Answer
Jan 12, 2026 - 08:51 AM
Because there are multiple ways to incorporate the alternator we chose the simplest one for our Marine Kit which is the Orion XS DC DC Charger. This allows you to keep your existing alternator and have it charge the start battery, then take a measured amount from there to the Lithium. This would be suitable if you had a smaller alternator and weren't interested in upgrading. It doesn't get you the most charge to the lithium battery but it is a reliable bullet proof system that is suitable for a boat that goes offshore on ocean passages. Boats that have lots of solar choose this option because for them the alternator is just a backup for rainy days.
If you are using Victron NG Lithium Batteries like we show in the kit, the most sophisticated way to accommodate an alternator is using either the Arco Zeus or the Wakespeed regulators paired with a heavy duty alternator. The alternator would be a Balmar XT series or any of the Arco alternators we sell. Balmar don't want you to connect their 6 series alternators direct to a lithium battery because of potential overheating issues. The regulator networks to the Cerbo GX and shows up as a device on the Victron system. The Cerbo controls the regulator and can shut if off if necessary. We also install a backup shut off mechanism controlled directly by the BMS. This method gets you the most charge for your lithium battery but it doesnt charge the start battery at all so you have to make alternate arrangements to charge it.
Another slightly less sophisticated way of connecting the alternator is with a Balmar regulator. This won't network to the Cerbo but we can install the same back up shutoff mechanism as described above.
If you dont have a dedicated windlass battery you can connect the windlass to the lithium battery. Like every load you connect it needs a way for the BMS to control it. If you use a BatteryProtect for this then I think it should have its own BatteryProtect. That way if the anchor gets stuck in a rock and the current goes sky high and damages the BatteryProtect it doesnt disable the entire boat. We also have an alternative way to do this that doesnt involve a BatteryProtect, it just requires a bit more work to install.
Using an Argofet is not recommended with Lithium batteries. Lithium and conventional batteries are too different and if you try and combine them in the same charging scenario somebody is always going to get short changed. In any case there is no need if you select one of the options above.
The idea of showing a complete kit is to start a conversation. In fact every system is different. Our Marine kit is complete in that it includes an Orion XS for the alternator charge. We will customize it for you, do drawings, and make you a parts list tailored to your exact requirements. Please use our Support Page and tell us a bit about your project, what you have now, and what you would like to achieve.
If you are using Victron NG Lithium Batteries like we show in the kit, the most sophisticated way to accommodate an alternator is using either the Arco Zeus or the Wakespeed regulators paired with a heavy duty alternator. The alternator would be a Balmar XT series or any of the Arco alternators we sell. Balmar don't want you to connect their 6 series alternators direct to a lithium battery because of potential overheating issues. The regulator networks to the Cerbo GX and shows up as a device on the Victron system. The Cerbo controls the regulator and can shut if off if necessary. We also install a backup shut off mechanism controlled directly by the BMS. This method gets you the most charge for your lithium battery but it doesnt charge the start battery at all so you have to make alternate arrangements to charge it.
Another slightly less sophisticated way of connecting the alternator is with a Balmar regulator. This won't network to the Cerbo but we can install the same back up shutoff mechanism as described above.
If you dont have a dedicated windlass battery you can connect the windlass to the lithium battery. Like every load you connect it needs a way for the BMS to control it. If you use a BatteryProtect for this then I think it should have its own BatteryProtect. That way if the anchor gets stuck in a rock and the current goes sky high and damages the BatteryProtect it doesnt disable the entire boat. We also have an alternative way to do this that doesnt involve a BatteryProtect, it just requires a bit more work to install.
Using an Argofet is not recommended with Lithium batteries. Lithium and conventional batteries are too different and if you try and combine them in the same charging scenario somebody is always going to get short changed. In any case there is no need if you select one of the options above.
The idea of showing a complete kit is to start a conversation. In fact every system is different. Our Marine kit is complete in that it includes an Orion XS for the alternator charge. We will customize it for you, do drawings, and make you a parts list tailored to your exact requirements. Please use our Support Page and tell us a bit about your project, what you have now, and what you would like to achieve.
