Wills Video: LiFePO4 Server Rack Showdown! SOK Versus Signature Solar
- Thread starter FilterGuy
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FilterGuy
Solar Engineering Consultant - EG4 and Consumers
The first thing I did after watching the video was to search on craigslist for server racks and this was the first thing to come up:
These look too light weight for a lot of batteries, but the point is there are a lot of really cheap racks available on the used market. With a little work, you can probably find a steal on racks that would work well!!
Edit: I hit post too quickly. Here is the rest of what I intended
This one is $50 and may be strong enough for batteries
You could probably do several batteries in the bottom and an inverter in the top.
These look too light weight for a lot of batteries, but the point is there are a lot of really cheap racks available on the used market. With a little work, you can probably find a steal on racks that would work well!!
Edit: I hit post too quickly. Here is the rest of what I intended
This one is $50 and may be strong enough for batteries
You could probably do several batteries in the bottom and an inverter in the top.
Last edited:
timselectric
If I can do it, you can do it.
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Definitely
You could also build your own.
I'm going to mount mine on the wall, vertically.
To save floor space.
You could also build your own.
I'm going to mount mine on the wall, vertically.
To save floor space.
FilterGuy
Solar Engineering Consultant - EG4 and Consumers
New server racks seem pretty expensive for what you get. For a new server rack, the signature-solar prices are not all that bad and I like the built-in bus bars.
Koldsimer
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I got the $500, no door rack from signature. It's ok but i definitely regret paying that much. My biggest complaint is that the eg4 lifepower battery did not mount securely in the rack. The indexing for the screw holes in the cabinet that the ears of the battery module attach to do not consistently line up with the pre-drilled holes. Not a huge deal but just a disappointing lack of attention to detail for such a pricey item.
Oddly enough, the LL model battery has vertical reliefs in the battery tabs that allow for vertical misalignment
Oddly enough, the LL model battery has vertical reliefs in the battery tabs that allow for vertical misalignment
FilterGuy
Solar Engineering Consultant - EG4 and Consumers
I just looked up several full-size server racks and they all had load ratings of over 1000 pounds. That tells me that a rack that can handle batteries is not going to be all that uncommon and therefore it should not be too hard to find on the 2ndary market.
FilterGuy
Solar Engineering Consultant - EG4 and Consumers
Compared to new server racks their prices are reasonably competitive. When you add the bus bars they are definitely very competitive to buying other server racks. I wonder if they are using the racks as a loss-leader to sell the batteries.
Server Racks will take the weight, no problem.
They are built to handle similar lbs on slide out rails for storage arrays, etc. AND NOT TIP OVER.
That seems to be the biggest difference between the Sig Solar unit and the Current Connected model.
The CC unit is really a short four post frame mount, and you are going to have to be careful not to tip it over when you load and unload it.
I don't think that will be a concern with the Sig Solar, it's carrying the weight outside of the frame so it's less likely to tip. I'd absolutely want a plexi door on there to keep wandering hands out of there.
FWIW, I put mine in a cheap server rack, you can pick them up used for pennies on the dollar if you can haul them away.
They are built to handle similar lbs on slide out rails for storage arrays, etc. AND NOT TIP OVER.
That seems to be the biggest difference between the Sig Solar unit and the Current Connected model.
The CC unit is really a short four post frame mount, and you are going to have to be careful not to tip it over when you load and unload it.
I don't think that will be a concern with the Sig Solar, it's carrying the weight outside of the frame so it's less likely to tip. I'd absolutely want a plexi door on there to keep wandering hands out of there.
FWIW, I put mine in a cheap server rack, you can pick them up used for pennies on the dollar if you can haul them away.
Koldsimer
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Hmm, maybe.
I will say the bus bar is a heavy duty item. I have noticed very little deviation in charging and discharging- percentages are always within 1% from top to bottom. I credit this partially to the hd bus bar.
FilterGuy
Solar Engineering Consultant - EG4 and Consumers
I posted this Craigslist ad earlier as an example of how cheap used racks are:
I contacted the seller to get the make/model so I could look up the load rating and this is his reply.
He can't even get $50 for it. That kinda proves your point: "you can pick them up used for pennies on the dollar if you can haul them away."
Stucco
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As an IT guy here are my 2 cents.
Stay away from Comm racks. Those are the ones with pre-tapped holes. They are usually only designed to hold lighter weight items like switches patch panels, etc.
Server racks with the square holes are the ones you want. They are 4 post racks designed for holding heavier rack mount servers. You attach small nuts into the square slots for using different sized servers. If your rack batteries don't have slides on the sides plan on installing shelves for each item. Don't try and hang the battery by just the elephant ears (flaps at the front) as that is a good way to destroy your rack mounted item.
Server racks are also good in that they have more space on the sides for routing cables or bus bars. And most have removeable panels for chaining them together, and installing lockable doors.
Stay away from Comm racks. Those are the ones with pre-tapped holes. They are usually only designed to hold lighter weight items like switches patch panels, etc.
Server racks with the square holes are the ones you want. They are 4 post racks designed for holding heavier rack mount servers. You attach small nuts into the square slots for using different sized servers. If your rack batteries don't have slides on the sides plan on installing shelves for each item. Don't try and hang the battery by just the elephant ears (flaps at the front) as that is a good way to destroy your rack mounted item.
Server racks are also good in that they have more space on the sides for routing cables or bus bars. And most have removeable panels for chaining them together, and installing lockable doors.
I'm also an IT guy, but have spent only a small amount of time working in a data center. I've had a few server racks that I've picked up and passed on to friends. I have only one left in my garage. I can't speak to the holes and sizing between them. As I recall, every server rack I've dealt with had a weight in the bottom to help keep the rack from tipping over. These are quite heavy. If there is any chance that the rack could be moved, I would avoid a rack without the bottom weight.
Stucco
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Yeah, if you don't need to move it I would bolt it to the floor. And start filling it from the bottom up.
Brightside
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I have no problem with SS just selling to their battery owners or buyers. I'd do the same thing, because of supply chain issues. bThey have been out of stock on racks quite a bit.
If I had a potential customer for batteries, but my rack was out of stock due to everyone buying the racks, then the potential battery customers may go to a competitor to get the rack and batteries.
It's about supporting customers and potential customers, not something against other battery owners.
If I had a potential customer for batteries, but my rack was out of stock due to everyone buying the racks, then the potential battery customers may go to a competitor to get the rack and batteries.
It's about supporting customers and potential customers, not something against other battery owners.
HighTechLab
AKA Dexter - CTO of Current Connected, LLC
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Info for the thread, here's the assembly process of the SOK rack:
It's very simple but extremely strong. I couldn't tip the rack at Will's place over unless I ate a couple burritos for lunch and used every last muscle in my body. LOTS of gravity in these things ?
It's very simple but extremely strong. I couldn't tip the rack at Will's place over unless I ate a couple burritos for lunch and used every last muscle in my body. LOTS of gravity in these things ?
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