Ron..I have had both set-ups and have gone from 12 to 6 in one of them, I currently use 3 12's. I can't go all techy on you here. I haven't the foggiest idea of the numbers. What I go by is...does it work?
My power consumption is as follows: I have one small inverter, a 600W that I run almost constantly to charge computer,camera, drill, flashlight batteries. I do not use lights sparingly and have no LED's. If needed I run my furnace like a normal life thing. I live in northern BC and that means that the sun is lower than in the southern parts of the US as far as solar collection is concerned.
I seldom am in a plug-in situation and have never had a problem. I did work for the NPS in the Mojave during a 10 week winter (cloud, rain, snow) and again, never ran short of juice.
I do have 250W of solar, and currently 3 12V Napa Deep Cycle's that I bought 3 years ago in Needles.
Meeting your own personal needs will depend on three things. What your own personal power habits are, how much solar you have and yes, the batteries. Get LOTS of solar. That will ensure your batteries get charged no matter what the weather conditions. If I had to choose between 2 6V and 3 12 V's..and that WAS my choice..I'd take the 12's every time. If I had the room, but I don't, I'd opt for 4 6V's. The 6's will be taller and much heavier.
I'd suggest looking at NAPA because if you have a problem, they are 'everywhere'. And shop at a NAPA store..not a dealer. The pricing is quite different.
Gary Haupt
