An old girlfriend just called.....

[Frank]

Tired from the flights and boat yard work. Picked up a bit of a cold so with some wind starting this weekend, I grabbed a mooring in Black Sound.
Nice to be lazy and poke around

[Frank]

Figured I should share my observations on switching to lithium last year.
As I mentioned last year, my golf carts batteries were no longer keeping up at year 3 and as I looked at replacements, a boat friend convinced me of the benefits of lithium.

-The 200 amp hour lithium I purchased cost about the same as 2 new 235 amp hour golf cart 6 volts.
The lithium weighs slightly less than just one of those so there's a significant weight savings on a small boat.
The 235 amp hour achieved by the 2- 6 volts gave about 100 amp hours usable without damage.
The lithium gives a full 200 as they are not harmed by deep discharges.
As it turned out, my solar controller was programmable for lithium.

Last year I reported that my 165 watt panel easily kept the lithium charged and I no longer worried about having multiple cabin lights on or charging iPads etc after dark. Even after 3 mostly overcast days the lowest I saw was 87% and I run an Engel type fridge/freezer combo 24/7.

Standard worries cruising:
How much water is left?
wind speed-direction forecast?
Is my anchor well set?
How are the batteries?
This has literally taken one item off the list
A true game changer!

One issue with extended storage is lead acid batteries don't like to be left alone for 8-9 months
Tends to go like this with 6 volts...
First year is awesome
2nd is not too bad
3rd year is more of a struggle to keep up
4th year isn't good... if they made it that far (I know they're better when not stored as long, but this is my reality sailing winters here)

When I left them at around 70% last April for storage.
Was late returning this year and they were at 45% 10 months later.
They quickly charged right back up and have been great since.
Every bit as good as the first year.
I'm extremely pleased and already feel ahead of the game as I know had I purchased the 2 new golf cart batteries, after sitting for 10 months they wouldn't be the same... Apparently the lithium can keep doing this for at least 5 years and possibly up to 10,

All I can say right now is it was and is a game changer on Deja vu

[wolverine]

Thanks Frank. I purchased a 100 ah lithium battery for my Compac 19 to replace the 2-125ah lead acid batteries. I've been experimenting with the 1 and a new 50 watt solar panel and controller. I'm only powering interior & exterior lights (all LEDs), a vhf, chartplotter, depthmeter, and 2 fans. I left everything on for the entire month of January and the panel had no problem keeping the battery charged. I'm looking at a portable 12 volt fridge which would mean a second battery.
The weight, as you mentioned,is also something to factor. My battery compartment is just fire of the compression post and the lead acid batteries were getting heavy moving them in and out. The lithium is less than half the weight.

[Frank]

I should note that lithium is not just a dimple "drop in and go" exchange...
Charge controllers for solar must be suitable for lithium.
Diesel powered boats with alternators must be set up properly.
The end result is worth the trouble but if switching, please research what needs to be done for your situation.

[Frank]

Took some friends up to Anchor by Rat Cay with the intention of taking them for a dinghy ride in hopes of seeing sea turtles. We were not 100 yards from the boat when we came upon three majestic Eagle rays and slowed down to follow them for about five minutes. What a treat!
On the way there I came upon this Cape Dory 22. When I was just aft of him, I yelled over "I am mad at you"
He looked back at me, puzzled.
I yelled back at him, that I am supposed to have the smallest boat here!
Then I complemented him on his vessel.
He laughed.
Pretty boat. Had a diesel.
Can't imagine cruising without a dodger tho.....