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Thanks to all for the info. I had to go without electricity for 29 hours due to storm damage and agree it is back to the stone age.

12 v.d.c. LED systems for backup seem ok for light, but all those other appliances are, as you say, goners.

It is a real problem that lead acid storage batteries are both expensive and short-lived. Static inverters are not bad.

29 posted on 08/02/2012 11:21:44 AM PDT by Huebolt (It's not over until there is not ONE DEMOCRAT HOLDING OFFICE ANYWHERE. Not even a dog catcher!)

It is a real problem that lead acid storage batteries are both expensive and short-lived. Static inverters are not bad.

This may help you. Check out Battery Minders. Lead acid are tricky when it comes to cycling, temperature and sulfation. The Battery Minders just work. I am on my second set of 8-L16 Trojans after 14 years. The maintenance on the old set was a headache, but now everything is pretty much hands-off standby, except for the occasional watering (have enough distilled water stored).

I hope this helps.