# Boat Lithium Conversion Cost (2026) | Long Beach Marine Electric > Boat lithium conversion cost in 2026: about $2,600–$6,000 for a 200 Ah house bank and $3,700–$7,700 for 400 Ah, with batteries, charging and labor shown. URL: https://longbeachmarineelectric.com/guide/lithium-conversion-cost/ Cost Guide # Boat Lithium Conversion Cost: What a LiFePO4 Upgrade Really Costs (2026) Batteries are only part of it. Here's what a lithium conversion costs once chargers, alternator protection and labor are included. By Long Beach Marine Electric · Updated October 6, 2026 **Short answer:** A boat lithium conversion typically costs about $2,600–$6,000 for a 200 Ah LiFePO4 house bank and roughly $3,700–$7,700 for 400 Ah in 2026. That includes batteries at $500–$800 per 100 Ah, a DC-DC charger for the alternator, fusing and 8–16 hours of labor. A new charger or inverter adds more. [Long Beach Marine Electric](/) connects boat owners with marine electricians who design and install lithium systems, and this guide breaks down boat lithium conversion cost line by line. Batteries are the visible expense, but a safe conversion also changes how the boat charges and protects the bank. The figures use published 2026 parts prices and Long Beach labor at **$140–$200 per hour**. They’re estimates, not quotes. ## The cost breakdown Item Basis 200 Ah bank 400 Ah bank LiFePO4 batteries $500–$800 per 100 Ah $1,000–$1,600 $2,000–$3,200 DC-DC charger for the alternator Victron Orion-Tr Smart from ~$160 $160–$400 $160–$400 Fusing, cables, battery monitor Varies by layout $350–$800 $400–$900 Labor 8–16 hrs at $140–$200 $1,120–$3,200 $1,120–$3,200 **Estimated total** **~$2,600–$6,000** **~$3,700–$7,700** Add a lithium-capable shore charger if your current one can’t be reprogrammed. A Victron Centaur 3-bank charger starts at about $380 retail. Inverter/chargers cost more. See the [marine inverter installation cost guide](/guide/marine-inverter-installation-cost/). ## Why the charging system changes **The alternator.** A lithium bank accepts charge so readily that it can hold a standard alternator at full output until it overheats. A DC-DC charger limits the current and charges the house bank from the start battery’s circuit. A smart external regulator with temperature sensing is the alternative on high-output alternators. **Chargers and solar.** Lithium needs different absorption and float voltages than lead-acid. Every charge source has to be set for it. **The BMS.** ABYC E-13, ratified in 2022 and effective for systems installed after July 31, 2023, requires a battery management system on lithium installations of 600 watt-hours or more, which is 50 Ah and up on a 12-volt boat. The BMS can disconnect the bank to protect it. The installation has to plan for that, so the alternator isn’t damaged and critical loads don’t go dark without warning. ## What drives the price up or down - **Bank size.** Batteries scale with capacity, while most other costs don’t. - **Charge sources.** A boat with shore charger, alternator, solar and a generator has four sources to configure. - **Battery location.** Lithium’s lighter weight helps, but cable runs and mounting can add hours. - **Reusing equipment.** Programmable chargers and inverters that support lithium cut costs significantly. - **Start battery.** Most conversions keep a lead-acid start battery, which avoids extra cost. ## Is it worth it? Lithium usually costs 2 to 6 times more up front than lead-acid per amp-hour. But you can use 80–100% of its capacity against about 50%, and it’s rated for 3,000–6,000 cycles against 300–800. For a boat that cycles its batteries hard, the cost per cycle ends up lower. For a boat plugged in at its slip most of the time, an AGM replacement is usually the better value. See [lithium vs AGM marine batteries](/guide/lithium-vs-agm-marine-batteries/). ## Bottom line Budget about **$2,600–$6,000 for a 200 Ah conversion and $3,700–$7,700 for 400 Ah**, more if chargers or inverters need replacing. Get the system designed before buying batteries. Talk to your insurer too: see [lithium batteries and boat insurance](/guide/lithium-batteries-boat-insurance/). For a design and fixed price, see [boat lithium battery conversion](/lithium-battery-conversion/) or call **(562) 374-7233**. Want a real number for your boat? Get a same-day callback and a free estimate within 24 hours. [Call (562) 374-7233](tel:+15623747233)[Request an estimate](#estimate) ## Sources - [LiTime: deep-cycle marine battery prices (Jul 2026)](https://www.litime.com/blogs/buying-guides/deep-cycle-marine-battery-prices-cost-comparison) - [eMarine: Victron Orion-Tr Smart DC-DC and Centaur charger prices](https://emarineinc.com/collections/victron-energy-over-100) - [US Harbors: lithium boat batteries (Jul 2026)](https://www.usharbors.com/2026/07/lithium-boat-batteries-what-boaters-need-to-know-about-making-the-switch/) - [Panbo: ABYC ratifies E-13](https://panbo.com/abyc-ratifies-e-13-their-first-lithium-battery-standard/) [ Related service Lithium Battery Conversion LiFePO4 house banks installed to ABYC E-13, with matched chargers, alternator regulation, DC-DC charging and BMS integration. See the service](/lithium-battery-conversion/) Free estimate Two quick steps. A callback the same day. Faster by phone: [(562) 374-7233](tel:+15623747233) Straight answers ## Related questions ### Why does a lithium conversion cost more than just the batteries? Because the charging system has to change. Chargers and solar controllers need lithium profiles, the alternator usually needs a DC-DC charger or smart regulator, and the system must handle the BMS disconnecting the bank. Those parts and the labor to integrate them are often half the cost. ### Can I reuse my existing battery charger? Sometimes. Many modern chargers have a lithium setting or can be programmed. Older lead-acid-only chargers usually need replacing. The electrician checks the model during the audit. ### Is a lithium conversion worth the cost? For boats that anchor out, live aboard or run inverters, usually yes. Lithium is rated for 3,000–6,000 cycles against 300–800 for lead-acid, and its cost per cycle ends up lower. For a boat on shore power most of the time, a good AGM bank is often the better value. ## More guides - [Lithium Batteries and Boat Insurance: What Insurers Want to See](/guide/lithium-batteries-boat-insurance/) - [Lithium vs AGM Marine Batteries: Which Is Worth It for Your Boat?](/guide/lithium-vs-agm-marine-batteries/) Get a marine electrician to your slip Same-day callback · Written price before work. [Call (562) 374-7233](tel:+15623747233) [Get a Free Estimate](/contact/)