Distant Shores TV · video

What this video covers

Paul and Sheryl Shard are designing a 30 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery bank for the hybrid electric-diesel propulsion system of their custom 49-foot aluminum expedition sailboat.1:12 To achieve this capacity, they plan to configure Nomada batteries from the Netherlands-based manufacturer Super B into a 48-volt system using a series-parallel arrangement.1:52 Each 12-volt Nomada unit provides 1.34 kWh; the final setup will utilize four batteries in series to reach 48 volts, with five such banks connected in parallel to total 32 kWh.16:36

Manufacturing at the Super B facility emphasizes traceability, with every component—from individual prismatic cells to the Battery Management System (BMS)—scanned and logged.5:56 The assembly process uses welded connections rather than screws to reduce electrical resistance and improve long-term durability.4:26 The batteries feature an integrated shunt for real-time current monitoring and an independent temperature sensor required for DNV maritime commercial type approval.9:10 The BMS balances individual cells by converting excess current into heat via resistors and communicates directly with the charger via a CAN network to optimize charging rates.15:43

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