Battery and Inverter in the loft or somewhere more accessible?

Magnitio

I agree that lofts do have extremes of temperature that should be avoided if possible. When the batteries get cold, they don't perform as well. Some also have heaters, so on days when you probably need the most capacity, some is wasted heating the battery.

Bianchiintenso

Hmm, think I'll insist on garage/office. I presume there's no/not a lot of noise from an inverter?

Magnitio

Bianchiintenso said:

Hmm, think I'll insist on garage/office. I presume there's no/not a lot of noise from an inverter?

That will depend on the make of inverter and battery. Some have fans, some hum, others will make other odd noises. If you can post details, someone on here maybe able to advise.

Bianchiintenso

It's a 

Sunsynk
8.000 kW

SUNSYNK-8K-SG01LP1

EcoScruples

Regarding loft temps I did some data capture on this in the hottest period of summer where my inverter went over 70 degrees C but performed perfectly.
Will see how cold it gets in winter but it should stay warm enough to work efficiently.

Bianchiintenso

That's good to know, if it ends up in loft, thanks  

Magnitio

Bianchiintenso said:

It's a 

Sunsynk
8.000 kW

SUNSYNK-8K-SG01LP1

From the datasheet, it suggests operating temperature in the range "-25~60°C, >45°C Derating". Also, noise volume of <30dB.

If you are also using their batteries, the operating temperature for charging without derating is suggested as 0°C to 50°C.

Bianchiintenso

Yes I am using 2x 5.2kW batteries, so that seems a bit borderline summer temps in loft... hmm all good info to 'discuss' with electrician

Heedtheadvice

EcoScruples said:

Regarding loft temps I did some data capture on this in the hottest period of summer where my inverter went over 70 degrees C but performed perfectly.
Will see how cold it gets in winter but it should stay warm enough to work efficiently.

I would be very concerned if my electronics ( the inverter in this case ) were to be operating at 70degrees C, more so if thar was the ambient temp.

Firstly it may still be working but it increases risk of failure and shortens life working at high temperature. Optimum max for the semiconductor junctions used to be considered (in my working days!) as 35degrees and to keep that temperature requires cooling via heating/ fans etc with a cooler ambient temp. There will not be immediate failure  but progressive risk and life reduction.

Secondly to keep the above semiconductor internal junction temperature rise in check units may involve power dissipation reduction by ( as mentioned above by Magnitio ) by derating I.e. reducing power throughput. Things have improved over the years so the mentioned 45degrees is now typical rather than the 35 degree optimum. NOTE that is not the ambient temperature!!

That is achieved at the expense of efficiency which means reduced generation performance.

Semiconductors especially.power ones are not the only issue. Electrolytic capacitors are similarly affected. It used to be  a rule of thumb that device life  decreased by half for every 10degree rise in temperature.  Not exactly the case for electronics  but you get the picture!

Much written on the topic if you wish to research!!

So in many a  loft, poorer performance  - for part of the year-  and increased failure rate assuming  it is hotter than  garage ( which might bring it's own issues!).

Reed_Richards

My inverter and battery live in my loft with no apparent harm so far.  I live sufficiently far north to avoid the highest summer temperatures and in winter my loft, despite insulation, will get some heat from the house below whereas my detached garage is completely unheated so is likely to be colder.