HUP batteries [RE-wrenches]

[Travis Creswell]

We have one set of HUPS out there and a preparing to do a few more.  

HUP is pretty explicit about the cells staying in the steel case.  Removing
them during the install is OK.

We don't ground the steel cases.  That's just plain unsafe IMHO.  Keep in
mind the residue that usually covers a flooded battery is conductive.
Combine that with a likely over watering event during the expected 20yr life
followed by an equalization charge (we've all been there, it's ok to admit
it) and you've got a problem. Once the residue reaches the + terminal the
whole thing is hazardous. This might not be a problem at 48 volts or lower
but just ask NREL about their 120v battery bank.  Now that's a horror story.

We build a battery box around the batteries after installation then remove
the steel lids.  No sense having those guillotines ready to drop on
unsuspecting 12v interconnects.  So far, so good....  

Randy's comment about the acid residue covering the HUP set he installed is
interesting.  Be prepared to deal with that. I suspect they got bounced
around pretty good during shipping.

Best,
Travis Creswell
Ozark Energy Services




-----Original Message-----
From: Matt Tritt [mailto:solarone at charter.net] 
Sent: Tuesday, February 27, 2007 11:30 AM
To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
Subject: Re: HUP batteries [RE-wrenches]


Drake,

I can't testify as to the compliance of this, but I (almost) always 
remove the steel covers from the case. I do this because I have seen 
instances where the lids have been forced down by maintenance people 
hard enough to cause light contact between the cable and the case. If 
the case had been grounded, this would have been real exciting!

Matt T

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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