billynoah
New Member
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2021
- Messages
- 13
I have a new residential installation with 2 KiloVault HAB batteries connected to a Sol-Ark 12K. There have been a few anomalies which I consulted with KiloVault (alteE Store) about and have yet to get an authoritative answer.
SMELL:
There is a slightly sweet chemical smell that began shortly after installation and seems to increase while charging. I guess this could simply be "new electronics" or smell of the electrical tape wraps but as I'm quite new to this technology I don't want to ignore anything that might be a problem without being educated about it. Since then, the smell hasn't gotten particularly better or worse but more recently has changed to a slightly sour smell - almost like a dead animal. In all seriousness, there very well could be a dead mouse somewhere in my mechanical room! It's a bit disconcerting though because the smell is distinctly in the area of the batteries. Is this something to be concerned about? If so, what are my next steps?
WIRING:
KiloVault requested information on how the batteries are wired and when I explained that they are wired in a "diagonal pattern" they expressed concern. By diagonal I mean that there is one wire connected to the inverter which is wired to positive on one battery and negative on the other. Then a short jumper runs from one battery to the other on each side.
Essentially "method 2" here: http://www.smartgauge.co.uk/batt_con.html where he states:
As far as I have learned, this is a popular and acceptable method of wiring. I was then told that BMS varies from battery to battery and that the way KiloVaults are designed the batteries should be either:
Attached are some photos of the way things are now.
SMELL:
There is a slightly sweet chemical smell that began shortly after installation and seems to increase while charging. I guess this could simply be "new electronics" or smell of the electrical tape wraps but as I'm quite new to this technology I don't want to ignore anything that might be a problem without being educated about it. Since then, the smell hasn't gotten particularly better or worse but more recently has changed to a slightly sour smell - almost like a dead animal. In all seriousness, there very well could be a dead mouse somewhere in my mechanical room! It's a bit disconcerting though because the smell is distinctly in the area of the batteries. Is this something to be concerned about? If so, what are my next steps?
WIRING:
KiloVault requested information on how the batteries are wired and when I explained that they are wired in a "diagonal pattern" they expressed concern. By diagonal I mean that there is one wire connected to the inverter which is wired to positive on one battery and negative on the other. Then a short jumper runs from one battery to the other on each side.
Essentially "method 2" here: http://www.smartgauge.co.uk/batt_con.html where he states:
As far as I have learned, this is a popular and acceptable method of wiring. I was then told that BMS varies from battery to battery and that the way KiloVaults are designed the batteries should be either:
- (a) a separate cable run from each battery directly to the inverter
- (b) a separate cable run from each battery to a busbar which is then wired to the inverter
Attached are some photos of the way things are now.
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