At the end of 2024, the owner of the 42-foot catamaran Aldena approached YCB with a request to upgrade the vessel’s electrical system. The main objectives were to modernize the battery bank with LiFePo4 batteries, ensure sufficient capacity to run the 230V systems without relying on a generator, enable fast charging, optimize alternator charging while the engines are running, and provide silent, generator-free air conditioning for summer nights.
To achieve this, we designed a system using Victron Energy and MG Energy equipment. The setup includes six 210Ah 12V MG Energy batteries, total capacity of 16kWh, managed by two 1000A Master LV units, and charged by two Quattro 5000 inverters, delivering a total charging capacity of over 600A. For alternator charging, we installed Zeus Arco 275 alternators, which, at 80% efficiency, provide approximately 220A of charge. These are managed by MG AFC 300 controllers for optimal performance.
The beauty of this system lies in its clear and integrated architecture, allowing seamless communication between all components. This ensures reliability, safety, and built-in monitoring with alarm capabilities.
The YCB team not only designed but also installed the system, completing the project in February 2025.