Over the past 7 months living aboard our boat with the new electrical system installed we have been testing its functionality and evaluating performance. With this new system, we are able to run our electric SCUBA compressor, 30 gallons per hour desalination watermaker system, electric kitchen appliances (microwave, induction cook-top, kettle, stand mixer, etc.), and 16,000 BTU air conditioner, all directly off of the lithium house battery bank and inverter, and without the assistance of a generator. We can rapidly recharge our large 20 kilowatt house battery bank through a 130 amp-48 volt alternator and 1300 watts of solar. We often can go more than a week without needing to burn diesel to generate power.

This post is very technical, and is intended to document in detail our marine electrical system for others to consider when designing for their own boat, RV, or home system. It’s also a long post as it’s really 2 documents in 1 (Requirements and the Design).