Battery outside front of house
Hi, I am hopefully having an Evo10 battery installed which will need to go outside the front of my house. I’ve been reading about weather protection - I can see that the battery is protected from -20 to 50c which should cover all extremes in the uk (hopefully) and is IP66 rated which I understand protects it from dust and water. Should I be worrying about it being stolen too?! There seems to be a lot to worry about… thanks
1 x F3000 FoxESS inverter
7 x 445 Watt panels
Re: Battery outside front of house
The Evo has a heater (you must remember to enable it) so the cold temperatures should be less of a problem, on theft - that's a difficult one, they are specialist batteries and not much use other than in another Evo system but stranger things have been stolen.

If you are concerned about theft, best strategies are that it is securely mounted to the floor / wall, and use security (anti-tamper) screws, enclose it in a simple structure which obscures people seeing what it is, but allows air flow - if you don't already have it, consider installing an obvious cctv camera near it; in many respects it doesn't matter whether it works or not it will certainly act as a deterrent.
Re: Battery outside front of house
Thanks Dave,

I think I’ve just never seen one outside the front of the house but people have bike sheds etc! Good to hear about the heater and I can shade it with a box if I need to in the summer.
All v exciting 😃
Emily
1 x F3000 FoxESS inverter
7 x 445 Watt panels
Re: Battery outside front of house
The battery is also a hefty 113kg, so be interesting to see that getting removed.

Good luck with the new system.
Re: Battery outside front of house
That’s quite a weight! I think I’ll stop worrying!! Thanks for the reply
1 x F3000 FoxESS inverter
7 x 445 Watt panels
Re: Battery outside front of house
EmEvs wrote: Tue Nov 25, 2025 11:37 am That’s quite a weight! I think I’ll stop worrying!! Thanks for the reply
I'm in a similar situation, front of my house is the only place my battery would fit. I'm going to try without an enclosure first.
6.9kWh solar array made of 15x Jinko Tiger Neo panels. 7 ESE, 8 WNW, Fox EVO 10kWh with 5kW inverter. Installation booked for April 2026
Re: Battery outside front of house
MattyS wrote: Sat Mar 07, 2026 12:03 pm I'm in a similar situation, front of my house is the only place my battery would fit. I'm going to try without an enclosure first.
Which direction would that face?

There was a post the other day saying their battery was reporting temperatures of 90C, but most likely the temperature sensor was being hit with direct sun light.
Re: Battery outside front of house
evilbunny wrote: Sat Mar 07, 2026 12:20 pm
MattyS wrote: Sat Mar 07, 2026 12:03 pm I'm in a similar situation, front of my house is the only place my battery would fit. I'm going to try without an enclosure first.
Which direction would that face?

There was a post the other day saying their battery was reporting temperatures of 90C, but most likely the temperature sensor was being hit with direct sun light.
It'll be on the WNW facing side of the house so will mostly get sunlight from say 3pm onwards
6.9kWh solar array made of 15x Jinko Tiger Neo panels. 7 ESE, 8 WNW, Fox EVO 10kWh with 5kW inverter. Installation booked for April 2026
Re: Battery outside front of house
@MattyS

Which ever way you cut it, it will need a cover to work at optimum.
Heater or not it will struggle in the winter without an insulated box around it.
I thought a cover would be enough, but it wasn’t.
I live in the SE, so not exposed to silly low temps.
50mm insulated box has transformed the performance over the winter, to the point where the heater has not had to kick in since installing it, whereas it was on daily multiple times.
A lot of the time min/max cell temp is putting the battery in a good operating range, not seen min cell temp below 12C at anytime during the winter since the box went on.
Range today as example, outside temp 8C, min cell range 16-22 max cell range 21-26
Late October with warmer outside temps was seeing min at 9 max at 12.
Massive difference with a cover.
Re: Battery outside front of house
CDubbs wrote: Sun Mar 08, 2026 2:24 pm @MattyS

Which ever way you cut it, it will need a cover to work at optimum.
Heater or not it will struggle in the winter without an insulated box around it.
I thought a cover would be enough, but it wasn’t.
I live in the SE, so not exposed to silly low temps.
50mm insulated box has transformed the performance over the winter, to the point where the heater has not had to kick in since installing it, whereas it was on daily multiple times.
A lot of the time min/max cell temp is putting the battery in a good operating range, not seen min cell temp below 12C at anytime during the winter since the box went on.
Range today as example, outside temp 8C, min cell range 16-22 max cell range 21-26
Late October with warmer outside temps was seeing min at 9 max at 12.
Massive difference with a cover.
Thank you, yes that was my thought prior to now. I was planning on getting an insulated cover. However , I have it in writing from Fox directly, that a cover is not necessary for optimal performance at all due to the heater and IP67 rating of the EVO unit. Obviously I have my doubts and your input reinforces those.
What cover did you purchase?
I may get one later in the year ready for autumn/winter.
6.9kWh solar array made of 15x Jinko Tiger Neo panels. 7 ESE, 8 WNW, Fox EVO 10kWh with 5kW inverter. Installation booked for April 2026
Re: Battery outside front of house
MattyS wrote: Mon Mar 09, 2026 7:13 am However , I have it in writing from Fox directly, that a cover is not necessary for optimal performance at all due to the heater and IP67 rating of the EVO unit.
Unlike a cover, the heater uses power.

While posted back a bit, says it comes from the grid.

viewtopic.php?p=12637#p12637
Re: Battery outside front of house
CDubbs wrote: Sun Mar 08, 2026 2:24 pm @MattyS

Which ever way you cut it, it will need a cover to work at optimum.
Heater or not it will struggle in the winter without an insulated box around it.
I thought a cover would be enough, but it wasn’t.
I live in the SE, so not exposed to silly low temps.
50mm insulated box has transformed the performance over the winter, to the point where the heater has not had to kick in since installing it, whereas it was on daily multiple times.
A lot of the time min/max cell temp is putting the battery in a good operating range, not seen min cell temp below 12C at anytime during the winter since the box went on.
Range today as example, outside temp 8C, min cell range 16-22 max cell range 21-26
Late October with warmer outside temps was seeing min at 9 max at 12.
Massive difference with a cover.
Did you make your cover? Still waiting for my battery but planning for the winter!
1 x F3000 FoxESS inverter
7 x 445 Watt panels
Re: Battery outside front of house
evilbunny wrote: Mon Mar 09, 2026 7:46 am
MattyS wrote: Mon Mar 09, 2026 7:13 am However , I have it in writing from Fox directly, that a cover is not necessary for optimal performance at all due to the heater and IP67 rating of the EVO unit.
Unlike a cover, the heater uses power.

While posted back a bit, says it comes from the grid.

viewtopic.php?p=12637#p12637
It comes from either the GRID, PV or Self-usage above a certain SoC (the latter once they fix it)
Re: Battery outside front of house
MaterialBarracuda48 wrote: Mon Mar 09, 2026 9:30 am It comes from either the GRID, PV or Self-usage above a certain SoC (the latter once they fix it)
That was mentioned but the grid was most likely.
Re: Battery outside front of house
evilbunny wrote: Mon Mar 09, 2026 10:10 am
MaterialBarracuda48 wrote: Mon Mar 09, 2026 9:30 am It comes from either the GRID, PV or Self-usage above a certain SoC (the latter once they fix it)
That was mentioned but the grid was most likely.
Mr. Always right :D
Re: Battery outside front of house
MaterialBarracuda48 wrote: Mon Mar 09, 2026 10:16 am Mr. Always right :D
Just thought it might stop a nasty surprise because the post pointed out even if the self heating worked the SoC needed most likely wouldn't be met overnight in winter, and PV doesn't work at night, so that only leaves the grid.
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