Any problem with stacking batteries vertically in a cabinet?

rp3703
rp3703 Registered Users Posts: 129 ✭✭

Since it seems you guys can always think of stuff I am overlooking, I thought I’d run this by you first. To save room, I would like to build a battery cabinet that will attach to the outside of my vacation cabin. The cabinet will have three strings of 4 batteries, 12 total, so there will be three shelves and I plan to use heavy duty drawer slides to allow me to slide out the batteries for servicing. I realize this cabinet will end up weighing about 800 lbs fully loaded so it will need to be heavily reinforced. The shelves will probably be about 3’ wide and I will probably create a space to one side to house the inverter as well. I just want to make sure I’m not missing some sort of issue with stacking batteries like this in a vertical fashion. 

1860 W (6) Rensola JC310M, Classic 150, 430AH@24V (8) Deka DSGC15 FLA's, Victron Phoenix Multi 24/2500 Inverter
Powering-20.5 CuFt. Fridge, 1 HP Submersible water pump, UV, Washing Machine, Gas Dryer, Gas Stove, Lights and Receptacles
Off Grid Cottage on lake in Northern Ontario 46˚N 

Comments

  • littleharbor2
    littleharbor2 Solar Expert Posts: 2,039 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 2018 #2
    Sealed batteries are housed this way all the time. That being said, sealed batteries wouldn't necessarily need roll out shelves as you wouldn't need to be checking electrolyte levels and specific gravity. Make sure the cabinet is firmly attached to the building to prevent tipping when rolling out batteries.  Of course your cables will have to be longer than without rollers. 

    2.1 Kw Suntech 175 mono, Classic 200, Trace SW 4024 ( 15 years old  but brand new out of sealed factory box Jan. 2015), Bogart Tri-metric,  460 Ah. 24 volt LiFePo4 battery bank. Plenty of Baja Sea of Cortez sunshine.

  • mcgivor
    mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    Can you clarify mounting vertically, in a normal horizontal position, or on end?
    1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Battery Bodyguard BMS 
    Second system 1890W  3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Daly BMS, used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.  
    5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding.
  • rp3703
    rp3703 Registered Users Posts: 129 ✭✭
    Vertically as in three horizontal rows of 4 batteries stacked vertically. The batteries are FLA's so I will need to check fluid levels, which is why I want them to slide out. That way I can make the cabinet as tight as possible. Yes cables will need to be longer to accommodate and cabinet will be attached to side of house so it won't tip. I may also try to separate it from house by 3-4" and wrap outside in leftover metal roof to try and reduce fire risk.
    1860 W (6) Rensola JC310M, Classic 150, 430AH@24V (8) Deka DSGC15 FLA's, Victron Phoenix Multi 24/2500 Inverter
    Powering-20.5 CuFt. Fridge, 1 HP Submersible water pump, UV, Washing Machine, Gas Dryer, Gas Stove, Lights and Receptacles
    Off Grid Cottage on lake in Northern Ontario 46˚N 
  • mcgivor
    mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    Given the weight it may be better to build a stepped rack, just a thought, no cable movement no sliding draws.
    1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Battery Bodyguard BMS 
    Second system 1890W  3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Daly BMS, used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.  
    5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding.
  • westbranch
    westbranch Solar Expert Posts: 5,183 ✭✭✭✭
    you will probably need a vertical mid line support of 2 x 8 or 2 x 6 due to the weight.. :)
     
    KID #51B  4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM
    CL#29032 FW 2126/ 2073/ 2133 175A E-Panel WBjr, 3 x 4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM 
    Cotek ST1500W 24V Inverter,OmniCharge 3024,
    2 x Cisco WRT54GL i/c DD-WRT Rtr & Bridge,
    Eu3/2/1000i Gens, 1680W & E-Panel/WBjr to come, CL #647 asleep
    West Chilcotin, BC, Canada
  • rp3703
    rp3703 Registered Users Posts: 129 ✭✭
    Stepped, I like it. Maybe something like this. The top would have to be removable or tilt up to allow access to the top row of batteries. 
    1860 W (6) Rensola JC310M, Classic 150, 430AH@24V (8) Deka DSGC15 FLA's, Victron Phoenix Multi 24/2500 Inverter
    Powering-20.5 CuFt. Fridge, 1 HP Submersible water pump, UV, Washing Machine, Gas Dryer, Gas Stove, Lights and Receptacles
    Off Grid Cottage on lake in Northern Ontario 46˚N 
  • littleharbor2
    littleharbor2 Solar Expert Posts: 2,039 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 2018 #8
    Positive buss bar on one side wall, negative on the other side wall. Keep all battery to buss cabling identical length.

    2.1 Kw Suntech 175 mono, Classic 200, Trace SW 4024 ( 15 years old  but brand new out of sealed factory box Jan. 2015), Bogart Tri-metric,  460 Ah. 24 volt LiFePo4 battery bank. Plenty of Baja Sea of Cortez sunshine.

  • rp3703
    rp3703 Registered Users Posts: 129 ✭✭
    Yup, already discussed that in another thread. Thanks.
    1860 W (6) Rensola JC310M, Classic 150, 430AH@24V (8) Deka DSGC15 FLA's, Victron Phoenix Multi 24/2500 Inverter
    Powering-20.5 CuFt. Fridge, 1 HP Submersible water pump, UV, Washing Machine, Gas Dryer, Gas Stove, Lights and Receptacles
    Off Grid Cottage on lake in Northern Ontario 46˚N 
  • Estragon
    Estragon Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    +1on the stepped design. Simpler, safer, and it also reduces the chance of stray gassing mist weakening the bottom of the shelf above.

    One potential complication is temperature compensation if the upper shelf ambient temp gets materially different (hotter) than the lowest. In a shaded shaded location with good venting, it may not be an issue. Just a thought.
    Off-grid.  
    Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
    Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter