3.5 Three Battery – Laboratory Options

Home/Solar Training Best Practices: The Series/#7: Photovoltaic Labs/3.5 Three Battery – Laboratory Options

With a renewed focused on battery back-up and stand-alone systems, three battery lab options are provided.

1) Simple battery system cart: inexpensive and self-contained, requiring no dedicated building or room

ItemSpecificationEstimated Cost
Rolling cartMust fit through building doors~$500
Inverter/chargerSchneider Electric: INV-CH NGT 1.8kW 12VDC-120VAC   $525
BatteryDeep cycle 12Vdc AGM  110Ahr   $150
Battery boxSmall   $100
DC switchgearMidNite Solar e-panel   $395
Charge controllerMorning Star Morningstar: CONT 45A 12-48VDC   $165
Miscellaneous wiringConduit, wire, etc.   $150
Subtotal $1,985
Eye wash stationHaws 7501 Portable Eyewash Station 9 Gallon   $200
Battery PPEBattery Handling PPE Kit New Pig WPL105   $135
Subtotal   $335
GRAND TOTAL   $2,320

2) Small battery area: moderately priced, offering greater real-world applicability

ItemSpecificationEstimated Cost
Dedicated areaPortion of room 8’X12’ minimum
Inverter/chargerGTFX2524 Sine Wave Inverter 2500W, 24VDC, 120VAC, 60Hz   $1,650
Battery bank4 X GC2- 6Vdc 220Ahr  $750
Battery containmentVented, 2’X4’X18” lockable  $250
DC switchgearMidNite Solar e-panel   $450
Charge controller/sFM60-150 MPPT Charge Controller 60AMorning Star Morningstar: CONT 45A 12-48VDC   $550   $165
Miscellaneous wiringConduit, buss bar, wire   $250
Subtotal$4,065
Eye Wash stationBradley S19224PDC Halo Eyewash Station w/ Plastic Dust Cover, Wall Mount   $300
Battery PPE X4Battery Handling PPE Kit New Pig WPL105   $540
Subtotal   $840
Est. Grand Total$4,905

3) Full Battery Area: Provides area for multiple system demonstrations

ItemSpecificationEst. Cost
Dedicated AreaRoom with minimum area of 12’X16’
Inverter/ChargersRNW8651005 XW4548-120/240-60, 4500W, 48VDC XW SeriesRadian GS8048, Sine Wave Inverter 8000W, 48VDC, 120/240 VAC   $2,500   $3,900
Battery Banks8 X L16 Deep cycle batteries   $2,400
Battery ContainmentVented, 2’X 6’X18” lockable     $450
DC switchgearXW switchgear enclosure with AC Trns. Sw. DC175 & Cdw BRadian Switchgear with 250DC, AC Trns. & BOS Acc.          $865          $965
Charge Controller/sFM60-150 MPPT Charge Controller 60AMorning Star Morningstar: CONT 45A 12-48VDCClassic 150, 150VDC input MPPT charge controller, 12VDC-72VDC           $550          $165          $650
Miscellaneous wiringConduit, buss bar, wire     $500
Subtotal$12,945
Eye Wash stationBradley S19224PDC Halo Eyewash Station w/ Plastic Dust Cover, Wall Mount     $300
Battery PPE X 6Battery Handling PPE Kit New Pig WPL105     $810
Subtotal  $1,110
GRAND TOTAL$14,055
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