2oldman, I've looked at the 48v-12v converters, and this may be an option rather than a stand alone battery system, and a 300 watt solar panel to keep things happy, however they are expensive and suitable for low current draws. If I'm using an electric jack or a slide out motor that draws say 40-50 amps, then I would have to get two of these: http://www.amazon.com/One-Golf-Cart-Converter-36V/dp/B00LPHGM40 for about $120 plus suffer the 85% conversion efficiency. they do make ones that are much more efficient but one could easily buy a battery much cheaper and have the additional power it provides for running your 12v stuff. My 48v would be strictly for my heat pump and inverter use, which would be 85-90% of my power needs.
I'm planning on starting with a "learner" bank of 8 CG-2 (golf cart batteries) from Sams. At only $85 each my battery bank will only set me back $680. This should get me by for about 3 years if I don't kill them first. I would like my next set to be LiFEPo4s, if the price drops by then to reasonable levels. If not I will either go with a set of Rolls S-550s which will cost about $2,616 at today's prices but should last another 10+ years - for roughly the same cost/year but at twice the capacity of cheap of cart batteries. Or I'll go with the new Trojan T-105 REs that are now available with the same estimated life of the Rolls/Surrettes, but at $1,400 for a set of 8 for 225 amp/hrs (vs 460 for the Rolls) is another option. I have time to wait and see if they perform as advertised before I decide which way to go.
Trackrig, thanks for the link!
Chip
