Your thoughts about lithium batteries? I'm trying to decide if I want to equip my new boat with lithium batteries. Duties include the trolling motor, Garmin Livescope, 2 displays...

PapaJ Loc: South of Greenville, TX. Near Lake Tawakoni

I'm trying to decide if I want to equip my new boat with lithium batteries. Duties include the trolling motor, Garmin Livescope, 2 displays, traditional boat electronics including music for when we are just out playing, and of course starting the "big engine".

Here are my thoughts so far;

They have longer life. They are A LOT more expensive. They are lighter weight (if that matters). They charge quicker. They don't seem to have the gradually declining charge that traditional lead and acid batteries do. They seem to go from "just fine" to "dead" quickly.

I would like to hear your input.

fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

I use a small one in terms of physical size (6" L, 4" T and 2-1/2" W) rated for 10 amp hours. My application is for kayaking only, and all I run is a Garmin CV43 fish finder/depth along with a separate Lowrance GPS that has a Lakemaster chip in it. Both draw low voltage and run very well for my needs. The battery is featherlight, which was a big bonus and main reason I switched from a small 5 amp hour SLA type (sealed lead acid). I usually only got about 2 seasons of heavy use from the SLA style (Duracell brand).

I did purchase a special charging unit that accommodates the Lithium Ion Ferris Oxide style battery in order to achieve the fullest charge and hopefully prolong overall battery life. I am only in my first season of use...but thus far...very pleased! As for brand, it has none...just a black box shell that I bought on-line. I believe that the cost was around $60 bucks, which is on the low end for these...although I suspect they should start getting cheaper as this technology get's a stronger foothold in the market.

Summary...so far...so good!

PapaJ Loc: South of Greenville, TX. Near Lake Tawakoni

Thanks for your input fishyaker

Slimshady Loc: Central Pennsylvania

Papa the only and biggest thing I don’t like about the lithium batteries is that when they go dead they just stop. There is nothing warning,not grace period,just done

fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

I think that no matter how you slice it, batteries can be one of those "mystical black box power storage devices" that seem to have minds of their own, and we all need them for a variety of applications and we just have to put up with the foibles!

A few days ago, my wife and I were riding quads all afternoon...starting and stopping at random places throughout the day. When we reached the staging area where we started, I needed to fire up her rig to drive up onto a small trailer...and lo and behold...dead battery. No sign of warning at all. It was a typical AGM styled battery for ATV's. Luckily we could jackknife the trailer, pull my rig up into position and winch her's up. I only get about 4 seasons from that style of battery, even when it is kept on a trickle charger in between uses all year long!

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

PapaJ wrote:

I'm trying to decide if I want to equip my new boa... (show quote)

I've thought about them myself PapaJ, and while researching chargers for them, I discovered some else new. PowerPole has a new charger system out this year. It functions like a normal smart charger when plugged in at home, charges, conditions, all your batteries,as expected. The difference is,on the water. It monitors All your batteries,and when you start the big motor it will send your alternator power where it's needed most. You could theoretically fish non-stop till you run out of gas. As a bonus, if you sit "on the Hook " all day rocking out, and kill your house /starting battery, you can jumpstart off the trolling motor batteries just by pushing a button.
It's costly as well but seems more beneficial than lithium batteries, which ,by the way,will need a new charger as well.
Just another option. Good luck and keep us in the loop. Fred.

Big A Loc: Mesa, Arizona

PapaJ wrote:

I'm trying to decide if I want to equip my new boa... (show quote)

Keep in mind that any kind of 'short'
(or fire) involving lithium CANNOT touch water, and resulting smoke is exceedingly toxic !

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

Big A wrote:

Keep in mind that any kind of 'short'
(or fire) involving lithium CANNOT touch water, and resulting smoke is exceedingly toxic !

And what happens say the boat swamps and the batteries get wet?

Big A Loc: Mesa, Arizona

saw1 wrote:

And what happens say the boat swamps and the batteries get wet?

Water won't do anything to the batteries themselves; trying to put
out a lithium fire with water would
be disastrous, as well as the smoke
being very toxic !

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

Big A wrote:

Water won't do anything to the batteries themselves; trying to put
out a lithium fire with water would
be disastrous, as well as the smoke
being very toxic !

OH, good to know. I thought the way you were talkin that if the batteries got wet they might explode.

Big A Loc: Mesa, Arizona

saw1 wrote:

OH, good to know. I thought the way you were talkin that if the batteries got wet they might explode.

Nah ! Just curious - did you see that video spmeone posted awhile ago about that electric car that shorted out while on a charger and blew up, with the fire spreading to the car
next to it, then the next car next to that one as well ?

It was stated that the fire
department won't even approach
a lithium fire due the extremely toxic
fumes from the smoke, and that
trying to put one out with water
would result in disastrous
consequences !

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

Big A wrote:

Nah ! Just curious - did you see that video spmeone posted awhile ago about that electric car that shorted out while on a charger and blew up, with the fire spreading to the car
next to it, then the next car next to that one as well ?

It was stated that the fire
department won't even approach
a lithium fire due the extremely toxic
fumes from the smoke, and that
trying to put one out with water
would result in disastrous
consequences !

Yeah, saw that. Down right scary. Glad I don't own one of them and probly never will. Also will never park next to their chargin station either. Like the post was warning us against.

Big A Loc: Mesa, Arizona

saw1 wrote:

Yeah, saw that. Down right scary. Glad I don't own one of them and probly never will. Also will never park next to their chargin station either. Like the post was warning us against.

Wasn't sure if you'd seen it, so
I texted it to you on the phone !
Like some folks mentioned here on that thread, I'm not impressed, and
the possibility of getting stuck in traffic with the battery dying, or the efficacy/reliability of the wipers
and/or heater in cold weather, or the A/C in extreme hot weather (like Arizona) preclude my ever owning
(or considering buying) such a piece
of crap !

To me, they're just overgrown, over-priced golf carts, with no redeeming values ! Hell, I'm a (real) car guy, and
I still love the sound of a powerful
gas engine revving and the feel of
the engine while driving and/or accelerating ! No electric crap for
this 'old dog', EVER !

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

Big A wrote:

Wasn't sure if you'd seen it, so br I texted it t... (show quote)

I understand, me too.

Chuck56 Loc: Texas

I would say go for it if you have the $$$ available. Too many advantages over conventional / gel batteries . As you mentioned, less weight, less upkeep, and I think less charging. I’m not sure, but I would imagine they last longer than conventional. I always check my batteries % before I take my boat out, I’m sure you do too. I have 3 optima batteries in my boat. They aren’t lithium . But I have learned to check my batteries after a full day on the lake. If I had lithium’s I would do the same. Charge them to 100%, spend a day on the lake, then check % when you were done. That should tell you when to charge them or not. In my opinion, anything you can do to save weight in your boat is an advantage. Less fuel used when you are running, less capacity used from your batteries when using the trolling motor....My 2cents...