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Environment & Energy

hunter

(38,311 posts)

2. That's a nice down-to-earth write up.

Reply to cyberspirit (Original post)

Mon Dec 12, 2011, 03:56 PM

Dec 2011

Inevitably with this kind of solar setup you'll learn how loathsome lead-acid batteries and inverters can be. I've begun to think of them as temporarily useful toxic waste.

I'm hoping the electric car industry pushes these technologies a lot further. When will we see robust and affordable batteries and control systems with a lifespan of 25 year or more?

Someday I'd like to try some nickel-iron batteries. What you lose in efficiency you gain in longevity.

Does anyone on E/E have experience with NiFe batteries?

I found this page, don't know anything about them, but it looked interesting:

http://www.nickel-iron-battery.com

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Solar Power Setup for Campers, Small Cabins [View all] cyberspirit Dec 2011 OP

The web site looks really useful for those do-it-yourself folks. My BIL is one, pinto Dec 2011 #1

That's a nice down-to-earth write up. hunter Dec 2011 #2

It might be worthwhile trying some Prius battery packs.. Fumesucker Dec 2011 #3

Bookmarked although it is way beyond my technological capacity, way, way beyond. JDPriestly Dec 2011 #4