The datasheet you can download from the website says its ip65 rated, ideal for outdoor installation. Looks like it doesn't need any more protection. I imagine it'll get warm in use, so it should be fine outside - EV batteries are! GivEnergy

 

Interesting. Is that an improvement over previous ones where I was recommended to enclose at least to keep warm

 

Possibly - these are LiFePo, which is a more stable chemistry than NCM. NCM, NCA, LFP, solid-state - EV battery chemistry explained

 

As above IP65 so should cope with getting wet, issue might be minimum temperature - listed as -20 degC for storage, -10 degC for discharging but 0 degC for charging. May depend where you are in the country you are as to how much of a problem this is, particularly if the battery is in a sheltered location bolted to the house.

Probably worth asking Givenergy what happens if you try and charge at lower temperatures? I believe the Tesla PowerWall includes heating / cooling to cope with temperature extremes, but that is probably for more extreme temperatures than we get in UK.

 

The BMS is aware of the battery temperature and reports it to the inverter so it should be able to control charge and discharge. I say should because GivEnergy don’t really seem to have control of anything.

My system has done a few odd things but tech support never really seem to have any answers. At the moment, my 100% DoD battery won’t go below 8% and so far the answer is “oh yeah, other people have reported that too”.

The battery warms itself up when it charges or discharges so I doubt it would ever get below 0C anyway.

 

While the GivEnergy battery is rated for external use I personally would give it weather and temperature protection. Mr Harris is usually our best source for advice on this forum but he doesn't seem to be about now - but he provided this link before so I'm reposting it in his absence (I think he got this one himself): Garden Tool Store with Never-Leak Roof - 4ft wide

 

While the GivEnergy battery is rated for external use I personally would give it weather and temperature protection. Mr Harris is usually our best source for advice on this forum but he doesn't seem to be about now - but he provided this link before so I'm reposting it in his absence (I think he got this one himself): Garden Tool Store with Never-Leak Roof - 4ft wide

that looks grand but would likely fill our side access.. happy to look at boxing in but might need custom work to keep it slim?


hope all is well with Mr Harris

 

Will it fit in a garden storage box which could be insulated with Kingspan if needed?

 

Personally, I would just shelter from the impacts of direct rainfall and UV exposure with a small canopy. That should keep the seals dry and limit freeze-thaw damage, and reduce the effect of UV damage.

 

I'm doing my battery system the 'Harris' way

I've gone for this:

Talia Heavy Duty Garden Tool Shed | Dunster House

The Talia Garden Tool Shed is a practical storage solution for your power tools and other valuable garden equipment. With this small garden shed, maximum storage is provided in minimum space, with generous 2.11m (6'11’) height, ideal for long-handled tools. It features a strong 35mm x 35mm...

dunsterhouse.co.uk

with 100mm celotex insulation floor and ceiling, and 50mm in the walls, with osb inner walls that I can bolt equipment straight onto. Used felt shingles rather than sheet felt for the roof. Painted exterior with good quality cabin paint.

Although only 4ft x 2ft it will hold two stacks of US5000 batteries and a SoFar ME3000SP inverter above. In the future it has space for a hybrid inverter for some additional PV as well.

 

If that shed is in direct sunlight, wouldn't the internal temperature (where the battery is situated) be really high?

I know it's 50c max, enclosed shed in direct sunlight on a hot 40c day wouldn't be far off.

 

The insulation makes a huge difference. The ceiling was hot to touch on a sunny day prior to adding it. I will be monitoring the temperature and have the ability to add forced ventilation if required.

 

Naive question, but if the battery manufacturer says the battery can be installed outdoors, it's rated from -20 to +50 and there's loads of pictures of "naked" batteries sitting on people's patios on their website, why would I want to put the battery in a box?

 

It is rated -20 to +50 for storage, but only 0 to +50 when charging.

Potentially (don't know if it does) the BMS will protect the battery so that it does not charge if the battery temperature is below 0 degC.

So - if you are using your battery to timeshift during winter - battery discharges during the day, until at some point in the afternoon it is fully discharged and goes into standby.

The battery then cools down, so by midnight its temperature is below 0 degC. Cheap electric tariff kicks in, but BMS won't let the battery charge because it is too cold...

 

But may have heating (either active or indirect through charging electronics) that slowly bring the temps up which May mean slower initial charging on a very cold night but then ramping up

I’ve asked for info on that but not heard back

 

slightly confusing reply from Givenergy:

It needs a canopy installing over for direct sunlight and downpour, but yes they can go outside.

They wont automatically charge to keep some temperature, but I've only ever seen it a few winters ago on a few batteries when it was especially cold.

its IP65 rated so should be ok from rain and it’ll be somewhat sheltered in the side passage but Ill see if I can get a little ‘porch’ or lean-to in that section of the passage. Might have to be after installation as I won’t really know where or how big yet

 

slightly confusing reply from Givenergy:



its IP65 rated so should be ok from rain and it’ll be somewhat sheltered in the side passage but Ill see if I can get a little ‘porch’ or lean-to in that section of the passage. Might have to be after installation as I won’t really know where or how big yet

Driving rain from wind, as well as age related factors (IP testing is done on afresh product) can all influence real world IP performance.