Hi all.

I’m very new to this entire process but would like some advice RE: Hybrid inverters and their cooling systems.

I have been trying to decide on which hybrid inverter would be best for me and my family but have a few questions. For now, I am looking to set up a basic back up system and then add solar panels early next year. The set up I have in mind would be a 5Kva hybrid inverter with a single 5Kwh lithium-Ion battery (for now).

My DB board is outside my house (older home) and sits just outside my kitchen window. My understanding is that the inverter and batteries would then need to be in a special housing next to my DB board. I have had two electricians reassure me that this shouldn’t be a problem.

However, I have been wondering if I should be considering an inverter with a heat plate rather than fans for cooling (I have been looking at this Luxpower Link Here). I am aware that inverters with a heat plate are apparently more resistant to moisture, but my fear is about their effectiveness to cool the system as it will be in an enclosed box that gets occasional sun.

I might be over thinking this, but any advice would be greatly appreciated.

That luxpower linked has fans - look at the datasheet. AFAIK, the LXP variant is fanless - but also more expensive. Personally I would choose a fanless model (and consider mounting it inside). In an enclosed space, something with a fan will be better, but it will still impact cooling ability.

Edited November 7, 20223 yr by P1000

The Sunsynk5 series is IP65 and has a massive heatsink for passive cooling and has a very quiet internal sealed fan as far as I know (I have never heard mine so not sure if it even has a fan inside), that would then simply need a nice shade hood to for a bit of extra sun shade. I would definitely try put the battery on the inside in the kitchen if possible.

On 2022/11/07 at 8:00 AM, P1000 said:

That luxpower linked has fans - look at the datasheet

Thanks so much for the input. I will look a bit deeper. The one in the link (This one) It said "noise free" but let me look into it a bit more. I appreciate the advice, I thought that if it was placed in enclosed box it might need a fan cooling system. 

On 2022/11/07 at 8:47 AM, WannabeSolarSparky said:

I would definitely try put the battery on the inside in the kitchen if possible.

Thanks doe the input. I will look into it. Are the batteries more of a danger to weather exposure than the inverter? 

 

On 2022/11/07 at 8:47 AM, WannabeSolarSparky said:

that would then simply need a nice shade hood to for a bit of extra sun shade

Thanks, will definitely look into the Sunsynk5 series is IP65

30 minutes ago, Alex550 said:

Are the batteries more of a danger to weather exposure than the inverter?

batteries, all type, would ideally like a air conditioned/temperate place to live, not too cold, not too hot, just right, so putting batteries outside in a metal box, without heating/cooling, is probably not such a good idea...