Installing Dakota Lithium LiFePo4 Batteries on a Vintage Sailboat
Vložit
- čas přidán 3. 04. 2022
- Episode #233 : Upgrading the battery bank on an Alberg 30.
Hello friends,
On this episode we got into the big lithium LiFePo4 conversion replacing the aging AGM led acid batteries with Dakota Lithium Batteries. I made previous video talking about our partnership with Dakota Lithium and outlining the benefits of Lithium that you can see here :
I replaced our 200ah AGMS with 400ah of Lithium in anticipation for the all electric galley conversion I am in the process of doing (that will be featured in a future episode).
I also cover how to make your own custom battery cables in this video using 4/0 cable, hydraulic crimpers and heat shrink.
dakotalithium.com
If you enjoy the channel please "Like" the videos and Subscribe so you don't miss any future episodes.
If you find the videos helpful or entertaining and would like to contribute you can become a Patron at: / sailorjames
or if you would prefer to make a one time contribution you can send it via PAYPAL to jamesthesailorman@gmail.com
Fair Winds,
James
JOIN THE PATREON CREW:
Patreon: / sailorjames
Website: svtriteia.com
Tracker: forecast.predictwind.com/trac...
Instagram:
/ james.the.sailor.man
Looks like a good proper install. As a former marine electrician in a Navy shipyard, I would only have done one thing differently - used all tinned cable and tinned lugs. I recognize that might have been an availability issue since I don't know what is available to the there in Hawaii. Also I guess I would have installed two battery switches to avoid accidentally direct connecting the two battery types. Finally, I am a fan of paralleling batteries by running cables from each battery to buss bars taking care to make all cables the same length. All power connections are then made to the buss bars so I don't have more than one cable attached to each battery post. Nice work.
I did a similar install on my boat last summer and also used a Victron Battery to Battery charger as the only connection between the lead acid start battery and the lithium house bank. I used the same 18 amp B2B since I only have a 50 amp alternator and didn't want to draw too much current from the alternator when the engine was idling.
I've been following Nate and Steph since they bought their first van. I'm building a van now and about to order my electrical and he does have a fantastic website. I enjoy watching your upgrades.
Mighty Video James & Congrats on your Qualifers Mug Award Well Done
Great video, thank you! We love our Lithium LiFePo4 Batteries too! Greetings from Seychelles!
Hi James. Love the vlogs mate. I must say you have a very calm temperament and I admire that. You Battery install is good. It is neat and uniform and the rather cables are well made. Very well done. Looking forward to the next vlog. Cheers mate. Ken Australia 🇦🇺
My fave! I love cables, etc…my old life.
Very helpful video. Looking forward to seeing the final install and diagram. Excellent!
Glad to see the new episode 🙌
Wow, what a master electrician! Great job James.
Looks great James.
Good job on converting to lithium. You will be happy.
I just tried to price in a small 12k btu aircon for here in asia on my 37 foiter ,cause its fkn hot. To do so needed 800 amps lithium to get a 8 hour run time,1000wat solar 3,000 wat inverter,. Cost 16,000,00 usd. Here in phuket thailand if self installed.
So instead i just bought another fan. While i contemplate reality.Jesus christ that stuffs expensive.
I can appreciate youre new lithium. Youre good for decades mate.
James thank you just subscribed - Regards
Nice video. Well done cable work. Neat and tight Man those are not cheap. 3300.00 is what I priced 2,. 12 yr warranty is killer
FANTASTIC James - i live 65 miles south of the DAKOTA bat store - they are in GRAND Forks N Dak - i am in Fargo N Dak .. anxious to see you sail away - east ward
sorry i can't help myself-my girlfriend said that same thing -Happy and tight ..
Thanks for the video James. I'm installing lithium also on my boat but I'm so confused with all that. I might need professional help though.
Yes if you aren’t confident you can hook it up probably make sure you hire a professional 👍🏻
If your ever back in Los Angeles love to learn. To sail from a pro
you might want to use a thicker extention cable, the one they use for heavier power, for instance on construction area's
14:23 consider using all metal lock nuts on the battery terminals and bus bars. reduces the chance of one backing off, the likelihood of this happening is probably extremely slim but if you get an arc flash event because a terminal popped off it could be bad.
hey James, you might be able to put a barrier of insulation between fuse on Block till the T arrives? Super Clean build man
Wondering where you source your 04 cable.. ? Biggest I've found on Amazon is 0... also I bought a 135 Amp alternator for my A4 in my 1970 Tartan 30.. and I'm pretty sure I'm gonna have to change the current wire size that's on the current 55 Amp alternator...
One thing I love about my boat is the engine is mid-ship and also the batteries sit under the seat to port.. very accessible..
I've already put a new fuel tank.. new head with storage tank.. a diesel is in my future..
This video was very helpful..
I've been watching everything I can from Nigal Calder and bought his book.. The boatowners mechanical and electrical manual.. it quite the read... !
I am interested in the wiring diagram as well, thanks, Richard
as long as you have a heavy duty, power tool type extension cord it will be fine. Shorter the better
James, could you post the supplier for these batteries? I'm in the UK. Great videos!
Thats mint but I reckon solder is better.
Nice could you make a one line diagram to show what your doing. Also will be beneficial about 1 years from now if you need it. Thanks
Being able to stay 4 months at State Marinas is way cool...
I know I'm off topic. But I'm trying to research Marinas in California.. I watched your reviews on the Marinas you did in California and I took notes..
Very helpful... Since I'll be shaking down on the California coast this year I'm very interested in all the information I can get...
Is there any Marinas in California that allow what is allowed in Hawaii?
Thanks.. your videos are very educational for me as a fellow sailor...
Must say these fat wires are nuts. Have looked a little for 24V system with bms and seeing how many parts support the higher voltage. Not to easy. 😅 But going higher voltage meaning less amp and therefore less wires.
Awesome Vid ! Just made the decision to change out my AGMs for LiFePo4 as well. Did you have to make any modifications to your alternator in order to be compatible with the new Dakotas? Looking forward to the parts list on your next video. Cheers.
I installed a DC/DC unit from Victron to allow the lithiums to be charged
Why not tinned copper cables and terminals?
Boat Yoga; hilarious.
Boat yoga...😂😂😂
spendy batteries / nice!
so here i was thinking that ill watch this for general infor but it wouldnt apply because im in wahiawa... and what do you know hes right down the hill! can you talk about where to get and how much this cost?
ah nevermind i clicked the show more thing and found the links.
Are you replacing group 31 deep cycle lead acid batteries with this application?
No replacing group 27 AGM batteries
@@SailorJames Cool, significant improvement I am sure!
Do you have an estimate of how many kw you will use per day
I don’t have an estimate but will be logging and documenting the power consumption daily as I start using the new galley
Second air2 s army out
What type of fire extinguisher is needed for these type of batteries. I'm guessing the standard A,B,C, but I know each type of battery has their own special hazards. Would you need some gloves to protect from a thermal runaway. I'm not very familiar with these batteries.
I think if lithuim batteries catch fire , thats the boat gone
I need to upgrade my brain to understand this episode. How many batteries will it take?
Those are SUPER expensive
Not as expensive as buying equivalent AGMs over the span of 11 years
@@SailorJamesI agree. When I first saw the sticker price on one of these my jaw dropped