Mastervolt vs Victron for Li Batteries

[geoffr]

Our Trojan T105s are looking like they are on their last legs.. so it looks like it's time to move up in the world to Lithium.... wondering what the forums view is on Mastervolt vs Victron.

From my review of their documentation is looks like Victron is better when putting the full system together as I can't seem to find all the parts to do the disconnects (alternator, load, other charge sources) which were easy to find for Victron.

Thoughts?
Any other vendors I should look into?

System to be updated (replace only what is needed)

• 6x T105s (625 Ahr @ 12V)
• 125A alternator with Balmer MC-614
• Two Balmer Duo-Charges (to Start Battery and Thruster Battery)
• Inverter (don't want to change)
• Old 10Amp battery charger
• Two Blue Sky Solar Controllers

Currently the alternator only charges the house, then the duo chargers supply the start and thruster batteries. All Li systems I've seen charge the start batter and use a relay to the Li bank. I think that makes sense as all the relays look okay for the 125A - thoughts?

thanks!

[hjohnson]

Originally Posted by geoffr

Our Trojan T105s are looking like they are on their last legs.. so it looks like it's time to move up in the world to Lithium.... wondering what the forums view is on Mastervolt vs Victron.

From my review of their documentation is looks like Victron is better when putting the full system together as I can't seem to find all the parts to do the disconnects (alternator, load, other charge sources) which were easy to find for Victron.

Thoughts?
Any other vendors I should look into?

System to be updated (replace only what is needed)

• 6x T105s (625 Ahr @ 12V)
• 125A alternator with Balmer MC-614
• Two Balmer Duo-Charges (to Start Battery and Thruster Battery)
• Inverter (don't want to change)
• Old 10Amp battery charger

Currently the alternator only charges the house, then the duo chargers supply the start and thruster batteries. All Li systems I've seen charge the start batter and use a relay to the Li bank. I think that makes sense as all the relays look okay for the 125A - thoughts?

thanks!

I went all in with Victron, and couldn’t be happier. The whole ecosystem is very nice, and is nicely expandable. Plus their remote monitoring snd control system works beautifully.

You can reprogram your 614 to charge Li directly, which is what I would do. I have a Wakespeed WS500 alternator regulator, which fully integrates, but that’s icing on the cake.

But in the victron ecosystem you can integrate your main batteries with remote control, your inverter/charger, future solar power, tank monitoring, and all sorts of other things.

[geoffr]

... oops forgot (just added) the two blue sky solar controllers.

[fxykty]

Originally Posted by geoffr

…

Currently the alternator only charges the house, then the duo chargers supply the start and thruster batteries. All Li systems I've seen charge the start batter and use a relay to the Li bank. I think that makes sense as all the relays look okay for the 125A - thoughts?

thanks!

Your current alternator charging is just fine for a LFP house battery. That’s what we do - it certainly isn’t everyone alternator charging to start battery.

Both Mastervolt and Victron Energy make decent batteries (if you really want to spend the $$$$ that they cost) - the decision on which to choose (Lithionics and Juice are others) could be based on which battery best integrates with the rest of your system. If you’re not already fully Mastervolt then chances are you already have a bunch of Victron Energy equipment on board. Certainly the VE GX monitors such as the Cerbo GX and their MPPT regulators are industry leaders.