57.6kWh + 10kWh Energy system on a big sailing yacht

February 1, 2024

We were called to Phuket, Thailand. There’s been a fire after a short circuit on board of a Lagoon 50. The damage has been repaired by the installer but there are still many issues and the owner has his doubts. We were asked for a second opinion. Well, we’re not going to share much about what we found there, not to compromise our well-respected Thai colleagues. the pictures speak for themselves:

For us, this means only one thing: cut everything out and start all over…

The first thing was, make a thorough investigation of all systems and needs, then make an electrical diagram.

From our first visits we already knew that not much in the way of materials are available locally… So, we had to prepare an extremely detailed list of all materials we would need for the the installation. Every piece of equipment, every cable, every connector, every little screw, had to be transported to Langkawi, Malaysia where the work would be done!

In our workshop and storage room, we prepared everything and packed it in crates.

All this was shipped to Langkawi by sea. It took a container vessel 6 weeks to get it there.

But finally, everything was delivered!

Then, we took a flight to Langkawi.

We rolled up our sleeves (it’s hot there) and got to work!

The tool case had been flying with us.

All equipment and materials are unpacked on board.

First, we remove the entire existing installation, except the 2 Victron 8k Quattro’s. In this picture, we have started installing the MG Master LV and MG Distributor.

Cutting away a big bunch of old cables…

Installing cable rails.

More cable rail and fitting the batteries.

Installing the main manually-operated circuit breaker. This sturdy 2000A switch cuts off the batteries from the system in an emergency.

Breakfast isn’t bad here! 😋

The 8 MG 24v 280Ah 7.2kWh batteries are in place and firmly strapped to the floor.

57.6 kWh at 25.6v of energy storage 👊🏻

Battery cables connected to the BMS. 4 groups of 2 batteries in parallel. This looks a bit different than the original photos, right?

The MG Energy Monitor finds a place outside the battery room.

The Quattro’s and AC system connected.

Solar chargers are connected. There’s about 7 kWp PV power on this boat.

Speaking of solar… Every night at dinnertime we have this gorgeous view.

And then dinnertime… we love the Thai food!

And we have something to read and a drink 🙂

Meanwhile, we’re working on the Victron 12v battery bank. All the boat’s DC systems are 12v so we need a lot of 12v power.

10 kWh at 12.8v. 4x 200Ah Victron lithium battery.

There are DC-DC converters that charge this battery bank from the main (24v) battery bank. Plus an AC charger that can charge this bank from the Onan genset.

The main energy room is finished.