Recent content by Thom Price

Thanks for this link! I've already thought of several things I can use this for.

OK, here's the direction I'm going in: FLA bank is charged by the alternators and used to start the engines and raise the anchor, but not connected to the house bank. No paralleling. The shore power and generator is connected to the existing OutBack charger/inverter which will in turn be...

Operating voltage or float voltage? So, we discussed the FLA needing a higher float voltage than the LFP can handle, and that if the two batteries had different chargers that wouldn't be a problem, or if I were to use 11 cells for the LFP it wouldn't be a problem. Those are the two scenarios...

If I were to go with the 11S2P battery pack, I would need a BMS for that arrangement. If I keep the 10S arrangement, I'd need a 10S BMS. Right?

I moved aboard my boat three months ago in Baltimore Harbor, and I liveaboard full-time. I absolutely love it. I've made several upgrades but have a long way to go to get things the way I want them. Energy wise, I've made a huge difference by replacing the 36 year old 21 cubic foot refrigerator...

Thank you so much for that insight. I will look into adding a cell to the LFP or keeping them separated. I like the idea of keeping them separated for redundancy.

I have FLAs. What if I keep the two banks separated?

Yes, I think I will end up with two of them. I've been watching his youtube videos for several months now and am very entertained. :) I think that the 5KW vs 8KW depends on if you are counting the energy available in the fuel they burn or the heat that they produce. They don't indicate if it is...

Interesting. I would think that at certain temperatures the reverse cycle A/C would be more efficient/less polluting than the diesel heater. I already have them, so it isn't a matter of installation cost vs. the benefit. Also, I actually have a relatively large amount of space that could be...

Yes, I think having both LiFePo and SLA banks will give me the best of both worlds. The diesel heater is forced air. I think I'll probably be adding a second one as well. The way my floor plan is, I have two engine rooms with a hallway between them that connects the galley/forward berth to the...

So I've been living aboard the Hatteras in Baltimore for a few months now, and am starting to get my head wrapped around all of the various systems. I've had it out in the harbor a few times for short trips, but mostly I'm using it as a condo. My goal is to eventually use it for more cruising in...

I just got a Renogy 50 AH LiFePo4 battery that I use for an electric boat, so it frequently gets depleted to around 20% between charges. I know that the ideal charge controller is sized to the battery, but I'm wondering how much that matters. Should I have a 50 amp charge controller or will a 20...

I'll take possession of the boat in a few weeks (COVID has delayed things a bit). It will probably be a few months before I get started on upgrading the electrical systems. I, too, am thinking that I should keep the FLA starting batteries. Let me know if you have any ideas, and I'll also keep my...

Good thing I'll have a paddle (oars) not to mention a sail. :) But yes, I agree that bottom balancing is the way to go.

That is so helpful. I'll keep everyone updated when I get everything assembled. In the meantime, I still have to go up to Maine and pick up the boat. The motor won't be here for another few weeks. So I'll get the batteries ordered now, and hopefully they will arrive by the time I get the motor...