LiFePO4 Batteries
- Thread starter _WW_
- Start date
JackJester
Smolt
Last fall I upgraded to a Dakota Lithium 135AH powerbox. https://dakotalithium.com/product/p...erator-12v-135ah-dl-1000cca-battery-included/
I wanted it for my 10 ft Koffler Pram to go for many days remote at BC lakes where I didn't have electric hookup. It runs my minnkota trolling motor and fishfinder. Plus it has an inverter so can charge cell phone, laptop, etc. I also got the 180watt solar panel to charge it. I really like it, and the weight savings over the old AGM is amazing. I never got into a case where I didn't have enough juice. My only complaint is the User Interface of the display is kind of clunky, and doesn't show you a % capacity remaining on the display. So, I always charge it after I get off the lake since I'm not real confident how much power I have left. This is quite different than the Bluetti system I have to power my Kimbo camper. The Bluetti UI is awesomes and a I clearly know how much capacity I have. It's not apples to apples since there are no trolling motor terminals for the Bluetti, but its the same LiFePO4 tech. This is Bluetti in my camper. https://www.bluettipower.com/pages/ac60
If your shopping for a LiFePO4 for running your boat systems, look for one that can give you a good readout of battery capacity. Maybe they exist, but the Dakota system cost some big $ so I'm kinda committed, and I haven't looked for a replacecement system.
I wanted it for my 10 ft Koffler Pram to go for many days remote at BC lakes where I didn't have electric hookup. It runs my minnkota trolling motor and fishfinder. Plus it has an inverter so can charge cell phone, laptop, etc. I also got the 180watt solar panel to charge it. I really like it, and the weight savings over the old AGM is amazing. I never got into a case where I didn't have enough juice. My only complaint is the User Interface of the display is kind of clunky, and doesn't show you a % capacity remaining on the display. So, I always charge it after I get off the lake since I'm not real confident how much power I have left. This is quite different than the Bluetti system I have to power my Kimbo camper. The Bluetti UI is awesomes and a I clearly know how much capacity I have. It's not apples to apples since there are no trolling motor terminals for the Bluetti, but its the same LiFePO4 tech. This is Bluetti in my camper. https://www.bluettipower.com/pages/ac60
If your shopping for a LiFePO4 for running your boat systems, look for one that can give you a good readout of battery capacity. Maybe they exist, but the Dakota system cost some big $ so I'm kinda committed, and I haven't looked for a replacecement system.
Dogsnfish
Steelhead
This thread has been great. I am getting ready to upgrade my setup. The previous owner installed these https://www.cabelas.com/p/connect-ease-24v-trolling-motor-connection-kit-with-onboard-charging
in my current boat. Is there any reason I could not use them for Lithium batteries? I see them for sale on the Dakota website, so assume it is not a problem. I also have one of the ProMariner onboard charging systems, but it is older and does not work with lithium. I see their new ones only list certain lithium batteries, so will probably go with the Noco's as I have one of theirs I use to charge batteries in the garage. My trolling motor batteries are in the bow, and my starter battery is at the very back. so will probably figure out something else for the starter battery so not running wires 15' from the charger to the starter battery.
in my current boat. Is there any reason I could not use them for Lithium batteries? I see them for sale on the Dakota website, so assume it is not a problem. I also have one of the ProMariner onboard charging systems, but it is older and does not work with lithium. I see their new ones only list certain lithium batteries, so will probably go with the Noco's as I have one of theirs I use to charge batteries in the garage. My trolling motor batteries are in the bow, and my starter battery is at the very back. so will probably figure out something else for the starter battery so not running wires 15' from the charger to the starter battery.
Those will work. I wired up my batteries with the same anderson connectors. My charger also has an anderson connector on it as well, just like that kit.
Thinking about trying this for my 36v series. Going to be way too expensive for a management system that reads each battery. But having something would be nice even if it's just giving me the whole system's charge.
I bought a LiTime 12V 100Ah Mini LiFePO4 Lithium Battery last April for my MinnKota 30 trolling motor. It weighs just 19 Lb.
It's like a magic mystery box. I'ved used it on BC trips where, after three full days of fishing, it recharged to full in 20 mins. I'm one that
considers electricity to be a mysterious subject........... you plug something in and it "runs/turns-on, etc." - that's about all I know....
These batteries are fantastic. LiTime has upgraded the model I bought last year so that the battery now has a built-in blue-tooth battery monitor and retails for the same price I paid last year for just the battery. And, the new model still weighs 19 lbs.....
Buy one, learn about how to take care of it. You'll never look back.
It's like a magic mystery box. I'ved used it on BC trips where, after three full days of fishing, it recharged to full in 20 mins. I'm one that
considers electricity to be a mysterious subject........... you plug something in and it "runs/turns-on, etc." - that's about all I know....
These batteries are fantastic. LiTime has upgraded the model I bought last year so that the battery now has a built-in blue-tooth battery monitor and retails for the same price I paid last year for just the battery. And, the new model still weighs 19 lbs.....
Buy one, learn about how to take care of it. You'll never look back.
Last edited:
Slight update: I took the kids out yesterday to fish truck trout without charging my batteries from the last Puget Sound SRC session. Added 4-5 hrs or so of trolling around a lake at 1-1.5 mph yesterday without the batteries giving up, or even seeming tired. I think I have run those batteries for at least 12 hours now without charging, mostly at settings that translate to 0.6-1.9 mph.
Piscihound
Smolt
Any of you using LifePo4 batteries with brushed motors have problems? Any time I go over about 80% speed wise my breaker trips and it shuts down the motor. It happens within a few minutes maybe 5 max.
I had to search "brushed" versus "brushless". I have a 12V 100Ah Mini LiFePO4 battery and a Minnkota 30 pound thrust (brushed) trolling motor. I fished the motor/battery pretty hard earlier this week including two long runs at full speed (5 on Minnkota's control arm). No issues. The battery performed flawlessly.
I wish Minnkota would offer a larger variety of smaller motors that were "brushless". If my understanding is correct; brushless technology offers infinite speed control rather than what we currently have without a PWM connected between the battery and motor (and my buddy constructed PWM died).
Good luck/Pat
Piscihound
Smolt
I have used my battery with both a 30lb thrust and my 40 that has an internal PWM and the infinite speed adjustment and both are Minn Kota. The issue happens with both motors. Is it possible that my 50 amp breaker is the problem and not the higher voltage of the LI battery?
I have one and you can charge it overnight. The charger is @$50 to $60
That sounds like the more likely culprit. What kind of breaker is it?
I have that very device on my travel trailer. Shows state of charge, charge remaining, amps currently being drawn (or charging), total amp hours used, as well as volts and a few other things. It replaces an earlier system that failed, so not a lot of time on this one yet, but it's great so far.