Velero Reginavideo

Our opinion on Lithium (LiFePO4)

20 February 2026 · 22 min · 2K views · the Caribbean

Man in orange shirt on sailboat in harbor

What this video covers

The owner of the sailboat *Regina* upgraded the vessel’s electrical system to a 600Ah lithium (LiFePO4) battery bank, replacing a heavy lead-acid setup.6:41 The new system includes 670 watts of solar panels—a mix of rigid and flexible units—and a 400-watt wind generator.5:34 To manage the charging, the installation utilizes four Victron solar charge controllers and a Victron Orion-Tr Smart DC-DC charger to regulate alternator input.6:56 The upgrade significantly reduced the boat's total weight and battery volume by two-thirds.7:44 After one month of use in the Caribbean, the crew reports that the system maintains a state of charge above 92% even with heavy use of the watermaker, autopilot, and Starlink, whereas the previous system required frequent engine runs.12:09 The host notes that while 670 watts of solar is sufficient for their current consumption, it would be inadequate for high-draw appliances like an electric stove.15:26 The transition required replacing the battery monitor and adding a DC-DC charger, but the owner confirms the reliability and longevity of lithium make it a superior choice for long-term cruising.19:11

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More from Velero Regina

In search of the new boatOct 2026Sailing on the Regina one last timeSept 2026Preparing Regina for the new ownerSept 2026Regina has been soldSept 2026

From Velero Regina — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analysed video.

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