DrakeParagonvideo

Vatrer LiFePO4 Upgrade = All Electric Cooking on Our Sailboat! | DrakeParagon Sailing

1 June 2025 · 37 min · 10K views · Brest, France

What this video covers

Replacing two 255-amp-hour AGM batteries with two 300-amp-hour VATRER lithium-iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries allows for a full-electric galley on a 42-foot sailboat.1:22 The upgrade reduces the house bank weight by 98 pounds while increasing total capacity and enabling deep discharge cycles without damaging the cells.1:36 To support the high current demands of a new 3000-watt pure sine wave inverter, the batteries were relocated to the engine room to minimise cable run length to 0.75 metres.14:59 This placement, combined with 120-square-millimetre cabling, keeps voltage drop below 1% during high-load operations.16:00 Each battery features a built-in battery management system, self-heating for cold-weather charging, and Bluetooth connectivity for real-time monitoring via the VATRER app.3:37 The system uses Class T fuses and a 600-amp-rated Blue Sea Systems switch to manage parallel connections.17:11 The increased charging efficiency allows the boat’s 2100-watt solar array to charge the bank at over 100 amps.34:36 The transition to lithium power supports induction cooktops, an Instant Pot, an electric kettle, and a pizza oven, eliminating the need for propane.35:32

Watch on YouTube

Boats in this video

Westsail 42Their boat

More from DrakeParagon

This Broke...And I'm Okay With That? Sailing from Spain to Tunisia, Part 10 | DrakeParagon SailingAug 2026Ramming Speed! - Sailing from Spain to Tunisia, Part 9 | DrakeParagon SailingAug 2026Our Sailing Apps: Sailing from Spain to Tunisia, Part 8 | DrakeParagon SailingAug 2026When Things Go Wrong! - Sailing from Spain to Tunisia, Part 7 | DrakeParagon SailingJul 2026

From DrakeParagon — 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.

Report an issue