Lithium Battery Systems
Engineered for Your Boat. Built for How You Use It.
A properly designed lithium system is more than a battery upgrade. Charging sources, alternators, shore power, inverters, system protection, monitoring, wiring, load requirements, and the vessel's existing electrical system all need to work together safely and reliably.Bluewater System Design specializes in the design, installation, integration, and troubleshooting of advanced marine lithium battery systems. We support leading manufacturers including Victron Energy, Dragonfly Energy / Battle Born Batteries, Epoch Batteries, Monster Marine Lithium, and other premium marine power products. With countless lithium systems installed and factory training and certifications behind our work, we understand both the technology and the realities of installing it aboard a boat.
Custom Solutions — Not Cookie-Cutter Installations
Every vessel is different, and so is every owner's use case. A weekend cruiser has very different requirements from a boat spending extended periods away from shore power. We design around the boat, available space, existing equipment, charging capabilities, expected loads, cruising habits, and the owner's goals.When an off-the-shelf solution doesn't fit, we fabricate one. Custom battery mounting, equipment panels, bus and distribution layouts, cable routing, component placement, and system integration are all part of our capabilities. The result is an installation that looks intentional because it was designed that way from the beginning.Our work emphasizes clean layouts, proper circuit protection, carefully engineered conductors and connections, serviceability, documentation, and exacting attention to detail. Whenever appropriate, systems are designed and documented in CAD before installation begins, providing a roadmap for both the build and future service.Whether you're replacing a conventional lead-acid bank, adding high-output alternator charging, integrating solar, building a powerful inverter system, or developing a complete onboard energy system, we can take the project from initial concept and system design through fabrication, installation, commissioning, and support.
Purpose-built power systems. Designed, documented, and installed to a higher standard.
AGM Battery Systems
Proven Technology Still Has Its Place
Lithium has changed what is possible with onboard power, but it isn't the right solution for every boat or every application. AGM batteries remain a proven, dependable choice for many marine electrical systems—and in the right application, they can still be the better choice.Bluewater System Design approaches battery selection based on the vessel, its electrical demands, available charging sources, space, weight considerations, usage patterns, and the owner's goals. We don't believe in recommending lithium simply because it's the newest technology.For starting banks, generator batteries, smaller house systems, seasonal-use vessels, and applications where simplicity and proven reliability are priorities, a properly designed AGM system can provide years of dependable service without the additional equipment or system changes that may accompany a lithium conversion.
The Right Battery for the Right Application
Battery performance depends on much more than the name on the case. Proper capacity, charging profiles, cable sizing, circuit protection, battery placement, ventilation considerations, and integration with alternators, chargers, and other onboard equipment all contribute to the reliability and lifespan of the system.Whether we're replacing an aging battery bank, correcting an existing installation, upgrading charging equipment, or designing a complete electrical system, we evaluate the entire system rather than simply replacing batteries.We also design hybrid systems where appropriate, allowing AGM starting or dedicated equipment banks to coexist with lithium house systems while maintaining proper isolation and charging for each battery chemistry.Sometimes the best solution isn't the newest technology. It's the technology that best fits the boat.
Proven, reliable power—properly selected, designed, and installed for the application.
High-Output Alternator Systems
Turn Your Main Engine Into a Serious Power Source
Today's boats demand more electrical power than ever. Large lithium battery banks, inverters, refrigeration, electronics, climate-control equipment, cooking appliances, and other high-draw loads have changed what we expect from an onboard electrical system—and conventional alternators often weren't designed to keep up.Bluewater System Design provides advanced high-output alternator and charging solutions using equipment from ARCO Marine, Balmar, American Power Systems (APS), Electromaax, and other leading manufacturers. These systems are an ideal complement to modern lithium battery installations, providing substantially greater charging capability whenever your engine is running.
Get More From the Engine You're Already Running
A properly engineered high-output alternator system can transform your main engine into a powerful onboard energy source. By combining high-output generation with lithium storage and a properly sized inverter system, many vessels can support substantial AC loads without immediately turning to a traditional generator.Depending on the vessel and its power requirements, that can mean running appliances and other significant AC loads from the inverter while underway, rapidly replenishing the battery bank, and making far better use of engine runtime.But producing more power requires more than simply installing a larger alternator. Belt loading and drive systems, alternator mounting, engine capability, charge regulation, battery acceptance rates, cable sizing, circuit protection, thermal management, system monitoring, and the vessel's overall energy demands all need to be considered.We design the complete system around those factors.From upgraded single-alternator installations to sophisticated high-output charging systems integrated with lithium batteries and large inverter/chargers, Bluewater develops solutions around the individual vessel and how its owner actually uses it.
More charging. More usable power. More capability from the engine you're already running.
Marine Solar Systems
Make the Most of Every Available Watt
Solar has become an increasingly important part of modern onboard power systems, providing quiet, reliable energy whether you're underway, on a mooring, or spending extended time away from shore power. But on a boat, there is rarely a one-size-fits-all solar solution.Bluewater System Design creates custom marine solar systems built around the individual vessel, available mounting space, energy requirements, and the way the boat is actually used. From maintaining essential loads to supporting large lithium battery banks and reducing generator or engine runtime, we design each system to deliver the greatest practical benefit from the space available.
Custom Solutions for Any Vessel
Every boat presents different challenges. Available surface area, shading, canvas, rigging, access, appearance, wind loading, and the vessel's existing electrical system all influence how a solar installation should be designed.We work with rigid, flexible, and adhesive-mounted solar panels and can develop custom mounting solutions where conventional installations aren't practical. Our capabilities include custom canvas integration, solar arches, hardtop and deck installations, and purpose-built mounting and fabrication solutions designed specifically for the vessel.The electrical system receives the same attention. Panel configuration, charge controllers, conductor sizing, circuit protection, monitoring, battery chemistry, and integration with existing charging sources are all considered as part of the complete design.For vessels equipped with lithium batteries, high-output alternators, and inverter systems, solar can become another component of a fully integrated onboard energy system—quietly replenishing the battery bank throughout the day and extending the time you can operate independently of shore power or a generator.Whether adding a single panel or designing a large multi-panel array, we focus on creating an installation that performs well, integrates cleanly with the vessel, and looks like it belongs there.
Custom-designed solar. More energy independence, without compromising the boat.
Marine Wind Power Generation
Harness the Wind. Extend Your Energy Independence.
Wind generation offers another way to keep your batteries charged and reduce your dependence on shore power, engine runtime, and traditional generators. For cruising sailboats, vessels spending extended periods on a mooring, and owners looking to maximize their energy independence, a properly designed marine wind system can provide valuable charging capability—even when the sun isn't shining.Bluewater System Design provides custom marine wind generation solutions tailored to the individual vessel, its electrical demands, and the owner's cruising habits. Whether installed as a standalone charging source or integrated with an existing solar array, lithium battery bank, or conventional AGM system, we design each installation to work seamlessly with the vessel's overall electrical system.
A Natural Complement to Solar
Solar and wind generation can work exceptionally well together. While solar produces energy during daylight hours, wind generators can continue charging after sunset and during periods of reduced sunlight, provided wind conditions are favorable. Together, these renewable energy sources can significantly extend your time away from shore power and reduce the need to run your engine or generator.Every installation begins with an evaluation of the vessel's energy requirements, available mounting locations, expected wind conditions, and existing charging equipment. We consider generator sizing, mounting and structural requirements, vibration, noise, charge regulation, circuit protection, and integration with other onboard power sources.From custom mounting solutions and fabrication to complete renewable energy systems incorporating wind, solar, and advanced battery storage, our goal is to maximize usable energy without compromising the vessel's functionality, safety, or appearance.
More ways to generate power. Less time running your engine. Greater freedom on the water.
Inverter & Charger Systems
Bring the Comforts of Shore Power With You
Modern inverter/charger technology has fundamentally changed what is possible aboard a boat. When properly designed and integrated, today's systems can provide clean, reliable AC power for many of the appliances and equipment traditionally dependent on shore power or a generator.Bluewater System Design specializes in the design, installation, integration, and troubleshooting of marine inverter and inverter/charger systems. From straightforward installations to sophisticated systems integrated with lithium battery banks, high-output alternators, solar, wind, generators, and shore power, every system is designed around the vessel and how its owner actually uses it.
More Than Just an Inverter
A successful inverter installation starts with understanding the entire onboard electrical system. Available battery capacity, expected AC loads, charging requirements, shore and generator capacity, conductor sizing, circuit protection, transfer switching, grounding, monitoring, and existing AC and DC distribution all need to work together.We design systems capable of supporting everything from everyday convenience loads to substantial onboard power demands. With the right battery storage and charging infrastructure, large inverter systems can power refrigeration, entertainment systems, outlets, galley appliances, induction cooking, water heaters, air conditioning, and other high-demand equipment without requiring a generator to run continuously.Modern inverter/chargers can also intelligently manage multiple sources of power, provide high-capacity battery charging when shore or generator power is available, and supplement limited incoming AC power with energy stored in the battery bank.When combined with lithium storage and high-output alternator generation, an inverter can become the heart of a highly capable onboard energy system—allowing the main engine to generate and store significant amounts of energy and making that power available as household-quality AC whenever it's needed.Whether we're adding inverter capability to an existing vessel or designing a complete integrated energy system from the ground up, our focus remains the same: thoughtful engineering, proper integration, clean installation, and a system that's intuitive to operate and service.
Reliable AC power wherever you go—designed around your boat and the way you use it.
Shore Power & Isolation Transformers
Better Protection. Better Power. More Shore Power Flexibility.
The quality and configuration of shore power can vary considerably from one marina to another. Low voltage, incompatible shore power services, electrical noise, grounding issues, and corrosion concerns can all affect the safety and performance of a vessel's electrical system.Bluewater System Design designs and installs marine isolation and shore power transformer systems that provide an important layer of protection while giving today's boats greater flexibility in how they accept and use shore power.
Isolation From the Dock
An isolation transformer creates electrical separation between the vessel's onboard AC system and the shore power source. This eliminates the direct shore-side grounding connection that can provide a path for galvanic current between your vessel, neighboring boats, and marina infrastructure.For vessels spending significant time connected to shore power, a properly designed isolation transformer can be an important part of a comprehensive corrosion-protection strategy while also improving electrical safety.
Make More of the Power Available to You
Transformers can do considerably more than provide galvanic isolation.Properly configured systems can compensate for low incoming shore voltage, step voltage up or down, and allow a vessel to utilize shore power sources that may not directly match its onboard electrical system. This can be particularly valuable for cruising vessels traveling between marinas, regions, or countries where available shore power voltages and configurations can differ.Voltage boost capabilities can help maintain appropriate onboard voltage when marina power is low, improving the performance of sensitive electronics, chargers, motors, air-conditioning equipment, and other AC loads.Transformers can also help provide a more stable, controlled interface between unpredictable dockside power and the vessel's electrical system. When integrated with modern inverter/chargers and energy-management equipment, they can become an important part of a sophisticated onboard power system.As with every Bluewater installation, transformer selection begins with the vessel. Shore power capacity, onboard voltage, expected loads, available services, cruising plans, physical installation requirements, cooling, circuit protection, grounding, and the existing AC distribution system are all considered before equipment is specified.Whether the goal is galvanic isolation, voltage conversion, low-voltage correction, greater cruising flexibility, or a more capable overall shore power system, we design the solution around the boat and where it needs to operate.
Protect the vessel. Improve the power. Connect with confidence.
