Aridom82
Learning addict
Hawkeye experts dont crucify me too harshly
This is my first Diy battery rack. Any advice on how to improve it or important things i may have missed?
- Thread starter Aridom82
- Start date
TomC4306
Solar Obsessive
Looks great 
.
.
Brett V
Mad Scientist
Very creative approach...I like it!
Brucey
Solar Wizard
Looks amazing. What are those shelf/supports made of?
Brett V
Mad Scientist
Looks like a repurposed C&D AGM rack
Daddy Tanuki
Solar Wizard
looks like metal square tubing. I don't thing sag is going to be an issue on this rack...
Aridom82
Learning addict
Thanks, that is 50x50x2mm welded square tubing.
Very nice!
Just to nitpick, the bms busbars have main cable on the end instead of the middle.
Just to nitpick, the bms busbars have main cable on the end instead of the middle.
Brucey
Solar Wizard
I guess my only suggestion is cover it all so terminals aren't exposed but if thats located in a controlled access space then would be a shame to not be able to appreciate its beauty
Post up pics of the gutters above.
Interesting choice using network cable gutters.
Not sure that meets code.
Interesting choice using network cable gutters.
Not sure that meets code.
Brucey
Solar Wizard
Oh and the end caps, don't seem to cover the whole face of the cell, the top edge is uncompressed.
Aridom82
Learning addict
Lets see.
48 cells went about 5.5k eur
3 jk bms around 300 eur
Dc breakers 240 eur
T fuses 180 eur
The 12 beefy springs costed me 100 bucks in total
Around 50 bucks of pla
And maybe 250 eur of other stuff (threaded rods, steel bars, screws, etc)
So in total about 6.6k, and for 48kwh that is 137.5 eur, lets call it 140 eur per kwh
Brucey
Solar Wizard
I think he was limited by the length of the BMS provided silicon cables
Aridom82
Learning addict
I thought that a little margin wouldnt be important, i can not fit objects more than 200mm in my 3d printer. I hope that is not too bad
Aridom82
Learning addict
I am thinking about making an enclosure for the whole thing. With transparent polycarbonate on the front of course
Aridom82
Learning addict
I totally missed that, but i can fix it with minimal effort
Brucey
Solar Wizard
Factory specs are compression against entire face, but you could possibly add a taller shim (of steel that's sufficient to not deflect) in the ends to get there?
Brucey
Solar Wizard
Maybe some midnite DC surge protectors for illumination insideI am thinking about making an enclosure for the whole thing. With transparent polycarbonate on the front of course
Aridom82
Learning addict
This is above, is still a bit dusty i have changed the Dc breakers under each inverter
I couldnt pass the com cable through it, is just too short.
Aridom82
Learning addict
I am going to have to think how to fix it. Each compression plate takes 20 hours to 3d print so is 120 hours of printing time i wouldnt like to repeat
Brucey
Solar Wizard
So you can use the existing end plates just need a steel plate between the end batteries and the end plate so it covers that small lip on the top.
Just to be a party pooper, for about $110 you can purchase an all steel shelving rack with 4 shelves that can be all stacked or just 2 shelves x two. Plus they are rated to each hold over 1,000 pounds. That's a good starting point for placing batteries you are cobbling together.
Question: should one of your batteries decide to no longer enjoy working for you and plan a run away lithium fire, it doesn't appear that you have any containment around these batteries to prevent spread.
You may decide to use any existing waterline plumbing you have access to and set up a sprinkler system for emergency fire suppression. And a fire and smoke detector with central alarm monitoring so living creatures near your project do not become victims in their sleep.
Question: should one of your batteries decide to no longer enjoy working for you and plan a run away lithium fire, it doesn't appear that you have any containment around these batteries to prevent spread.
You may decide to use any existing waterline plumbing you have access to and set up a sprinkler system for emergency fire suppression. And a fire and smoke detector with central alarm monitoring so living creatures near your project do not become victims in their sleep.
Aridom82
Learning addict
I have tons of steel profiles in my warehouse and i am used to just chop some and weld them together when i need something like this.
You are right about the fire risk issue. But i dont know enough yet about lithium fire risks and ways to contain it. I was thinking about some type of enclosure, i am going to have to study this as well. Thanks for your feeback.
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