Jason L Cowan

Hi Ralph

Thanks so much for the detailed information.  I really appreciate it.

I'm thinking about 1000 us.. is all I can afford for the time being.  We have lived without running water for 3 years and my wife is saying it's time to get some so we are hoping to be able to run a well pump or a pump that would lift small amounts of water to tank ... would have to be big enough pump to lift water 300 feet up hill as our spring is below our house on grade... by maybe a hundred feet and about 300 feet away from the house...

We are located in 24333 zip code in the mountains of VA.  Right now the one panel I have is mounted on the roof of my tiny house and gets sun maybe 6-8 hrs a day... other than pump...we would like to ability to charge 3 phones a laptop and some other small items.. we have had no fridge for years... spring fed box keeps our milk cold in the summer.

Whatever battery you suggest I would love to make sure it doesn't impact air quality..I watched one video a few months back and host was talking about venting and I thought would not be good to breathe battery..😀...I don't mind adding water but whatever battery would have to be not offgassing obnoxiously... the batteries will have to be in our house as we have no other place...

Our electric fence charger is stand alone and we mounted it on a pole that swivels....so we can turn as the sun moves....I think due to wind this might not work for the house panels... during the winter we get some pretty good wind as house sits at 2700 feet above see level...u thought wind may be an option but risky I think due to lack of wind in summer...

I would appreciate your help and support on this upgrade...my old neighbor was an electric engineer and was experience in solar.... this was about 5 years ago but he said that  nickel iron battery..was pretty good.  

Hi Guys,

I am living off grid in tiny house and wanting to upgrade my solar panels.  So far my family of 6 has made it on one harbor freight 100 watt kit with two lights.  I am interested in finding out how to source cheap batteries, what type of batteries are best, and general know how. If anyone can point me in the right direction I would appreciate your help.  I am thinking to get another 100 watt kitt or maybe two but I am thinking that I will need a better battery..so far I am using the harbour frieght deep cycle/cell battery off the shelf.


Thanks for your help!

Jason