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I had a glorious plan. New Victron LiFePO4 batteries; a PWC battery as starter. Victron BMS to monitor the batteries. Victron DC to DC converter to charge the LiFePO4 batteries from the alternator while underway. A hardwired Victron charger for while on shore power.
Then I happened to notice that the small BMS I was planning to buy had IP20 protection -- and while I don't plan to submerge the boat, there is often moisture on a boat. Then I noticed it was not ignition protected, probably a minor risk due to it's purpose, but that got me looking. DC to DC converter? Not ignition protected. The AC to DC charger? The fancy once I had planned to buy was not, but there was at least once option that was ignition protected.
I have thus far found exactly one DC to DC converter (Mastervolt) that is ignition protected AND LiFePO4 compatible -- and I've only found one that is ignition protected without the lithium ion compatibility (ProMariner, although I think Sterling Power may be as well).
On my Ranger 29, the battery box is 90 degrees turned from the engine, facing down alongside the gas tank. Even with a blower and air ventilation (~4" air tube, but diagonally across the gas tank), it seems I should be buying ignition protected gear.
The boat is the boat, and the engine is the engine, and there's no way I can isolate the battery compartment, nor is there spare space on the other side of a bulkhead that's accessible from the battery compartment.
Does anyone have a recommendation for ignition protected + LiFePO4 compatible charging gear, particularly for the DC to DC converter?
Then I happened to notice that the small BMS I was planning to buy had IP20 protection -- and while I don't plan to submerge the boat, there is often moisture on a boat. Then I noticed it was not ignition protected, probably a minor risk due to it's purpose, but that got me looking. DC to DC converter? Not ignition protected. The AC to DC charger? The fancy once I had planned to buy was not, but there was at least once option that was ignition protected.
I have thus far found exactly one DC to DC converter (Mastervolt) that is ignition protected AND LiFePO4 compatible -- and I've only found one that is ignition protected without the lithium ion compatibility (ProMariner, although I think Sterling Power may be as well).
On my Ranger 29, the battery box is 90 degrees turned from the engine, facing down alongside the gas tank. Even with a blower and air ventilation (~4" air tube, but diagonally across the gas tank), it seems I should be buying ignition protected gear.
The boat is the boat, and the engine is the engine, and there's no way I can isolate the battery compartment, nor is there spare space on the other side of a bulkhead that's accessible from the battery compartment.
Does anyone have a recommendation for ignition protected + LiFePO4 compatible charging gear, particularly for the DC to DC converter?
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