Oh...I see. Missed the part about the ACR in the neg line.
Why on Earth would you do something whacky like that?
Lol, not sure either. Was just sorting out where things go. Sounded like I needed to mount the solar controller in the cab out of the elements, the acr can be under the hood by the starting battery, but depending on where the shunt was located would determine how other lines run to the house battery.
As for the Lifeline, Odyssey, Northstar, etc batteries, each of those options are over twice what I was looking at using (cost wise) plus ease of replacement means something. I'm sure they're great batteries but I think that Deka one will work just fine.