Battery placement best practices?

[DavidH]

Hi all,

So I've a question about what the best practices should be when it comes to the batteries in a solar power system. I have sealed AGM batteries - is it ok just to have them sat on the concrete floor in the house? Should they be off the ground a certain amount? Should they be enclosed for safety? If enclosed can it be a wooden cabinet, plastic or metal? My main concern is safety - not only of people in the house but also the batteries themselves.

Thanks!

[Mike90250]

"sealed" AGM batteries still need to be in a vented cabinet. At end of life, they often start venting hydrogen and you don't want explosive gas building up in a room

[Ampster]

The building inspector in Sonoma County California told me my Lithium batteries needed to be in a NEMA Type 1 case. I found one by Midnite Solar. It had vents because it was designed for Lead Acid batteries.

[DavidH]

Ampster, were those LiFePO4 batteries? I wonder if the criteria is different for lead acid batteries - meaning the NEMA Type 1 case requirement.
Thanks Mike, I'll be sure to make sure they are well vented.

[Ampster]

Ampster, were those LiFePO4 batteries? I wonder if the criteria is different for lead acid batteries - meaning the NEMA Type 1 case requirement.
.....

No they are Nissan Leaf batteries which are NMC. I dont think the inspector knows the difference. Your jurisdiction may be different anyway.