The Ultimate FAQ Guide to Battery Enclosures

What is a battery enclosure?

A battery enclosure is a box designed to protect a battery from outside factors like weather conditions.

If you need something for energy storage and battery storage, these are for you.

Battery enclosure

Are battery enclosures vented?

Battery enclosures require 通风口 以防止电池过热。

This helps prolong battery life and also prevents toxic leaks.

Also, vents allow gases released by the batteries to escape the enclosure and prevent its dangerous buildup.

Typically, passive venting is enough, while active venting—like fans—is required in extremely rare cases.

     Vented battery enclosure

What types of batteries can KDM battery enclosures house?

KDM battery enclosures can house all 5 main types of batteries.

These types are flooded, sealed, VRLA, AGM, and gel batteries.

富液电池是传统的深循环式电池。

其液体电解质在电池室内自由移动。

The user has access to each individual cell.

这些富液电池常见于汽车启动电池、全地形车电池、摩托车电池和太阳能备用系统中。

深循环电池设计用于定期完全放电至其大部分容量。

Flooded battery

Sealed batteries can mean many things.

Most commonly, it is understood as a modification on the traditional flooded battery.

Here, the user does not have access to individual cells, but the internal structure is the same.

The applications are generally the same as for flooded batteries: engine starting and limited deep cycle applications.

       Sealed battery

VRLA 代表阀控铅酸电池。

This is yet another sealed battery.

However, the valve mechanism provides a safe regulation of the exit of hydrogen and oxygen gasses during the operation of the battery.

VRLA 电池常用于电动代步车、警报器、玩具和其他日常应用。

VRLA battery

AGM stands for Absorbed Glass Mat battery.

In these batteries, a wet electrolyte is suspended close to the active material of the plates.

This modernized construction makes the battery more efficient.

In fact, AGM is simply a more progressive version of VRLA.

AGM batteries are used in high-performance engines, solar energy applications, RV boats, motorcycles, telecom generator batteries, and more.

   AGM battery

Gel batteries, or gel cell batteries, are similar to AGM batteries.

Here, the electrolyte is also suspended, but it is dry.

The liquid acid is mixed with a silica additive to solidify it.

Gel batteries are sensitive to excessive voltages, but they work better in hot weather.

People may sometimes mistake gel batteries for sealed, maintenance-free VRLA or AGM batteries.

It is important to know the type of battery for sure to be able to design a proper weatherproof battery enclosure.

Gel batteries are relatively rare.

They are used in wheelchairs, medical mobility equipment, RV deep cycle applications, and more.

    Gel battery

More specific types of batteries include lithium-ion, nickel-cadmium, and more.

Do sealed batteries require battery enclosures?

• Sealed batteries and modular battery cartridges can be used without an enclosure.
• If the room has controlled access, such as entry only by authorized employees, sealed batteries can be installed in open racks.
• However, if controlled access is lacking, batteries should be housed in lockable enclosures.

Importantly, sealed batteries require special ventilation for the exit of hydrogen gas that the batteries release.

The sealed battery in an enclosure

Are there enclosures for lithium-ion batteries?

Yes, lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries can be housed in enclosures.

Typically, Li-ion batteries are those that you put in your remote.

Li-ion battery

So, they are great for everyday applications, and the enclosures for big Li-ion batteries are usually portable.

However, they can also be big and require battery storage.

Li-ion batteries outlast AGM batteries and work better than gel batteries.

They can also be deep cycle batteries, and they do not require venting when charging.

Not many people know about this option, but it does have advantages.

How are battery enclosures rated?

Commonly, battery enclosures are rated as IP65, IP66—also 美国电气制造商协会 3R or 4/4X.

这就是这一切的意义。

                   NEMA 和 IP 等级

IP65 意味着外壳防尘并能防止弱水流的侵袭。

This is great for normal outdoor weather.

IP66 provides a little more water protection, withstanding more powerful jets of water.

This could be useful during storms.

NEMA 3R provides great protection against rain, storm, and the formation of ice but has limited protection against dust.

NEMA 4 完全防水，并且 NEMA 4X 包括额外的防腐蚀保护。

This is perfect for outdoor industrial and marine applications.

These waterproof battery enclosures defend batteries against vandalism, damage from hose-down, splashing water, oil, and coolant.

What power range of batteries can enclosures house?

Battery enclosures can house batteries of any power range.

This power range can encompass 10 thousand VA (volt-amperes), all the way to 800 thousand VA.

Standard battery enclosures also house batteries with a capacity of 24Ah (ampere-hour) and 105 Ah.

Also, enclosures can house batteries with a maximum DC (direct current) voltage of 800Vdc.

10 000 VA

There can also be cases or battery enclosure boxes for 12V batteries.

These 12V battery cases are small and very portable, protecting batteries from the weather.

Such batteries can be taken camping, used to power various appliances, and much more.

Typically, such boxes are made from plastic or fiberglass, but they can be made from steel as well.

1 个外壳可以容纳多少个电池？

This, of course, depends on the dimensions of your enclosure, the type of batteries, and their size.

Normally, a maximum of 60 blocks fits into a large enclosure.

在 KDM，我们可以设计一个电池外壳，可容纳您需要的任意数量的电池。

所有这些电池都可以串联或并联连接。

The batteries could have positive, negative, and middle point poles.

电池数量

Can battery enclosures house electric vehicle batteries?

Yes, electric and hybrid car batteries need aluminum enclosures as well.

These enclosures need to satisfy the requirements for automobile safety, crash-resistance, cooling, and overall vehicle dynamics.

Car battery enclosures need special engineering to optimize shape, gauge, size, load, weight, and many other things.

Electric car battery

What safety features do battery enclosures have?

As mentioned above, battery enclosures have vents as safety features to let gases escape and prevent battery overheating.

Furthermore, waterproof battery enclosures have special rubber gaskets to prevent the ingress of water into the enclosure.

Battery enclosures may also have lockable doors to prevent unauthorized access and tampering with your electrical batteries and generators.

Lastly, explosion-proof battery enclosures may have special features to contain explosions of batteries.

These features include high-strength steel, an anti-fire base, and strong clamps.

Such enclosures are used for over-charging and forced-discharging of batteries.

Explosion-proof battery cabinets are typically used for UL and another testing of batteries.

  Explosion-proof batteries

You can also include safety spill containment and a DC disconnect.

A spill containment is when the opening of the door is higher than the base of the enclosure.

This way, anything that spills or drips will not leave the enclosure.

In batteries, this is sometimes done to prevent toxic leakage, and with flooded batteries that need watering.

泄漏控制 

直流断路器与太阳能电池和电池板一起使用，以保护电器免受能量浪涌的影响。

Damage can be done to interior wiring by weather conditions, so a DC disconnect is a necessary safety measure for rapid shutdown.

In some places in the US, a DC disconnect is required by law, so including it in a solar battery enclosure is important.

        直流断开装置

Where can battery enclosures be used and for what applications?

Batteries provide a great source of backup power, so any application that can benefit from this would need battery enclosures.

KDM weatherproof battery enclosures can be used both indoors and outdoors.

They are commonly used in industrious machinery/equipment, transformers, medical equipment, solar energy applications, generators, and more.

Battery enclosures are perfect for outdoor environments because they are dust-tight and rain-proof.

Outdoor battery enclosure

These enclosures are also well protected against tampering, especially if the doors are lockable.

For example, a battery storage cabinet may be attached to the traffic control box, so that if the main power goes out, the batteries maintain traffic lights.

Quality battery boxes protect the batteries from the elements so that when their time comes, the batteries are able to perform.

These stock battery enclosures are also known as uninterruptible power supply (UPS) cabinets.

Further applications may include NEMA generator enclosures and solar battery bank enclosures.

       Generator battery enclosure

If your business uses eco-friendly solar panels, our solar battery bank enclosures are the right choice for you.

These energy storage cabinets will protect your solar batteries from outdoor factors.

Solar bank battery enclosure

Generators are used in shopping malls, hotels, factories, and even residential homes.

So, protecting generator batteries with an enclosure is also important.

Battery enclosures can be small and portable, making them versatile in use.

Finally, there are even battery enclosures for electric skateboards!

These battery enclosures esk8 are scratch-proof and house the necessary quantity of batteries to power electric skateboards.

Electric skateboard battery box

Are there underground battery enclosures?

Yes, underground battery enclosures can be used to power underground generators, UPS systems, telecom applications, or off-grid appliances.

These battery enclosures are watertight, resist dust and dirt, are thermally stable, and protect the environment from toxic battery leakage.

他们可以将通风系统安置在更大的混凝土箱内。

或者，如果这些外壳使用锂离子等电池，则可能会省略通风。

    Underground battery enclosure

设计电池外壳有哪些技巧？

Below are some points you should keep in mind while designing or proofreading designs for your perfect battery enclosures.

1. What equipment are you putting there?

This could be a charger or a battery.

1. What is the size of the batteries and/or charger?

This determines the height and width of the enclosure and racks.

1. What is the configuration you need?

This includes vertical or horizontal racks/dividers, knockouts, shelves, inner boxes, and more. Also, consider enclosure wall thickness.

1. When designing height, consider extra space for chargers and fans, and space for battery maintenance.
2. What environment will your battery enclosures be in?

Outdoor battery enclosures need extra protection against dust and water than do indoor enclosures.

Also, extreme cold and extremely hot weather should also be considered.

1. How will you be mounting your battery enclosure?

      电池外壳设计

What materials can be used for battery enclosures?

The materials used for weatherproof battery enclosures are not different from materials used for other types of enclosures.

金属电池外壳包括由以下材料制成的外壳： 碳（低碳）钢, 镀锌钢， 和 不锈钢 – 通常为 304、316 或 316L 等级。

碳钢通常比不锈钢更暗。

由于它仅含有铁和碳，因此还具有磁性且更易延展。

这种钢也容易腐蚀。

不锈钢是在铁碳合金中添加铬、镍和钼而制成的。

        不锈钢电池外壳

304 和 316 钢种在所有添加剂的含量上有所不同。

由于含有钼，316 级材料强度更高，并且能耐盐水和酸性水。

但 304 级更便宜且更常见。

316L 级碳含量较低，因此强度更高。

镀锌钢 涂有一层锌保护层，可防止腐蚀。

                 镀锌钢

请注意，镀锌钢比不锈钢更贵而且更重。

Another type of steel that can be used is cold-rolled steel, which is thinner and denser than normal steel—and thus, it is stronger.

Stainless steel or carbon steel battery enclosures are great for large cabinets.

Battery enclosures can also be made from 铝合金.

它们不一定比钢合金更好，但取决于您的目的和需求。

与钢材等级一样，铝合金可以是 5052 或 6061 系列。

铝制电池外壳

5052 合金的焊接性更强，同时 6061 合金的抗腐蚀性更强。

而且6061比较贵。

铝顶部有一层氧化物，可以防止腐蚀。

Aluminum battery enclosures are highly popular for all designs of cabinets and cases because aluminum is lightweight.

This material is especially good for battery enclosures exposed to solvents, petrochemicals, some acids, most sulfates and nitrates.

还有玻璃纤维电池外壳盒和塑料电池外壳。

These are typically for portable applications or small batteries.

此外，塑料可以很好地防止腐蚀，但比金属电池外壳更容易破裂。

      塑料电池外壳盒

如果你想了解更多， 发送您的询问 现在就进行咨询！

What designs of battery enclosures can I choose from?

We are happy to offer you countless designs of free-standing enclosures, wall-mounted enclosures, pole-mounted enclosures, and custom enclosures.

独立式外壳 和 落地式机柜 are perfect either for large batteries or many batteries that are too heavy to be wall-mounted or pole-mounted.

独立式电池外壳可以根据您的要求具有任意高度、宽度和深度。

They are also portable, and can be big enough to be categorized as 步入式封闭空间.

However, this is rare, and used mostly to house other electrical equipment in addition to batteries.

我们还可以制造小型独立式外壳，可安装在地板上或直接放置。

     独立式电池外壳

壁挂式外壳 使用安装支架、螺丝和垫块将其安装到墙上。

Wall-mounted battery enclosures are perfect for small devices in public places.

Also, this design is the most common one for battery enclosures.

        壁挂式电池外壳

杆装式 电池外壳与壁挂式电池外壳类似，但它们是固定在杆子上的。

This mode of installation is common for traffic light systems with backup batteries.

柱装电池外壳

当然，我们也有我们的 定制外壳，可以是任意设计、形状和要求，也可以有多个门。

定制电池外壳

您可以请求任何功能以更好地适合您的工作环境。

We are happy to create your perfect custom KDM battery cabinet!

What features can I request for battery enclosures?

您可以要求主动通风口、窗户、铰链门、锁、电缆管理系统等等。

Vented enclosures could have passive and active venting systems.

Passive vents include holes, mesh, and louvered vents.

    Passive louvered vents

Active vents, such as radiating fans, help cool the enclosure intensely.

This is vital for long and safe work of a battery.

Not only do batteries need cooling, but they produce gases, such as hydrogen, which needs to escape the cabinet.

Otherwise, the buildup of gasses results in work hazards.

主动通风

这些还可以稳定外壳内的气压，防止可能损坏外壳电气元件的冷凝。

此外，通风口还可以进一步升级为空调和热交换器。

During cold seasons, batteries may need some heating, and during warm seasons, batteries need active cooling.

You can also choose fan kits, filters, and gas vents.

我们将为您提供个性化的解决方案，以增强您的电池的工作性能。

视窗 帮助人员以快速、非侵入的方式检查电气元件。

如果出现问题，窗口可以帮助您立即查看发生的情况。

      Battery enclosure with a window 

铰链门 control how and how much the door or cover of a battery enclosure opens.

锁 add a layer of security to your battery enclosure.

Locks make sure no one tampers with it or accidentally accesses its batteries and chargers.

This improves safety and helps control access to electrical batteries.

            Lock

Battery electrical cabinets also commonly use cable knockouts and battery segregation pieces to increase the functionality of the enclosure.

Cable knockouts allow cables from various appliances to be connected to a battery cabinet.

            带敲除孔的外壳

Therefore, battery enclosures may also include cable management systems.

电缆管理系统（例如电缆入口框架和夹具）用于保持电线井然有序，并使其更易于安装和维护。

电缆管理系统

可以使用架子和隔板来配置电池外壳内的空间。

架子可以用作多个电池的层架。

分隔器可以将电池与安装在同一外壳内的其他设备分开。

分隔线可以是水平的，也可以是垂直的。

Plus, there could be whole separate compartments inside the enclosure—with a separate door, etc.

        电池外壳内的隔间

此外，您还可以选择包括电气集成，例如顶灯、电源板和门警报器。

These can even be powered by the batteries housed inside the enclosure.

What accessories can I request for battery enclosures?

除了某些功能外，您还可以添加一些小配件。

These include solar shields, rain caps, etc.

Solar shields are basically another layer on top of an enclosure that reflects solar radiation, controlling the inside temperature of the enclosure to prolong the life of its electrical components.

在替代能源应用中，该太阳能防护罩可以被可为外壳内的电池充电的太阳能电池板所取代。

          太阳能防护罩

Rain caps are slanted roof-like top pieces that make water slide off the side of the enclosure, thus protecting it from water ingress.

Battery enclosures benefit much from this feature, prolonging its life outdoors.

 Rain cap with lifting eyes

我们还生产脚轮、温度计、吊耳等。

Lifting eyes help transport your enclosure if it is too big for casters, which may be the case with solar battery bank enclosures and NEMA generator enclosures.

Casters make the enclosure mobile, which is great for a battery cabinet.

Thermometers may also be important to monitor the temperature inside your KDM China battery enclosures.

For small cabinets and cases, you can request handles—for portable battery enclosures.

       Portable battery enclosure

如需了解更多信息，欢迎 联系我们 了解我们提供的所有不同功能和配件的更多信息！

We will also provide any custom feature you request.

What paints and coatings can be used for battery enclosures?

KDM enclosures are well-protected, but the right coating can add a layer of protection as well.

You can request enamel or powder paint coats in any color.

Enamel paint has a glossy finish and is resistant to different weather conditions.

Specific epoxy and PU enamel paints are commonly used for industrial enclosures since they are resistant to corrosion.

粉末涂料 is deposited with electrostatic force.

这比珐琅更快、更容易。

它的外观也更加灵活，为您提供光泽和哑光饰面的选择。

      粉末涂料饰面

We also offer anodizing and also dining coatings.

阳极氧化 涂层使用阳极氧化金属（通常是铝）以提高耐腐蚀性。

钢不经过阳极氧化，因为该过程实际上会加速这种金属的腐蚀。

Alodine coating, also known as 铬酸盐转化膜，用于钢和铝的油漆底漆。

与其他涂层一样，它也能防止腐蚀。

   氧化铝涂层

这是一个比阳极氧化更便宜的工艺。

It has a characteristic greenish-yellow hue unless it is painted over.

还可以使用防涂鸦和防海报涂层来保护您的户外电池外壳免遭破坏。

我们可以提供任何颜色和表面处理的涂层，因此 联系我们 今天！

How can I add my logo or safety symbols to the battery enclosure?

我们的定制服务包括雕刻和丝网印刷。

丝网印刷是定制电池外壳最简单、最具成本效益的方法。

Any flat side of the enclosure can be silk-screened with labels, warnings, serial number, company name, and logo.

         Silk-screening in red

雕刻电池外壳是另一种定制方法。

通常，从表面去除约 0.005 英寸或 0.010 英寸的金属。

所请求的符号基本上被刻在表面上。

一旦金属被去除，就会用任意颜色的环氧漆填充以满足您的要求。

雕刻

What maintenance do batteries require?

电池需要通风以防止过热。

Also, some batteries require watering to keep their internal chemical reactions going.

因此，在设计外壳时，需要考虑电池周围的空间以便进行维护。