[RE-wrenches] To insulate a battery bank DEPENDS on a lot offactors.

[Chris Daum]

Well, here in Montana, when winter starts (usually November) we add
insulation to the battery box (in an unheated shop or garage--where many of
our customer's batteries lurk, and mine also), and we remove it in
March/April.  Temps from summer to winter may vary from a high of 105
degrees F to a low of forty below zero.  It's not a big deal to add
insulation as needed.  Just seems like common sense.
 
Chris Daum
Oasis Montana Inc.
406-777-4309

  _____  

From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of jay peltz
Sent: Sunday, December 12, 2010 4:49 PM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] To insulate a battery bank DEPENDS on a lot
offactors.


HI Dana, 

I'm curious about why you differentiate sealed vs flooded batteries?

thanks,

jay

peltz power

On Dec 12, 2010, at 3:13 PM, Dana wrote:



Great discussion and Thanks to all of you for the input.

I thought of attempting a  wrap up of the various presentations but there
are and always will be many variables in battery storage and insulation
requirements. Here are my thoughts and a distillation from you all with
respect to my high elevation climate in W. CO. - 6 months of winter and cool
nights in summer [typically].

Type of battery - Wet VS. Sealed batteries. : depends on size and usage of
system and client choice.

Climates - 4 season with 5-6 months of winter like conditions VS. a mild
year round costal climate. : A long winter climate can seriously chill a
poorly insulated bank and therefore reduce capacity when the bank get cold.
I get more calls each Nov. from new to off grid folks with an under sized
array and cold battery bank about reduced capacity.

Does it cool off at night in the summer? VS. It is hot  24/7 for 4 months?

Size of bank - Small VS. Large. : Smaller reacts more quickly to a cooling
or heating trend VS. Larger react slowly.

Ambient building temperature. - heated building VS. walled in shed/free
standing battery box in a snowy scenario. : If I can put the bank on a
temperature controlled radiant concrete slab I do so.

Ability to sink the battery bank into the ground VS. not being able to do
so. : installation & cost can be a challenge here.

Powered venting VS.  convective venting ; Powered with a back draft damper
seems to be a better option in winter climates. I have used the Zephyr
Industries powered vent with backdraft damper for many years with great
success.

As mentioned batteries are an electrochemical unit that requires, like us, a
narrow window for temperature to exist and operate efficiently. When working
hardest, typically during winter, the recharge requirements are high and the
hours of sunlight are low, therefore the temperature window is best on the
warmer end of the range.

The time of year when power requirement can be lowest in summer, the usage
is lower due to long days and lack of heating systems drawing them down over
night, unless you are irrigating and perhaps a PV direct design would then
be best.

Thanks all.


Dana Orzel
Great Solar Works, Inc
E - dana at solarwork.com
V - 970.626.5253
F - 970.626.4140
C - 970.209.4076
web - www.solarwork.com

"Responsible Technologies for Responsible People since 1988"
Do not ever belive anything, but seriously trust through action.


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