wintering SOK batteries in northern ontario

 

System for Cottage in Sudbury Ontario, Canada

2 SOK 48 volt 100 amp hour batteries

6500 watt 48 volt controller (Maple Leaf)

I built the shed specifically to hold the system. Construction was 10 by 10 feet. Concrete floor. 8 foot walls. 2 by 6 studs 16 inch on centre. Trusses are 2 by 6. Insulation is Roxul R21 for walls and roof. There are no windows in the shed.

4 300 watt roof panels on the shed and 4 500 watt bidirectional panels installed on a re-purposed Fenn Dock.

The system must be self contained over the winter. I will not return until the spring.

The system supports security alarm, 3 Wyze security cameras, Star-link internet, TP Link wifi 5. (Govee Temperature monitor) – inside and outside shed.

The shed has a Martin MDV8P Propane Direct-Vent Heater running from 2 100 lb propane tanks.

The heater will be turned on in late November or early December at the lowest possible setting. The heater is not controlled by a thermostat so it will run continuously at the low setting.

Currently the heat from the controller is keeping the shed about 10 degrees warmer than the external temperature without the heater

Hopefully this will help people in colder climates make decisions for their solar setup.

I will be posting temperatures on a weekly basis for those who may be interested. ( a grand experiment)

 

	Temperatures in Celsius
Date	Inside Shed	Outside Shed	Net Diff	Heater ON/OFF
Oct 25, 2024	13.7	4.6	9.1	OFF
Oct 26, 2024	12.7	-0.4	13.1	OFF
Oct 27, 2024	11.8	1.2	10.6	OFF
Oct 28, 2024	10.8	0.1	10.7	OFF
Oct 29, 2024	11.3	1.8	9.5	OFF
Oct 30, 2024	15.8	13.8	2	OFF
Nov 2, 2024	10.2	-0.7	10.9	OFF
Nov 3, 2024	9	-3.8	12.8	OFF
Nov 4, 2024	11.6	3.9	7.7	OFF
Nov 5, 2024	16.2	14.9	1.3	OFF
Nov 7, 2024	11.3	-0.6	11.9	OFF
Nov 11, 2024	12.4	6.4	6	OFF