HUP batteries [RE-wrenches]

[John Raynes]

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Randy's experience matched ours almost to a T, on all counts.  The only 
things I'd add are with regard to lifting those cells in and out of the 
cases.  Hup cells are a few inches taller than an L-16, so for the bottom 
of the cell to clear the top of the case as you lift in and out, you've got 
about 10-12" additional upward lift than an L-16.

That additional 10" was too much for even two of us.  Getting too old, I 
guess.  We ended up designing a portable hoisting rig to get them in and 
out.  And even with that, it was a lot of work.  Getting the cells back in 
the cans was harder than getting them out, because of those plastic 
corrugated shims that they use on the sides of the cans, to "snug" the 
cells in place and to keep them from moving.  The shims don't stay in place 
with the cells removed, and you've got to lower the cells in just right, in 
order to get them back in.  It took one of us handling the hoisting rig, 
while the other guided the bottom of the cell into place.

What a bear.  Good batteries as far as I can tell, but I'll never use them 
on another job unless I have figured out in advance exactly how we're going 
to move those assemblies into their final resting place, every inch of the 
way, without damaging floors or ourselves in the process.

And yep, those can lids pose a real shorting potential, especially when 
you're putting on the hinge bolts or taking them off.  I ended up cutting a 
piece of OSB to cover the tops of the cells when working on the lids.

John Raynes
RE Solar
Torrey, UT


At 09:47 AM 2/27/2007 -0800, you wrote:


>Drake,
>
>We've installed one system with the HuP Solar One battery.  We did
>not ground the steel case.  We put the battery in an insulated and
>vented plywood battery box (see www.brookssolar.com/news/ CarrwindPV.htm 
>for a photo).  The box serves as the terminal for
>conduit.  We left the metal lids on to protect against accidental
>shorts when the box is open.  We also used an automatic watering
>system to reduce the time required for that chore.  The inspector did
>not have a concern about the battery installation.
>
>The HuP was purchased to get a large amp hour battery without the
>labor and potential failures of multiple strings and numerous
>interconnects.  However, we had to disassemble the battery to clean
>each cell and each case after shipment, so there was still
>considerable labor involved.  I'm glad we did take the time to clean
>it.  There was a lot of acidic moisture inside the cases.  It's also
>easier to move and install the battery one cell at at time, although
>the cells still weight 130 lbs each.  The battery comes with a
>lifting strap to move cells.  A 2X4 through the strap allows two
>people to lift a cell safely.  Still a grunt though.
>
>Good luck,
>
>Randy Brooks
>Brooks Solar, Inc.
>Solar Power for People
>140 Columbia View
>Chelan, WA  98816
>509-682-9646
>info at BrooksSolar.com
>www.BrooksSolar.com
>
>On Feb 26, 2007, at 5:52 PM, Drake Chamberlin wrote:
>
>>
>>I have a possible install with a pair of 12 volt HUP Solar 1
>>batteries to be wired in series.  They don't look like they are
>>particularly designed for a solar installation.
>>
>>They weigh about 1750 pounds apiece, and and come integrally
>>installed in metal cases.  The metal cases have hinged metal lids.
>>
>>There is little good access to run conduits to the cases, as the
>>only openings are oblong holes.  The metal cases are very thick,
>>and the battery terminals are very close to the heavy metal.
>>
>>My question is how can these be safely and code compliantly installed.
>>
>>To be code compliant, the metal certainly should be grounded, but
>>this would create a hazard due to the fact that all of the
>>terminals would be close to the case, which would become a giant
>>negative terminal.  The large batteries have a tremendous amount of
>>punch.
>>
>>Should the entire "battery" be put in a large plywood box, with the
>>metal battery covers removed?  Should the metal cases be carefully
>>isolated from ground?  What methods have been successfully tried?
>>
>>Thanks,
>>
>>Drake
>>
>>- - - -


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