You might be thinking its time to outfit your current boat with a lithium-ion battery system to replace the old lead acid batteries that came with the boat. There are certain advantages to the new lithium-ion type batteries which are worth considering.
Advantages
They have higher energy density, lighter weight, and longer cycle life. They are highly reliable, can put out higher energy amounts when needed, and last longer than the older heavier lead-acid batteries. Sounds like a win doesn’t it.? But not so fast, there are some drawbacks to consider as well.
Disadvantages
Most insurance companies which write boaters insurance have been very strict on their requirements for this new type of battery systems. The ABYC (American Boat and Yacht Council) has established some important standards that should be observed if you want safe and reliable battery service on your vessel. The new standard is called E-13 and it covers the installation requirements for such batteries on boats. This will prevent electrical hazards which could put you and your passengers at risk in the event of electrical malfunction.
Installation and safety
This new standard covers proper installation of these batteries on boats, and how they are to be mounted to prevent movement during boat operation, as well as how they are to be ventilated to dissipate heat generated during charging and discharge cycles.
Recharging lithium-ion batteries is also covered by these new standards to insure that proper voltages are followed to control temperatures, optimize the charging process, and extend battery life. The standards emphasize a robust battery management system (BMS) which monitors cell voltages, and protects against excessive current flow that could lead to damage or thermal events.
Temperature control is critical for safe operating and charging performance which means that temperature sensors and cooling systems must be included in most installations.
System configurations
Some systems on smaller boats could use a lead-acid start battery which then powers up the lithium-ion bank system. The lithium-ion bank is then charged via a DC/DC converter. On boats that need larger high capacity systems, a high-output alternator is used rather than an onboard generator. External systems allow for direct control of the alternator regulator to shut down when the batteries are fully charged.
Bottom line: Professional installation required
The bottom line is that you will need to have a fully certified installer who can design the proper system for your requirements, get the right components to work together seamlessly, wire things properly, and fully test the system once it is installed. All batteries must be balanced with each other and tested fully before the system is ready to use and ready to meet insurance industry requirements.