Tacet Posted August 21, 2019 Share Posted August 21, 2019 I'm busy preparing for (hopefully) installing my MulitplusII this weekend. I have very limited space to install (living in a duplex), so I was thinking of installing the MultiplusII on the wall above the battery cabinet (lithium batteries). That will minimize cable length, keep everything together, and conserve precious space. But in the Multiplus's manual it states: Will installing it above the battery cabinet, with clearance of more than a meter between the battery and the inverter be acceptable? I understand the concern in case of flooded batteries, but most telcos have no issue with installing 4 strings of 190/200 Ah VRLAs directly below the rectifier. There shouldn't be sufficient hydrogen buildup to be a problem. And in the case of lithiums, I really don't see the reason for the prohibition. My main concern here is warranty - I don't want to do something that will negatively impact my warranty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 21, 2019 Share Posted August 21, 2019 When I get lithiums they will go into the same cupboard underneath my Multigrid. Like you I cannot see any reason why not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaco De Jongh Posted August 21, 2019 Share Posted August 21, 2019 1 hour ago, Tacet said: Will installing it above the battery cabinet, with clearance of more than a meter between the battery and the inverter be acceptable? Being Lithiums I cant see a problem, Most inverters had that warnings and imo it was for lead acids. @plonkster?? ___ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
___ Posted August 22, 2019 Share Posted August 22, 2019 13 hours ago, Tacet said: VRLAs You're right. The concern is for flooded batteries that bathe everything around it in a cloud of hydrogen sulphide. Not only is it a fire hazard (eg when the changeover switch in a large Multi/Quattro clicks over), it corrodes everything. With VRLA, there is still a slight danger. In an emergency situation where the valve has opened and the world smells of rotten eggs... you don't exactly want to add fire to that. So I would try to have as much space as possible between the two. More than a meter if possible. And then add some ventilation. Here's a quick screenshot I made of a slow-mo capture of the contactor from a large Multi that's doing a dead short on a 15kVa unit. (In case you're wondering... yes... this was a stress test, and it eventually did weld itself closed). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tacet Posted August 22, 2019 Author Share Posted August 22, 2019 Well, I'm going lithium, so hydrogen isn't too high on my concern list. As for VRLA - even though they recombine etc., never a good idea to operate/keep them in an enclosed space without sufficient ventilation. Basically, make sure you have a happy marriage between Annex D of SANS 10108 and the batteries' emissions as per SANS 60896-21/22. And remember, you do get venting kits to make sure that it vents into a well ventilated space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 22, 2019 Share Posted August 22, 2019 25 minutes ago, Tacet said: ... venting kits ... Any links of such in SA? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tacet Posted August 22, 2019 Author Share Posted August 22, 2019 13 minutes ago, The Terrible Triplett said: Any links of such in SA? Unfortunately not. Its normally provided by the battery manufacturer, so you'll have to ask the local distributor. I know they are available for e.g. Narada, of which we have plenty in the country, so Dartcom should be able to source them. Basically "vent kit" is a really fancy name for a length of clear PVC pipe that goes over the venting nozzles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaco De Jongh Posted August 22, 2019 Share Posted August 22, 2019 3 hours ago, The Terrible Triplett said: Any links of such in SA? Does home made count? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 22, 2019 Share Posted August 22, 2019 29 minutes ago, Jaco de Jongh said: Does home made count? Yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaco De Jongh Posted August 22, 2019 Share Posted August 22, 2019 3 hours ago, The Terrible Triplett said: Yes. Maybe an overkill. Had the canopy made out of fiberglass to go over my 16 trojans. Let it rise to one side to promote natural airflow, turned a PVC gully around and connected it to a 100 mm pvc pipe rising to the ceiling, making a 90 degree turn and straight through the wall to the outside. This also promotes a natural draft. Then when the voltage goes over 56volts during charging, I use the BMV's contact to switch a fan on that is mounted inside the gully. That helps to get all the gasses out till the volts drop below 56v after charging and it stops again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johandup Posted August 22, 2019 Share Posted August 22, 2019 1 hour ago, Jaco de Jongh said: switch a fan on that is mounted inside the gully. Hopefully flameproof..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaco De Jongh Posted August 22, 2019 Share Posted August 22, 2019 32 minutes ago, Johandup said: Hopefully flameproof..... I hope so too.......... I chose his because it is rated at 120 degree C (Class E insulation) so its only stand a change of busting into flames at temperatures above that. This motor has lock rotor and reverse polarity protection and a nice wide voltage range. All futures that will prevent it from excessive heat generation. I have tested the lock rotar by jamming the rotor and applying 48 volt from my bank to it, no current flow and no heat, I forgot it like that for almost a week. I haven't tested what will happen if I run the motor at lets say 12 volt. All and all, I feel a lot safer with this fan 20 cm from my batteries than I did with the Infini 4 kw super's 1 meter plus from my battery bank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johandup Posted August 22, 2019 Share Posted August 22, 2019 Be wary of hydrogen emitting batteries. More explosive than methane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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