IP ratings are not the same as NEMA.
A NEMA 4X is designed around corrosion protection while the IP65 isn’t.
Unfortunately the OEMS have been cutting corners and we need to educate ourselves and demand more.
For outdoor devices we need IP65 and NEMA 4X ratings.
The level of rust apearing after just a week or 2 is not good and shouldn’t be considered normal. What does that look like in 10 yrs?
Jay
On Aug 29, 2025, at 6:41 AM, Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches <[email protected]> wrote:
William,
The attached images are indefensible. This is 2 weeks after installation with completely undisturbed screws from the factory. This is substandard quality by any reasonable interpretation. I was referring to Mark's "rusted piece of trash" comment, agreeing that IP65 does not guarantee cosmetic performance. That doesn't mean it is acceptable to sell an outdoor-rated product that becomes a rust bucket in short order. Only time will tell if these issues become serious. The purpose of my original post was to find out if anyone else is seeing similar issues or if this might just be a bad batch.
I don't appreciate any implication that my installation, experience, or common sense are lacking. The product is marketed for an outdoor environment. Similar products that are rated and marketed in the same manner have not exhibited these issues virtually out of the box in my experience, even those on properties directly on the coast. The early signs of rust on these units are a justifiable concern.
Jason Szumlanski Principal Solar Designer | Florida Solar Design Group
NABCEP Certified Solar Professional (PVIP)
Florida State Certified Solar Contractor CVC56956 Florida Certified Electrical Contractor EC13013208 ![]() As installers, our decisions directly impact the long-term success of a project and the satisfaction of the customer. The PF16 case is made from steel, and like all non-stainless steel enclosures, if the powder coat is scratched the underlying metal can rust. The white finish can make any rust more visible. All manufacturers use steel for outdoor battery cases to meet UL testing requirements. When exposed to direct sunlight, the powder coat will gradually degrade—just like standard exterior paint—so some level of maintenance should always be expected. This applies to all outdoor-rated batteries, not just the MNP PF16. I installed two PF16 units outdoors in Florida, about 20 miles from the coast. They were mounted on the side of a barn with a low overhanging roof for protection from direct rain. After more than two years, they still look good with no signs of rust. By contrast, if the same batteries were placed outdoors with no overhead protection, I would expect to see some rust. That is simply the reality with steel construction, whether we’re talking about outdoor-rated batteries, lawn equipment, tractor / implements, or trailers. The key is proper installation: ensuring the top is secured and the seal is intact, using seal-tight conduit entries, and following the IP65 rating guidelines. Cosmetic choices—such as placement and exposure—are typically decided between the installer and the customer, and this is where experience and common sense come into play. Based on their certification, I am confident Midnite Power will stand behind and warranty any unit that fails from water ingress when installed correctly. But it’s also fair to say that if the MNP battery design does not meet your needs, then perhaps it isn’t the right choice for your project. A stainless steel case would avoid rust entirely, but the cost would be so high that few customers would buy them. At the price point these batteries are offered, you will be hard pressed to find an alternative that would perform better under the same conditions.
Have you reached out to Midnite Power directly to discuss your concerns? I'm sure using the professional term "trash" will help the support call go well.
I agree with the fact that an IP rating doesn't have anything to do with cosmetic performance.
I also agree with the "trash" part.
Any reasonable person would expect a product advertised as "Environment: Outdoor," with no other guidance, to not rust in a matter of weeks, absent physical damage.
Even if I were to "protect" these batteries somehow, whatever that means, even occasional mists of water are likely to continue to cause rust. I now have serious concerns about this product.
Jason Szumlanski Principal Solar Designer | Florida Solar Design Group
NABCEP Certified Solar Professional (PVIP)
Florida State Certified Solar Contractor CVC56956 Florida Certified Electrical Contractor EC13013208
IP ratings are cumulative so each rating level includes all previous level of performance. IP62 is good enough for “rain”. IP65 turns that into howling raging jets of water.
If the manufactures says the product is IP65 rated and gives no other specific installation instruction in the product manual, then there should be no need for additional “protection” from water. I saw this product advertised as “outdoor,
wall mounted” on one web site, which is consistent with an IP65 rating.
So where does that leave you with this manufacture?
Well you don’t have a leg to stand on if you are in the warranty period and no water enters the enclosure after being subjected to jets of water.
The thing may look like a rusted piece of trash but that is not what an IP65 rating promises.
BTW
Bentek includes a clause that any enclosure must receive touch up paint to prevent rust in order for them to honor the warrenty.
I’ve been reflecting recently about IP ratings and my new opinion is that IP55 and IP65 ingress ratings mean “somewhat outside”. Many manufacturers with these mentioned ratings (which are identical for moisture ingress and vary only slightly
for dust ingress) will explicitly say that their product cannot be exposed to direct rainfall or moisture…which doesn’t sound very outdoor rated to me. Take this IP65 rated battery manufacturer’s installation recommendations for example:
“The Battery Pack must be kept away from direct sunlight and rain or other sources of moisture.
This applies to both indoor and outdoor installations. Even if installed indoors such as basement or garage, direct sunlight and rain or other sources of moisture may still penetrate, so it is essential to protect the Battery Pack from
direct sunlight and rain or other sources of moisture”.
I get the sunlight part, but protecting an ESS from moisture when installed outdoors seems like a tall order.
I don't know what you mean by unprotected. That is exactly what an IP65 rating suggests - outdoors, subject to the elements. Nowhere does it say in the product literature thay it must be "protected," whatever that means. Protected against
the environment that it is rated to be in? Seriously?
If it can get wet, it shouldn't rust around the undisturbed factory installed screws in a couple of weeks. If this is how the product is going to be, it is totally unsuited for OUTDOOR installations, which is exactly where it says it can
be installed on the spec sheet.
Jason Szumlanski
Principal Solar Designer | Florida Solar Design Group
NABCEP Certified Solar Professional (PVIP)
Florida State Certified Solar Contractor CVC56956
Florida Certified Electrical Contractor EC13013208
Hi Jason
Rust will have no effect on the IP65 rating of the battery.
The batteries are intended for outdoor protected install only. Because the batteries are heavy, installers can easily nick or damage the powdercoat on the battery leading to rust. Because the battery is white it shows the rust way easier
than other outdoor rated batteries.
The case of the battery must be made from steel because the UL rating certifies if the battery was to have a meltdown, no flame can escape from the battery
The manual needs to better specify the protected install.
Are the batteries installed outside unprotected?
We have five PF16 installed outdoors at a home. It has been only 2 weeks and I'm seeing rust forming around some cover screws (both the top cover and front cover). The brackets are also showing some rust spots, and under the rims of the
top cover I'm seeing rust spots that look like they are from small metal shavings. We also found minor rust around a prepunched knockout immediately after removing the protective plastic cap.
This all happened after they had been mounted outdoors for two weeks, but no conduit had been installed yet and the top covers hadn't even been opened once.
Is anyone else seeing these issues? I'm pretty concerned that my customer won't accept this early defect, and I have lots of outdoor installations planned for other customers.
P.S. This is not a coastal location (although all of Florida is kind of coastal). Regardless, it's IP65 and should withstand a typical outdoor installation.
Florida Solar Design Group
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