[RE-wrenches] Batteries in 4' tall crawl space

Thu Aug 2 22:12:04 EDT 2018

Thanks for the advice everyone. These would be sealed AGM batteries. The access issues are definitely food for thought.

Cheers,
Jerry

    On Wednesday, August 1, 2018, 10:30:36 PM PDT, Ray <ray at solarray.com> wrote:  

Never laid on my stomach, I just have kneel pad I use for lots of stuff but it works good here too.  I never get my face that close to the battery any way. Usually 2 to 3 ft is good.

 Ray Walters
Remote Solar
303 505-8760 On 8/1/18 2:21 PM, Glenn Burt wrote:

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Interesting idea, but it looks like to service them you would have to lay on your stomach and get your face right in there? Not my idea of a good time!

-Glenn

From: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org> On Behalf Of Ray
 Sent: Monday, July 30, 2018 3:32 PM
 To: re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
 Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Batteries in 4' tall crawl space

Article 110.26 covering clearances in front of electrical equipment applies.  I worked on a couple like that, and I didn't like it. Very hard to move the batteries, and Combined with H2S, you are in what OSHA considers a confined hazardous space.  

Another way to use that crawl space is to build a trap door access from the floor above.  This can work really nicely, and put the batteries right under the inverter without violating article 110.26.  I think I saw a system that either Allan Sindelar or Windy Dankoff did like that. I've tried it a few times, and everyone (customers and inspectors) was happy.  Here's a pic of some HUPs in a floor vault just below the inverter:

 Ray Walters Remote Solar 303 505-8760  
On 7/30/18 8:37 AM, Dana wrote:

Safe working clearance is 6’-8”.

I have been confronted with this issue in the past taking over other’s systems care. This is a head banger & a major safety issue if something goes bad. If the batteries are 18-20” tall that only leaves anther 28-30” between bottom side of the floor joist & the top of the battery. Your face is way too close to a battery esp. if there is an issue to address.

The installation is bent over back-heavy move situation. I am assuming you have a dirt or gravel floor to move across?

It seems like a good use of space up front but the reality of the install plagues you down the road.

If it is WLA batteries it is the worst of situations.

Even if this is not inspected, please avoid this situation.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dana Orzel                              Great Solar Works, Inc. 

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From: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org> On Behalf Of Jerry Caldwell
 Sent: Saturday, July 28, 2018 6:10 PM
 To: re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
 Subject: [RE-wrenches] Batteries in 4' tall crawl space

Wrenches,

I have a customer who wants to have batteries installed in a 4' tall crawl space / short basement. Are there any accessibility code issues with installing batteries in a crawl space? Does the NEC address this?

Thanks,
 Jerry Caldwell

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