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Hi All,
In a couple of weeks I'm having a solar hybrid inverter, 8kw battery, and gateway installed on the western wall of my house, and will require sun protection as this wall gets the afternoon summer sun from midday to 9PM and roasts. The modular inverter and battery will measure 80cm wide x 60cm high x 26cm deep.
I've searched online and found it very difficult to find anything off the shelf which will fit, except for this ProtectorAl 1000 x 830 x 495mm Monument Steel Slat Airconditioner Cover which I like the look of. I ordered one through my local store who promptly called me to say they don't have any in stock after all. So, I'm here to bounce this off you guys to see if I should order one of those for delivery from another store, or if I should build something myself. I am not good at building things but I'll have a go.
As this is going to be a solar inverter and battery surround it is important to use hardwood, metal or cement sheeting in case of a fire, definitely NO pine. Now, the western wall of my fibro house has hardwood studs, and if you can imagine a basic four legged IKEA side table and the top has a cut out so that there is just a shape left about the same thickness as the legs, which I can then screw some corrugated iron onto, and screw the legs to the wall, I should be in business. It would ideally be something like 1.6m wide x 1.2m high, and be 50cm off the wall. Would the 42 x 42mm 2.7m Merbau Pre-Oiled Solid Post be suitable for this? It has to be strong come rain, hail, shine, or STRONG wind.
Alternatively, what about using 2x Jack 1800 x 900mm Oxy-Shield Spiral Screen Panels side by side, which would give me coverage of 1800mm x 1800mm. The maximum wall width available is 1900. I just can't work out how I would attach them together and then to the wall.
What about making the frame out of 20mm galvanised pipe? The available lengths and adapters would make it reasonably light and fireproof too. I just don't know how I'd securely attach the Jack panels to the piping. What would be great about this solution is that the galvanised malls at the top could sit on strong square hooks (those are just an example) or bolt threads, and at the bottom I could somehow have threads screwed in to the house with enough thread left protruding for the bottom malls to slide over and secure with a washer and bolt to lock the frame in place. What kind of bolt/thread would that be? I've just found this dog bed at Bunnings which has the same frame style as what I'm thinking of making out of the Brasshards galvanised pipe.
I'm looking forward to hearing some ideas. I think the panel on pipe option is my favourite, but it would not allow me room to access the front panels of the inverter, I'd have to remove it whenever I needed access...
I wonder if the panels could be hinged so that they would swing out to one side when required? 🤔
Thanks.
Great to hear from you @BoeingFan.
It would be a good idea to start by checking if the hybrid inverter manufacturer has any guidance on what form the protection should take. Since it sounds like they are the ones specifying that the unit needs shielding, they are in the best position to advise on what is acceptable. You want to make sure you are meeting any requirements for spacing from the wall, airflow, and how enclosed the unit can be. Without that guidance, there is a risk that even a well-built cover could actually make things worse. For example, a steel cover, even though it looks strong, will absorb heat in the sun and radiate it onto the inverter, which could increase the operating temperature rather than protect it.
Given that, an open, ventilated solution is likely the safest. A wooden screen made from hardwood like Merbau, rather than pine, would provide strength and fire resistance while allowing airflow. If you are considering using the 42 x 42 mm Merbau posts, I would probably go larger, such as 90 mm posts, especially if the screen is going to be free-standing a little off the wall, and ensure the panels are securely attached. Decorative Merbau panels could work well for the front, but make sure the structure is robust enough to withstand strong wind, rain, and sun exposure.
If you decide to build, the key points are maintaining adequate ventilation around the inverter and battery, using durable hardwood, and complying with any minimum clearance requirements from the manufacturer. Before cutting or fixing anything, it would be wise to get written guidance from them so you know exactly what is allowed. This will also protect your warranty and ensure the unit operates safely.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
