Slide out access to batteries - For T1

[Grandad]

This seems the most logical sub-forum.
Can't use 12V because some 240V involved, and visa versa. Ah hell! This'll do. One of the mods can move it if I've got it wrong. Please?

Terry,

I've been tossing around possibilities for the storage of batteries, regulators, inverter(s) your BMS, DC/DC Charger, 240V Charger etc etc. bearing in mind, space and accessibility.

Here's what I have going through my mind. May I have an opinion on which is the best track to take please?
Not just Terry by the way.
Anyone with an opinion, please chime in. In my limited time here I've found there are several very knowledgeable people here. I'd love to hear everyone's thought.

Here goes.

I've found a Caravan Access Door #4 566 x 631mm internal measurements.
Seems the best one to suit the space so far.

This is 12 x 100AH Winston cells to scale for a total of 300AH.
I think this will be an overkill.....but!

It also leaves bugger all room for anything else.



This is 200AH which is probably more reasonable.
(Usual LED lights, chargers etc plus 240V Bar fridge, small TV, Fetch box maybe, single element induction cooker, electric blanket and Inverter microwave. I've got room for 600W of solar on the roof with the pack rack of the tow vehicle so far unused.)

This one gives you two surfaces to mount ancillaries on.
Now, both these options mean the cabling from the inverter and everything else remains intact and only the feeds must stretch as the unit slides out.



Or, last option, with any AH of cells, only the cells slide out, and all of the ancillaries remain static and accessible from inside via a lift up top.



Consider these as 'mud maps' or 'concept' drawing only. Although the measurements shown are probably +/- 10 mm

Please just point me to the right path to go down.

Thank you

Jim

[Vik351]

Bloody hell Jim, bit flash for this joint...

now they is mud maps...!!!

vik...

[bagmaker]

leave some room on top for a BBQ

[BruceS]

mmm, I reckon I'd go with number 3. Going to need a few display places for gauges & controls though.
Maybe up the other end as I hear Terry loooves routing wires through styrene walls & ceilings ..... (hey Vik?)
Is that your personal server Jim?

[Grandad]

Hi Bruce,
No, it's just space I rent on a commercial server.

I'm hoping the the overhead cupboard will be the place for any display gauges plus circuit breakers etc.
Seen here... or below I guess.



All the space behind the Coca-Cola door is available.
And Terry can relax. All the main wires are already in there plus there's an empty conduit for any I've forgotten or didn't think of.
No digging through polystyrene I'm afraid.

Jim

[Grandad]

Bloody hell Jim, bit flash for this joint...

It's called Google Sketchup.
Free to download and reasonably intuitive to learn.

Jim

[Grandad]

leave some room on top for a BBQ

At this stage, the consensus of opinion in the Grey Nomad community appears to be a Weber Baby Q.
I believe it will live in the back of the ute or panelvan I end up with.

The Pumpkin is only 10' 6" long after all.

Jim

[bagmaker]

Ya, the 1200 is best, slightly higher with a temperature gauge built in. Nice work.
What CAD package?

[Peter and Sandra]

I have my 400ah lithium pack on a similar setup but mine slides inwards into the passageway, out from under a fridge.
I have all the stuff you need to see mounted separately in similar position to your Coke cupboard, the only things mounted to the slide with the batteries are the marine switches for solar, inverter and master/total disconnection. Nearly everything else like inverters, chargers, shunts, busbars and fusebox are mounted to the wall beside the batteries, in your case number 3 in the recess . The last thing you need is to have to go outside in the dark and rain to replace a fuse or reset a breaker so just have the batteries on the slideout. If you use welding cable for your connections it is flexible enough and usually double insulated to allow movement without risk of breakage or shorting out.
Just bear in mind that things like inverters, chargers and solar controllers need airflow for cooling.

[Grandad]

I have my 400ah lithium pack on a similar setup but mine slides inwards into the passageway, out from under a fridge.

I actually did consider something similar. But this corner is next to useless for anything else. A bit like the corner cupboard in a kitchen. All kinds of fancy tricks to make it kind-of, sort-of maybe useful.

the only things mounted to the slide with the batteries are the marine switches for solar, inverter and master/total disconnection.

Hmmm. That's something I didn't think of. A master disconnect for the battery itself. I'm picturing a hand size hole in the shelf above so one can reach it quickly from inside.

If you use welding cable for your connections it is flexible enough and usually double insulated to allow movement without risk of breakage or shorting out.

Really? Is that the only cabling required? Just a single positive and single negative? I had visions of all kinds of smaller wires for monitoring each cell

Just bear in mind that things like inverters, chargers and solar controllers need airflow for cooling.

Right-e-o. More information please. How vital? To what extent? Serious enough to justify fans, thermostats etc? Which piece of equipment is the most sensitive? Can you nominate a suggested max temperature so I can picture things better?

Oh, and what about the cells themselves. I know they can 'handle' high temps but what's optimum?

Cheers
Jim