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Aloha, its time for some new Solar Batteries
if I wanted to buy on island, do any of you have a place to recommend for the cheapest prices on the Sealed Lead Batteries, maybe 200ah, or 250 ah ?
Ive never bought them before, thanks for any info
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save our indigenous and endemic Hawaiian Plants... learn about them, grow them, and plant them on your property, ....instead of all that invasive non-native garbage I see in most yards... aloha
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save our indigenous and endemic Hawaiian Plants... learn about them, grow them, and plant them on your property, ....instead of all that invasive non-native garbage I see in most yards... aloha
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Might want to try Interstate in Hilo or Costco
David
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The little solar store in Kurtistown ("next to J Hara") stocks (or used to stock) these.
They are not cheap, but they last longer than flooded, cost about the same when costs are amortized over the useful life.
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http://www.powerstridebattery.com/solar-...ies-hawaii
looks like a pretty good deal...
Get some local quotes than compare, free shipping to hawaii.
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I got the Costco 6-volt golf cart batteries. They were about $100 each. I don't have any illusions that they will last as long as the higher end batteries but I have read more than once that beginning solar enthusiasts tend to kill their first set of batteries prematurely. Better to start with the cheap stuff.
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Pahoa Propane and Battery advertises that they will beat anyone's price. They are in the back right corner of the shopping center with Malama Market.
Allen
Finally in HPP
Allen
Finally in HPP
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Case in point: the pricing from powerstride is about the same as Pahoa Battery.
Better example: last time I shopped for batteries, the various distributors all suggested I call Pahoa Battery instead, told me they couldn't beat the prices there.
From experience: a set of ("cheap") golf-cart batteries will last 3+ years with no maintenance at all; with some care, you can get 5+ years. Definitely a good "starter set" if you've never been off-grid before.
That said: the L-16 HCL are a little more expensive ... but worth it.
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I'll second the notion of getting a "learner" set - been there. Our second set were the Interstate u220's. they were still in good shape after 5 years and I sold them to another beginner when I took that system out of service.
David
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Just to add a thought on battery maintenance. Not a really big deal. For me, less than half an hour a month. Check the connections, top off with water. I have a 12 battery, 24 cell system. Varies between 1 - 2 gallons of water per month and these are sizable, 315 pound batteries. When you make the connection apply a generous coating of Vaseline or similar.
David
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