Our AGM batteries were on the boat before we purchased Mystic Hearts four years ago and had certainly done their job for us over the years, but their ability to keep us charged started getting worse until we finally decided that we couldn’t go cruising again without changing them out. So, we spent winter 2023/2024 at the dock and didn’t head south as usual.

We did plenty of research on lithium batteries and shopped around several of the leading companies before choosing Epoch Batteries. They have the right specs without the ridiculous costs associated with some of the other trendier brands you see currently sponsored by sailors. Power-wise, this would be a big upgrade for us. We had three 200 Ah AGM batteries (600 Ah total) and were switching to two 460 Ah lithium batteries (920 Ah total). Each lithium battery weighs less (still heavy at just under 100 pounds) than each AGM battery, but gives us substantially more power. 

Two of the three AGM batteries were located in front of our companionway stairs next to the engine; the other was located under the bed in the aft cabin. The battery location next to the engine was questionable. We didn’t want to put batteries next to an engine that was hot underway, so under the stairs ended up being a location where we can store spare tools for easy access. The location of the old AGM battery under the aft bed actually provided enough space to house the two new lithium batteries (8D size), so this made the most sense to us. Paul built a shelf out of plywood, covered it in epoxy, and mounted it to the hull. The batteries are strapped down, secured to the plywood shelf.

We had also decided that we wanted to mount all of the electronics for the new system on the wall next to the bed, which both had enough room to store everything and would provide for the shortest distance possible to run the new cords to the busbar. The cables are all hidden behind a cable organizer, making the space nice and tidy. Unlike before, each connection now has its own appropriately sized fuse, which was not the case before with the old AGM batteries.

We had Front Panel Express make a custom panel for us for the circuit breakers in the aft cabin. If anyone plans to buy these exact circuit breakers, we have a file of the drawing that we can provide to anyone interested – just send us a comment through our contact page.

A full list of the equipment and tools we purchased can be found below, along with pricing, a link where they can be purchased, and the grand total of what we spent for the project.

Products Used (including our Amazon & Epoch Batteries affiliate links)

1. Epoch Lithium Batteries 12V 460Ah | Heated & Bluetooth & Victron Comms | LiFePO4 Battery

Purchased 2 at $1799 each on https://www.epochbatteries.com/?rfsn=7814242.4da11d

2. Victron Energy MultiPlus Pure Sine Wave Inverter Charger for 120 amp Battery, 3000VA 12-Volt 

Purchased 1 at $1,168.75 on https://amzn.to/3Ajis1x 

3. Victron Energy Cerbo GX for System Monitoring and Control

Purchased 1 at $274.97 on https://amzn.to/3YVUp35

4. Victron Energy GX Touch 50, Display Screen for Cerbo GX (Waterproof)

Purchased 1 at $220.15 on https://amzn.to/3AaBg2L 

5. Victron Energy SmartSolar MPPT Solar Charge Controller (Bluetooth) – Charge Controllers for Solar Panels – 100V, 50 amp, 12/24-Volt

Purchased 1 at $184 on https://amzn.to/3SFmiYU 

6. Victron Energy Lynx Distributor 1000 DC

Purchased 3 at $191.99 each on https://amzn.to/4dcOUkA 

7. Victron Energy Lynx Shunt IP22 VE.Can 1000 amp

Purchased 1 at $344 on https://amzn.to/3Ajj1IH 

8. Victron Energy SmartSolar MPPT Solar Charge Controller (Bluetooth) – Charge Controllers for Solar Panels – 100V, 30 amp, 12/24-Volt

Purchased 1 at $123 on https://amzn.to/4dAhAnv 

9. Victron ORI121217040 Orion XS 12/12-50 non-isolated DC-DC charger

Purchased 1 at $328.10 on https://shop.pkys.com/xs-12-12-50 

10. 2P 250V Low Voltage DC Miniature Circuit Breaker for Solar Panels Grid System Din Rail Mount Breaker DC Circuit Amp Solar Double Pole(63A)

Purchased 2 at $13.30 each on https://amzn.to/4dfPXjS 

11. smseace Distribution Protection Box, ABS Plastic Transparent Cover Waterproof Distribution Box IP65, for Indoor Wall Circuit Breaker (5 Way)

Purchased 1 at $14.99 on https://amzn.to/3WVkT35 

12. Blue Sea Systems 6006 m-Series Battery Switch ON/OFF with Knob, Red

Purchased 1 at $25.24 on https://amzn.to/3WCgjpe 

13. 2PACK-10PACK MEGA/AMG Fuse 40 Amp-500 Amp, 32V, 298 Series, Time Delay, Bolt Down – Automotive/Marine (40A-5PACK)

Purchased 1 at $32.36 on https://amzn.to/3WILNd8

14. Power Lugs – 1-2 AWG 5/16″ (5 Pack) – Heavy Duty Tinned Copper Cable Ring Terminals by FTZ 91746

Purchased 1 at $16.99 on https://amzn.to/4dTX8yf 

15. Power Lugs – 1/0 AWG 5/16″ (5 Pack) – Heavy Duty Tinned Copper Cable Ring Terminals by FTZ 91756

Purchased 1 at $18.99 on https://amzn.to/3SDhFPh 

16. Power Lugs – 8 AWG 5/16″ (5 Pack) – Heavy Duty Tinned Copper Cable Ring Terminals by FTZ 91706

Purchased 1 at $10.59 on https://amzn.to/3SDxWDW  

17. Capshi 4K Long HDMI Cable 35ft/10M | in-Wall CL3 Rated HDMI Cable 2.0 | Support HDR10 8/10bit 18Gbps HDCP2.2 ARC | High Speed HD Shielded Cord | Compatible with Roku TV/Laptop/PC/HDTV

Purchased 1 at $17.99 on https://amzn.to/3Aezvlf 

18. KNIPEX Self-Adjusting Crimping Pliers For Wire Ferrules

Purchased 1 at $189.91 on https://amzn.to/3WCWKgk 

19. Digital Torque Screwdriver 2.66-53.1 in-lbs/0.3-6 Nm, Adjustable Screwdriver Torque Wrench Set with Buzzer/LED Indicator Notification for Bike Repairing, Tools, Maintenance and Mounting

Purchased 1 at $59.98 on https://amzn.to/3WEcmQH 

20. 78” Battery Tie Down Strap, Battery Box Hold-Down Strap for Gas Fuel Heavy Duty Battery Box with Stainless Steel Cam Buckle, Stainless Steel 316 Deck Loop Mounts,4 SS Screws

Purchased 1 at $9.59 on https://amzn.to/3YCz2nd 

21. 2 Pack 1” Heat Shrink Tube 3:1 Adhesive-Lined Heat Shrinkable Tubing Black&RED 4Ft

Purchased 1 at $9.99 on https://amzn.to/4dcPVJq 

22. NTE Electronics 47-21006-CL Heat Shrink Tubing, Thin Wall, 2:1 Shrink Ratio, 1″ Diameter, 6″ Length, Clear (Pack of 7)

Purchased 1 at $10.18 on https://amzn.to/3YGFtFF 

23. “FTZ Correct Crimp Heavy Duty Ratcheting Lug Crimp Tool”

Purchased 1 at $134.43 on https://amzn.to/4ce56ko 

24. Wirefy Heat Shrink Tubing Kit – 3:1 Ratio Adhesive Lined, 1.75″ Length, Wire Shrink Wrap Tubing – Automotive Industrial Heat-Shrink Tubing – Black, Red – 200 PCS

Purchased 1 at $14.99 on https://amzn.to/3Ae6qqe 

25. StarTech.com Open Slot Cable Management Raceway with Cover, 3″(75mm)W x 3-7/8″(10cm)H – 6.5ft(2m) length – 1/4″(8mm) Slots, PVC Network Cord Hider/Wall Wire Duct, Max 240 Cables, UL Listed(CBMWD75100)

Purchased 1 at $48.31 on https://amzn.to/3SIvFr7 

26. WAGO 285-135 35 MM, DIN Rail Mount, 2 Positions, 2 AWG, 10 AWG, 125 AMP, CLAMP, Terminal Block

Purchased 1 at $12.56 on https://amzn.to/3WXzyei 

27. Blue Sea 7044 187 – Series Thermal Circuit Breaker – 100Amp

Purchased 1 at $70.48 on https://amzn.to/3YCAaao 

28. Blue Sea Systems 7042 187-Series Circuit Breaker, Panel Mount, 80A

Purchased 1 at $60.93 on https://amzn.to/4fClcHg 

Total: $7,602.04

A Note on the Links Provided

Most of the Victron gear we purchased directly through PKYS Inc., but wanted to provide quick links via Amazon. As always, we are Amazon affiliates, so any purchases through our affiliate links provides us with compensation.

For those who may be interested in Epoch batteries, we have an affiliate link that gives us credit with your purchase (if done within 30 days of clicking on the link): https://www.epochbatteries.com/?rfsn=7814242.4da11d