Frequently Asked Questions - Lithium

We have included some links to external websites for further information!

I don’t understand the different types of battery available!

All you need to know about narrowboat batteries! ©️canalnarrowboat.co.uk

How safe are Lithium batteries for my boat?

The only type of Lithium technology battery recommended as safe for marine use is Lithium-Iron-Phosphate (LiFePO4) usually abbreviated to LFP. These batteries offer a superior chemical & mechanical structure that does not overheat or cause thermal runaway and as they are inert and do not release oxygen if they catch fire, they are far safer than other lithium-ion batteries.

LiFePO4 batteries are now associated with reduced manufacturing, transportation, and logistics costs, thereby producing less greenhouse gas emissions than conventional battery manufacture.

We have researched many Lithium batteries during the previous year, tested them in situ on our own boat and now can confidently supply our customers. 

More information on marine LFP ©️yachting monthly

What if they ‘went wrong’?

Each LFP has a Battery Management System (BMS) that is equipped with many safety limiters  including an internal safety switch that disconnects the battery in case of over discharge, over charge or high temperature. The batteries are networked to a Cerbo, which acts as the ‘brain’ directly reads the BMS data, constantly monitoring the system. Our engineer will set up the limits and configure the software specifically for your boat and your power requirements. Any bespoke system ‘tweaks’ required can also be solved later by our engineer using the Remote Monitoring System (requires Wi-Fi availability) ensuring ongoing support from Malone Electrical Solar Services.

Our installations by a competent experienced engineer are covered for 5 years, with 5-year warranty on the LFP batteries and Victron equipment.

Will my insurance be affected?

We recommend any major changes to your boat are advised to your insurance company, mainly to increase the value of your vessel so you are not ‘under insured’, but in our experience due to the quality and safety provenance as described above, there are usually no issues.

All electrical work should be covered under the recreational craft directive ©️rya.org.uk

Is there a benefit to having just one higher ampere LiFePO4 battery?

Unless for a new build, most lithium installations will be retro fitted, being able to use existing battery enclosures & mountings. This saves the customer money with a much faster and cleaner installation. 

Each of our batteries has an internal BMS watching every aspect of its functions. If it becomes faulty or damaged, the BMS will shut it down and the system will then automatically compensate and continue supplying power until an engineer can assess the error remotely and advise. If fitted with only one larger ampere battery (eg 400Ah) and that becomes faulty or damaged, the entire power system would then be automatically shut down, leaving the customer with no power, rendering the remote access system disabled and an engineer would need to attend the vessel.

Can I add another battery later?

We always advise maximising your storage potential for ‘worst case scenario’ - meaning what power do you need daily during peak winter, with limited solar input, and work from there! The more total Ah you can store, the better position your power management will be. Obviously cost can be an important factor, so we have designed our packages from 2 or more LRP batteries, depending on budget. The system will be configured with your alternator for maximum charging capability, so to add more storage to your bank at a later date, additional* battery or batteries can be ’plugged in”.

*must be like-for-like LRP. Any changes to any ME installation not approved or installed by Malone Electrical Solar Services will automatically void all warranties. 

What about the Lithium fires we hear about all over the media?

Frankly some lithium batteries can be ticking time bombs, by their nature*, particularly cheap ones in scooters from China, for example! Even the Tesla batteries are not similar enough to compare to marine LFP supplied by us for installation in boats.

*Causes of lithium battery fire ©️himax electronics

How ‘green’ are any Lithium batteries?

LiFePO4 batteries are the most environmentally benign lithium battery chemistry available on the market mainly due to the fact that they do not rely on scarce and highly toxic Cobalt, Lead or Nickel. 

The materials used in LFPs are easier to source ethically, which makes them a more sustainable option than other types of lithium-ion batteries and as Mr Musk said at a recent Tesla conference “why get ore from rocks when it is already available in batteries, better for all” – recycling rather than mining lithium ♻️

4 benefits of lfp batteries ©️visualcapitalist

How do I justify the cost compared to lead acid batteries?

While Lithium may still be more expensive upfront, when you consider the cycle life (ie how many times a battery can be discharged and then recharged before it needs to be replaced) they readily become cheaper because they’re warranted to last longer.

                 SLA 500 average cycles per battery Vs premium LFP 6000> cycles 

                    OR 12 x Lead Acid = 1 x LFP 

Lead-acid likes to work in the top 20% of its state of charge so the deeper you discharge, the shorter their life is.  With LFP up to 95% of the energy put in by your solar array or engine can be drawn back out. They can be charged faster, discharged faster and routinely worked to much deeper states of discharge for a longer more cycle life. So, for the same nominal kWh capacity, you get much more out of a lithium battery. 

Why do I need additional equipment to make them work?

With LFP batteries being able to charge so quickly, your existing alternator needs to be protected from overheating, so we install B2B chargers to counter this issue. The Cerbo (or brain!) collates all the data on the network and manages the overall safety of the system. Must have WiFi for remote monitoring system.

How to not blow up your alternator ©️victronenergy

What temperature range do Lithium batteries need?

Our batteries operate from -20°C to +60°C.

They have an integral heater which is activated and controlled by the BMS when necessary. This heat comes from the charging source and not from stored battery power, which is particularly useful in the winter months and another huge advantage over Lead Acids whose storage ability  rapidly depletes with colder temperatures.

What about excess power in the summer?

As described in our personal example shown below, we currently cannot consume all the energy we are storing, but it’s not a terrible problem to have! However, we can install an automatic  ‘dump load’ facility for these times (ie water heater) depending on customer requirements. 

Will Malone Electrical Solar Services install Lithium batteries supplied by the customer?

No. As stated above, Lithium batteries are not created equally. We have done extensive R&D on all our systems. We know they are safe, of consistent and high quality and optimised for maximum performance. From a warranty of installation point of view, we cannot responsibly install equipment that we have not tested.