Charging Lithium and Lead Acid Batteries on a Catamaran
February 17, 2023 · 7 min · 3K views
What this video covers
Charging a catamaran with mixed battery chemistries requires isolating the lithium house bank from lead-acid starter batteries to ensure each receives the correct charging profile. When connected to shore power, use a dedicated inverter-charger configured for the lithium bank and a separate, smaller auxiliary charger for the lead-acid engine and generator batteries. Under engine propulsion, alternators typically charge the starter batteries first. To transfer that power to the lithium house bank, install DC-to-DC smart charging converters. These devices sense the charging voltage from the alternators and convert it to the specific voltage requirements of the lithium bank. Because these converters are often limited to 30 amps, multiple units can be installed in parallel to utilize the full output of higher-amperage alternators once the starter batteries reach capacity. Victron manufactures these smart converters for managing different battery chemistries. Using separate charging sources for distinct battery types prevents voltage conflicts and ensures optimal battery health.
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