Search with Wattson

Notifications

Clear all

Joining the Renewable Heating Hub forums is completely free and only takes a minute. By registering you’ll be able to ask questions, join discussions, follow topics you’re interested in, bookmark useful threads and receive notifications when someone replies. Non-registered members also do not have access to our AI features. When choosing your username, please note that it cannot be changed later, so we recommend avoiding brand or product names. Before registering, please take a moment to read the Forum Rules & Terms of Use so we can keep the community helpful, respectful and informative for everyone. Thanks for joining!

Outdoor Battery Solutions?

weoleyric · 2026-05-31T07:57:11Z

I'm interested in hearing about fellow forumites experiences with IP56 outdoor battery storage systems.For background, we've got an extensive home battery system on our small 3-bedroom semi-detached home already, including two main systems:-* SolaX X1 Hybrid Series inverter with 2 × SolaX Triple Power 5.8 kWh Batteries for a total of 11.6kWh. This system has an off-grid backup switch, and are fed by 12 x 365W solar panels on our roof. * 6 x Ecoflow plug-in batteries, including 2 × EcoFlow Stream Ultra X 3.8 kWh, 1 × EcoFlow Stream Ultra 1.92 kWh, 3 × EcoFlow Stream AC 1.92 kWh, for a total of 15.36kWh, fed by various DIY solar panels totalling 2.98kW. While the SolaX and Ecoflow aren't integrated and don't "talk" to each other, we use Home Assistant, Wonder Watt, plus an Ecoflow CT-clamp smart meter, and 2 x Shelly CT-clamp smart meters to monitor and manage the home usage. In terms of energy draws, we're running a Nissan Leaf EV, and a Hyundai IONIQ PHEV, and a Daikin ASHP with hot water tank (and Solar iBuddy). We have an 80A grid connection, and use the Octopus Intelligent Go tariff, with an Ohme Go Commander smart charger and an Ohme (dumb) EV charger. This setup works well and gives us 2330-0530 "cheap" energy (8p kWH) and some nice bonus "cheap" slots during the day (which WonderWatt takes advantage of to top up our batteries). This will be the first full year that we'll have had the above setup running, but in previous winters, the batteries didn't cover peak-time use of 35kWH during the day, peaking at 50kWH. So, we're exploring options to expand our battery setup to completely time-shift energy use, even during the coldest, darkest winter days. The challenge is:- * We cannot upgrade the Solax battery system, as it is both loft-installed and our existing installer isn't interested in lugging any more heavy batteries into the loft or for building safety regulations. * The Ecoflow system is limited to 6 x batteries, which we've already maxed out. * We have no more space for batteries inside our home, so are looking to outdoor units. Therefore, I'm wondering what our options are to add an additional 30kWh (or similar sized) IP56 rated battery system to an outside wall. I've been drawn to the Fogstar Energy 48V 40.96kWh IP56 Outdoor Battery System and Cabinet combined with a Victron inverter, but I'm sure there are other options. Our challenge is finding an installer who will work to combine a new system with an existing setup. Most installers seem to want "green field" sites where they can install a standalone system. Therefore, a secondary question would be, which technically competent and experienced installers (we are based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the North East) would forumites recommend for more complex installs. I appreciate the above is a fairly comprehensive setup, so feedback and suggestions gratefully received!

Page 2 / 2 Prev

Energy Storage

Last Post by Batpred 51 minutes ago

14 Posts

4 Users

4 Reactions

182 Views

RSS

EtchedPixels

(@etchedpixels)

Eminent Member Member

Joined: 2 weeks ago

Posts: 36

08/06/2026 4:53 pm

VAT Notice 708/6.

It's not as far as I am aware ever mentioned MCS and indeed many of the things it covers are simply not even MCS covered in the first place (eg draught strips).

For a vat registered operation the paperwork should be no more than usual for VAT. For a not vat rated operation I don't know but I doubt it's fun if it's even possible.

ReplyQuote

Batpred

(@batpred)

Noble Member Member

Joined: 1 year ago

Posts: 976

08/06/2026 5:37 pm

@etchedpixels

Thank you. From what I see, it covers all building trades. VAT registered contractors or subcontractors can supply and install items in the list free of VAT.

8kW Solis S6-EH1P8K-L-PLUS hybrid inverter; G99: 8kw export; 16kWh Seplos Fogstar battery; Ohme Home Pro EV charger; 100Amp head, HA lab on mini PC

ReplyQuote

Page 2 / 2 Prev

Forum Jump:

Previous Topic

Currently viewing this topic 2 users ( SKD, EtchedPixels ) and 7 guests.

Recently viewed by users: JamesPa 35 minutes ago, Abernyte 54 minutes ago, Batpred 51 minutes ago, Majordennisbloodnok 37 minutes ago.

26 Forums
2,665 Topics
62.3 K Posts
608 Online
7,070 Members

Forum Icons: Forum contains no unread posts Forum contains unread posts

Topic Icons: Not Replied Replied Active Hot Sticky Unapproved Solved Private Closed

RE: Outdoor Battery Solutions?

@etchedpixels Thank you. From what I see, it covers ...

By Batpred , 51 minutes ago
RE: GivEnergy inverter tripping due to over-voltage?

@transparent many thanks for your interest and for foll...

By Tim441 , 6 hours ago
RE: Regassing the aircon

Thanks, @batpred. To be frank, I'm not keen on trying...

By Majordennisbloodnok , 8 hours ago
RE: Forum updates, announcements & issues

15,403,652 views as of a few minutes ago! Just over...

By Mars , 1 day ago
RE: UPS to keep broadband and wifi available during power outages

In the strictest sense, it won't be the latter. The WAP...

By Majordennisbloodnok , 2 days ago
RE: Solar Schematic – Switching FiT Providers

@batpred Thanks. Im hoping the installer will provide o...

By bontwoody , 2 days ago
RE: Electricity price predictions

This could be a better thread for a discussion on elect...

By Batpred , 2 days ago
RE: How can I cool inverter and batteries during hot spells?

We had various types of insulation fit including ewi so...

By Batpred , 2 days ago
RE: Air to Air Heat Pumps

@etchedpixels I understand 80/20 rule, still HSE wou...

By Batpred , 2 days ago

Renewable Heating Hub Heat Pump Forums

Outdoor Battery Solutions?

SPONSORS

Join Us!

Directory

Degrees of Separation

Latest Posts

SPONSORS

Members Online