Where do people install their inverters/batteries for solar?

ellee

Urban semi, we’ve been told attic not giving enough room for inverter. Looking around the house for an alternative but a bit dismayed to be honest at the thought of industrial components all over the walls.

We've no utility or garage unfortunately.

Can this stuff be installed outside?

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058326240/where-do-people-install-their-inverters-batteries-for-solar

You can pick up something like this if you need to put it outside but most are rated for outdoor use anyway. https://www.argos.co.uk/product/3423938?clickPR=plp:13:31

cobham

We have ours in room off hall that also houses the fusebox for electricity. Yes it is unsightly and with battery as well. Someday I will box it off... maybe make it look like wardrobe with louvred doors? It is silent though and handy for checking readings.

MakersMark

Outside is fine if your inverter is IP65 rated.

Better to have it outdoors in the summer anyway.

MakersMark

Mines outside.

ellee

God outside would be great. Other options are hall (though what I'll do with all the coats i've no idea), or kitchen.

Thanks a mil folks. We'll get back onto supplier and see what kind of inverter they have.

DC999

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121483242#Comment_121483242

My inverter sits outside backing on the fuseboard / consumer unit. So easy cable run thru the wall. It's IP-65 or 66 (can't recall which is the outdoor standard). Working perfectly for 18 months.

It’s brill in summer when people with inverters in the attic struggle as inverter gets really hot. Mine never gets above 20C (which is good). No issues in Winter either. I haven’t covered them at all. It's outdoor rated and get hammered with the prevailing wind and rain. If it falls, I’ll process the warranty. 

unkel

Outdoor is fine, but @ellee I would question the seller stating your attic isn't big enough. Either you have the smallest attic in the world, or they have other reasons they don't want to install it there. Get another quote from another supplier.

Nelbert

What will the typical DIY batteries tolerate temp wise? I've a block wall shed (with 1 inch ISH insulation internally that's about 20 years old) which I'm considering putting inverter and batteries in with panels on roof... Temp could get quite low in winter in there.

graememk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121484412#Comment_121484412

The BMS usually have a temperature sensor. you dont want to charge them when they are 0 or below. The bms will prevent that.

Usually if they are insulated they can retain heat loss from discharging and also charging.

An inverter in the shed is also a heat source which can keep the ambient temperature a bit warmer. On really cold nights you possibly could put a heater out there.

Scoobydoobydoo101

Just checking but is the AC wire going to the inverter in right or bent?!

AmpMan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121474597#Comment_121474597

the hack of that 😄

MakersMark

Thanks for the real helpful post.

AmpMan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121488229#Comment_121488229

No worries.

If the installer had of thought about it for 1 minute he could have put the AC isolator on the right and a single 4pole DC isolator on the left......all nice and tidy.

Yet for some reason he's reversed them and crisscrossed everything into a bowl of spaghetti .

ellee

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121484341#Comment_121484341

Well the attic is converted so there is a functioning room in the big bit iykwim. The inverter would have to go in the storage bits that are left which are pretty small. They said it needs clearance above and below which they can't get in the space that's left. Has to go in upright apparently.

ellee

Update: supplier says it COULD go outside but they would recommend it be put inside somewhere. Battery definitely should go inside. Anyway, I'll let you all know where it ultimately ends up!