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Heya all, I'm back from retirement holidays and looking forward to getting back into contributing under my new persona.
So I had a solar battery installed recently. Part of the install was to put in a "protection" panel, which is Fibro attached to the house.
This is a work in progress, so bear with me.
Unfortunately, the whole thing including the panel and the battery was all installed on one day. Unfortunate because I didn't get to paint the fibro cement panel before the batttery.
The battery and inverter are on the southern part of the house, so it's all fine, and protected mostly from the sun. Rain, not so much. Obviously, these things are designed for Australian conditions, so it's dust and waterproofed.
However, I wanted to protect it from too much rain (and the panel from water drips)
We had a bit of rain, so I bought an Alamonte Awning
Surprisingly easy to assemble from the flat pack (TIP - no need to bend the perspex to match - just start with a mallet and begin tapping it in from 1 end and it bends to fit). One person job.
Mounting it is a 3 person job😂 at least for me.
Yes, I should have painted the panel first, but I just wanted to get started.
You can see the rain stain - a bit disconcerting as we had quite a bit of rain
Sealed the edges of the panel with rubber strips to just top the water getting in behind, and the awning doesn't quite fit flush with the wall, so rubber strip there as well.
PAINTING.
So I had the same paint in the shed from previously painting, and painted to match. I was advised to start with a layer of Crommelin then undercoat and finally paint.
Still a work in progress, so ignore the painter tape in the picture.
So the next part of the project is the mural. I have tasked my wife and eldest son to create something "Electrical". They have started desiging a mural of Frankenstein's monster and his bride, with electrical bolts coming from the battery to the bolts in theit necks, and some other background. I wanted Uncle Fester with a lightbulb in his mouth, but I'll let them create.
Has anyone else done anything or had ideas to make the battery either less obvious or even make it a point of interest?
When the mural is finished, I'll upload the image or video.
Hello @RetirednHappy
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thank you for sharing your solar battery cover.
I think the Altamonte 1000 x 700mm Clear Corsica Canopy With Plastic Bracket is a good way to protect the solar battery from excess sun and rain. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing the mural once it begins to take shape.
Just a quick safety reminder to all our members, please check with your solar battery provider if it is safe to cover your battery with a panel surround.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
Hi @RetirednHappy,
This is RetiredGrouch.
I gave myself that nickname because when I retired 2010.
Someone ??? put that picture on the entry foyer window 😄
Anyway... there are others here that wanted to do the same thing.
Here is a Ozzie website and they even mention the cover from Bunnings.
Another one with Solar Inverter Covers.
A few years ago I came up with this design for a mate.
Which was submitted to the solar installer and approved.
(Somewhere I have the paperwork and CAD drawing?)
The idea was to provide sun protection with air flow between the slats.
If needed the whole thing can be lifted out and put aside.
Cheers
