Server rack batteries in an RV?

Mike Jordan said:

Those are not server rack batteries. EG4 specs say 6.1". So it appears 2 would fit in 14". But I do not own any to have tried

Click to expand...

If you want server rack, go for it. If you know the dimensions, then it's your judgement on whether they will fit................

hypemike17 said:

Hi everyone, planning to get the EG4 24V 200AH x 2 for my travel trailer. Hoping to find a way to mount one on top of the other in about a 14 inch high space. Do you think this is possible?

Not sure that signature solar has suggestions for how to mount these. Could anyone who has already received and installed there's share some pictures or ideas of what they've done? Would be happy to share mine once I install but likely won't receive them for a month and trying to build something for them during that time so I'm ready to go once received.

Thanks for your help!

Click to expand...

The EG4's will absolutely fit in a 14" height, basically sitting one on top of the other. The minimum width (if you take server rack rails off) is 17.5 inches and depth with terminals is 20"

FredVenture said:

The EG4's will absolutely fit in a 14" height, basically sitting one on top of the other. The minimum width (if you take server rack rails off) is 17.5 inches and depth with terminals is 20"

Click to expand...

Thanks! Do we think laying them on top of each other is ok? I can build something to secure them down but not sure if I should put something between them. We boondock and therefore go down some washboard roads.

Stacking is not a problem, you will just need to put some sort of cross bar to hold them down at the rear in addition to the front rails. They are very heavy.

hypemike17 said:

Thanks! Do we think laying them on top of each other is ok? I can build something to secure them down but not sure if I should put something between them. We boondock and therefore go down some washboard roads.

Click to expand...

If this was my install, I would be looking to find cast off server rack rails. These are the vertical supports that hold the device at the front and rear. Four rails. These are not aluminum. At least they aren't in the old HP server rack that I have in my garage.

When putting together a rack in an RV, I would want the tops and bottoms of each rail secured. If possible, the bottom on the floor and the top on the ceiling. Whatever is takes to make a solid, bulletproof rack that isn't going to shift.

The rails should enforce spacing between the batteries. I would not enclose the sides and back of the rack unless you plan to also add forced ventilation.

There are no rear flanges or holes on the EG4's, so you can't attach in the back. I turned the rack and the packs on the side and slid 3 of them together then used rack screws for the front. Since they are stacked side by side, I just added a single 1U panel in the back rail to keep them pressed together.
Used a cut down in-cabinet rack kit to keep the size to a minimum.
If it doesn't hold up well, I'll change it for a beefer model down the line.
I wanted them on their sides so I could slide one unit out if I needed to without having to move the other 2. I thought about using some full extension server rack style slides, but I figured this way was pretty foolproof since the rack would need to collapse to cause an issue. It's also a more compact form factor the using slides.

I have installed 2 server rack batteries in my 5th wheel. I secured them with water heater earthquake straps. Here's a picture of when I only had one installed(and before I added the earthquake straps)

Full time RV, 40' 5th Wheel.

I am mid-build right now:

• I lined my garage floor with 4mil plastic to mitigate water and dust
• Added 1/2 plywood floor for stability and shock attenuation
• Cut the rack to accomodate front and rear attachment
• Drilled 4, #14 2 1/2" self-tapping screws downward through the floor via the caster receivers at the bottom of the rack. Bonus: the rear rack screws go through the 5/16 welded cross support for the garage itself
• I drilled 4 self tappers though the rack into the rear baseplate of the garage (I'd estimate that's 3/8")
• I fabricated a spacer to accomodate the baseplate offset, and put 2 M6 bolts from the passthrough through the top retainer bracket (3/8" steel)
• I drilled retaining clips into the forecastle floor (garage ceiling), then passed an M6 bolt through the rack and clips.
• Nylon nuts on every bolt.

About to shake test this on the way from Orlando to Miami in a couple of days, but I can say with confidence a gorilla could not get this out.