Battery 101 (part 1) | Swapping AGM's for Lithium

We've tried to give a full guide to batteries on a sail boat so if you're considering changing over to lithium you'll know whats involved and hopefully be more informed about what you need to do.
Part one gives some technical details about different batteries, charging and maintenance of battery systems.
Part 2 will deal with fitting the Super B Nomada batteries we have installed on Fair Isle.

There will be a lot of information in the Tech corner section or the website, however I'm currently having trouble updating it. Hopefully this will be sorted our very soon.

VIDEO CONTENTS (CHAPTERS)

0:00 - Intro
1:15 - A look at what batteries we have
2:20 - AGM problems - Sulfation
3:51 - Firefly batteries
4:67 - Lithium batteries
5:53 - Growth of lithium
6:58 - Basic look at components
9:47 - Wiring diagram
12:05 - Sterling alternator protector
12:48 - Victron DC -DC converters
13:20 - Cooling alternator
14:45 - Cable sizing
18:45 - Fusing
22:39 - Alternators

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[AdeBev]

Brilliant video Steve. So rare to get the right balance of technical detail to explain the necessary elements without going ‘nerd’ native. Great diagrams which help the explanation too. Interesting to hear what others think about the sense wire re the Batt Cut off switch.

[markwargelin]

Steve — Well done! I studied electrical engineering in college and was a U.S. Navy nuclear submarine officer for many years, so I feel qualified to say you got the details right. We had a 128 cell HUGE old fashioned lead acid battery bank on my sub (each cell was 1 ft x 1 ft x 4 ft tall) and we had to do monthly equalizing charges. Lots of off-gassing to deal with when doing an equalizer and other temperature concerns as well. Lithium ion technology seems to be the future of DC energy storage.

[SVZonda]

Steve that was great. I’m a real novice when it comes to electrical systems on my boat so this is very helpful. It’s not too techy and not too long so that you loose someone like me.
The problem you said towards the end with a wire melting and catching fire actually happened to me so after I bought the boat. BUT the wire was chafing on the gear box housing and then was right above the drive shaft!
Thanks again for a great episode. Looking forward to Part 2.
All the best Richard. 👍🇬🇧

[kevinfisher]

I am impressed. This was explained very well even though it was quite comprehensive. So comprehensive in fact that it even started to go beyond my level of comprehension. And I was trained / received schooling for electric and electricity in the USN. Although that was decades ago and even then I really did not apply or actually put into use much of that knowledge at the time. So I have forgotten some of it. Still I think it went beyond even what I received schooling for. Anyway well done mate.

[aaammm]

Excellent work!
Very informative, aided by great presentation and delivery, and indeed coming from someone who is well versed with the subject matter.
Thank you. Stay safe.

Cheers,
Arvind
(Perth, Western Australia)

[RappinIggyG]

Some great info here Steve. Fusing, wire gauge, sensor placement, etc. I always enjoy your tech vids and will no doubt be referencing this one soon enough. Cheers.

[parttime]

I've lived off grid for 20 years here in Hawaii.. Have gone thru many battery's over the years and can tell you hands down Lithium iron battery's give the best bang for the buck.. You will never go back to AGM..

[SailingAquarius]

I hope you will enjoy your lithium batteries as much as we do! we are about to release a video just how much we enjoy it 😊 Very good, informative video. Thanks!

[jamestim]

Learnt a lot post lithium install.. nice vid Steve!

[warrenthorp]

What an absolutely amazing video. Thank you! I am about to change to lithium and this is really so useful.

[gdavies]

Good to see you use the dc-dc to charge the starter battery and not the other way around

[nicomakris]

Hi Steve - finished the installation today. Very pleasantly surprised by the Sterling DC-DC. We ran the engine for a hour and a half and it delivered almost it's full 120A (we were getting 110-114A) The temperature went to a max of 27.2C (it has 2 internal fans).. However we cut down the alternator output to 100A after about half an hour because it got too hot. The boat has a tiny engine compartment so we're going to install a blower and see if we can dial it up a bit. All good so far!

[goodq]

What is that little box sensor on top of the starting battery? 18:45

[nicomakris]

Hi Steve - very interesting especially as I'm in the middle of a lithium install on our boat. I'm going the 'other way': Balmar 170A alternator connected to the lead acid starter battery and then DC to DC charging the 3x150A lithium. I've bought Sterling Power's new 120 A DC to DC which hopefully will provide enough current. The main advantage as I see it is that if/when the BMS's disconnect the lithium then the alternator is still connected to the lead acid. And for belt and braces we are connecting Sterling's Alternator Protect device as well.

[lenwhatever]

The lithium battery should be considered to have it's outputs on the load/charge side of the BBM. However the BBM generally switches the negative side and the positive side is effectively direct from the battery anyway... So your connection to the positive side of the battery bank is fine. The alternator already gets it's negative side from the engine frame which is of course on the charge side of the BBM already. Do check your BBM to make sure it is not the odd one out and to make sure some random internet comment is actually correct ;)

[davidclarke]

Really very good, I nearly understood everything

[nicomakris]

Hi again Steve. My family has just joined me in Athens and it turns out that my son knows your daughter - they both work for the same London based sports tech company... small world huh!

[joebloggs]

Hi Steve
Just watched your video and I like the fact that you seem to have put a lot research and effort into your install - I have a lithium setup myself and I think they are leaps ahead of previous battery technology for liveaboards
One thing I would like to add to your tech advice is that while all forms of lead acid battery tech needs the battery to be brought to 100%charge regularly for longest life span - Lithium do not like to be charge to 100% or drained to 0 for the longest life span - they like to be kept between 80% and 20% for the longest life span
I see your boat is a monohull and I know the room is limited for your electrical equipment but I noticed the amount of electrical components in your engine bay inclusive of batteries. Please keep in mind protection from water spray from any of your hoses due to leaks from such. Covers for these things are a safety priority 👍

[ssk]

Great vid. Lots to think about when designing the power system. wow!

[grahampearce]

Very, very well explained in a great video.