Cruising Association & Inland Waterways Association guidance on LiFePO4 battery installations
by The Cruising Association 15 Aug 12:15 UTC
Cruising Association and Inland Waterways Association publish practical guidance on LiFePO4 Battery Installations © Jonathan Mosse
The Cruising Association (CA), working in partnership with the Inland Waterways Association (IWA), has published new guidance to help boat owners make informed decisions about installing lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4 or LFP) service batteries.
As increasing numbers of boat owners consider upgrading from traditional lead-acid batteries, the guidance highlights that fitting LFP batteries is not a straightforward 'drop-in' replacement. Following detailed work by the CA's Regulatory & Technical Services Group (RATS) and the IWA's Sustainable Boat Group, the organisations conclude that successful and safe installation requires careful planning, appropriate system design and, in many cases, upgrades to existing electrical systems.
The guidance note explains the technical considerations involved in converting to LFP batteries to help owners understand the implications before embarking on an installation. It also includes a practical checklist that can be used when discussing requirements with installers or when planning your own conversion.
By publishing this joint guidance, the CA and IWA aim to support the boating community with clear, impartial information that promotes safe and well-informed adoption of lithium battery technology.
Whether using a professional installer or perhaps thinking about carrying out the work yourself, it's an invaluable resource to read before making the switch.
The guidance note can be viewed at theca.org.uk/installing-lithium-batteries. You can also download a PDF version.