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To prevent damage from storing batteries at a full state of charge, many manufacturers only allow a maximum charge of 90%. However, it’s as well to be aware that there are also very low cost, unbranded cells available for online purchase that have no embedded safety or management systems.Īt the moment the use of reputable and experienced suppliers is all the more important, given the marine industry is still on a learning curve with this technology and specific standards for lithium ion battery installations have yet to be developed for marine use. Hardware bought from reputable suppliers will satisfy all these conditions. All elements have to be designed from the outset to be compatible with lithium power storage and sized to match each installation. That’s why a system-wide approach, encompassing power management, charging and monitoring must be adopted.
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A standard charging regime would therefore overcharge the lithium units, risking overheating and potentially shortening their lifespan.Ī 15kW bank of Cleantron NMC batteries fitted to an Arcona 435Z with an Oceanvolt electric propulsion system. Standard alternator regulators, for instance, are designed to charge at 14.4V (or 28.8V for 24V marine systems), but a nominal 12V lithium ion phosphate battery will only reach 12.8V when fully charged – they are formed of four 3.2V cells, rather than six 2.2V cells for a standard lead-acid battery.
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If necessary it will also isolate specific battery modules.īoth rapid discharge and rapid charge can cause problems, so all elements of the charging system must be part of the battery management system. This overarching system should warn the user if they are approaching operational limits, and will automatically decrease charge or discharge rates to reduce load on the battery. Both the cell level and battery level monitoring are, in theory, backstop solutions that should never need to be called upon.Įach battery module also communicates with the boat’s overall battery management system, which is the first line of defence. Photo: Rupert HolmesĪt the next level up each battery module also has a more sophisticated embedded battery management system that can also shut the unit down. Victron’s user interface gives easy access to essential data and allows for remote troubleshooting without having to send an engineer to the boat. Lithium boat batteries can even make it possible to run air conditioning through the night without resorting to the disruption of a generator.Įqually, a lithium-based system may be able to store enough power to make it feasible to change from gas to electric induction cooking, and from a petrol tender to an electrically powered one.īattery management is key. Quite simply they are better suited to today’s increasingly complex and power-hungry yachts.
#LITHIUM ION BATTERIES UPGRADE#
Instead, a comprehensive and unified upgrade of boat battery management systems and regulation for all charging sources is needed to eliminate the possibility of thermal runaway creating a self-sustaining fire.ĭespite the improving economic case for lithium boat batteries, this is rarely the prime driving force behind owners’ motivation.
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However, a lithium boat battery is not a straightforward drop-in replacement for lead-acid batteries. Power-24-3500 battery from Torqeedo: growing production volume in the automotive sector mean we’re likely to see even more LiNMC batteries in marine applications As prices of lithium ion relative to capacity continue to fall, total life cycle costs are likely to drop below those of lead acid batteries. This is a significant factor in reducing their long-term costs, although it has to be remembered savings will often not be realised until five years after installation, when conventional boat batteries may be nearing the end of their lifespan. Typically the best lithium boat batteries will withstand four or five times the number of cycles compared to most deep cycling lead acid batteries. Equally, the technology is increasingly embraced in the racing world, whether at the top end on IMOCA 60s and Fast 40s, or smaller IRC yachts competing in RORC’s offshore races.īenefits include a huge reduction in physical size and weight, along with a radically increased number of charge-discharge cycles. Arcona, for instance, says up to 90% of their larger yachts now leave the factory equipped with them. Larger new cruising yachts, especially those at the quality end of the market, have been routinely fitted with lithium boat batteries for the past few years.