Ginormous battery rack [RE-wrenches]

[David Brearley]

Andrew,

It seems to me that the challenge of a battery "rack" with Flooded Lead Acid
batteries is having access for servicing the batteries.  Taking voltage
readings isn't a big deal, but watering the batteries certainly could be.
Presumably a battery watering system would allow for relatively lower
clearance between shelves.  If you want to rack Surrettes vertically, I
would spend the money up front on a watering system.  Otherwise, you may
wish you had later.  

These batteries will be difficult to lift into place--the 2V batteries are
more than 200 pounds--but presumably they won't have to be moved much or
often.    

It is hard to beat industrial, sealed batteries for stackability and
rackability.  I have wondered if the density with which some of these sealed
batteries are racked and stacked doesn't make up for the lower energy
density of the technology.  It is too bad these systems cost twice as much.

We have often added Plexiglas and like material as a "cover" to battery
racks that we come across on service calls.  It makes me nervous to have
exposed terminals every 12 inches across an entire wall of a room.  The
"cover" can typically be removed with 4 - 8 screws whenever the batteries
need to be tested or serviced.  

David Brearley
NABCEP Certified Solar PV System Installer (TM)
 
Meridian Energy Systems
2300 S. Lamar, Suite 107
Austin, TX 78704
512-448-0055 (ph)
512-448-0045 (fax)
www.meridiansolar.com


-----Original Message-----
From: Andrew Truitt [mailto:atruitt at gmail.com] 
Sent: Friday, September 29, 2006 4:17 PM
To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
Subject: Ginormous battery rack [RE-wrenches]


Hi all!  We are about to build our first massive battery rack for 48
Surrete 2 KS 33PS, 2V, 208 lbs batteries.  They will be indoors in a
9'x15'x8' basement room on a concrete floor and do not need to be
ventalated.  Any suggestions?


-- 
Andrew Truitt
System Designer
Standard Solar Inc.
(301) 296 - 4373
andrewtruitt at standardsolar.com


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