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Need to tap into Prevost Com knowledge
I am involved in refitting a yacht that has a huge AGM battery bank. Currently it has two banks of 18 two (2) volt AGM batteries connected to two 4000W inverters. The boat has never used the system to its full capacity and probably never will. The AGM are 7 years old and starting to fail.
Please provide thoughts on changing to Lithium or staying with the AGM. The biggest question I do not have an answer to yet, is will the current chargers support Lithiums. Even if they do I question the cost of building new racks to hold the lithiums versus a direct replacement of the current AGM’s.
Any and all input is welcome, Electrical issues are my weak point.
Chuck
2000 Featherlite H3-45
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Leesburg, FL -
11 Replies
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My coach was built for 4 8D sized house batteries. The racks are specifically for that size.
I replaced the AGM 8D batteries with 4 LiFePo4 batteries of 8D size and the only change was to change the series/parallel cable set up to an all 24V bank, with Victron converters to provide the 12V needs because the Li battery management systems did not like charging via equalizers.
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Lithium will last much longer and be better in all aspects. You need to check the inverters and if they have lithium profile. Also if they have alternators how theyre connected.
Spend the cash and do it right the 1st time then enjoy not dealing with it
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No alternator connected to the house battery bank, boats generator or shore power provides power to the chargers that in turn charge the battery bank.
Just found out replacing the 32, two volt AGM battery’s will take a 4 month lead time to build and at a cost of $985 each.
2000 Featherlite H3-45
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Leesburg, FL -
Chuck,
you could easily use 2 banks of 3 12v 4Ds to give you the 36v and possibly ample amps. I had a similar situation with my 60′ a few years back. I also was considering Li, but after reviewing the cost, modifications I would need to make, adjustments to the ballast, and length of time I was planning to keep her, I decided against it and just installed 6 4D AGMs. It was quick and easy and only required minor adjustment to my racking and fab up some battery cables. If I was planning to keep her 10 more years I may have thought differently, but sold her 2 years ago.
Alex
2000 Featherlite H3-45
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Leesburg, FL -
Alex:
I am overseeing the refit on this yacht on behalf of the owner. He is pushing for a complete replacement with Lithium’s. I think this project will end up somewhere in the middle like you suggested. The deeper we get into it the more the cost goes up. Like you said, racks have to be rebuilt, a lot of the cabling will have to be resized, it’s looking like the chargers will not handle Lithium and will have to be replaced too.
He has owned the boat for over 10 years and I don’t see him keeping beyond another 5 years. It will interesting to see how this plays out. I am hoping for the 1/2 way point like you suggested.
Chuck
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There is no way to justify the cost of Li unless money is no object and an excessively long payback time is justified.
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Doesn’t Tom do LifeLine batteries any more??
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32 batteries at $985 each? Am I reading that correctly?
You’re getting lots of good advice from many who have been there and done that. I haven’t. Everytime I think I should school myself on Lithium batteries for the four 8D Lifeline AGM battery package in our 1999 Liberty Elegant Lady XL45 (24 volt coach) … I read Jon’s cautions about moving to Lithium.
That said … you might want to reach out to Inverter Service Center in Whitehouse Tennessee. They seem to do lots of this stuff.
I am envious of you helping someone else freely spend their money. One of the most unanticipated joys of buying a Prevost was joining the Prevost Community Forum and helping other people spend their money. It’s so much fun!
2000 Featherlite H3-45
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Leesburg, FL -
Dick
You are reading correct, And a 3 Monty lead time to build an ship. They come from Germany and are mainly installed in cell towers for backup.
Looking into LifePro4 as a possibility.
Not so fun spending others money when you have to answer for unforeseen problems that pop up after the fact.
Chuck
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There appear to be quite a lot of 36v lithium iron batteries there are available at reasonable prices. The key, IMO, is making sure you can set an appropriate bulk, absorb, float voltage (likely to be the same value when BMS integration is not possible). The best solution is probably swapping the inverters as well, but I’d find an expert in this area to do it and stand behind their work.
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Spent sometime on the phone with Battle Born rep. They are contacting one of their vendors in the area to come look at what I am dealing with and make informed decision on moving forward.
Chuck
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