Frequently Asked Questions about Lithium Batteries

Frequently Asked Questions about Lithium Batteries

I spend so much of my time answering questions about Lithium Batteries that I decided to put some of the most common questions here for all to see. This is an ongoing project so check back again to see more. I apologize for the randomness of it but when I have enough written I will try to sort them by category
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Solar Panel on Sprinter Van

Solar Panel on Sprinter Van

The panel is a Canadian Solar 300watt mono-Si PERC. The van is a Sprinter 170. The batteries are Victron Smart LiFePO4 200 Amp Hour Lithium Iron Phosphate. The Inverter is a Victron Multiplus
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Using the Victron Energy Autotransformer in a US 120/240 Volt system

Using the Victron Energy Autotransformer in a US 120/240 Volt system

The Victron Energy Autotransformer is the one item we sell that causes the most confusion. Read about how it gets used in a US 120/240 volt system here
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Camper Van and RV Electrical Systems

Camper Van and RV Electrical Systems

Camper van and RV electrical systems comprise charging from the engine, shore power and solar panels. From these sources we can charge batteries or power AC and DC systems directly allowing for extended time off grid and away from shore power.
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What is a galvanic isolator and why should my shore power system have one?

What is a galvanic isolator and why should my shore power system have one?

A galvanic isolator is a device used to block low voltage DC currents coming on board your boat on the shore power ground wire.  These currents could cause corrosion to your underwater metals; through hulls, propeller, shaft etc.

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Installing a High Power marine alternator on your boat.

Installing a High Power marine alternator on your boat.

Arguably, there is no more worthwhile electrical project you can undertake on your boat to improve comfort and convenience than the installation of a high power alternator.  Having a high power alternator will provide you with a substantial improvement in the availability of electrical power on board. 
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Why is my Amp Hour Meter giving strange readings after its winter break?

Why is my Amp Hour Meter giving strange readings after its winter break?

Amp hour meters do a great job at assisting the boat owner with battery management.  They provide an accurate reading of voltage and of amps going in and out of the batteries and by keeping track of these readings over time they can provide a reading of "amp hours" or the state of charge of the battery as a percentage.  They also often maintain a record of historical data and can use that to figure out battery efficiency.
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How big a battery bank do I need?

How big a battery bank do I need?

For most people to answer to this is "as big as possible".  Charlie Wing's book the "Boatowners Illustrated handbook of Wiring"  has a very good explanation of how to calculate the capacity you need. The calculations start by working out what your daily load will be both at anchor and while underway.
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Using Victron Energy equipment with other brands of Lithium Ion batteries

Using Victron Energy equipment with other brands of Lithium Ion batteries

Victron Energy offers a suite of equipment for use with their own brand of Lithium Ion batteries. Can that same equipment be used with other brands of batteries? See here what works and what doesnt.......
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A key to identifying your alternator terminals

A key to identifying your alternator terminals

This key might be helpful to identify the output terminals on your alternator
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Inverter Specifications:  The difference between VA and Watts

Inverter Specifications: The difference between VA and Watts

The terms Watts and VA are often used interchangeably when referring to inverter specifications, but are they the same?
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Victron Glass Bridge System Integration

Victron Glass Bridge System Integration

The Victron Venus GX or Color Control GX will be able to provide a seamless plug and play integration with many models of Raymarine, Garmin and Navico MFD's starting in 2019
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Data Logging your battery system using the Victron BMV battery monitor and the Victron BMV reader software

Data Logging your battery system using the Victron BMV battery monitor and the Victron BMV reader software

Many of our industrial customers would like to be able to set up data logging on their battery systems. With the Victron BMV battery monitor and the Victron BMV Reader software this is an easy project......
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An overview of wiring standards for boats in the US

An overview of wiring standards for boats in the US

he standards that apply to wiring your boat in the US are the ABYC standards and the Code of Federal Regulations Title 33 CFR Sections 183.401 - 183.460 The ABYC standards are voluntary and the CFR standards are mandatory. The ABYC standards incorporate the CFR standards so a boat built to the ABYC Standards should automatically meet the CFR standards. This article is a brief introduction to the subject
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Keep your wiring neat and tidy

Keep your wiring neat and tidy

Neat wiring is hard to achieve but it makes everything about the project go better. Take a look at these project photos if you need a bit of inspiration.
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Programming your Victron MultiPlus Inverter/Charger - Using the dipswitches

Programming your Victron MultiPlus Inverter/Charger - Using the dipswitches

There are various ways to program the Victron MultiPlus inverter charger, this article details using the dipswitches to do basic programming
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How to install a simple shore power system on a small boat

How to install a simple shore power system on a small boat

This is a description of how to install an ABYC compliant shore power system for a small boat. The goal is to connect to a standard US 30 Amp 120 Volt dock pedestal
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Converting a European 16 Amp 230 Volt boat to US Shore Power

Converting a European 16 Amp 230 Volt boat to US Shore Power

This article discusses the easiest way to convert a European 230 Volt boat with 16 Amp service to work in the US with a 30 Amp 120 Volt dock power.  
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Camper van project using Victron 24 volt Lithium batteries

Camper van project using Victron 24 volt Lithium batteries

This 2017 Dodge Promaster 3500 Van has been tricked out for boondocking and is loaded with solar panels and a Victron Lithium Iron Phosphate battery system with all the trimmings all supplied by PKYS
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Serpentine kit installation on a Yanmar 4JH4E

Serpentine kit installation on a Yanmar 4JH4E

Read about this Balmar Altmount Serpentine Kit installation on a Yanmar 4JH4E
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Duplex and Triplex wire versus using Single Conductors

Duplex and Triplex wire versus using Single Conductors

Should I use duplex and triplex wire for my rewiring project or is it easier to use single conductor wire?
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Sourcing High Voltage DC Equipment

Sourcing High Voltage DC Equipment

I get asked all the time about high voltage DC applications.  Most equipment we sell at PKYS tops out at 48 Volts DC rating, only a few items are rated higher, and quite a lot have lower ratings.  Finding equipment for high voltage applications is not that easy.  
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Troubleshooting your Alternator

Troubleshooting your Alternator

Troubleshooting your alternator

Has your alternator stopped working? Often the tachometer will stop too. First check the drive belt to see that the alternator is turning. Here are some other troubleshooting tips
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Wondering how much further forward the Balmar Serpentine Kit will be on your engine?

Wondering how much further forward the Balmar Serpentine Kit will be on your engine?

Wondering how much further forward the Balmar Serpentine Kit will be on your engine? We took a photo to explain it. Click for more.......
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What is the load output used for on certain Victron MPPT charge controllers

What is the load output used for on certain Victron MPPT charge controllers

The smaller Victron MPPT Charge Controllers have a load output separate from the battery connection.  This article explains what it is used for.
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