Rolling shelf for battery bank.

[DEEP NNN]

Is it a good idea or a bad idea to use a wire shelf for holding my 4 x LiFePo4 100Ah battery bank?
This one is plenty ample for the weight and the size is perfect for my project.

 

[Nobodybusiness]

Is it a good idea or a bad idea to use a wire shelf for holding my 4 x LiFePo4 100Ah battery bank?
This one is plenty ample for the weight and the size is perfect for my project.
View attachment 123656

That’s not a shelf. This is a shelf!!

Just teasing.
Not sure how your going to get 4 batteries on 3 shelves??
As long as it will hold the combined weight of all the cells I don’t see any issues.
I would put plastic separator between batteries and Shelf though.

 

[DEEP NNN]

That’s not a shelf. This is a shelf!!

Just teasing.
Not sure how your going to get 4 batteries on 3 shelves??
As long as it will hold the combined weight of all the cells I don’t see any issues.
I would put plastic separator between batteries and Shelf though.

That's a nice setup you have.

The shelves pictured only have to hold 4 of the typical 22lb car battery sized LiFePo4 12V batteries. The shelf can handle the weight.

I just want to make sure I don't do something stupid that an experienced person might say like, " never use a metal wire shelf".

 

[Delphinus]

It looks good my concern are the wheels, batteries are not wireless they use cables so shelf should not move, I know you can lock wheels but only 2 so it can rotate.

 

[DEEP NNN]

It looks good my concern are the wheels, batteries are not wireless they use cables so shelf should not move, I know you can lock wheels but only 2 so it can rotate.

Thanks for the advice. The shelving unit will likely be locked stationary but it is possible I may move it to a new location. It'd be great if the only thing that needed to be disconnected were the wires.

 

[pullin_gs]

It looks a little bit wobbly for 100 lbs. Keep your batteries on bottom shelf and you should be OK?
Here is another solution of about the same size.....but it is more expensive.
I had to enclse 240AH@36V lithium along with all electronics.
I started out with a HomeDepot gladiator free-standing cabinet

Gladiator Ready-to-Assemble Steel Freestanding Garage Cabinet in Silver Tread (28 in. W x 31 in. H x 18 in. D) GAGB28FDYG - The Home Depot

This heavy-duty steel cabinet is as tough as it looks. The Ready to Assemble Full Door Modular GearBox offers accessible storage for a variety of tools and garage gear. For even more versatility, add the optional Ready-to-Assemble Caster Kit (GACK04KDSX) or 28 in. Hardwood Work Top (GAAC28HWGX)...

www.homedepot.com

...
For rolling base, I used this harbor freight dolly.

24 in. x 16 in. 1000 lb. Capacity Solid Deck Hardwood Dolly

Amazing deals on this 24In X 16In 1000Lb Solid Deck Dolly at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

There are four 24"x 1/2" through bolts anchoring cabinet&batteries to the dolly. Total weight about 250 lbs?

 

[DEEP NNN]

It looks a little bit wobbly for 100 lbs. Keep your batteries on bottom shelf and you should be OK?
Here is another solution....but it is more expensive.
It is holding 240AH@36V lithium.
I started out with a HomeDepot gladiator free-standing cabinet

Gladiator Ready-to-Assemble Steel Freestanding Garage Cabinet in Silver Tread (28 in. W x 31 in. H x 18 in. D) GAGB28FDYG - The Home Depot

This heavy-duty steel cabinet is as tough as it looks. The Ready to Assemble Full Door Modular GearBox offers accessible storage for a variety of tools and garage gear. For even more versatility, add the optional Ready-to-Assemble Caster Kit (GACK04KDSX) or 28 in. Hardwood Work Top (GAAC28HWGX)...

www.homedepot.com

...
For rolling base, I used this harbor freight dolly.

24 in. x 16 in. 1000 lb. Capacity Solid Deck Hardwood Dolly

Amazing deals on this 24In X 16In 1000Lb Solid Deck Dolly at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

There are four 24"x 1/2" through bolts anchoring cabinet&batteries to the dolly. Total weight about 250 lbs?
View attachment 123663

Cool. I never even thought of using a closed cabinet. Seems very practical for keeping children away.

 

[pullin_gs]

Cool. I never even thought of using a closed cabinet. Seems very practical for keeping children away.

It is a pretty slick box for a small-scale solar project. It will handle the weight. That said, I believe care should be taken when applying lateral forces (such as pushing cart forward from the top or cabinet). I've not run into any problems moving it around in my garage.

 

[tinyt]

Fabricated my own in 2018, used small steel wheels so they do not roll easily and also will not deform if made of hard rubber or plastic. Used it then for 4 12-volts 100AH AGM batteries. Now upgraded with shell to use lifepo4 batteries.

 

[DEEP NNN]

Fabricated my own in 2018, used small steel wheels so they do not roll easily and also will not deform if made of hard rubber or plastic. Used it then for 4 12-volts 100AH AGM batteries. Now upgraded with shell to use lifepo4 batteries.

I love reading how people make their own solutions. What kind of LiFePo4 batteries are those? I never saw cylindrical before.

 

[tinyt]

I love reading how people make their own solutions. What kind of LiFePo4 batteries are those? I never saw cylindrical before.

S168 60280 (55AH). Was available thru ebay then, claimed to be 'new' but probable RFEs. Aliexpress did not have them about 3 months ago. Now they are available. I have 3 slots in the 'shelf' but only 2 are used. Contemplating on using prismatic for the third slot.

 

[Steve_S]

Lessons Learned Dept: !

Be very wary of the wheels and their load handling capabilities, it is really NO FUN if/when underated wheels fold up under the heavy weight And the "child protection" factor of a cabinet is wise, not only for children but any critters etc in the house and accidental oopsies.

BTW: My powerhouse has a concrete floor BUT I installed Rubber Horse Matts (made from recycled rubber) over the whole floor as 1300AH of hot DC Power can be quite a zot is something goes awry. BTW, Tractor Supply seems to have the best deals on 3/4" thick 5'x7' "horse stall matt's"

 

[robot_zombie]

I built a Lifepo4 pack using a tool shelf from amazon, works well but probably close to its limit. Only needs to move very occasionally, just need to be careful the wheels dont get pushed in the wrong direction... !!

 

[DEEP NNN]

Lessons Learned Dept: !

Be very wary of the wheels and their load handling capabilities, it is really NO FUN if/when underated wheels fold up under the heavy weight And the "child protection" factor of a cabinet is wise, not only for children but any critters etc in the house and accidental oopsies.

BTW: My powerhouse has a concrete floor BUT I installed Rubber Horse Matts (made from recycled rubber) over the whole floor as 1300AH of hot DC Power can be quite a zot is something goes awry. BTW, Tractor Supply seems to have the best deals on 3/4" thick 5'x7' "horse stall matt's"

I hear you on the wheels. This unit is rated at 800lb total but what if it never moves for years and they get a flat spot. Would be annoying. Based on safety comments, I may at least tack on some plastic panels to prevent accidental shorts.

 

[DEEP NNN]

I built a Lifepo4 pack using a tool shelf from amazon, works well but probably close to its limit. Only needs to move very occasionally, just need to be careful the wheels dont get pushed in the wrong direction... !!

View attachment 123683

I'll eventually post a picture of my shelf/batteries but I gotta say, you've beaten me already.

 

[Nobodybusiness]

That's a nice setup you have.

The shelves pictured only have to hold 4 of the typical 22lb car battery sized LiFePo4 12V batteries. The shelf can handle the weight.

I just want to make sure I don't do something stupid that an experienced person might say like, " never use a metal wire shelf".

Nah I use Metal shelving but I do put plastic between batteries and shelf..

 

[Nobodybusiness]

I built a Lifepo4 pack using a tool shelf from amazon, works well but probably close to its limit. Only needs to move very occasionally, just need to be careful the wheels dont get pushed in the wrong direction... !!

View attachment 123683

That’s a nice looking battery. Good job on that..

 

[629658]

Metal shelving unit here. I like the cabinet idea if something goes wrong at least it might be contained. That gladiator cabinet would be perfect but I need at least 48” depth

 

[DEEP NNN]

Just a follow up image of the rolling shelf unit I ordered. It can handle up to 800lb. My project doesn't even come close to that.

 

[tigerwillow1]

I'm planning on using the rolling wire shelves for my LiFEPO4 server rack batteries, and anderson SB 175 connectors to connect them. The shelves and casters are rated a bit over 2x the max weight I'll put on them.