If you are looking to reduce your energy bills you may have considered using solar panels.While it can be somewhat expensive up front if you have someone do the work for you, putting one together yourself can really save some money.Either way it will save you money in the long term.Part of the solar power system consists of your bank of batteries for storing energy form the sun.These deep cycle batteries can be the most expensive component of your system.It is important to have them so you have stored electricity to use when it's cloudy and at night.For your battery bank you must use the same kind of batteries used in golf carts, wheel chairs, fork lifts or any kind of rechargeable equipment.Using automotive batteries will not work because they are not rechargeable like the others.Unfortunately new deep cycle batteries are not cheap and can be the most expensive item you purchase for your use.An alternative is to find used batteries.Your local golf course, boat marina or warehouses may be a source of batteries for you.They almost always have old batteries sitting around and may be happy to give them away or sell them for cheap.After you have collected your used batteries you will test them to find the ones that can be reconditioned for your use.All you have to do is hook them up to a battery charger and charge them up.When charged you measure the voltage which should be around 12 volts.If the voltage is much less than this put that battery aside to test further because it may have a bad cell.Rechargeable batteries can suffer from what is called sulfation.This is a buildup of lead sulfate crystals on the lead plates in the battery.This buildup reduces the batteries ability to take and hold a charge.These lead sulfate crystals can be removed by using a special charger.This charger emits a high current pulse that breaks up the crystals and cleaning the lead plates.If you have this charger you could potentially save yourself money on the cost of new batteries and it will pay for itself many times over.Another step you can take is to renew the electrolyte in the battery.If the fluid level is low you can top it off with deionized water so it covers the plates.An electrolyte conditioner is available at many auto parts stores that you can add to your batteries.After reconditioning the battery you can recharge it and test the voltage.You now have a battery that you can use for your solar power system that is almost free.Once you have enough batteries for your bank why not get some more as standby extras.
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