I'm planning to build a brick shed to store my batteries close to my solar ground mount. I'm aware that voltage drop can be a concern during winter, but I'm wondering if insulating the shed would help with that. Additionally, do the batteries require ventilation? If so, wouldn't that compromise the insulation? I'm also concerned about figuring out the right doors for the shed. Any advice for my DIY setup would be really appreciated!
3 Answers
You should definitely consider ventilation, especially if you’re dealing with batteries like lead-acid which release gases when charging. A good idea is to build a battery box with plywood and line it with rigid insulation. You could even put hinges on the top for easy access. I’ve seen plenty of similar DIY setups online. For insulation, something like R10 should work fine in the UK winter.
What kind of batteries are you using? If they’re LiFePo4, keep in mind that anything under 5°C can be problematic. Since you've mentioned that you have inbuilt heaters, make sure they're functioning properly. In winter, a well-insulated setup is crucial, but remember, extreme temperatures can affect performance. How about insulation and ventilation that can be manually adjusted based on the season? That way, you won’t have to keep it open all the time in winter.
It's crucial to ventilate the shed every now and then, especially in summer. Perhaps you could look at using vents that you can open or close as needed, depending on the season. Insulating during winter is a must, but don't forget about those summer temperatures! How thick are you considering for the insulation?
Yeah, that sounds like a plan! I think you could install vents that you can close off in the winter. Insulation thickness-wise, how much have you used? That might help keep things warm without entirely sealing off ventilation in summer.