Public Discussion Forum

Hi Mark,

You do like living on the bleeding edge of technology. I considered installing a Zeus regulator on my single engine with Balmar 220A 24V alternator, but I already have a lot of improvements going on right now. I'd be interested to hear where you installed it, and how you like it.

You will LOVE the lithium batteries. I did a full year comparison with 3 YO Lifeline AGM batteries with 630 AHr of capacity (315 usable minus the factors you explained) vs new Epoch lithium with 920 AHr of capacity. The results say that I ran the generator only 1/3rd of the time with lithium compared with AGMs (apples to apples comparison). The higher charge rate and efficiency of the lithiums makes all the difference.

I'm in the midst of installing a 5000VA Victron Multiplus II inverter/charger and 2 Victron 50A Skylla chargers on the lithium side, and installing another Skylla to top off the engine start and two thruster AGM batteries. I'm also installing 2 battery to battery chargers to keep the thruster batteries topped off from the house bank while under way. That, a new watermaker and fixing a lot of broken stuff has kept me out of trouble over the holidays.

There is something very rewarding about pulling miles of wire out of your boat, old components (2 battery combiners and 2 PathMakers), and having a much simpler and more straightforward design that I understand well.

Richard Nye

Untethered, 57-22

https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/MV_Untethered/

Nicely done. Lithium is indeed a game changer.

I've also just completed a conversion of 47-37. I did 2x Multiplus-II 5kva in a full split phase setup to feed entire boat. Batteries are 4x Epoch 24v/230ah. Alternator regulator is Zeus. I'm just waiting on a weather window to mount the 4x 450w solar panels and I'll be done with this electrical upgrade.

The system works beautifully.

Question for Richard and for anyone else getting ideas by reading these threads: Why would you put in two 50a Skylla chargers when you could have just added a 2nd Multiplus-II for less cost? It would give nearly the same charging capability but also double the inverter capability including allowing split phase output to energize the entire AC system? Yes it does require some rework of the AC distribution for expanded inverter capability but for me it was well worth it. The 10kva of split phase inverter works just as well as the 12kw generator to energize anything I want including 240v air conditioning.

Lets seem some more photos of these installs!

(not that my photos attached are not the 100% complete version. I had to add some split loom and labling and a few other minor details which has since been done. )

Yes this is a very good point and a very good use case.

WOW Ryan, that is an impressive installation! How did you get so much valuable wall space on a 47?

I chose Skylla IP-65 chargers (only 35W, not 50W like I said in my original post). They do have VE.Can, so I can connect them to my Cerbo, monitor and control them remotely. Why did I choose relatively small chargers vs a second Multiplus II? I tried to work within most existing constraints, including wire size, available space and existing location.

My existing charger is a Mastervolt charger (lead only, not lithium compatible). It has a total output of 80A over 3 battery circuits, 60A on one, and 10A on the other two. It was maxing out the A/C wire going to it. It's also located a long way from the Multiplus II, and there is no room for 2 Multiplus IIs next to each other.

My 57 came with 630 AHr of AGM batteries at 24V, a Mastervolt inverter/charger (2500VA inverter/60A charger) plus the Mastervolt charger at 60A. It was a pretty small system, but it worked pretty well. I had to run the generator an hour or two every day. My A/C loads aren't real high if I'm not running the A/C, crane or water maker. I have propane cooking, and a nice DC compressor on the freezer. I've been cruising full time for 4 years and it's worked well. Getting the lithium batteries started a cascade of upgrades, but I don't want to put in a huge battery bank and make everything AC. I have to run the generator every other day or so to charge the lithiums, so I'll make water, run the dishwasher, and run the A/C at the same time. At some point I may replace the split A/C systems with small, self contained DC powered units that are more efficient and run off of the house bank.

Richard Nye

Untethered, 57-22

https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/MV_Untethered/

Ryan,
Your setup for Quattros sounds like mine. I am unfortunately in process of putting together a warranty claim to Victron since my Quattros sine output is dirty. This is true even if nothing is running and they are disconnected from providing power to boat. I have been living with it for a year but some things are finicky about their sine waves (clean and correct amplitude). A Nespresso machine is an example of finicky. I am hoping new one(s) solve issue.

Corey
Sent from my iPhone