Designing a Modern Lithium System: Victron, Remote Monitoring & What It Really Takes (w/ Max French)

Lithium is the hottest upgrade topic in marinas right now. But as we learned in this episode, you can’t just pull out your 8Ds and “drop in” lithium.We sat down with Max French, General Manager of Pacific Coast Yachting Services in Seattle, to walk through what actually goes into a modern lithium installation built around the Victron ecosystem. From why AGM banks rarely live their advertised lifespan, to what a proper battery management system (BMS) really does, to how remote monitoring through VRM has changed the way boats are supported — this is a behind-the-curtain look at real-world system design.We cover:Why traditional AGM inverter banks fail earlyWhy “drop-in lithium” is a mythWhat makes an integrated Victron system safer and more reliableRemote monitoring, generator auto-start, and real-time troubleshootingWhat entry-level options look like if you’re not ready for a full lithium conversionAnd why infrastructure matters — including Pacific Coast’s new indoor waterfront facility built to support larger boats in the Pacific NorthwestIf you’re considering lithium, upgrading your inverter system, or just want to understand what’s actually happening behind the blue boxes in your marina, this episode is for you.Pacific Coast Yachting Services 1115 N Northlake Way Seattle, WA 98103(206) 397-4788 pacificcoastyachtingservices.com