Victron installation and Lithium upgrade houseboat

In October 2024, Bruno contacted Robust-MT Marine Technology BV. He lives with his wife Carla on a beautiful, sailing houseboat over 100 years old. A powerful Victron EasySolar 24/3000/70 installation is located on board. However, the owners were unable to use the accompanying app. Additionally, they could not correctly read the DC load on the built-in Color Control GX.

After our initial consultation visit on December 13, Bruno immediately started redesigning the engine room. He received a template from us to calculate his exact energy requirements. During the Christmas holidays, he transferred the primary electrical systems to the cabin and thoroughly cleared out the distribution. We then used January for intensive, remote consultation to arrive at a technical design. However, during the installation of a new shunt on February 1, it became apparent that the existing battery bank exhibited a massive voltage drop under load. The old batteries were beyond repair. Therefore, on February 2, we made the decision to build a completely new, serious lithium system. On February 7, our team installed the new components during an intensive workday. The EasySolar installation is now running flawlessly. As a result, the houseboat has been transformed into an extremely comfortable and reliable living environment.

Customer wishes

During the process, the main objective shifted from purely decommissioning to a complete modernization of the energy storage. The installation had to meet the following criteria:

Future-proof battery bank

A heavy-duty, maintenance-free battery bank with sufficient capacity for long-lasting, comfortable living on board

Full insight into consumption

A modern monitoring system that replaces the old built-in Color Control GX and is readable via the cabin

Maximum safety at high currents

A professional fuse and distribution structure suitable for heavy consumers such as an electric hob

Future expandability

The infrastructure must already be prepared for a heavier inverter of up to 6000 Watts, even though the current EasySolar still delivers 3000 Watts

Solution by Robust-MT

The existing Victron EasySolar was retained but was given a new, uncluttered location in the spacious machine room. Our team designed a high-quality 24-volt lithium network around this proven device with the following components:

Heavy energy storage

We installed two powerful Victron Lithium (LiFePO4) 24V/300Ah NG batteries. This brings the total capacity to an impressive 600Ah at 24 Volts.

Modular distribution system

The complete battery management system is built using a full Victron Lynx system. This system consists of a Lynx Power In, the central Lynx BMS , and a Lynx Distributor for tight and safe fusing of all circuits.

Cabling

To prepare the installation for a future inverter upgrade to 6000 Watts, we did not install 50mm² battery cables. Instead, we used extremely heavy-duty 95mm² cabling . This guarantees minimal voltage losses and maximum safety.

Advanced monitoring

We bypassed the EasySolar's outdated Color Control GX. Instead, we installed a fast Cerbo GX as the communication hub. We mounted the accompanying touchscreen display flush into the cabin dashboard using an extension cable.

Remote fine-tuning

In the months following the installation, we continued to fine-tune the set remotely via the internet. We still monitor remotely and can step in immediately when necessary.

"We are extremely pleased with the approach of Remco from Robust-MT. Beforehand, we thoroughly reviewed and discussed the old situation together. That wasn't easy, as the existing installation was more unsafe than we had anticipated.

Next, Remco calculated and prepared the modifications, and we made agreements regarding the materials to be ordered. I was able to dismantle the old setup myself and prepare so that the new materials could be installed properly and in a better location. All this was done in consultation with Remco.
When we subsequently got to work—because I was allowed to assist Remco during this job so that I could learn from it myself as well—we collaborated very pleasantly until the installation could be switched on and everything was neatly finished. Through this renovation, we not only upgraded our installation with Remco and got it working much more safely and trouble-free, but we also built a bond with him. Very nice!

We will certainly use the services of Robust-MT again for any expansion or modification."

Bruno

Result

The transformation of the ship's electrical system is an unqualified success. The primary high-amperage network has proven to be extremely stable and reliable for quite some time. This demonstrates that it is perfectly possible to build a state-of-the-art system around an older inverter such as the EasySolar. Thanks to the heavy-duty Victron lithium battery bank, the couple enjoys optimal comfort on board. Major consumers such as a pellet stove, underfloor heating, a bathtub, and an electric hob function flawlessly without power outages. Via the Cerbo screen in the cabin and the Victron app, the owners now have perfect, real-time insight into their installation. Robust-MT is exceptionally proud of this project. It proves that intensive collaboration with the client leads to a technically perfect and reliable result.

Global cost indication

This custom project was designed for a 24V installation prepared for a load of up to 6000 Watts. For safety reasons and to prevent voltage drop, heavy 95mm² copper cabling and robust fuses were chosen. Thanks to the active involvement of the owner, savings could be made on on-site installation hours. The total costs are structured as follows:

Post	Description	Amount (incl. VAT)
Total investment	Fully refurbished and delivered ready for operation	€ 17.924,73
Hardware & components	First materials invoice including system discount for, among other things, the two 300Ah Victron NG lithium batteries, the Lynx system, and the Cerbo GX.	€ 9.862,-
Labor hours & installation	Final invoice for on-site hours, component assembly, bypassing Color Control, and commissioning.	€ 5.626,50
Small parts & cables	Final invoice for high-quality 95mm² cabling, heavy-duty fuses, main switches, and specific marine fastening materials.	€ 1.083,78
Custom design	Fully customer-specific electrical design for the redesign of the onboard power network.	€ 968,-
HDPE battery boxes	Specially custom-made, robust plastic boxes for a safe housing of the existing battery bank.	€ 384,75