Thank you Mac, interesting video. Next time I need to replace my batteries, I will reach out to you for help. In 2020, I replaced my House bank's then two AGM batteries with three Lifeline GPL-4DL AGM batteries, each with 210Ah. At the time I debated between Lithium and AGM. Without running the engine, my house bank is good for three nights on the hook without dropping below 60% (I also have a 175 watt solar panel). Still, I think next time I will go with Lithium, and I can bring my sailboat to Anacortes.
Please let me know if you have any electrical needs on your boat- I would be happy to discuss further. I've got more information about my background and contact info here: www.boatdoctornw.com/
Ayyyy I just graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering so this is super motivating!!!! That explains why you know so much and can fix so many things!
Hey congrats! No easy feat! Having electrical knowledge is sooooo helpful for boat ownership. I learned all the motor stuff in the last few years, but knowing the principles of electricity is a huge leap ahead. You can do all your own electrical work and have confidence in diagnosing and repairing- makes cruising way better when you have confidence in your skills!
Great job Brudda. Your demonstrations and descriptions were spot on and easy to understand. Excellent project design. OCP is probably the most important item in the circuit to prevent the wires catching fire.
I dont know how I can go years watching as many cruising channels as I can find and then just not stumble on you guys. I have some catching up to do. Subscribed.
Fantastic video! I would be curious to hear you thoughts on the need for a generator as an option. Looking a boats with or without, new or used, its always hard to know if worthwhile or trouble, and if a Lithium setup like you describes, and high wattage panels would suffice. I get that peoples situations are different, but curious for a similar use case as the folks in this video. Thanks for the easy to follow format and informative video.
I think generators are a nice option if you've got space. Generators combined with lithium is an even better option- use all of lithium's charge, then flip the genny and use a nice big battery charger to fill them up as fast as possible.... continue enjoying time at anchor. For the customers in this video's example, a generator is not really an option as there just isn't space for one. They are interested in solar, which is a perfect fit for their boat as they have a huge bimini. I think the estimate I did for them had something like 500watts up there, which will greatly extend their time at anchor. Appreciate the comment and you watching!
I had a system with 3 x 110 ah battleborns linked to 2 x 300 watt solar with two victron mppt controllers. work fine without any issues. no dedicated started battery, manual windlass. when under power, the alternator never overheated. (perhaps because the batteries were almost always already 100% due to solar charge?)
I just bought a saxdor 320 gto. It has a non generator system by master volt. I have 4 battery switches for port and starboard engines , house and bow thruster. It has two refrigerators on board and would like to know if it's alright to keep the shore power connected along with house battery switch left on.
Yep, lifepo4 are great and at only 3.2V per cell last a lot longer in terms of cycle life and are much safer than other types but still keep away from salt water. They last and are way lighter than SLA but you can parallel them and just set the charge voltage to 14.2V so the SLA can remain in parallel with the Li ion so that the alternator never loses a battery. I have my SLA hardwired to the Alternator and the switch is just for the li ion bank, switch it in or out but can not wreck the alternator.
That's a good idea- your system definitely makes sense especially since the lithium will take the bulk of the alternator's output due to the low internal resistance. Thanks for watching!
The sterling dump protection device is there to protect the alternator should the BMS open up. There's an alarm on the sterling device that rings if this event happens.
Hi Mac. Great vid. Is Maya in Mexico? Will you be back on Maya this winter? We our off the CA coast heading south and may want to employ your assistance down the road. Cheers.
Interesting i wonder why they didnt op for DC to DC charge on shore power with another switch similar to the ignition switch so as long as one system was active the dc to dc would work? Honest question, im not an electrical guy. Just figured two shore power plugs would be sketchy. Good video mate 👍👊 P.s no end spoiler/blooper? Im disappointed lol
The customer did actually want that setup, and it would work-there would be an additional relay, that would activate when shore power was detected on the battery charger breaker. I didn't as that design was a little complicated to install and isn't as robust as a dedicated shore charger. Thank you for watching- sorry no bloopers!
AGM and lead acid batteries are better suited for the super high current loads that starter and thrusters need. Lithium batteries have mechanical and computer parts inside them that don't like those high loads.
Hey Jeff, Give me a call or email and let's chat. I really enjoy these projects and lithium is a real game changer out on the water. www.boatdoctornw.com/contact Appreciate you watching! Cheers.
Really excellent video! The electrical wizard! Lithium certainly is a step up in power and efficiency.
Thanks, Bob! The technology behind lithium is really interesting and helpful for cruisers!
This video is super helpful. Thanks for making it. We want a lithium house battery bank so bad. It sounds wonderful.
Lithium can be a real game changer- it will significantly cut down the amount you have to run the generator. Thank for watching!
Very informative and explained so we could understand.also the diagrams are very helpful
Glad you found the video helpful- good ol' Microsoft Paint ;-)
Thank you Mac, interesting video. Next time I need to replace my batteries, I will reach out to you for help. In 2020, I replaced my House bank's then two AGM batteries with three Lifeline GPL-4DL AGM batteries, each with 210Ah. At the time I debated between Lithium and AGM. Without running the engine, my house bank is good for three nights on the hook without dropping below 60% (I also have a 175 watt solar panel). Still, I think next time I will go with Lithium, and I can bring my sailboat to Anacortes.
Please let me know if you have any electrical needs on your boat- I would be happy to discuss further. I've got more information about my background and contact info here: www.boatdoctornw.com/
Ayyyy I just graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering so this is super motivating!!!! That explains why you know so much and can fix so many things!
Hey congrats! No easy feat! Having electrical knowledge is sooooo helpful for boat ownership. I learned all the motor stuff in the last few years, but knowing the principles of electricity is a huge leap ahead. You can do all your own electrical work and have confidence in diagnosing and repairing- makes cruising way better when you have confidence in your skills!
Excellent video, Mac. I am hopeful you can get started on a similar project for Hulakai sometime in the very near future!
You let me know! Lithium technology can really transform a cruising boat- just think more quiet time at anchor!
Great job Brudda. Your demonstrations and descriptions were spot on and easy to understand. Excellent project design. OCP is probably the most important item in the circuit to prevent the wires catching fire.
Thanks for the nice comment- definitely OCP and properly sized wire are the best things you can do to prevent electrical fires!
I dont know how I can go years watching as many cruising channels as I can find and then just not stumble on you guys. I have some catching up to do. Subscribed.
Glad to have you aboard!
Very concise explanation. Good job. Doing the same on my 'new to me' 1997 Catalina 42.
Thanks- I hope the info was helpful.
Mac, the battery expert!
Just putting myself out there!
Fantastic video! I would be curious to hear you thoughts on the need for a generator as an option. Looking a boats with or without, new or used, its always hard to know if worthwhile or trouble, and if a Lithium setup like you describes, and high wattage panels would suffice. I get that peoples situations are different, but curious for a similar use case as the folks in this video. Thanks for the easy to follow format and informative video.
I think generators are a nice option if you've got space. Generators combined with lithium is an even better option- use all of lithium's charge, then flip the genny and use a nice big battery charger to fill them up as fast as possible.... continue enjoying time at anchor.
For the customers in this video's example, a generator is not really an option as there just isn't space for one. They are interested in solar, which is a perfect fit for their boat as they have a huge bimini. I think the estimate I did for them had something like 500watts up there, which will greatly extend their time at anchor.
Appreciate the comment and you watching!
I had a system with 3 x 110 ah battleborns linked to 2 x 300 watt solar with two victron mppt controllers. work fine without any issues. no dedicated started battery, manual windlass. when under power, the alternator never overheated. (perhaps because the batteries were almost always already 100% due to solar charge?)
Did I see you guys out on a kayak trip at Stewart island ? In Prevost?
Haven't been to Stuart this year so it wasn't us!
I just bought a saxdor 320 gto. It has a non generator system by master volt. I have 4 battery switches for port and starboard engines , house and bow thruster. It has two refrigerators on board and would like to know if it's alright to keep the shore power connected along with house battery switch left on.
Yep, lifepo4 are great and at only 3.2V per cell last a lot longer in terms of cycle life and are much safer than other types but still keep away from salt water.
They last and are way lighter than SLA but you can parallel them and just set the charge voltage to 14.2V so the SLA can remain in parallel with the Li ion so that the alternator never loses a battery. I have my SLA hardwired to the Alternator and the switch is just for the li ion bank, switch it in or out but can not wreck the alternator.
That's a good idea- your system definitely makes sense especially since the lithium will take the bulk of the alternator's output due to the low internal resistance. Thanks for watching!
How did you solve risk of voltage spike if bms disconnects?
The sterling dump protection device is there to protect the alternator should the BMS open up. There's an alarm on the sterling device that rings if this event happens.
Hi Mac. Great vid. Is Maya in Mexico? Will you be back on Maya this winter? We our off the CA coast heading south and may want to employ your assistance down the road. Cheers.
Maya is in San Carlos Mexico right now. We hope to get back to her in the Spring. Let me know I how I can help! BoatDoctorNW.com
Safe travels!
Wizard video.
Have seen reports from Florida that lithium battery + sea water = fire / explosion. What say you?
I do think that can happen- hopefully a battery's BMS can shutdown before it goes thermal, but there are inherent risks
Interesting i wonder why they didnt op for DC to DC charge on shore power with another switch similar to the ignition switch so as long as one system was active the dc to dc would work? Honest question, im not an electrical guy. Just figured two shore power plugs would be sketchy.
Good video mate 👍👊
P.s no end spoiler/blooper? Im disappointed lol
The customer did actually want that setup, and it would work-there would be an additional relay, that would activate when shore power was detected on the battery charger breaker. I didn't as that design was a little complicated to install and isn't as robust as a dedicated shore charger. Thank you for watching- sorry no bloopers!
@CruisingMaya hey boss thanks for the insight, it was just a casual observation from an unlearned pleb like me ^^ figured there was a reason :)
why not Lithium on the two remaining AGMs?
AGM and lead acid batteries are better suited for the super high current loads that starter and thrusters need. Lithium batteries have mechanical and computer parts inside them that don't like those high loads.
Hi Mac, great informative video! We’d like to do something similar so you may be able to do something for us that you can actually bill us for! -Jeff
Hey Jeff,
Give me a call or email and let's chat. I really enjoy these projects and lithium is a real game changer out on the water. www.boatdoctornw.com/contact
Appreciate you watching! Cheers.
Nice fish ! Fish tacos !