Upgrade Lithium

Caution: Lithium battery bank upgrades are not drop in replacements; you MUST do your own research, get expert advice, and have a profession installation

Note: This page is strictly a starting point to point out the biggest considerations and should not be taken as a guide to follow

Keys to upgrading to a lithium battery bank

1. Only consider LiFePO4 chemistry; the failure mode of LiFePO4 will cause smoke but not fire, unlike Lithium Ion batteries
2. There are excellent battery packs on the market now and only turnkey battery banks should be consideration
3. The battery management system (BMS) should be an active type that will automatically top balance the batteries
4. Ensure that there is a LiFePO4 charging profile for your: alternator, solar controller, charger/inverter
5. Ensure there is a provision for disconnecting the alternator from charging the batteries in a typical Seawind 1160, the alternator charges the Starter battery (lead acid) and once it is charge the Voltage Sensing Relay begins charging the lithium House bank, take these items into consideration: A. Does the Voltage Sensing Relay support the maximum current output from your alternator? B. Is it possible to disconnect the lithium house bank? If so, this can be a problem if a high current is flowing when the House bank is disconnected, in this situation the high current will be pushed instantly to the Starter battery and likely destroy the Starter battery (a DC-DC converters is a good solution)
6. What is the maximum output current from your House bank (generally the BMS sets the limit), take these items into consideration: A. Are the wires in your system large enough to handle the highest current output? B. Is your high current fuse large enough to handle the highest current output?

Excellent source of information (Products, testing, installation of solar/lithium): External Link