Off grid life 6 months on

I thought it time to write an update, off grid life 6 months on, 1.8KW System in NZ.

Firstly i got around to documenting, as best i could, our setup here:
www.zoneblue.org/cms/page.php?view=off-grid-solar
Please correct the mistakes


And here's some excerpts from the log book ('rest' volts= read at dawn when fridge betw cycles. Still waiting for the midnite monitor add on):


Date, Rest Volts, Batt temp, Comment

---

12 Jan, 25.3V, 11 degC. First day after commissioning. No loads really yet.

15 Jan, 25.0V, 15 degC. Several grey days in a row still floats early in day. DC loads only.

6 Mar, cell balance checked shortly after going into float: most cells at 2.27-2.28. one at 2.3, one at 2.33, and one at 2.4. Couple of stronger cells there. Not sure if this is a good time to check it. Maybe the long afternoon floats will serve to keep the cells equalised.

18 April, 24.8V, 16 degC. Never floated yesterday for the first time. (v.rainy). Float by 9am today, charging at 20A! Never gets a chance to run at full capacity because it floats so early in day.

18 May, 25.0V, 12.5 degC. Never floated yesterday (third time). Cell balance checked at dawn, all in 2.06-2.07V range. Noticed that the Classic is lifting the float voltage a bit as the weather cools. In summer was 27.3, now nearer 27.8.

23 May, 25.0V 12 degC. 1100W inverter installed yesterday. Ran some power tools, and the big screen pc. Inverter draws 0.55A out of standby. Sun came out at 9am today, charging at 32A, new record. Measured PV string balance 3.7A,3.2A,3.5A, . PV 82.2V, both ends of cable, Vdrop nil, but hard to measure without 2 people and identical DMMs. Also installed 50W of led lighting last week. Now on for 4 hours each day.

26 May, 24.7V, 6 degC. After 2 stormy days and not floating, sun came out at 10.30am. Charging at 40A new record. Classic fan came on for the first time, wondered what the heck it was. String balance, 4.9A,4.5A,4.6A, PV 77.2V/76.2V= 1 volt drop, maybe.

5 Jun, 24.8V, 11 degC. Last two days were wet, no float either day. Batt often at 24.6V during the day. Sagging occasionally to 24.5V under load. Good to see rest voltage ok today in spite of it. Still using the juicer, blender, power tools, big PC and stereo. Still grey today.

6 Jun, 24.7V, 9.6 degC, didnt float yesterday again, some little charge here and there, batt up to 25.5 or so during day. So three days without floating, and the shortest day is near. Today back to float by 11.30am after charging at 20-45A for two hours. This is the first real cycle these battery's have had, to perhaps 70% SOC? Madam doing quite a bit of sewing.

17 Jun, 24.7V, 11 degC. Didn't float last 2 days, wont float today, rain rain, ark building weather. Forecast is rain for the next week, so this is crunch time. Batt barely above 25V all day. Some power conservation measures in force now, ie base loads only (2 computers, lights, fridge, pump, morning smoothy . I have no idea how the bank will hold up. About to find out.