Custom built Battery Box

joeedens
joeedens Solar Expert Posts: 28
I'm going to build a custom battery box. I live in a colder climate at 7500 ft elevation in Colorado. My battery bank is in an unheated outbuilding. I'm considering building the box out of plywood and insulating it with 2" thick rigid styrofoam. Is it a good idea to insulate the box or would that possibly cause the box to be too hot in the summer. The typical high summer ambient temperature in the outbuilding will be approximately 80 to 85 degrees F. The winter typical low ambient temperature will be 0 degrees F. What do you think, insulate the box or not?

Comments

  • icarus
    icarus Solar Expert Posts: 5,436 ✭✭✭✭
    Re: Custom built Battery Box

    Insulate the box, but provide openable/cloaseable vent for the summer, and use a voltge controlled fan to vent hydrogen. Batteries will self heat a bit through charging and loading, the box will keep them warmer.

    You could also consider a hinged Sid for the summer.

    Tony
  • n3qik
    n3qik Solar Expert Posts: 741 ✭✭
    Re: Custom built Battery Box

    Go with the insulation. But also add another layer of drywall between battery and the insulation. This way, if there should be any sparks, lessen the chance of a fire.