Shipping lithium to Colombia

[tribune]

Greetings all. We are planning a lithium upgrade on our boat which is in Cartagena, Colombia just now and we will be back aboard mid November. Has anyone had a good experience or any information on shipping lithium to Colombia? My research thus far has pointed to using a freight forwarder if shipped from the States and any attempts to ship from the couple of recommended suppliers in China all say they can't ship to Colombia.
Cheers,
Ron

[ReneJK]

In 2019 I ordered GBS cells from China , had them shipped to Florida and then used a freight forwarder to ship to Santa Marta Colombia

[tribune]

That seems to be the only way so far that I've researched. I'm running out of time to get the batteries from China so will likely bite the bullet and pay the extra to ship from US stock. Where did you get your GBS cells and what size and configuration of bank are you running? Happy with the cells (what Ah) and what did you end up using for a BMS?

[ReneJK]

We ordered directly from GBS through aliexpress
12x 200Ah cells to make 600Ah bank @12v

To lithium LifePo4 or to not Lithium LifePo4 on a sailboat: The Installation (LFP part 3) – SV Blue Pearl : a Dutch family sailing

We now have a 1120Ah bank as we got another boat
1100 Ah @ 12v Lithium lifepo4 installation on a Lagoon 42 Catamaran – SV Blue Pearl : a Dutch family sailing

[tribune]

Good read on your blog. Looks like a great install. Do you remember which freight forwarder you used? It looks like running the Victron gear is the way to go. Unfortunately, I don't have any on board so will need to figure a workaround. I was also going to use one of my start FLA's in parallel to skirt the load dump/alternator issue but the recent ABYC E-13 poo poo's that so I'll probably just use a 2 post switch to select either FLA or LFP to my DC buss. I'm getting close to buying the Rec BMS as it certainly looks like the popular choice. The other question is how to get the BMS or otherwise to alarm before disconnect as per ABYC. I think you used the Pico on the previuos boat. How have you done this on the cat?
Cheers,
Ron

[ReneJK]

Hi Ron
I had to look it up but found the shippers address

[ReneJK]

With the rec abms and smartshunt connected to a Victron Cerbo you (can) get a visual & audible alarm that you set when the battery gets to x% procent SoC

That should satisfy the ABYC rules

[tribune]

Thanks for that. I'll look it up.

[Sand crab]

Battle Born batteries are made in the US. Parlay had them shipped to Panama. Just sayin.....

[JayH]

I have used King Ocean for a delivery to San Andres (not lithium). They also deliver to Cartagena.

https://kingocean.com/services/colombia/

[tribune]

Originally Posted by Sand crab

Battle Born batteries are made in the US. Parlay had them shipped to Panama. Just sayin.....

Too rich for my blood. Four times what it will cost me to DIY install and have fun doing it.

[tribune]

Originally Posted by JayH

I have used King Ocean for a delivery to San Andres (not lithium). They also deliver to Cartagena.

https://kingocean.com/services/colombia/

Thanks, I sent in a quote.