Installing Lithium batteries on a Sailboat (Sailing Nandji)

[@TheGeordietheWitchandtheWench]

Damn!! Living luxurious!! We have one very old battery, but we don't use any power, no fridge or electronics on board our old floater :-) Time to upgrade our battery bank!! Cheers guys !!!

[@mikeskelly2356]

Slather all connections in 'Di-electric' grease. It will prevent corrosion and make removal of the nuts so much easier. I used the stuff on all electrical connections, even squeezing it into crimp connectors before crimping and heat shrinking. Never had a corrosion problem at sea...

[@phauparazzi]

I was making my order for new Lifepo4 batteries same time as you post this! love all your videos! Making my way to the South Pacific on my Amel Maramu, currently in Guatemala, hope to hangout with you guys.

[@FrothLyfeSailingNandji]

Yew! Be sure to say Nandji sent you!! haha Beautiful vessel, sounds like dinner at yours soon! Come on over!

[@MajTom-wd2yt]

Great vid!! I mentioned on your previous Lithium post about the Victron 702 monitor we use in our Airstream...it showed us that we were going into float mode and the lithiums were never getting to full charge. They need to be charged at a fixed voltage...we adjusted our converter to 14.4v and let the BMS control the battery requirements. Might as well take advantage of all they have to offer. 👍⛵️👍

[@SailBeforeSunset]

All your woes we understand. We've been out at the islands for days at a time and learned the value of a good house bank. Can't replace it. Glad that you two went lithium!

[@mattwilkinson3435]

Once again another awesome vid from you two and I love seeing how stoked you both are about the upgrade, but the highlight of this epp is without a doubt is Marliegh chillin with the head on the gunwale thinking about coconuts in the background at the last segment of the vid!

[@peterinthegong9437]

Hi, good video. Ventilation slots in the side walls of you battery box may be helpful too

[@toddlarcombe8973]

Can't wait to see the difference when you have used them for a while.

[@waynemcphail7825]

Good job, great presentation

[@johnmccormick175]

Great video...very interesting and sounds like a great upgrade!

[@ForrestandSea]

So so helpful thanks guys! Cheers from the south coast of NSW yeww

[@ryananthony6416]

Wish you explained how your alternator was connected, that would have answered all my questions! Did engine alternator charge the lithium or just the starter? Great video guys from the archives, I will give your new videos a look.

[@gerardwall8847]

G’day guys - love your vlogs but esp your carefree personalities! For those who can’t afford LI batteries a word of advice from someone who went through 2 lots of house batteries - invest in solar AND wind and you’ll be sweet (obviously dependent on your location). Our boat is at Paynesville which is 38 degrees south and there’s always a bit of wind around throughout the year and in summer the solar really kicks in. We have a D400 turbine from Eclectic Energy (UK) and it’s a great unit. Our solar is Solbian (flexible) on the Bimini. Happy travels! Gerard

[@adamff280]

Gerard! Just the man I need to ask...(Or Nandji) I'm on a 35' sailboat in southern FL on my way to the Caribbean.. I want to install a D400, Solbian, and LI. I'm thinking 2 or 3, 100 AH, (depending on budget), but how much solar would be sufficient to compliment the D400? How much solar if I didn't install a D400? What would be your 'ideal' set-up in my situation and your 'budget' set-up? I very much appreciate any knowledge or opinion you can extend... :-) Cheers! On a side note, how practical would it be to just forget about solar and wind and charge the batteries with a 2000W Honda Generator? How long each day would that take? Perhaps the same amount of time to operate a water maker while charging batteries? 1 hour? I'm clueless, but sounds logical?

[@gerardwall8847]

adamff280 Hi Adam I’m going down to our boat on 9 November and I will check the details you are wanting. I’ll also take a couple of pics of how we installed the D400. It is a fairly heavy unit and you need to make sure it is well “anchored”. We used heavy duty stainless steel as you will see. What’s the best way of getting photos to you? Gerard

[@pirateracer69]

Suggestion for you: A full 20 minutes of drone shots of this awesome area with no comments, just your favorite music. Marc from Montreal Canada.

[@FrothLyfeSailingNandji]

Maybe of Wayag haha will see what we can do!

[@BumBahKlat]

Yeah some good old slow tv! That’d be sweet!

[@quincyfinnley2653]

Pro trick: you can watch series at flixzone. Me and my gf have been using them for watching all kinds of movies these days.

[@haroldsolomon2110]

@Quincy Finnley yea, I've been watching on Flixzone for years myself :)

[@dashlyric2306]

@Quincy Finnley Definitely, I've been watching on Flixzone for since november myself :D

[@666madmal]

Nice upgrade 👍👍👍⛵

[@RVLifeNOW]

Nice and simple...I love it! How about your alternator? Any issues there? -Rebecca

[@bugmantim]

Good day to both of you.

[@rhirwin10]

Two questions: (1) Relative to safety - what happens if you are navigating at night and the "smart" BMS goes into safe mode and turns off the battery? I don't see separate charge and house load terminals. (2) How do you afford $3000 worth of batteries?

[@hthring]

as they are in parallel they others will keep supplying power, if the all shutdown they have bigger problem than them shutting down, and if they fix that the batteries can work again, or they could temporarily use the start battery

[@UweBehrendt]

good choice thanks

[@aalback1]

Thanx champions!!! Thanx for taking the time to explain things to us mere humans.....lol....cheers guys

[@richardscudds4753]

I love everything electrical , I reckon the galley is gonna fill up real quick now , enjoy you guys , love it

[@FrothLyfeSailingNandji]

haha and the bathroom cupboard... hair straightner....

[@californiakayaker]

I'm an engineer and we've been discussing these. You aren't doing what some are doing, running boat motors, but, still, check the temps of them when your charging probably. Make sure they stay within temp limits. They should be great for you.

[@FrothLyfeSailingNandji]

Cheers for the thought mate! Will do!

[@daveschuetrum576]

I add a small dab of nickel anti-seize grease to my connections. It helps make a better connection and stops corrosion. I use it on a lot of things...like the bolts on the outboard holding the foot since they corrode easily. The grease is messy but worth it.

[@FrothLyfeSailingNandji]

Ill do the same, I do use Lanelin grease on many connections like hose fittings etc to stop the corrosion and rust, but it is messy. I like the idea of anti sieze on the batt connections though. Cheers!

[@realwheelman]

Good. Job again!

[@NinjaPigRocks]

Informative Vid' guys! I am at that point as to which way I go on Batteries? (AGM vs Lithium??) I'll go the Lifepo's. Also about to rig up the Solar Panels. I am going 4 x 300 watt panels! Luvvin' ya' work guys!!

[@jeffslaven]

Fridge? Freezer? Tunes? Next thing you know, you'll be wanting lights for night time :) Good on you. Lithium all the way!

[@FrothLyfeSailingNandji]

just a few of the luxuries we have been dealing without for a long time! Lithium all the way!

[@millzee60]

The BMS in those batteries will protect the batteries but a sudden disconnect due to over voltage could damage your Victron solar charge controllers. It might be an idea to check with Victron.

[@DanMcAfee]

I have two different brand solar charge controllers and instructions for both warn about possible damage to them unless the solar panel is disconnected before disconnecting the battery. I have by mistake disconnected my battery before disconnecting the panel and have been lucky not to have suffered any apparent damage to the controllers, but your point/warning is a good one I think.

[@Hawkeye252]

Yay! Cold beer! :) sheri & Hawkeye

[@petermcnaughton9031]

Looking good guys you both are fantastic 💞⚓️

[@AndysEastCoastAdventures]

They are aviailable in the uk now but £950 for each 100ah battery is a big commitment. They are advertised as being the equivelant of a 172ah lead acid battery. Might be cheaper to use single cell lipos and make you own?

[@FrothLyfeSailingNandji]

The initial cost may be more than any other battery but after having these guys installed for a month now, I can say they are worth every cent. We have never had power issues and we have really tested there ability! We are very happy! If they last as long as they are advertised, then me personally see the investment as one of the most important upgrades to a vessel!

[@captaincope4303]

Outstanding. I did peak at the prices of lithium battery . They are quite proud of them! What maintains the charge on the starter battery?, I suppose the alternator when the motor runs. Anywho cool beans.

[@FrothLyfeSailingNandji]

And solar tops up the starter too!

[@deankoch7305]

Hi. Thanks for the video.

[@donaldinman8357]

Does the engine alternator charge the new batteries too, or just the starter battery?

[@FrothLyfeSailingNandji]

We used a DC/DC charger for our previous AGM batteries to charge on the odd occasion the engine is running. This is not suitable for our new set up as it is not compatable with Lithium and the charging algorithm does not match. Not a big deal as Lithium are twice as efficient and charge twice as fast with all the solar we have! Plus, rarely run our current engine because it needs replacing!! Cheers!

[@donaldinman8357]

Thanks, Nandjis. I have lead acid batteries now, charged with solar and alternator. When I kill those I will replace with lithium. Fair winds.

[@MarekKnappe]

@@FrothLyfeSailingNandji Just connect it directly (or via solenoid) to alternator without dc/dc charger - controller inside battery should regulate power to charge it properly

[@extremelydave]

Music to go to sleep by!! Lights all night if you want!!!! A FRIDGE!!!!!!! You guys will not know what to do with a life of luxury!!!!

[@steveleslie7484]

🤙🤙🤙

[@gilligallou]

great job on the battery install vid,, ,, what type of music would you listen to when you're not producing video's and adding music? Showing your play list and artists might be fun? Enjoy! :0)

[@FrothLyfeSailingNandji]

Our music listening had taken a big step backwards after not having batteries for such a long time... We have been getting back into cranking tunes whilst sailing and it is awesome!! We have been listening to Ziggy Alberts, Ben Howard and then getting a little excited with some surfy skate punk music by the Dune Rats and Skeggs to name a few!

[@MarkJones-rf5oc]

I was wondering how you were getting by on 300Ah of AGM at the start of the video, then I discovered you weren't. I've got 900Ah of AGM that support a fridge and freezer and are at about 12.4 around 6am. I would check the charging profile to make sure you fully charge the Lithiuml

[@FrothLyfeSailingNandji]

Yes we weren't able to run a freezer and a fridge would drain the power if we had a couple of over cast days. We have 2 Victron charges that are capable of charging the Lithium batts to their full potential.

[@MrJp318]

it looks like your dog was dead in the background of your video at the very end. very cute

[@francismoulds6732]

what about the cost?

[@zabbaskeema]

Francis Moulds Yes, what is the cost for mere mortals? :)

[@ibkennedy]

Bonita you looked very pretty in that video. 😊

[@californiakayaker]

I must say, Bonita looks prettier than that other guy in every video. Ha ha.

[@zzzxxzzz4797]

You guys looked stoked ?

[@FrothLyfeSailingNandji]

Yea, pretty happy with the upgrade!

[@romeowhiskey1146]

AND...the LITHOS apparently speak: They say "No more"...LOL After this video...I'm UP on CURRENT events!

[@FrothLyfeSailingNandji]

Sometimes you just have to listen what your batteries are telling you :)

[@larryoutdoor]

6:46

[@cjprimata]

Now you can become power suckers! Lol

[@waynelaw8999]

Whilst it probably won't have a big impact, can I suggest you reconsider how you wired each battery. For the positive connection you seem to have the battery on the right connected to the battery on the left and then connected to the central battery. Might be better having each of outer batteries connect directly to the central battery. Otherwise the link from left battery to the central battery is carrying the current from both the left and right batteries and depending on how much current you are drawing will have a marginally higher voltage drop across that link than necessary. Ditto on the negative connection although in that case you seem to have main connection on the right side battery. I would be tempted to have the positive and negative connections mirror each other if the leads are long enough to reach. Like I said, minor issue and probably me just being a bit anal. Otherwise love your work.

[@FrothLyfeSailingNandji]

Cheers mate, but if you look closer the batteries are positioned one three two in the sequence they are wired. The cables were not long enough to reach the outer third battery o had to wire them in this order. It still achieves what you are trying to say! Cheers mate!

[@waynelaw8999]

@@FrothLyfeSailingNandji yeah, figured cable length was your issue because otherwise you would always wire them in a star configuration. It will make bugger all difference for the sort of currents you'll be drawing on Nandji. Good reason not to get that hair straightener ;-)

[@francismoulds6732]

at 900 bucks US each those 3 batts cost more than my boat

[@bertski60]

excuse me? interesting as possible?? i fell asleep 70 seconds in....i was out almost 11 hours. had a cup of coffee..started over...fell asleep before i was 2 minutes in the second time. out for 14 hours the second time around. thanks nandji!! haven't slept like this for years!! much appreciated!!! i'm friends with a few insomniacs. i told them all about your channel.guess what? they all slept like babies. just kidding guys. cracking good episode. :D

[@jeffreysearle2996]

Just think of all the stuff you can charge and have at the ready, 😜😜😜

[@FrothLyfeSailingNandji]

It is amazing to go get the camera and it is charged! Previously unheard of on Nandji!

[@ersinozcan4793]

:)

[@kricketflyd111]

If you want it to be interesting just say watt's and amp's every other word.

[@paulspiers5466]

Actually, it’s half positive and half negative... bad dad joke, sorry I’ll see myself out now.

[@FrothLyfeSailingNandji]

Quality Bonita joke there my friend!

[@robertdayton5503]

....with the reduction in weight mid-ship expect to rock and pitch 2/3s more....the old batteries are what stabilized the keel....ok, enough BS for one post ....good luck and be safe

[@dextersxxxxlab]

It is great to have more usable power in the powerbank but also make sure you have sufficient solar panels to top them up during the day. Even when there is no full day of sun due to clouds. And make sure you have a good mppt solar charger. This will be much more efficient compared to the cheaper pwm chargers.