Upgrad AGM Battery’s to lithium instead of the solar route

[Jim from New York]

Has anybody upgraded to lithium and found it adds that little bit more time on anchor and not needed to go the solar route? I usually stay two days on anchor without starting the motor and of course, my battery drains to a point where the refrigerator won’t operate. If lithium has worked for anybody in this situation please chime in would appreciate your input.. It’s a lighter set up and about the same cost of a good solar system. I think my 2018 23 would have the right charger needed but I would need to check. Thanks for any input Jim

[thataway]

I did that in a slightly different way--in that I added the LiFePO4 (2-100 amp batteries) to carry the load of my freezer chest and the Refrigerator chest. This will carry this load for at least two days. That left the FLA house batteries with very little drain--and thus gave me up to 3 days with out battery charging. That is pushing the envelope a bit. But possible. The other house load (LED Anchor Light, and LED cabin lights) are minimal, and plenty of power for that--even enough to charge the Torqeedo if necessary. Recharged with a full days run with the engine. Off this same system, I had a Victron multiplus 2000 watt inverter to run the induction burner and the microwave. The victon inverter also has an 85 amp battery charger and mains power boost of 50 amps if necessary to sync with mains power for low voltage, low amperage at a dock.

I have never had solar on the boats I have owned. For my house essentials I built a 600 amp hour battery bank (12 volt) and 1200 watts of Solar panel to run deep freeze and refrigerator, as well as LED secondary house system (Has 3000 watt PSW inverter).

[Jim from New York]

I’ll be pricing out three batteries and checking the battery charger to see it handles lithium. I would like to keep the cabin top clear of solar and use for storing kayaks and such. If I do it I’ll let you know how it worked out
Jim

[thataway]

With li batteries. Be sure and follow all of the instructions, and ABYC rules. Essential to have good fuses, make sure that the wires are short as possible, proper gauge, and well insulated. Have a good appropriate battery switch near the battery. Have good monitoring systems.