how bad does this look for a battery box?
System
Posts: 2,511 admin
Picked it up at target for like $15
having a problem with pic hosting perhaps you can browse here: http://www.filehigh.com/viewgallery.php?f=26494
Those black cables hanging overhead are un-secured CATV lines (that I don't even use)
5 batteries along the bottom, with 1/4" spacers between, and then one perpendicular along the top. 40 amp breakers between each battery.
Anderson connector w/#4, #2/0 wire everywhere else, and burndy terminals
and the other box:
It's temporarily housing the inverter (APC Back-UPS 1400RM2U) and the charge controller (xantrex C40), not shown PV combiner box. I'm waiting on a sweet disconnect box auction on ebay (ooh stainless) and I'm shopping a housing for this inverter which is proving to possibly be kinda permanent unfortunately.
*awaits flames*
having a problem with pic hosting perhaps you can browse here: http://www.filehigh.com/viewgallery.php?f=26494
Those black cables hanging overhead are un-secured CATV lines (that I don't even use)
5 batteries along the bottom, with 1/4" spacers between, and then one perpendicular along the top. 40 amp breakers between each battery.
Anderson connector w/#4, #2/0 wire everywhere else, and burndy terminals
and the other box:
It's temporarily housing the inverter (APC Back-UPS 1400RM2U) and the charge controller (xantrex C40), not shown PV combiner box. I'm waiting on a sweet disconnect box auction on ebay (ooh stainless) and I'm shopping a housing for this inverter which is proving to possibly be kinda permanent unfortunately.
*awaits flames*
Comments
-
Re: how bad does this look for a battery box?
ive considered those deck boxes you see on sale at the dept stores in summer. my concern with them. maybe a dumb question but how does the acid react with the container (say if it did spill)? i am not too familiar on what materials are resistant to corrosion from flooded batteries -
Re: how bad does this look for a battery box?
I assume ~18molar sulfuric acid will have it's way with it like it would with most anything else outside of pyrex or similar glass. throw a little baking soda in there I guess if you want to feel like at least you tried -
Re: how bad does this look for a battery box?
huh. a new definition for snap crackle and pop. add baking soda for more crackle. a seasonal stew. ok il stop now.. :roll: -
Re: how bad does this look for a battery box?
the box will withstand the acid just fine.
being agm batts they wont leak unless broken or severely overcharged.those circutbreakers will likely die of the corrosion due to vented gasses.yes even gel/agm vent.
put those breakers outside the box.it would suck to have a catastropic event where the spark from the tripped breaker ignites the battery gasses and it goes boom! -
Re: how bad does this look for a battery box?
The double-decking and the sort-of snap-on lid look problematic to me. How about a nice, big, sturdy, lockable box like this from Lowe's (and sometimes Home Depot):
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=91573-000000230-3725&lpage=none
There may be enough extra room inside for some insulation.
HTH,
Jim / crewzer -
Re: how bad does this look for a battery box?
thats a great idea.. probably be easy to drill vent holes.. i have to get something like this myself. $50 not bad -
Re: how bad does this look for a battery box?crewzer wrote:The double-decking and the sort-of snap-on lid look problematic to me. How about a nice, big, sturdy, lockable box like this from Lowe's (and sometimes Home Depot):
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=91573-000000230-3725&lpage=none
There may be enough extra room inside for some insulation.
HTH,
Jim / crewzer
I wonder if they have a bigger one? I wanted to avoid 3 parallel strings and still have 12 batteries. This would be an option for (3) strings of 4 though. I wonder if they'd let me stack 'em (kidding!, ok not really)
When I was sizing these in the past, that 37" length is usually an exterior dimension. I wouldn't be surprised if the inside floor length was closer to 30", which would make 4 batteries a snug-fit.
My DCS-100L's are 7" wide in the layout I use, and the exterior dimension of my 'target sourced' box is about 5', and 5 batteries side-by-side is pretty tight, I only have 1/4" between them. -
Re: how bad does this look for a battery box?
I'm afraid that I don't remember the actual interior dimensions... However, a quick dash with a tape measure over to your local Lowe's would solve that problem. These bins are normally stocked in their "automotive" section.
Other options include the "Packer" series chests from Delta. I have one for my four 4D batteries, and I think they're polyethylene (sp?). Not cheap, though...
See: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=delta+packer&btnG=Google+Search
HTH,
Jim / crewzer -
Re: how bad does this look for a battery box?
an idea I thought might work on a budget would be a 2x4 & plywood box with lid.
Walls could be insulated. Interior plywood surface could be covered with FRP panels from home depot. Joints sealed with 100% silicone caulk (I have repaired cracked battery cases with silicone) The FRP panels are very durable and resists anything i have subjected them to.
(FRP = fiberglass reinforced plastic)
Categories
- All Categories
- 222 Forum & Website
- 130 Solar Forum News and Announcements
- 1.3K Solar News, Reviews, & Product Announcements
- 189 Solar Information links & sources, event announcements
- 886 Solar Product Reviews & Opinions
- 254 Solar Skeptics, Hype, & Scams Corner
- 22.3K Solar Electric Power, Wind Power & Balance of System
- 3.5K General Solar Power Topics
- 6.7K Solar Beginners Corner
- 1K PV Installers Forum - NEC, Wiring, Installation
- 2K Advanced Solar Electric Technical Forum
- 5.5K Off Grid Solar & Battery Systems
- 424 Caravan, Recreational Vehicle, and Marine Power Systems
- 1.1K Grid Tie and Grid Interactive Systems
- 651 Solar Water Pumping
- 815 Wind Power Generation
- 621 Energy Use & Conservation
- 608 Discussion Forums/Café
- 302 In the Weeds--Member's Choice
- 74 Construction
- 124 New Battery Technologies
- 108 Old Battery Tech Discussions
- 3.8K Solar News - Automatic Feed
- 3.8K Solar Energy News RSS Feed