Boats

Small boat power systems are very similar to RVs. The panels are more challenging to mount, but the kits are very similar.

Battery Bank

1.  Select a battery bank: The battery bank is the heart of the system. We recommend Lifeblue lithium batteries because of their built-in Bluetooth monitoring, high quality, and ability to expand over time. Depending on the size of your boat’s battery compartment, you may only be able to fit one or two batteries.

We sell LifeBlue batteries individually, or as a base kit, which includes one battery, a Victron BMV-712 battery monitor, cable, lugs, and heat shrink, plus expansion kits, which include one battery and parallel cables. For two batteries, select one base kit and one expansion kit.

If you plan on running an inverter, you will want 100Ah of LifeBlue battery capacity per 1000W of inverter capacity.

LifeBlue batteries come in three size configurations, choose what will fit best for your application.

100Ah: H 9.4″ x W 12.5″ x D 6.5″ 28lbs

200Ah: H 10.8″ x W 20″ x D 6.9″ 57lbs

300Ah: H 9.5″ x W 20.25″ x D 11″ 83lbs

 

Do not let your lithium batteries get below -10° F. Lithium batteries will not charge below 32° F.

Estimated Installation Labor

200Ah LifeBlue Lithium System with BMV-712
10 hours / $1,450

  • LiFeBlue LiFePO4 12V Drop-In Battery

    LiFeBlue lithium batteries have integrated controls to automatically protect against overcharging, overly discharging, and frozen charging. This integration makes installation much easier for DIY projects. LifeBlue offers the most comprehensive Bluetooth monitoring showing status, temperature, voltage, current, cycle life, battery health, Faults and...

    Quantity:
    from: $865.00

  • LiFeBlue Lithium Battery Bank with BMV-712 Monitor

    This is a complete LiFeBlue lithium RV battery base kit with a Victron BMV-712 Bluetooth battery monitor. The monitor is included to provide cumulative battery bank data, compatible with Victron VRM monitoring. LiFeBlue offers the most comprehensive Bluetooth monitoring showing status, temperature, voltage,...

    Quantity:
    from: $1,100.00

  • LiFeBlue Lithium Battery Expansion Kit

    This kit is designed to be an add-on to an existing LiFeBlue battery system. LiFeBlue offers the most comprehensive Bluetooth monitoring showing status, temperature, voltage, current, cycle life, battery health, faults and state of charge. These batteries can only be parallel connected due...

    Quantity:
    from: $905.00

Alternative Charging

2.  Alternator Charging:  In some applications, it may be possible to get you a charge to the house battery bank from the alternator.

Estimated Installation Labor

DC/DC Charger
4 hours / $580

  • DC/DC Charging: Motorhome, Van, Skoolie

    Enable DC/DC charging from your alternator to a secondary Lithium, AGM or Flooded battery bank. This kit is ideal for van conversions and skoolies with older alternators or lithium batteries with input current limits under 100A. Ideal for: Vans, skoolies, motorhomes *Please note...

    Quantity:
    from: $226.95

Solar Charging

3.  Design a solar charging system: Add a solar charging system that will fit on your roof. As a rough rule of thumb, every 100W of solar will produce about 25Ah (or 300Wh) of charge per day.

For a complete explanation of everything you would want to know about how to design a solar charging system, check out our Solar Charger Design Guide

These solar charging kits use the AM Solar combiner box and give you everything you need to create a solar charging system. The Victron SmartSolar MPPT charge controllers are compatible with any battery type, can work on 12V or 24V battery systems, and communicate status via Bluetooth.

Estimated Installation Labor

2x 100W on 20A Controller
11 hours / $1,595

  • Complete Solar Charger (20A)

    Communicates battery voltage and solar charge rate to a smart phone or tablet via Bluetooth, Expandable up to 300W, Advanced MPPT charge controller delivers approximately 20% more energy than PWM, Combiner box covers roof penetration and allows for easy upgrades, Panel(s) can be...

    Quantity:
    from: $350.00

  • Complete Solar Charger (30A)

    Communicates battery voltage and solar charge rate to a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth, Expandable up to 450W, Advanced MPPT charge controller delivers approximately 20% more energy than PWM, Combiner box covers roof penetration and allows for easy upgrades. This kit offers everything...

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    from: $430.00

  • Complete Solar Charger (50A)

    Communicates battery voltage and solar charge rate to a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth, Expandable up to 700W, Advanced MPPT charge controller delivers approximately 20% more energy than PWM, Combiner box covers roof penetration and allows for easy upgrades, Panel(s) can be tilted...

    Quantity:
    from: $550.00

Add solar panel kits ending in Cable and get one tube of Dicor for every three panels.

  • NOIR 100W Solar Panel

    Custom designed by Grape Solar for mobile applications, this 100W panel is ideal for Airstreams trailers, vans, truck campers, and any application where roof space is limited. The Grape Solar NOIR 100W panel comes in several kit variants.  Select the correct kit to...

    • Wattage: 100W
    • Type: Monocrystalline
    • Operating Voltage (Vmp): 19.1V
    • Open Circuit Voltage (Voc): 23.1V
    • Operating Current (Imp): 5.23A
    • Short Circuit Current (Isc): 5.59A
    • Size: 41" x 22" x 1.38" 15.4lbs
    • Frame: Black Anodized Aluminum
    Quantity:
    from: $260.00

  • NOIR 110W Solar Panel

    Custom designed by Grape Solar for mobile applications, this 110W panel is ideal for Airstreams trailers, vans, truck campers, and any application where roof space is limited. The Grape Solar NOIR 110W panel comes in several kit variants.  Select the correct kit to...

    • Wattage: 110W
    • Type: Monocrystalline
    • Operating Voltage (Vmp): 21.3V
    • Open Circuit Voltage (Voc): 25.7V
    • Operating Current (Imp): 5.18A
    • Short Circuit Current (Isc): 5.60A
    • Size: 68" x 15.4" x 1.38" 17.9lbs
    • Frame: Black Anodized Aluminum
    Quantity:
    from: $275.00

  • Zamp Obsidian 100W Solar Panel

    This panel has it all, a low-profile, a narrow footprint, and high output. It is ideal for van conversions, Airstreams, or anyone wanting the latest in mobile solar panel technology. Custom-engineered by Zamp Solar and made in Bend, Oregon. High Performance: By using...

    • Wattage: 100W
    • Type: Monocrystalline
    • Operating Voltage (Vmp): 21.9V
    • Open Circuit Voltage (Voc): 25.62V
    • Operating Current (Imp): 4.83A
    • Short Circuit Current (Isc): 4.58A
    • Size:: 20.7" x 43.6" x 0.67" 10.78lbs
    • Frame:: Obsidian Black Anodized Aluminum
    Quantity:
    from: $415.00

  • Dicor Sealant

    Dicor protects the VHB tape from the elements. Use it to seal around mount feet, cable management hardware and combiner boxes attached to roofs.

    Quantity:
    $12.00

AC Input/Output

4.  Select an Inverter/Charger System: The Victron Multiplus inverter/chargers combine an inverter and a charger in one unit.  They also offer PowerAssist, which means that they can combine shore power with battery power when necessary.

For a Boat, you will want kit variants that include the phrase “Empty Shell”.

The 3000VA inverter/charger is only slightly more expensive than the 2000VA and shaped differently. The 3000VA inverter/charger gives you the option of running an air conditioner or running multiple appliances at the same time, like a coffee pot and a microwave. Installation time is the same for both inverters.

In order to fully support a 2000W inverter, you will need a battery bank that can handle 200A of current outflow or two LifeBlue batteries. A 2000W, or 3000W inverter will work on a smaller battery bank, but will only work like a 1000W inverter if only one battery is used.

Estimated Installation Labor

Multiplus Inverter (RV Upgrade Kit)
17 hours / $2,465

  • MultiPlus 12/2000/80-50 - 120V Inverter/Charger

    The MultiPlus is a powerful true sine wave inverter, a sophisticated battery charger that features adaptive charge technology and a high-speed AC transfer switch in a single enclosure. Rated at 2000VA. Note: Some Keurig coffee makers are known to be incompatible with inverters....

    Please select your battery type for Multiplus programming
    If you selected "Other" for battery type above, please provide battery make, model, absorption/float voltage settings below
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    from: $1,023.40

  • MultiPlus 12/3000/120-50 120V VE.Bus Inverter/Charger

    The MultiPlus is a powerful true sine wave inverter, a sophisticated battery charger that features adaptive charge technology and a high-speed AC transfer switch in a single compact enclosure. Rated at 3000VA. Note: Some Keurig coffee makers are known to be incompatible with...

    Please select your battery type for Multiplus programming
    If you selected "Other" for battery type above, please provide battery make, model, absorption/float voltage settings below
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    Quantity:
    from: $1,388.05

Additional inverter and charger options:

  • Victron Phoenix 1200VA Inverter Kit

    Victron Phoenix 1200VA Inverter Kit

    This kit includes all the standard components for the do-it-yourself installation of a Victron Phoenix 1200 inverter system.  This inverter offers Bluetooth communication compatibility through a dongle and is ideal for refrigerators, laptops, entertainment centers, and cell phone chargers. Wiring Diagram Due to...

    Quantity:
    $845.00

  • Victron Blue Smart Chargers

    The Blue Smart Charger is a professional-grade battery charger with built-in Bluetooth. The Blue Smart Charger can be used on devices in your workshop and on motor vehicles, such as cars; motorbikes; boats and camper-vans. Kit option for the 30A IP22 includes wiring,...

    Quantity:
    from: $111.35

5. Optional components and tools: You may consider including these items in your purchase.

Tools – Make sure you have something equivalent to everything on the top row of this page.

Tech Support – Each kit comes with a set amount of free tech support, if you feel you may exceed that, you can purchase more here

  • Temperature Sensor for BMV-712

    Support from AMSolar is definitely 5 stars. 1st line of support for Victron equipment provided through distributors. AMSolar likely one of the best when it comes to RVs.

    Tom B

  • Zamp 2 Pole Plug, PV Side

    AM Solar is my “go to” website and store for all my solar needs. They provide technical advice to help ensure you are choosing the correct components. Their parts and connectors are high quality and come with heat shrink cabling to ensure a water tight connection.

    Bryan S