So those of you off grid with a true solar system what kind/brand of batteries do you recommend? My goal is to build an off grid house on some land before I retire so trying to learn as much as I can now.
.
Not sure what you mean by a 'true' solar system. What would make it an untrue system?
I have a solar system with which I go off grid for most of every year.
Last adventure was eight months long in a variety of locales and situations, from open desert to swamps and bayous to dense woodlands. I would not hesitate to use the same exact system if I was living off-grid in one place, homestead-style, though may increase my storage capacity. I'm planning on doing just that with redundant setups in van and trailer that can work together or apart.
I use two
Odyssey AGM Deep Cycle, Performance series. They are the same as the
Odyssey Extreme series without the CCA (cold cranking amp) needed for starting engines. Because I already have twin starting batteries for my diesel van with high CCA, I don't need that feature in my deep cycle storage batteries.
Having gone off-grid for seventy-five percent of the last two years--meaning living without using conventional 110 from electric companies for any of my power needs--I've learned what I need and don't need. I believe most people use far more than they truly need because it's right there in the wall, convenient to use and easy to waste. Most folks do not think about where the power comes from or at what cost.
When you live off-grid and depend on yourself to generate your own power, you're much more aware of your needs, how to obtain it, how to store it, and how to use it wisely. With my small system, I regularly keep my food cold, all my photography, bike, computer and other device, flashlight, and all other batteries charged and ready. I also run my water pump, air compressor, on-board LED lights, and supply power to a 1000W pure sine 110 inverter if I have something that needs 110v, not 12v.
My panels get moved around when I'm in intermittent sun, angled for efficiency throughout the day. When in 24hr open sun or when driving, the folding panel is stored on the rooftop ten shell, gathering energy in a flat position.
I also have a small
Honda Generator for back up, which I have converted to run on propane or gasoline. I had it for over a year before I ever used it, and then for helping power a small community festival at which my trailer was HQ.
I've experimented endlessly with my power needs and supply capacity. This is the same exact system I'd use in an off-grid homestead, just mobile. In fact, my intention when choosing a trailer and designing my setup was to use my trailer and it's power supply as foundation for any more permanent off-grid homestead, while retaining the ability to move if needed.
Power Center with two
Odyssey Performance Deep Cycles, each 50Ah and on their own shelf,
Blue Sea 6 Circuit fuse box (on the right wall) to fuse and distribute power from the batteries, and
NOCO Genius 2 Battery Minder (on the near wall), which allows me to plug into 110 if available, to also charge and equalize the batteries. I've used the NOCO mostly to plug into my dual fuel
Honda Generator in times of extended inclement weather or when deep into heavy forest cover.
Desert Borderlands photography bunker, in which I stayed for over a month, providing all my own power for fridge, camera batteries, ebike, lighting, etc.
New England woods camping.