Posted by Peter Kennedy on 9/11/2024 to
Batteries (Lithium Ion)
The relevant ABYC standards for Lithium Battery Installations are E-10 Storage Batteries, E-11 AC and DC Electrical Systems, and E-13 Lithium Ion Batteries. The latest Victron Smart Lithium NG batteries have improved compliance with ABYC standards for the following reasons:
- The cells comply with UL 1973, and IEC 62619 (certification pending).1
- The batteries have an easy mounting system so that the battery can be screwed down to prevent movement.2
- The battery Ingress Protection Rating has been increased to IP65.3
- The Lynx BMS is set up to give a pre-alarm of pending low cell voltage before shut down.4
- The Lynx BMS has a contactor to provide a physical shut down of the battery if needed.5
- The batteries have an integrated shunt to convey current flow to the BMS and prevent excessive loads or charging.6
- All battery parameters are managed by the BMS which can report status at cell level locally and over the VRM.7
- Improved circuit protection is provided by the new Lynx Class-T Power In which provides individual Class-T fuses for each battery.8
- Since the batteries and the charging equipment is from the same manufacturer charging with Victron chargers automatically provides a controlled charging profile to meet the manufacturers requirements9
1. Standards compliance
E13 - 13.5 General Requirements 13.5.4 Batteries or cells shall meet the testing requirements of at least one of the following standards: IEC 62133, IEC 62619, IEC 62620, SAE J2929, UL 1642, UL 1973, UL 2054 IEC 62133
The new NG batteries meet two of these standards, UL 1973, Batteries for Use in Stationary and Motive Auxiliary Power Applications, and IEC 62619, Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes -Safety requirements for secondary lithium cells and batteries, for use in industrial applications.
2. Mounting
E13 13.6 System Design and Installation 13.6.4 Shock and Vibration. Batteries shall be installed in locations and restrained in such a manner that they will be protected from shock, vibration, or movement according to the battery manufacturer's recommendations.
The new Victron NG batteries have provision for bracket mounting and strap mounting.
3. Ingress Protection (waterproofing)
13.6.5.1 Lithium ion batteries and their system components (e.g.,BMS) shall be constructed or installed to provide adequate water ingress protection during normal vessel operation
These new NG batteries have IP65 protection
4. Pre-Alarm
13.7 Battery Management System 13.7.4 Note 2. If a shutdown condition is approaching, a battery system should notify the operator with a visual and/or audible alarm before disconnecting the battery from the DC system.
The Lynx BMS gives a low voltage pre-alarm when any cell gets down to 3.0 volts and a low voltage alarm with a minimum delay of 30 seconds before shutdown at 2.8 volts before turning off all the loads.
5. Physical Shut Down
13.6 SYSTEM DESIGN AND INSTALLATION 13.6.1 Battery Management System (BMS)Installation 13.6.1.1 All battery systems shall have a BMS to provide for battery cutoff if hazardous conditions exist.
13.7.2.1 A BMS shall respond to any conditions outside the SOE (Safe Operating Envelope) by activating the output disconnect device
The Lynx BMS has a contactor that will physically disconnect the batteries in the event the other control mechanisms do not eliminate the hazardous conditions.
6. Integrated Shunt
13.7 BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM 13.7.4 An output disconnect device shall be capable of disconnecting the output immediately when operating under the battery’s or the battery system’s maximum specified rate of discharge
The battery data (battery voltage, current and temperature) are transmitted to the BMS and evaluated there, i.e. to calculate the state of charge, which can then be read out via VictronConnect or a GX communication center, or to create and issue specific warnings and alarms.
7. BMS Management
13.7 BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM 13.7.1 A BMS shall protect a battery from overcharging or over discharging, charging or discharging in high or low temperatures, or in any way operating outside the SOE specified by the battery or cell manufacturer. 13.7.2 A BMS shall be able to perform HVC,LVC, HTC, and LTC actions in response to an HVE, LVE, HTE, or LTE independent from the programmed functions of the charging sources,regulators,inverters,or inverter/chargers, etc.13.7.2.1 A BMS shall respond to any conditions outside the SOE by activating the output disconnect device.
8. Circuit Protection
13.6.6.1 Conductors shall be provided with overcurrent protection device(s) as per ABYC E-11, AC & DC Electrical Systems on Boats.
13.6.6.2 If necessary, a battery bank shall be subdivided into units such that the ampere interrupting capacity (AIC) of the overcurrent protection device is not exceeded.
11.10.1.2.3 For batteries or battery banks with a CCA rating greater than 2200 CCA or 500 amp hours, battery overcurrent protection shall have a minimum ampere interrupting capacity (AIC) rating as follows:
11.10.1.2.3.2 20 kA at 125 VDC or higher, if a battery manufacturer’s short circuit rating exceeds 10 kA.
The Lynx Class-T Power In provides an individual Class-T fuse (with a 20,000 amp AIC rating) for each battery.
9. Charging
13.6.2.1 Charging sources shall be operated and controlled to meet the charging profile recommendations provided by the battery or cell manufacturer.
This clause is automatically met when the Victron batteries are installed in conjunction with Victron chargers.
Additional Considerations
- Consider having your system installed by an ABYC Certified Marine Electric Technician
- Consideration should be given to providing power for critical systems if the BMS shuts down a battery bank. (ABYC 13.6.1.2) The Lynx BMS will continue to provide power to the Cerbo GX which will enable system monitoring to continue and thus help resolve the issue that caused the shut down.
References
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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