DIY Manual

29 | P a g e 10-543-1 REV A
DIY Manual
• No memory issues • Degrades at high temps
• Low self-discharge • Sensitive to charging voltages
BATTERY PLACEMENT
Consideration should be given for proper battery bank placement in terms of serviceability,
ventilation, temperature control, and proximity to other system components.
Serviceability – You will at times need to access all the batteries in the bank for maintenance,
such as adding electrolytes, checking specific gravity of each cell, measuring voltages, or replacing
batteries. Give yourself room to access all batteries.
Ventilation – Store flooded batteries in a ventilated space, as they outgas hydrogen sulfide
(highly corrosive and deadly in high concentrations) and oxygen, both highly flammable gasses.
If your bank is housed in a battery box, incorporate a vent system with upper discharge and lower
intake. Consider using a small fan to expel gasses.
Temperature Control – Most all batteries lose capacity in cold weather, usually below 77F.
Design your system with insulation to keep the batteries warm. Good idea to use a battery
temperature sensor from the charge controller manufacturer to regulate charging voltages based
on battery temperature. AGM, Gel, and Lithium batteries can sometimes (local code may not
allow) be located within living areas.
The National Electrical Code
prohibits installing batteries
directly below an inverter system
due to access issues.
Most Lithium batteries are manufactured with a BMS built-in to the battery
itself. Some Lithium batts are simply a bunch of Lithium cells soldered together
in series without a BMS. The BMS acts like a “traffic cop” to regulate the
individual charging of each Lithium cell in terms of voltage, current, and
temperature. Therefore, the BMS needs to be designed for the cells. Avoid a
homemade Lithium battery with an over-the-counter, generic BMS.
Limit the electrical separation
from batts to charge controller,
and batts to inverter, to no more
than 8 feet.