BajaNomad - battery power - Powered by XMB

battery power

cavilan - 9-12-2012 at 07:58 PM

Has anyone had any experience with cosco golf cart batteries? Alot cheaper than t-105s

El Camote - 9-12-2012 at 08:06 PM

Have one paired up with an identical size Powerstride for the coach batts in the moho. Installed it 5 years ago and seems to be doing well under a constant solar (charge controlled) charge. Starting to use more water but that's to be expected. What is the current price and are they still made by Johnson Controls?

Santiago - 9-12-2012 at 08:43 PM

I have four 6 volts in a 12 volt system, but only have about a year on them, intermittent use. Always hooked to charger. So far, they work fine in a small cabin.

Bob and Susan - 9-13-2012 at 05:35 AM

the ONLY good battery right now are surretts
made in canada

they run about $300 each for a 6v one that will work

the rest have "issues"

Mula - 9-13-2012 at 06:32 AM

You can buy Surrettes here in Mexico, with a warranty valid in Mexico.

Mula - 9-13-2012 at 06:36 AM

I have an August 2012 price list from Tecnosol in LaPaz for the batteries they can provide.

If you would like a copy of this price list - U2U me.

DavidE - 9-13-2012 at 08:16 AM

East Penn has their own lead refinery on site in Pennsylvania, and they manufacture all their components including plate grids and plate paste from scratch. They enjoy a good reputation.

Trojan in Santa Fe Springs CA. has a very good reputation especially for their 5% antimonial batteries such as golf car, L-16, and 2-volt cells.

Rolls and Surrette (Rolls in USA and Surrette in Canada) are generally regarded as being near the top in design, and quality control. and unfortunately price. Their manufacturing facility is in Nova Scotia, Canada

Some folks feel the T-105 is worth the almost doubled price for the Trojan. Others argue passionately that the "Costco" and "Sam's Club" GC-220 batteries are a lot more trouble free than they were years ago.

Some folks are shocked when I inform them that all Optima batteries are manufactured in Mexico, and that the brand name LTH is also from Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. LTH also manufactures the GC-220 battery under their own label.

My engineering company did quite a bit of testing and analysis for various battery manufacturers in the 80's and early 90's. It is definetly worth learning how to take care of batteries used in applications that require cycling (charging and discharging).

OPTIMA -BAD IN BOATS !!

captkw - 9-13-2012 at 09:19 AM

DavidE - 9-13-2012 at 10:06 AM

Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries are wonderful for surviving paint-shaker back roads. The shored-up plate construction keeps things together. I think this is more an issue with automobiles and pickup trucks than it is with campers, motorhomes or trailers because the driver doesn't want the mayonnaise jumping on the freshly scrambled eggs.

El Camote - 9-13-2012 at 11:43 AM

I once made the mistake of buying a Gonher battery in Baja for the Baja bug and in a few months, it was.

Not the best quality...unfortunate name.

[Edited on 9-13-2012 by El Camote]

prod_tmb03.jpg - 5kB

55steve - 9-13-2012 at 11:44 AM

I picked up 8 of these:

http://www.northstarbattery.com/1.0.1.0/188/NSB_170FT_Silver_Battery_(SES-542-06-05).pdf

Darn...you'll have to copy and paste the link into your browser...sorry!

I'm bringing them 2 at a time to our place at Gecko. Plan is to have the system operational next year. I'll let you all know how they hold up.

[Edited on 9-13-2012 by 55steve]

wessongroup - 9-13-2012 at 11:58 AM

Thanks to all... great info ...

Northstar batteries

skippermike - 9-13-2012 at 12:22 PM

We have serviced a number of yachts that had large banks of Northstar batteries.
There is an issue, which may be common to other plastic-case AGM batteries, in that you must leave a gap between the batteries for cooling.
In the boats that had problems, there were 6 or 8 batteries packed snugly in a box. The inside batteries in the "pack" overheated, distorted, and self-destructed.
When we re-did the installation, we left some space between the batteries for air circulation - no problem.
Also, some charges or inverter chargers have temperature sensors to limit charging if the battery is overheating. If so, I'd suggest attaching to one of the middle batteries.

On a separate, but related topic, I've had a Northstar as the backup battery in my Tacoma, behind the rear seat in a crew cab - it has worked great, and stood up to the banging around in Baja. The tall, narrow form factor was the only battery that would fit.
Good luck.

DavidE - 9-13-2012 at 12:32 PM

Arne Alvarado and I used to refer to the Gohner distributor in Sta Rosalia as"The Gohnería"

55steve - 9-13-2012 at 12:41 PM

Great info - Thanks!

Quote:

Originally posted by skippermike
We have serviced a number of yachts that had large banks of Northstar batteries.
There is an issue, which may be common to other plastic-case AGM batteries, in that you must leave a gap between the batteries for cooling.
In the boats that had problems, there were 6 or 8 batteries packed snugly in a box. The inside batteries in the "pack" overheated, distorted, and self-destructed.
When we re-did the installation, we left some space between the batteries for air circulation - no problem.
Also, some charges or inverter chargers have temperature sensors to limit charging if the battery is overheating. If so, I'd suggest attaching to one of the middle batteries.

On a separate, but related topic, I've had a Northstar as the backup battery in my Tacoma, behind the rear seat in a crew cab - it has worked great, and stood up to the banging around in Baja. The tall, narrow form factor was the only battery that would fit.
Good luck.

Bob and Susan - 9-13-2012 at 02:06 PM

agm batteries are NOT what you want for a solar application...
cars are a different animal

and my neighbors are having troubles with all the trojans
they are made in china not...not the usa

trojan does not stand behind their batteries either

someday there will be a better battery...using a different "water"

edit...also think about your voltage
if you use 6 volt batteries and have a 12 volt system
you only lose 2 batteries if one fails

if you have a 48v system and one dies
you lose 8 batteries

think ahead...it not if they die its when

you should never mix and match batteries even old and new same company same model batteries

[Edited on 9-13-2012 by Bob and Susan]

battery power

cavilan - 9-13-2012 at 04:32 PM

I sure do appreciate all the feed back. thank you

bajamedic - 9-13-2012 at 05:06 PM

You might want to consider paying more up front for a much better battery system, we specified ABS LYTE in our last install and they have been trouble and free for years. This was a solar system with an auto start generator system for backup. JH

willardguy - 9-13-2012 at 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan
agm batteries are NOT what you want for a solar application...
cars are a different animal

and my neighbors are having troubles with all the trojans
they are made in china not...not the usa

trojan does not stand behind their batteries either

someday there will be a better battery...using a different "water"

edit...also think about your voltage
if you use 6 volt batteries and have a 12 volt system
you only lose 2 batteries if one fails

if you have a 48v system and one dies
you lose 8 batteries

think ahead...it not if they die its when

you should never mix and match batteries even old and new same company same model batteries

[Edited on 9-13-2012 by Bob and Susan]

bob, where do you get your information regarding trojan batteries? :?:

the folks at the new state of the art maunfacturing facility in georgia might get a little butt hurt!

daveB - 9-13-2012 at 11:37 PM

Interstate 6-v have worked well for me. First bank of 4 changed out, MoHo application, after 8 years but still serviceable; second four have 5 years on them so far. No problems with any of the eight.

Sorry, I don't know who makes Cosco batteries.

I think that AGM's do have a place in solar applications. Although they do cost more they can recover their charge faster than the flooded wet cells, a plus.

I don't allow the voltage to go under 12.2 (about 50% of full charge) and seldom ever charged them with the generator. Never equailize either although it's probably a good idea on occasion.

Mula - 9-14-2012 at 06:23 AM

I know folks in BCS who had Trojan batteries that went bad.

They appealed to the company and it did take over a year, but did get 16 new batteries delivered to the restaurant on Mex 1 in front of their place.

This happened this spring - 2012, so Trojan will work with you - even in Mexico.

monoloco - 9-14-2012 at 06:43 AM

Quote:

I would have to disagree with you on the AGM's. I have been running my whole house on 8 305ah Concorde AGM's for three years now and they have worked flawlessly and show no signs of diminished capacity.
IMO, the freedom to leave and not have to worry about watering batteries and the fact that they are always clean with no corrosion of the terminals makes them well worth the extra money.

[Edited on 9-14-2012 by monoloco]

Bob and Susan - 9-14-2012 at 07:09 AM

thats why they are working for you...you seldom use them
they'll die fast if you live here using them

as for trojan...
your friends were the ONLY people that got a replacement set
the rest of the 6 homeowners in mulege got screwed by trojan

they had a good battery broker that FOUGHT for them
the rest were left hanging

you know if you want "little problems" go with what works

batteries are a pain in the A**

if i had a choice i'd be on the grid in a milisecond

monoloco - 9-14-2012 at 08:16 AM

Bob, I live here full time.

bigmike58 - 9-14-2012 at 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by monoloco
Bob, I live here full time.

Havent you learned by now not to disagree with Bob... :lol:

55steve - 9-14-2012 at 09:13 AM

Darn it Bob!

You should have let the engineers in on this tidbit of info. They could have saved billions by not installing the inferior AGM batteries as solar power sources in all the cell phone towers all over the planet!

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan
thats why they are working for you...you seldom use them
they'll die fast if you live here using them

as for trojan...
your friends were the ONLY people that got a replacement set
the rest of the 6 homeowners in mulege got screwed by trojan

they had a good battery broker that FOUGHT for them
the rest were left hanging

you know if you want "little problems" go with what works

batteries are a pain in the A**

if i had a choice i'd be on the grid in a milisecond

wessongroup - 9-14-2012 at 09:47 AM

bigmike58, that YOU in the avatar ... :biggrin:

nice shot ...

Again, very good "in field" information on batteries ...

What should one consider next ... I'm all ears on the other components required and recommended... which are being used in real time ...

Bob and Susan - 9-14-2012 at 10:07 AM

i'm not right all the time...but...

if the road is washed out...and i saw it...i am right

if the batteries fail...and i saw them...i am right

if i talked to the guys working with them...i am right

if trojan screwed several homeowners in mulege...and i saw it...i am right

agm's maybe i'm wrong...but..i NEED to see a unit running without problems

vandium...the future in batteries...kinda like 4 stroke boats motors :tumble:

DavidE - 9-14-2012 at 11:14 AM

Whutzuh "Vandium"?

Vandium®?

Vanadium?

bigmike58 - 9-14-2012 at 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan
i'm not right all the time...but...

Bob, I think you just might be right about always being right.. :yes:

Bob and Susan - 9-14-2012 at 12:28 PM

http://www.vanadiumbattery.com/

fuel cells are the future

i did spell it wrong...sorry...see im not ALWAYS right

davide i would have thought a battery engineer like you would know about these things

ncampion - 9-14-2012 at 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bigmike58

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan
i'm not right all the time...but...

Bob, I think you just might be right about always being right.. :yes:

Just because you may have observed something once, does not mean that it is true always.

.

willardguy - 9-14-2012 at 05:03 PM

maybe bob's lighthouse bulb is flickering? :lol:

DavidE - 9-14-2012 at 05:04 PM

Geez Bob, I just had to have a bit of polite fun with it. Actually there's a bit of Fe thrown in but I'll never squeal.

"ooh my"

captkw - 9-15-2012 at 03:00 AM

what can ya say ?? :rolleyes:

lol,lol anyone hear of a homelite 55........???

[Edited on 9-15-2012 by captkw]

edm1 - 9-15-2012 at 06:04 AM

Here the OP asks about Costco batteries and we end up discussing other batteries.

The 6 Costco GC2 batteries that I purchased a few months ago wre made by Interstate with the Costco "no question" 12 month replacement warrtanty. Prior to that set I had 4 similar ones, and still prior to them, I had 4 of the Johnson Control ones.

In my experience with flooded batteries mgf by the major makers, i.e. they're not made in someone's backyard, the longevity and performance depends 90% on how they're cared for by the owner. Caring for a battery is not easy, it's not plug and play. It requires constant monitoring - charge, discharge, water, cables, vibration, temperature, etc. watching for abnormal operation - overcharging, too deep of a discharge, dehydration, bad cables, dirty terminals, high resistance, overheating. Any occurence of these abnormalities will shorten the battery life, most of them irreversible. The longer neglected, battery's life is shorter. If you want your batteries to last longer, spend more time caring for them. Otherwise replace them more often.

batt's

captkw - 9-15-2012 at 09:21 AM

Caring for a battery is not easy, it's not plug and play. It requires constant monitoring - charge, discharge, water, cables, vibration, temperature, etc. watching for abnormal operation - overcharging, too deep of a discharge, dehydration, bad cables, dirty terminals, high resistance, overheating. Any occurence of these abnormalities will shorten the battery life, most of them irreversible. The longer neglected, battery's life is shorter. If you want your batteries to last longer, spend more time caring for them. Otherwise replace them more often. [/quote...... HOLA,yep !! THEY ARE MOST OVER LOOKED AND NEGLECTED AND MISUNDERSTANDED THING ON BOATS,RV'S,HOUSES !! AND WILL ALWAYS BE THAT WAY !!! WHY ???? BECUASE FOLKS ASSUME INSTEAD OF SCHOOLING THEMSELFS ON SUCH MATTERS!! "SIGH" I CANT TELL YA HOW MANY TIMES A WEEK THAT I TELL A BOAT OWNER THAT HE HAS THE WRONG BATT(S) IN HIS BOAT !! AND RECENTLY TALKING WITH A TECH. REP OF A MAJOR ELECTRIACL MFG. (CDI ELECTRONICS) WE HAD A GOOD LAUGH TOGETHER TALKING ABOUT BATTS AND CHARGING SYSTEMS AND THE MISCONCEPTIONS OF THE AVERAGE LAYMAN...BTW WE JUST CALL IT A 12 VOLT SYSTEM....NOT!!! K&T :cool:

wornout - 9-15-2012 at 09:33 AM

In my 15 years in San Felipe in a solar area, I started out with Trojans, they were good but didn't last in the heat.

Then I tried 105's, too many needed and like posted, when you lose one, you have to take another offline with it.

Then I tried Deka and have been running them the last 4 or 5 years, and I bought them used. They have been the best and are 12v Solar Batteries.

Capture.JPG - 40kB

larryC - 9-15-2012 at 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by captkw
Caring for a battery is not easy, it's not plug and play. It requires constant monitoring - charge, discharge, water, cables, vibration, temperature, etc. watching for abnormal operation - overcharging, too deep of a discharge, dehydration, bad cables, dirty terminals, high resistance, overheating. Any occurence of these abnormalities will shorten the battery life, most of them irreversible. The longer neglected, battery's life is shorter. If you want your batteries to last longer, spend more time caring for them. Otherwise replace them more often. [/quote...... HOLA,yep !! THEY ARE MOST OVER LOOKED AND NEGLECTED AND MISUNDERSTANDED THING ON BOATS,RV'S,HOUSES !! AND WILL ALWAYS BE THAT WAY !!! WHY ???? BECUASE FOLKS ASSUME INSTEAD OF SCHOOLING THEMSELFS ON SUCH MATTERS!! "SIGH" I CANT TELL YA HOW MANY TIMES A WEEK THAT I TELL A BOAT OWNER THAT HE HAS THE WRONG BATT(S) IN HIS BOAT !! AND RECENTLY TALKING WITH A TECH. REP OF A MAJOR ELECTRIACL MFG. (CDI ELECTRONICS) WE HAD A GOOD LAUGH TOGETHER TALKING ABOUT BATTS AND CHARGING SYSTEMS AND THE MISCONCEPTIONS OF THE AVERAGE LAYMAN...BTW WE JUST CALL IT A 12 VOLT SYSTEM....NOT!!! K&T :cool:

Capt,
If you talk anything like you write, then I bet you are a lot of laughs at a party, hope to meet you someday.
Larry

On mixing and matching batteries

edm1 - 9-15-2012 at 12:01 PM

On mixing and matching batteries, why not, "older" or "newer" as long as you "match" them. Mix batteries with the same/similar impedance as well as charge and discharging rate. And how can you tell? There are very affordable instruments out there, google them.

Doesn't make sense losing 3 or 5 odd batteries in a bank when one breaks down.

[Edited on 9-15-2012 by edm1]

larryC - 9-15-2012 at 01:17 PM

If you mean add a battery to a bank that is a larger or smaller amp hour capacity than the other batteries in the bank, that doesn't work well because that battery will come up to voltage quicker than the other batteries (if it has a lower amp hour capacity) and then the charge controller will think the rest of the battery bank is fully charged, when in fact the rest of your bank never gets fully charged. You get the opposite effect if you put a battery in the bank that has a larger amp hour capacity than the other batteries, the rest of your bank will charge while the larger battery never gets fully charged. Under charged batteries will sulfate and die prematurely.
Hope I understood your question.
Larry

edm1 - 9-15-2012 at 01:50 PM

AH ratings are true when the batteries are new. For example, when used a 230AH battery is not so anymore after a couple of years. The charging and dischaging rate become derated by the usage cycles. And so mixing and matching pose a challenge/opportunity, but not impractical. That's all I'm saying. However, I peprsonally wouldn't mix and match batteries of different physical sizes - they won't fit in their designated boxes :-)

If the battery bank is setup properly such that each battery (or battery series) can be monitored separately as to their charging and discharging rate, then, with digital meters in a common control bay, it's easy to tell the mixed and matched batteries are doing well or otherwise. It becomes very elaborate.

[Edited on 9-15-2012 by edm1]

larryC - 9-15-2012 at 04:08 PM

I agree, if you had a battery go bad, in an older bank, and had to replace it, why not replace it with a used one, what's the difference.

LARRY !! and batts

captkw - 9-15-2012 at 07:45 PM

Hola,I just type like crap!!!! and I write worse !! :lol:

Hook - 9-15-2012 at 10:27 PM

With AGMs, it is VERY important that your charger or charge controller matches the requirements that the battery manufacturer recommends. A bulk or absorption or float charge too high in voltage can cause the battery to gas. Yes, AGMs CAN release gas

My Lifeline batteries by Concorde dont want voltage over 14.4 during the bulk and absorption phases and no more that 13.4 for the float phase (assuming a temp of 77 degrees F). Even some relatively new "smart" chargers will float charge at voltages as high as 13.7 or 8. This can dramatically shorten the life of some AGMs. Be sure your charger/controller is suited to the specs your battery mfgr recommends.

landyacht318 - 9-16-2012 at 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by edm1

The 6 Costco GC2 batteries that I purchased a few months ago wre made by Interstate with the Costco "no question" 12 month replacement warrtanty.

Interstate does not make batteries, they market batteries manufactured by others.

The 6 volt GC batts were likely made by US battery.

Click HERE and scroll down to I, to see all the manufacturers of Interstate's batteries

Lots of good battery info here:

http://www.batteryfaq.org/

DavidE - 9-16-2012 at 07:48 AM

Having an excellent warranty can save a lot of headaches. Several years ago I had to return a Wal-Mart battery because it developed a bad cell. A carried it into the store and set it into a shopping cart and wheeled it back to the automotive department. The young girl at the registered did not want to deal with it so she telephoned someone. A young man showed up and grabbed a "Cheese Grater" 100-amp resistive load tester. He connected it to the battery, toggled the switch for around 5 seconds and pronounced "This battery is not bad".

Cell three had a 1.100 hydrometer reading while the remaining five had 1.260 and above. The battery would not start my car and would not support a 50% CCA load test for more than 3 seconds. The voltage fell to less than 3.

So I went to my car grabbed my Halliburton case, and returned. Inside is a 500 amp variable load carbon pile battery tester, and a Francis Freas laboratory grade battery hydrometer. At first the kid was steadfast in his belief that the battery was good. But then he had the good sense to start questioning me about the equipment and the tests. It took more than an hour to get that battery "adjusted" and I wonder what it would have been like and what it would be like for people who did not have those resources?

With Costco, it's much simpler. "I don't like this" and money is returned. Interstate battery "distributors" which are the guys who drive around in those white and green cargo trucks, have better testing equipment and knowledge than many retail stores. I've a feeling that if a person were to run into an obstacle warrantying a battery because the store did not know how to test it, a written service receipt by a local repair shop would come in handy.

There is no way to test a VRB, a sealed battery like an AGM or GEL without performing a load test according to Battery Council International specifications. This means using a variable carbon pile load tester rated in the range of 500 amperes maximum and properly adjusted to 1/2 of CCA rating.

david, your good

captkw - 9-16-2012 at 08:16 AM

hola,off the top of your head ? M.C.A. OR H.A. AND C.A. AND STATE OF CHARGE AT 12.4 VOLT'S ??? K&T :cool:

larryC - 9-16-2012 at 09:10 AM

A resting voltage of 12.4 to me would indicate a 12v battery at about 50% SoC.
Mas o menos.

[Edited on 9-16-2012 by larryC]

wiltonh - 9-16-2012 at 09:14 AM

I have a cheap battery tester and it probably would miss a weak cell. My choice is to install the battery in the car and connect a meter directly to the posts not the clamps.

The first test is to turn on the head lights and see what the voltage drops to. If it goes below 12 the battery is bad.

The second test is to have the person start the car while watching the voltage. If it drops below about 9 volts then the battery is bad.

Solar batteries are harder to check but using a good digital meter and measuring the voltage across each battery that is in series will give you a good idea which one is weak. I would normally do this with all the loads turned on in the house or RV.

Getting a warranty for this type of measurement depends on the person you are dealing with.

DavidE - 9-16-2012 at 09:14 AM

Voltage versus state of charge is hugely dependent on the type of battery construction (calcium/calcium, 1% antimony, 2.75% antimony, 5% antimony, pure lead, etc. If that isn't enough, electrolyte temperature skews the equation even further.

There exists an excellent (and I don't use that word lightly) online resource for learning about batteries.

http://batteryuniversity.com/

larryC - 9-16-2012 at 09:36 AM

I never realized how complicated batteries can be till I started looking into them. Just when you think you might understand, someone like Mr. Puekert sticks his nose into the equation.
David,
Can you refer me to a site where I might learn more about the Puekert factor? I see on a chart that I have that the Trojan T105 has a factor of 1.24, and most of the high end AGMs have factors down around 1.10 and even as low as 1.05. What does that mean exactly?
Does it refer to a batteries efficiency?
Larry

DavidE - 9-16-2012 at 09:46 AM

Rather than risk tendonitis and arthritis, I do indeed recommend clicking to get to a website that explains the factorial. In addition I should recommend you breeze through Charge Efficiency Factor or CEF...

http://www.bdbatteries.com/peukert.php

wessongroup - 9-16-2012 at 12:15 PM

WOW ... "variables" do tend to make life difficult ...

OK, now lets start all over ...

DavidE - 9-16-2012 at 02:51 PM

Shopping At Wal-Mart...

Neighbor says by email "Gee if you need anything, let me know and I'll bring it down to you"

So I wrote "Bring me a group 34 battery for my car for ninety five dollars"

He says "OK" and it shows up a week later

I use the battery for 14 months, and am back in the states. This is when the cell failed, so I took it into a Wal-Mart, and got it exchanged.

Guess I should have purchased an LTH battery for a hundred twenty one dollars, that weighed 2/3rds as much, had a twelve month guarantee, and is, well, sorta hard to warranty north of the border.

DavidE - 9-17-2012 at 07:21 AM

Protest? My side is aching from laughing! Ever heard of RAMCAR® battery? Or GNB®, or Deka®?, Crown®? They are all large, and reputable battery manufacturers separate from the other half dozen OEM units.

I specified that I wasn't going to settle for a Gohner, or an LTH or heaven forbid a Bosch (which costs a hundred forty eight dollars and still have that 12 mo. warranty). Beggars can't be choosers. The replacement battery has been doing fine. And pray tell, define "Support The Common Worker" if you would. Are Johnson Controls workers part of a vast conspiracy of white collar elitists?

edm1 - 9-17-2012 at 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by landyacht318

Quote:

Originally posted by edm1

The 6 Costco GC2 batteries that I purchased a few months ago wre made by Interstate with the Costco "no question" 12 month replacement warrtanty.

Yes, I forgot about that. So they're branded Interstate.

tripledigitken - 9-17-2012 at 12:47 PM

Just another thread of many that dispells the notion that you retire in Mexico to simplfy your life.

Medical care/insurance
Home ownership
Medical evacuation coverage
Solar power systems
Car registration
etc.

does prove the powerful allure that Mexico has though................

[Edited on 9-17-2012 by tripledigitken]

wessongroup - 9-17-2012 at 02:20 PM

Good one Ken... NOB and it still applies .. excluding land or air evac ...

Great thread, as it really makes me "think" ... a lot of factors to consider, if one does it themselves ... which a lot of you have .. it is all good stuff

Still haven't pulled the trigger ... on a backup solar system ... with an off grid application, within the "city" ... as I didn't like the contract one enters into SCE and the State of California ... for the grid tie... and the available financing even with the by back of wattage ... call me silly

Have just gotten a couple of small 2,000 watt Yamaha's inverters for now, but long term, still digesting it ALL .. based on many points brought up in this discussion, JUST on batteries ...

Hell, I'm trying to figure out how to keep back fuel which will stay "good" ... have gotten some STA-BIL ... but, the smell of wood smoldering is noticable in my room :lol:

Would agree on the allure, when one is out there a bit removed from the "rest"

Enjoy it ...

DavidE - 9-17-2012 at 06:27 PM

Heck I'm just havin' a little "diversion" (fun)

BajaGringo - 9-17-2012 at 06:40 PM

Ken - maybe I'm weird but I personally love living off-grid. I suppose it goes with the rest of the lifestyle that I find personally to be an ongoing, exciting and inspiring adventure. Never a dull day and never two alike.

I wouldn't trade my life here anywhere for a million bucks. Not even close. But that's just me...

tripledigitken - 9-17-2012 at 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaGringo
Ken - maybe I'm weird but I personally love living off-grid. I suppose it goes with the rest of the lifestyle that I find personally to be an ongoing, exciting and inspiring adventure. Never a dull day and never two alike.

I wouldn't trade my life here anywhere for a million bucks. Not even close. But that's just me...

Ron,
I understand your love of the life in Baja, I spoke of it when I mentioned the allure of Baja. It just seems so ironic to me that the Baja of our past, the simple pleasures of the sea, fishing, enjoying the culture and cuisine, can become so complicated when you decide to live there. Many of the things we take for granted NOB, can be so difficult to acquire and maintain SOB. The reality of living there, in the manner most all of us are accustomed to, gets complicated.
(ie cable tv, internet, car registration, medical care, food stuffs, parts for all the technical things most of us won’t live without, etc.)

With all I’ve mentioned above, life without Baja isn’t anything I’m considering presently.

Ken

monoloco - 9-17-2012 at 09:49 PM

Quote:

I totally agree, I especially love it when I look out and all my neighbors' houses are dark from a power failure and everything's business as usual at ours.

BajaBlanca - 9-18-2012 at 03:28 PM

I know ! We don't even realize anymore that the power is out in the rest of the village til we look out the window .... I, for one, am loving the "feel" of living off solar power. It has been so enlightening. and I must admit, one becomes so spoiled when using regular electricity (leaving TV on while doing something else, using hair dryers, lights left on).