Frequently Asked Questions about Lithium Batteries
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 2/13/2019 to
Batteries (Lithium Ion)
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
Posted by Peter Kennedy with KM on 2/1/2019 to
Vehicles & Camper Vans
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
Using the Victron Energy Autotransformer in a US 120/240 Volt system
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 1/28/2019 to
Victron MultiPlus and Quatro
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
Camper Van and RV Electrical Systems
Posted by Mike Hobson on 1/22/2019 to
Vehicles & Camper Vans
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.
What is a galvanic isolator and why should my shore power system have one?
Posted by Liam Kennedy on 1/21/2019 to
Older Posts
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.
Installing a High Power marine alternator on your boat.
Posted by Liam Kennedy on 1/21/2019 to
Alternators
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.
Why is my Amp Hour Meter giving strange readings after its winter break?
Posted by Liam Kennedy on 1/21/2019 to
Battery Monitoring
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.
How big a battery bank do I need?
Posted by Liam Kennedy on 1/18/2019 to
Batteries (Conventional)
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.
Using Victron Energy equipment with other brands of Lithium Ion batteries
Posted by Peter Kennedy` on 1/14/2019 to
Batteries (Lithium Ion)
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.......
A key to identifying your alternator terminals
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 12/13/2018 to
Alternators
Inverter Specifications: The difference between VA and Watts
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 11/30/2018 to
Victron MultiPlus and Quatro
The terms Watts and VA are often used interchangeably when referring to inverter specifications, but are they the same?
Victron Glass Bridge System Integration
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 11/21/2018 to
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
Data Logging your battery system using the Victron BMV battery monitor and the Victron BMV reader software
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 11/19/2018 to
Battery Monitoring
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......
An overview of wiring standards for boats in the US
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 11/16/2018 to
Electrical Standards
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
Keep your wiring neat and tidy
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 11/15/2018 to
Projects
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.
Programming your Victron MultiPlus Inverter/Charger - Using the dipswitches
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 11/7/2018 to
Victron MultiPlus and Quatro
There are various ways to program the Victron MultiPlus inverter charger, this article details using the dipswitches to do basic programming
How to install a simple shore power system on a small boat
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 10/19/2018 to
Batteries (Conventional)
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
Converting a European 16 Amp 230 Volt boat to US Shore Power
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 10/18/2018 to
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.
Camper van project using Victron 24 volt Lithium batteries
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 10/18/2018 to
Batteries (Lithium Ion)
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
Serpentine kit installation on a Yanmar 4JH4E
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 10/11/2018 to
Alternators
Read about this Balmar Altmount Serpentine Kit installation on a Yanmar 4JH4E
Duplex and Triplex wire versus using Single Conductors
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 8/4/2018 to
Electrical Standards
Should I use duplex and triplex wire for my rewiring project or is it easier to use single conductor wire?
Sourcing High Voltage DC Equipment
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 7/13/2018 to
Circuit Protection
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.
Troubleshooting your Alternator
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 7/13/2018 to
Alternators
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
Wondering how much further forward the Balmar Serpentine Kit will be on your engine?
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 6/25/2018 to
Alternators
Wondering how much further forward the Balmar Serpentine Kit will be on your engine? We took a photo to explain it. Click for more.......
What is the load output used for on certain Victron MPPT charge controllers
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 4/4/2018 to
Solar
The smaller Victron MPPT Charge Controllers have a load output separate from the battery connection. This article explains what it is used for.
Peter Kennedy has been in business since 1991 designing, installing and servicing marine electrical systems. The purpose of this blog is to offer support to both professional installers and do-it-yourself boat owners who wish to undertake this work themselves.
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