Help me find a box for my LiFePo4 battery...

[Josh]

I've got a LiTime 50ah LiFePo4 battery I want to put into some sort of a battery box.

Amazon product ASIN B08K7MKRF7
A: Is there any reason a LiFePo4 battery can't be in a box? Does it need to be vented?

B: Has anyone seen a box that would fit 6.53"D x 7.79"W x 6.69"H without being vastly oversized like most standard battery boxes? Actually, it might need to be a bit taller because that height measurement doesn't seem to account for the terminal connections.

 

[up2nogood]

I've got a LiTime 50ah LiFePo4 battery I want to put into some sort of a battery box.

Amazon product ASIN B08K7MKRF7
A: Is there any reason a LiFePo4 battery can't be in a box? Does it need to be vented?

B: Has anyone seen a box that would fit 6.53"D x 7.79"W x 6.69"H without being vastly oversized like most standard battery boxes? Actually, it might need to be a bit taller because that height measurement doesn't seem to account for the terminal connections.

View attachment 68763

I can’t help with your box , but I’d like to see what you think of these Amazon lithium batteries ? I have an 100 amp lithium coming from Amazon to run my Minn Kota 50 on my inflatable pontoon.
My previous battery was a Cabelas size 27 AGM , that I was fortunate enough to sell , not sure what I was thinking , being as heavy as it was . Great battery , but not for portability. Anyway I’m thinking this 100 amp is a bit of overkill, but I fish big lakes like Hebgen , and do want plenty of battery , and at just over 26 lbs , no issues as far as weight , I sure won’t miss that AGM at close to 70lbs. This 100 amp is nearly the same size as my 27 AGM , and fits the same box I have .

 

[Josh]

I can’t help with your box , but I’d like to see what you think of these Amazon lithium batteries ?

I've had zero trouble with mine and I know many others here have had success as well. That said, I also don't run all day with mine. My fishing trips are more "Use the outboard to get somewhere and then the minn kota to fish for a while then go somewhere with the outboard..." and repeat. But I fele like some of the guys here have used them all day.

My previous battery was a Cabelas size 27 AGM , that I was fortunate enough to sell , not sure what I was thinking , being as heavy as it was

I also have a big ass 27 battery that I don't know wht to do with. Probably just money down the drain at this point.

The LiFePo4 batteries are miles lighter than and have better discharge curves than lead acid batteries. I doubt I'd buy a lead acid one again at this point unless I had a big boat with a permanent install in it maybe.

 

[SurfnFish]

Joann's craft store has plastic snap lid boxes in every size imaginable, including some with lid gaskets, found one such perfectly sized for twin 30A AGM batteries.
The wiring penetration = vent hole.

 

[jasmillo]

I went the DIY route with mine. Snap top plastic box. Drilled a hole in the top portion then cut a small section of rubber sheet and glued it over the hole and also wrapped in duct tape. Cut an X in the rubber. You end up with a fairly water resistant container.
Added an old foam exercise block in to keep the battery from sliding around. Works well and cost about 10 bucks total.

 

[up2nogood]

Looking on Amazon there is one the brand is Atwood U1 Series dimensions are 8*1/4 x

I've had zero trouble with mine and I know many others here have had success as well. That said, I also don't run all day with mine. My fishing trips are more "Use the outboard to get somewhere and then the minn kota to fish for a while then go somewhere with the outboard..." and repeat. But I fele like some of the guys here have used them all day.


I also have a big ass 27 battery that I don't know wht to do with. Probably just money down the drain at this point.

The LiFePo4 batteries are miles lighter than and have better discharge curves than lead acid batteries. I doubt I'd buy a lead acid one again at this point unless I had a big boat with a permanent install in it maybe.

I’m leaving for our annual six week Montana trip tomorrow. Had that AGM in the classifieds here for over 3 weeks , not a call until last Saturday a guy called , and wanted it , had it packed , and ready to go , so got it out , and sold it . Order the Lithium that day ,and it wouldn’t be here before we left , getting it shipped to where we’re at in Montana should be there in a couple days . Could I ask what charger you purchased to charge the Lithium ?

I’ll be using that lithium frequently up there .

 

[Northern]

Josh, what do you want the box to do? Just water resistance and easy portability, or impact resistance also?

For my smaller LiFePo4 that I use on the yak for my finder, a simple softsided lunch box works really well. It doesn't take up as much room or slide around as much as hard plastic.

 

[Josh]

Could I ask what charger you purchased to charge the Lithium ?

One of these:

Amazon product ASIN B07W3QT226

 

[Josh]

Just water resistance and easy portability,

Mostly this.

Hadn't thought about a soft sided option. That might be something to look into.

 

[Sam Roffe]

Some creative ideas. I like the soft side cooler.

A plastic battery box for wheel chair batteries might work?

 

[Ernie]

I've got a LiTime 50ah LiFePo4 battery I want to put into some sort of a battery box.

Amazon product ASIN B08K7MKRF7
A: Is there any reason a LiFePo4 battery can't be in a box? Does it need to be vented?

B: Has anyone seen a box that would fit 6.53"D x 7.79"W x 6.69"H without being vastly oversized like most standard battery boxes? Actually, it might need to be a bit taller because that height measurement doesn't seem to account for the terminal connections.

View attachment 68763

I have had my lithium battery in this sturdy soft tool bag I purchased from Home Depot for $15 for several years.It’s perfect. Roomy inside for fly boxes and a small wrench. The carrying handles are great too.

 

[Haggis57]

Ammo boxes from military surplus stores, Bass Pro/Cabelas, Amazon come in a lot of different sizes and have convenient carry handles. Easy to customize for the connector type you are using.

 

[Kfish]

Battery boxes comes in different sizes. Small to large: U1, group 24, group 27, group 31...
U1 is too small for yours so the 24 would be next up. I have a LiFePO4 100Ah and it fits in the 24 nicely with some room to spare for cables connections up top.
I got mine from Amazon for about $15.

 

[_WW_]

Looking on Amazon there is one the brand is Atwood U1 Series dimensions are 8*1/4 x

I’m leaving for our annual six week Montana trip tomorrow. Had that AGM in the classifieds here for over 3 weeks , not a call until last Saturday a guy called , and wanted it , had it packed , and ready to go , so got it out , and sold it . Order the Lithium that day ,and it wouldn’t be here before we left , getting it shipped to where we’re at in Montana should be there in a couple days . Could I ask what charger you purchased to charge the Lithium ?

I’ll be using that lithium frequently up there .

You should check the specifications of the battery you have. My 50ah lithium battery said not to use more than a 10 amp charger.

 

[wanderingrichard]

You should check the specifications of the battery you have. My 50ah lithium battery said not to use more than a 10 amp charger.

THe NOCO Josh referenced is auto sensing and adjusting. I've got the 3500 version of it and it works great

 

[up2nogood]

You should check the specifications of the battery you have. My 50ah lithium battery said not to use more than a 10 amp charger.

Checking the specs on mine it's 20 amps for the 100 amp battery , and in that same brand battery in the 50 amp., it also calls for the 10 amp . I bought a 20 amp charger ,although not a Noco, it appears to be the same thing auto sensing ,shut off etc. I used it on a small AGM battery seemed to work well . Has all the battery modes lithium , LiFePO4, AGM etc . Should get the Lithium battery today ,will see how it works on it .

 

[Josh]

Interestingly enough, it looks like the company who makes my battery also makes a fancy battery box:

Amazon product ASIN B0BZGR7QCM
However, it appears to just be a regular sz 24/27 box. And it is rather pricey as well.

Looks like a version of this with a different voltage meter:

Amazon product ASIN B01AE2TG7G
I wonder if the LiTime one reports LiFePo4 battery voltage accurately? Because I suspect the Newport one does not.

 

[PhilR]

Interestingly enough, it looks like the company who makes my battery also makes a fancy battery box:

Amazon product ASIN B0BZGR7QCM
However, it appears to just be a regular sz 24/27 box. And it is rather pricey as well.

Looks like a version of this with a different voltage meter:

Amazon product ASIN B01AE2TG7G
I wonder if the LiTime one reports LiFePo4 battery voltage accurately? Because I suspect the Newport one does not.

I have my ff hooked up to my battery, so that’s my voltage meter. And it didn’t cost much more than the box you listed.

 

[BriGuy]

Like @Northern, I use an old soft lunch cooler bag for my fish finder battery. It's fairly water resistant and has room for the cables. It all fits neatly into a cheap Home Depot parts tray to which I mounted the finder.

I also use a Noco Group U1 sized battery box for the trolling motor battery. It's listed for an 8" x 5.2" x 7" battery. They make different sizes (aka Groups) for the most common battery dimensions, so you'll need find the one that fits your battery. It has a vented lid (upside down next to box) with channels for a tie-down strap and room for the trolling motor post clamps.




Yes, I need to clean my work bench.

 

[kmudgn]

Not to hijack this thread, but Li battery for my canoe trolling motor? I have been buying a "cheap" deep cycle batteries at Walmart for years. The last one I bought was about $ 60 and as I take care of it (float charge) they have all lasted 5-6 seasons. Li batteries are crazy expensive and other than being lighter in weight I can't see the advantage. I am over 70 and can still hump the batter from the trunk to the canoe (have to install the trolling motor anyway) so for now (until I hurt my back, etc.) I will stick with lead acid.