6V or 12V? battery bank??

Since I am in the initial phases of my solar/wind system build,
I would like to know which is the preferred type of deep cycle battery to use for a bank?
Are 12volt deep cycle or 6 volt better, and why. Cost, durability, longevity etc.
In the big scope is it just personal preference and it really doesn't matter?
I figure it's better to as before making the investment

I've struggled with batteries, they just don't seem to do what they are supposed to. Your on the right side of the pond for them though :mrgreen: Ghurd told me once that I want 6v220ha golf cart batteries. There is no such thing over here but you should have no problem. ;)
Voltage wise everything is 12v and hardly anything is 6v. :?
Buy two 6v put them in series. ;)

I've struggled with batteries, they just don't seem to do what they are supposed to. Your on the right side of the pond for them though :mrgreen: Ghurd told me once that I want 6v220ha golf cart batteries. There is no such thing over here but you should have no problem. ;)
Voltage wise everything is 12v and hardly anything is 6v. :?
Buy two 6v put them in series. ;)

I actually have a golf cart store 1/2 mile from my house. :D
This is good to know. I figured do it right, do it once! Ghurd is a good guy who definitely knows his stuff.
He's help me understand many alternative energy concepts. :)

The next is the quest for the best price. Maybe use ones?
I wonder if anyone here has the instructions on how to revitalize used batteries like the one I have for NiCad Batteries.

What Shawn said.

Depending on how many Rich people are in your area, the shop may have perfectly good 6V 190~220AH traded in.
(Some people replace the entire bank if one battery gets substandard, so they are not embarrassed with a slow cart on the course?)

If that doesn't work out, Sam's Club has new T-105 equivalents for $71 each here.
Take a volt meter. Make SURE they have a voltage ABOVE 6.15V. 6.23V or more is better.
Check the date dot sticker. Newer is better.
Might have to get them from the back of the rack.
There is a ~$10 each core charge, so if you or a neighbor have any old useless batteries around, this is the chance to recycle them.
G-

Now that my HHO installation is almost done & my garden is rockin' it's almost time to set up the wind generator. (it will be a father/son project when school is out) I will be going with the 6 volt Sam's Club batteries as suggested above. Knowing I have to connect them in series, how many pairs should I buy?
My initial installation of the system will be to power my 52" Sony Bravia flat screen. It's Power Consumption (in Operation) max. is 285W
Afterward I will add a 120 volt solar panel to this set up to assist in the recharging process.
Is there a formula I can use to calculate this?

Hey Andy,
I don't like to charge or discharge too fast. IMHO, C/20 is great.

TV includes the sound system? And Sony probably has a dandy sound system.
100W is great for a selling point, but a standard factory car stereo usually peaks out about 12W. Probably usually uses less than 3W.
Brightness is adjustable? Not sure how much, but that probably knocks off another 50W at levels people like.
Leaving 150W? About 12A at 12V nominal?

One pair is a little light. 2 pairs is considerably more than needed.
I would probably get 2 pair. More storage (within reason) usually makes for a better performing system.
That should match up pretty good for the charging system too.

2 pair has other advantages too.
Less abuse, so they should last longer.
When they are old and only holding 70% of their rating, they are still able to do the job.
Meaning 2 pair now could be better than 1 pair at a time for the next 3 pairs. I know that sounds like an exaggeration, but it worked out far better than that for us at the shop.
G-

Ok then 4 batteries it is. (I'm so happy you didn't say 6 LOL) 4 - 6 volts is a good start. Gives me some time to add more batteries in the next few months without breaking the bank up front.