The AGMs on my sailboat are hitting end of life and looking to make the switch to LIFEPO4. Since I just found this forum, thought it would be good to share my current setup first so I can possible correct issues I may have made in the past.
Here is what is in my current setup:
Charging Sources:
Lithium Upgrade Plans:
This plan look sound? If I buy the Victron Bluetooth dongle for the monitor, is it worth spending the extra money for the Victron Smart MPPT Controller versus the BlueSolar?
I was going to build my own batteries, however I decided against it based upon where the batteries will be installed on the boat and the beating and tilting the boat takes while sailing.
Here is what is in my current setup:
Charging Sources:
- 4 - 100W Renogy Flexible monocrystalline panels connected in Parallel (sailboat so possible shading from sail. Parallel seems to perform better)
- Xantrex C35 PMW Charge Controller
- 80A alternator
- 40A Xantrex Truecharge 40+ (manual here) when connected to shore power
- 2 – Lifelife GPL-4DL 210ah AGMs (house bank)
- 1 – Lifeline starter battery (Isolated engine starting battery)
- Victron BMV-700 (pre-smart monitor)
- Xantrex 3000 PROwatt Inverter
- Cristec rce/100-1e-2ig Electronic battery isolator (separates house & starter bank when charging via alternator)
Lithium Upgrade Plans:
- Keep 400W of solar panels connected in parallel
- Install a Victron 12v DC to DC 30A to protect alternator (continue using isolator to charge starter battery). So would connect the DC to DC charger’s input to the isolator output (house side)
- Replace the Xantrex C35 with a Victron MPPT 30a
- Replace AGMs with 2 – 200ah LIFEPO4 drop ins (leaning towards the CHINS currently on Amazon, mainly due to warranty)
- Purchase & install a Victron Bluetooth dongle for the BMV-700
- Keep the Truecharge 40+ and set to 2-stage charging (bulk/absorption) and set to 14.4v (Flooded/Warm setting) or 14.6v (AGM/Cold)
- Leave existing battery fuses and solar fuses unchanged
- Keep the existing 3000 PROwatt inverter
This plan look sound? If I buy the Victron Bluetooth dongle for the monitor, is it worth spending the extra money for the Victron Smart MPPT Controller versus the BlueSolar?
I was going to build my own batteries, however I decided against it based upon where the batteries will be installed on the boat and the beating and tilting the boat takes while sailing.