Sailing Yabá · video

What this video covers

Four Battle Born GameChanger 3.0 LiFePO4 smart batteries — each 270 Ah, wired in pairs to form a 24-volt bank — replace the previous lithium bank aboard Yabá, a wooden sailboat that has run entirely off-grid for 617 days without shore power or a connected alternator.6:22 Ben installs all four in a cramped under-bench compartment, orienting them to reuse existing wiring, then mounts the Dragonfly Intelligence hub within three feet of the bank and registers each battery by serial number before pairing them to the app.11:58 The system feeds a Victron MPPT 250/85 charge controller receiving up to 2,200 watts from four 550-watt solar panels relocated to a shade-free deck position, then routes power through a Victron MultiPlus inverter to supply 120-volt loads including an induction stove, air fryer, fridge, freezer, electric boiler, power tools, and Starlink.17:05 The Dragonfly hub displays voltage, state of charge, and temperature for each battery individually on a single dashboard.14:10 Ben compares LiFePO4 to lead-acid: usable capacity up to 100% versus 30–50%, and cycle life of 3,000–5,000 versus 300–500.9:45 Delivery of the batteries was delayed one day by a 54-knot anchorage squall that dragged a neighboring charter boat.0:57

More from Sailing Yabá

Sailing to Rio: Exploring Brazil’s Most Famous City — Sailing YabáAug 2026Sailing to Ilha Grande: Prison Island transformed into Tropical Paradise! — Sailing YabáAug 2026This Anchorage Was Worth Every Miserable Mile — Sailing YabáAug 2026Sailing Fully Rigged at Night After Emergency Repairs — Sailing YabáAug 2026

From Sailing Yabá — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analysed video.

The Sailing Directory Newsletter

One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.