Cheap deep cycle batteries Hilo side?

[randomq]

Contemplating a trip to Costco, but does anyone carry competitively priced golf cart or other true deep cycle batteries on this side? I've gone into a few local solar places but nothing even approaching $0.50/aH @ 6v.

I'm open to suggestions! Completely off-grid on a 40a 24v controller.

[kalakoa]

Outback EnergyCell 200RE. Gexpro has the best price.

Yes, they cost more, but they last longer and require no maintenance.

[terracore]

Costco doesn't always have golf cart batteries, but when they do it is probably worth the drive. I get my 12v marine deeps there and the savings more than pays for the gas.

[kalakoa]

I have the EnergyCell 200NC

I sit corrected -- I'm running the 200NC, but my documentation refers to them as RE.

[randomq]

So how much for the 200NC's at GEXPRO? Contractor price?

Seems like they would be about 3x the price for around 2.5x the life. And they charge faster, and require no maintenance. Anything else you would say makes them worth while?

Still interested in options for cheap deep cycles on this side if anyone else knows some. Anyone using forklift batteries?

[kalakoa]

So how much for the 200NC

About $400. Note they're 200Ah @ 12V, but take deeper DoD than FLA.

Anyone using forklift batteries?

L16HC work well; they were about $400 (2011?) for ~400Ah @ 6V.

If you really "have to have" FLA, get the irrigation kit.

Cheapest price is "probably" Hilo Battery/Propane on Makaala, but "The Off-Grid Store" by J Hara was advertising cheap batteries at one point.

Having switched to the Outback ... I don't miss the maintenance, at all.

[microage97]

89.00 for the GC2 @ costco vs 130.00 hilo side + core.

[terracore]

Cheapest costco membership is $60, so buying two batteries will pay for your membership and your gas. (Leave Hilo with 1/3 tank and get gas there, I think it's about $2.48/gallon) Get some paper towels and TP while you are there and it pays for your time as well. Buy just about anything else and it will pay for the wear and tear on your vehicle.

[BigEyePuna]

What about other components and installers? Don't want to hijack this thread but there are so many variables and so many sellers/installers. I've talked to a few but there seems to be places with signs advertising solar on just about every other corner. Anyone have good experience with anyone in particular? I've talked to build it green, the solar store in Kurtistown, solar saint, and looked up solarman, although there isn't any information on his website. I'm about ready to drop some big cash on a complete system. Thinking about even going Lithium for the battery bank.

[randomq]

Most of the places in town seem to be targeting malihini with money to burn. If I had to go the permitted route I'd order everything I could online, install it myself, then hire an electrician to inspect it, do the final hook-up, and sign off on it. Electrician could probably get you some of those batteries from gexpro Kalakoa was talking about, or some lithium-ions.

Who's got the cheapest lithium ion/phosphate batteries?