Yes to the batteries being Interstate. They are GC2 XHD's (6 volt golf cart batteries) and are rated at 232 amp hours. I will initially be using 2 strings of 8 at 48 volts. I don't have an inverter yet, but have decided on an Outback GVFX 3648.
Presently I'm just maintaining them and have on order the last four to make up the 16. I am by trade a garage keeper and have an Interstate Account for automotive batteries which gets me the batteries at a wholesale cost. This is the reason I chose Interstate, not that I don't believe they make a quality product.
This page gives all the charging info from Interstate.
Interstate Batteries FAQ :: How do I charge certain deep cycle 6-volt and 12-volt batteries? .
Yeah. I'm pretty slow. My initial plan is for a total of 3400 watts of PV and the plan is to set the inverter to sell and use the solar in that way. I just can't wrap my head around having solar panels and not being able to use it if the power goes out so that's why I opted for battery back-up.
I am sort of doing things backwards instead of measuring all my loads and building the system for my usage. I intend on squeezing my usage into the system I am building and eventually not have to rely on the grid. Just my personality getting in the way of common sense.
Thanks for the kind words.
Dennis