years . I replaced them with 8 DEKA L16 which have lasted 4 years. My question is should I stay with 8 L16s or go back to 16 since I can now truly charge them to 100%. Options I'm looking at are 16 US battery USL16HCS or 4 12 volt industrial batteries from GB.  The Lithium Ion Sulfate are still too expensive so I thought I'd stay lead acid for the time being. I appreciate any guidance as I've got one shot at this financially  MAHALO!!
Jim