Thanks. Also very nice to see a Canadian company making them.
If my good wife allows me to go down this path, I am going to have to do some serious math for what I need to run pumps, fridges, freezers and some lights. Heat would all be by wood, of which I have plenty. Sun hardly ever shines here in the winter, but on plus sides, it’s cold so outdoor freezers are fine.

Again, this is a great help to me and I am sure all who are consider solar.
Cheers

Thanks. Also very nice to see a Canadian company making them.
If my good wife allows me to go down this path, I am going to have to do some serious math for what I need to run pumps, fridges, freezers and some lights. Heat would all be by wood, of which I have plenty. Sun hardly ever shines here in the winter, but on plus sides, it’s cold so outdoor freezers are fine.

Again, this is a great help to me and I am sure all who are consider solar.
Cheers

Little math beyond addition is needed, A killowatt meter is, trust nothing, verify everything. https://www.amazon.ca/P3-P3IP4400-Electricity-Usage-Monitor/dp/B00009MDBU/ref=asc_df_B00009MDBU/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=293037007834&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5014566415249576668&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001283&hvtargid=pla-306572288073&psc=1

I only recommend that model because I know its accurate.
There is a newer version with battery backup...yea ok, after you have bought the first one!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU3I6VHTIhs

This is the shortest day of the year, it only gets better from here. Just culled two more non performing batteries from the pack. Its definitely getting lean power wise now. I don't think I will be doing any welding, learning lots about power management.For those playing at home, I stared with 14 batteries pulled four in Sept, just pulled two more tonight (one had a shorted cell), that just leaves me with 8...(6 volt batteries)
I may have to pull two more in January

It has been all sunshine and roses since about feb1st, like it is most years. Alberta has more than its share of cold weather in winter but sunshine makes up for it.
I have not known anyone personally, or even heard of anyone over the net who has continued by choice to use batteries so shot, and these are shot. That is to bad...it turns out that there is much to learn by doing so...I am not going to, but if I had to go another year with these batteries I think I could do so. All I have learned will greatly aid me extending the life of my next set of batteries.
Im am not going to go into all I have done, but for those who may face such a situation, what I have previously done in these posts will help, but I can add that load management is very important, you have to look at everything, and decide under what conditions should it be allowed to run....for example, with good new batteries it does not matter but with old shot batteries should you let the fridge and freezer run at the same time? what if the pressure pump kicks in when the fridge or freezer or both are on? with shot batteries that means you will be sitting in the dark lisening to both the low voltage alarm going off and the wife saying "my sister doesnt have to live like this" ...it will be easier to silence the low voltage alarm.
This has been a great eye opener for me in attacking each problem as it came up, and in not wanting spoil the fun of discovery for others I am not going to share much else, other than two things...first looking back I think I acted to quickly in pulling batteries out, I of course needed to pull them because they had developed partial shorts....but I should have tried to clear the shorts from the batteries, very likely some of the cells were just shorted out by flaking falling off the plates and collecting in the bottom of the case and then bridging across the plates. I now have a idea of how I can remedy this in the future.

The strangest load of all turned out to be my septic tank pump. It was the joker of the deck. go for days without turning on then at 4am turn on, drawing 60+amps crashing the dc buss killing the power and tripping the inverter low voltage alarm....not how you want to wake up, or it might come on at 7 am while you are in the shower, the pressure pump running, then the septic pump comes on killing power while you are all soaped up. You could just flip the breaker and only flip it on every 5-7 days or so manually when the sun is out....manually sounds good in theory. The problem with theory is if you forget, you will be reminded by sewage coming up the drain while you are in the shower.....that wont go over well.

This needs to be automated, and the only condition I wanted it turn on was when the float switch closed and the sun was out, and of sufficient brightness to run it...here is your tip of the day...know those screw in sockets for outside bulbs that turn on at night, well (depending on type)you can modify them to only turn on during the day, and when its sunny....

I could find no product dedicated to load management...there needs to be a product produced that a user can program to enable loads under set conditions. Simple plug in modules controlled by wifi, or blue tooth, or some such method.

i love the way you think on all the work arounds. fantastic approach and with some experimentation can turn some simple components into some really nifty systems.

is there not a software program that in conjunction with the various relays etc, can take over the controls based on loads, sun...

here is something for hot water and exterior temp sensors. https://www.uponor-usa.com/~/media/Extranet/Files/articles/EnhanceSystemPerformance_HPACMAG.aspx?sc_lang=en there has to be something that can be tweaked. I once read of a system that appeared to be really fine tuned for exterior temps, wind...and if i can find it, will forward

I am thinking of perhaps a pro grade light meter used for cameras or movie production that automatically adjust light for filming of movies etc. can it then be connected to your battery bank or software and automatically permit or deny per-configured relays to turn on or off?

one could look at increasing size of tank $$ to handle the period of no sun days or maybe set/lower the pump switch to turn on sooner so things don't get to full and stuff starts back flowing when there is no room left in the tank?

as to keeping old batteries for years, i do it all the time, old car or boat battery that is to weak for intended task, makes for good booster batteries and to run home devices connected to an inverter. I like the idea of plugging in a radio, table light, TV, computer to one when generator is off and you still want some things on

i love the way you think on all the work arounds. fantastic approach and with some experimentation can turn some simple components into some really nifty systems.

is there not a software program that in conjunction with the various relays etc, can take over the controls based on loads, sun...

I

I have read of Arduino's that you can use to control devices, they are very cheap and look like a solution, but it requires me to do some learning, maybe a little code writing, and my to do list is just so long, that learning something new is not really what I have time for right now. I remember there was a product called x10 or some such thing, was sold by Radio Shack...I used them back in the 90's for some projects. I will have to see if they are still available....

I have a few Arduino units and have played with them a bit. The language for them is very close to C++.
It does take a bit of learning, but there are lots of add on modules such as various sensors and relays.
If you do take the time to learn it, they would very likely be a good solution.

I have a few Arduino units and have played with them a bit. The language for them is very close to C++.
It does take a bit of learning, but there are lots of add on modules such as various sensors and relays.
If you do take the time to learn it, they would very likely be a good solution.

From what I have seen it looks like they may be a answer. When you can control devices to run serially, then you can greatly limit the total draw from your batteries. This wont just help with old batteries, but will greatly add in longjevity of new ones.

First up once spring comes is a new pressure tank, I want to build one large enough so the pressure pump only has to cycle on once a day (when the sun is out). 7 or 8 years back, I bought some 20 foot long, one foot dia stainless pipe from the scrap yard...now I have a purpose for them!
I will also add shrader valve to them just so if for any reason I don't have power I can manually pump them up...keeping water running/toilets flushing is priority one!

i love the way you think on all the work arounds. fantastic approach and with some experimentation can turn some simple components into some really nifty systems.

is there not a software program that in conjunction with the various relays etc, can take over the controls based on loads, sun...

I

I have read of Arduino's that you can use to control devices, they are very cheap and look like a solution, but it requires me to do some learning, maybe a little code writing, and my to do list is just so long, that learning something new is not really what I have time for right now. I remember there was a product called x10 or some such thing, was sold by Radio Shack...I used them back in the 90's for some projects. I will have to see if they are still available....

Just thought of something more out of the box. Card access panel and software come with a ton of relays and depending on software, pretty versatile. Honeywell made the N1000 panel. The software was horrible for end users but a techs dream. You could program all manner if events. I’d send you one but I gave them all away when I sold my company. Sure you could find some on the net. But even a paradox card access one or two door module with alarm panel would likely do the trick. If you do, get the “installers Winload” software. No cording needed. Just a thought

Question for you Peppercorn or anyone else:

what solar use battery would you choose if money was not an object.

that lifespan with some moderate care was to be eight to ten years

that one could place batteries in unheated or perhaps marginally heated garage. this perhaps due to size and difficulty in bringing into basement or other hard to access area in a home/ up stairs etc

again, money not being an object and maybe needing more batteries to compensate for less management time ( babying the life of a battery.

Signed, curious in Ontario

Clarence....times change, I have to re-evaluate what I recommended. Iithium Iron batteries are what I am now considering. Prices now are near par or only a 3rd higher with great performance. As a prepare to buy new batteries before winter it is very likely I will dip my toe into the lithium iron pond with a couple hundred hours of capacity this year, and if I am happy with them, I couple hundred hours the next year. https://battlebornbatteries.com/ I can get them for under 1200 Canadian. They have battery management system built in. Compatible with existing solar equipment. 4 of these and I am living large for a long long time. Actually I could do well on just 3, 2 if I had too, but I do run a tight ship power wise.

thanks for update.
don't go to low in what you get. if one can afford it, i tend to go high and ad that nice buffer. As things can change or breakdown, its real nice to have a strong safety net.
keep us posted.

I am struggling with convincing the Misses and ramping up to Solar. have done a great deal so thinking she has ( for now) reached the tolerance limits hahahaha Can't blame her, she has been putting up with my contingency plans for well over three decades now but I really ramped up post 98 ice storm! When events happen, i gain more brownie points and move the peg up 😉 Also thinking of a move and starting fresh so until thats decided, i do have to be cautious with investments in all manner of backups to backup!

And another two batteries get pulled from service. Should have done it weeks ago. Of 14 ( 6 volt batteries) batteries from a year ago at this time, I am now down to 6, 6 completely shot batteries, and I am just laughing at how well I am doing with them. If 7-8 years ago someone would have told me I could have run my house on so few, and so completely shot batteries I would have said BS. I bet at this point my bike battery has more watthrs than my house batteries. I was even back to welding in the garage the other day, though with a smaller rod, but still...

Still have two "expired" marine batteries from my boat i sold five years ago, use them as backup starter for one gen and the other to boost dead batteries on sled or car when i stupidly leave backup GPS plugged in on truck for a few days in the winter and it kills a two year old battery.!

i have been keeping old batteries for this type of emergency use for yeas and while they may not do the trick for every day use, they help boost another battery if occasionally kept on trickle charger.

you obviously have this down to a fine art and if you have the skill sets or have the time, why the heck not. good on you ❗

My weakest point in my systems has proven to be my pressure pump. I switched from a 240 volt one somewhere back in 2005, to a 120 volt model, a very good industrial quality pressure pump that draws little power when running, but man the start up current is one hell of a killer to my system. Even with all the tweaks I have made to handle motor start up loads this pump is now crashing my power system if it tries to kick on when the sun isn't out. Its not a problem as the pressure tank still holds pressure to supply my water needs during the evening but I have to unplug it so it doesn't try to kick on in the evening. I am glad I am discovering the weak points now. Going forward I am going to replace this pressure pump, retire it and set it aside as a back up. In its place I am going to find a fractional hp, 120 volt brushed universal motor to use. This last year has been a real good test of my power systems. I have made improvements, found weak points, I am going to be much stronger power wise in the future.

Edit....the pump giving me grief is a motor using a separate start winding, with a centrifical switch to remove the start windings when the motor is up to speed. So for those planning ahead, don't use these type.

And it gets worse. its now at the point that the batteries cant keep the lights and computers running through the evening. I am going commando, ...that's right I will be unhooking all the batteries remaining and seeing how I do without them! should be interesting! I will also see if I cant clear some of the internal shorts in these batteries and get more life from them.