What is the process to upgrade my electrical system to an ABYC Certified lithium system?

Lithium upgrade in process

At Marine Craft we take a system wide approach to upgrading your boats electrical system.  Vessels have several complex systems to keep them running smoothly.  The transition from lead acid technology to lithium technology is one of the biggest upgrades you can do to your boat.  No matter what anyone tells you, going from lead acid to lithium batteries is not a battery exchange, it is a system wide upgrade.  We look at your system and work on the charging, discharge, user interface, and safety of the system.  An ABYC Certified world class system starts with a design.
 
Design phase
When you are ready to upgrade your vessel to a lithium battery system we will work with you to understand your goals and what capabilities you want to have at the completion of the upgrade.  Are you looking to run your air conditioner all night?  Do you have a dive compressor or induction cook top you want to use?  We need to know your expected power use in order to gauge your battery storage, charge, and discharge requirements.  This is one of the most critical aspects of an electrical upgrade that most installers skip.  If your goals for this project are not understood by the system designer and installer how can they ever meet them?  Our design process will span multiple phone calls, and emails as we work together to refine your design.
 
Once we have your goals and the electrical system design completed we will review your vessels current electrical system to see where we are starting from and what we can use going forward.  We will determine what charging sources you have, what monitoring systems you have, and if those systems will be compatible for a lithium system.  The design phase will take on average between one to two weeks.  Once we fully understand your current system and the design is agreed upon we then move onto parts procurement. 
 
Parts procurement and initial testing phase
Each of our designs is unique to our owner’s preferences, goals, and vessel layout.  Each of our owners expects and receives a world class system.   As soon as the design is approved we will order your components.  These parts will take on average one to two weeks to arrive and be inventoried.  As parts for your system arrive our ABYC and Victron Certified technicians will start to assemble your system in our testing area.  Each system is built and tested before it is installed in your vessel.  This initial system testing allows us to identify any possible shortfalls before we begin to install the system in your vessel.  We use this time to balance your batteries, make any updates to firmware for your components, confirm there are no failures of the components right out of the box, and we can personalize the components with your unique access codes or names.  All of this prep work allows us to minimize the downtime of your vessel.  We know you want to enjoy your boat and not have it sit in a marina during an upgrade any longer than is needed.
 
Vessel System Installation Phase
We will schedule your vessel to arrive at our facility in conjunction with the completion of our initial testing.  When you turn over your vessel to us for the upgrade we will begin by removing the old components we are unable to repurpose for your upgrade.  Then we will meticulously install every component, wire, fuse, circuit breaker, and terminal in accordance with ABYC and the manufacturer standards.  Since we have already completed our initial testing and troubleshooting phase the Vessel System Installation phase can be completed within one or two weeks for large installations.
 
Testing and owner handover Phase
Once the new electrical lithium system is installed in your vessel and it has been QC checked by our ABYC Certified Master Technicians we will walk through the system with you.  This phase will usually last one to two days.  We will discharge your batteries to around 30% and demonstrate how much wattage you can now safely pull from your system.  We routinely see discharge rates in excess of 8-,9,000 watts.  Then we will begin recharging your battery bank with each of your charge sources so you are familiar with expected rates of charge and how and when to utilize the system.  We will walk through how to access the data via Victron VRM, Bluetooth, or vessel mounted displays as appropriate.  We want to ensure all of our owners are familiar and confident with our system to take it offshore and understand how this new complex system operates. 
 
Follow On Support Phase
When you leave our facility with your newly upgraded system our service does not end.  You are enrolled in our Marine Craft Service program for 6 months after the handover phase for no additional charge.  This is a $450 value.  We not only warranty our workmanship but also provide support no matter where you are in the world via email, text, call, or VRM if enabled.  We want to make sure you have world class service for your Marine Craft installed system.
 
Our five phase certified electrical upgrade process is best in class.  If you are looking for your next electrical upgrade be sure to ask if your technician is certified for the installation.  Do they have ABYC Master Technicians to QC their work?  Have they developed a complete design that meets your goals?  Do they provide handover and follow on support?  If you are looking for world class upgrades to fit your boating needs there is no better place than Marine Craft.  Check out our Electrical Repairs and Upgrades page to learn more about our quality upgrades.  Email or give us a call today at 252-571-9980 to schedule the Design Phase of your electrical upgrade.  You’ll be glad you did when you are at anchor next to a tropical island with a cold drink in your hand and hot appetizers on a plate made fresh from your ice cold freezer and induction cook top, all powered by your new Marine Craft electrical system.

​Check out our YouTube video on this subject here.
 
We look forward to working with you and we’ll see you out on the water.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the first step in upgrading my boat to a lithium battery system?

The design phase. We work closely with you to understand your power goals (e.g., running air conditioning overnight, induction cooking, or full off-grid capability). This involves multiple calls and emails to refine a system that meets your needs — not just swapping batteries, but a complete electrical upgrade.

How long does the design phase take?

Typically 1–2 weeks. We review your current system (charging sources, monitoring, compatibility) and ensure the new design aligns with ABYC standards and your specific vessel layout and usage.

Do you test lithium systems before installation?

Yes — we build and test the entire system in our shop first. This includes balancing batteries, firmware updates, component checks, and load testing. It minimizes downtime on your boat and catches any issues early.

How long does the actual installation take?

Most full lithium upgrades (with Victron components, inverters, solar, etc.) take 1–2 weeks once the vessel arrives. Pre-testing lets us move quickly and efficiently while maintaining ABYC quality.

What kind of support do I get after the upgrade?

You’re enrolled in our Marine Craft Service program for 6 months at no extra charge (a $450 value). We provide worldwide support via email, text, phone, or Victron VRM — plus our workmanship guarantee. We want you confident and safe on the water.

Why choose Marine Craft for a lithium electrical upgrade?

Our ABYC Master Technicians ensure world-class quality and attention to detail. We handle seamless 12/24/48V DC + 120/230/240V AC integration, Victron expertise, and full off-grid capability — so you can enjoy tropical anchorages with air conditioning, cooking, and more. Contact us at 252-571-9980 or visit our Electrical Repairs & Upgrades page to start.

Posted by Dave C., ABYC Master Technician 08 March 2026