13 minutes ago, gimruis said:

What does a tracker lithium battery cost if I may ask?

Group 24 - 60ah - $499

Group 27 - 80ah - $699

 

BPS sells them well under the manufacturers prices

Relion

Group 24 - 60ah - $599

Group 27 - 80ah - $845

 

45 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Group 24 - 60ah - $499

Group 27 - 80ah - $699

 

BPS sells them well under the manufacturers prices

Relion

Group 24 - 60ah - $599

Group 27 - 80ah - $845

 

Holy smokes, I’m sticking with lead haha

Well, you could go with Mighty Max - they're out of NJ, been in business twice as long as Relion.

 

Mighty Max 100ah LiFePo4 - $449.99 - so $50 less than the Tracker 80ah for 25% more storage

I can usually go several years, maybe even a decade without spending $500 on batteries 

10 hours ago, slonezp said:

Patient isn't the word I'd use ?

How about...... consistent. We'll leave it at that. 

10 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

Holy smokes, I’m sticking with lead haha

I kinda thought the same thing when I saw that cost too.  But there is a much longer warranty on them.

 

I've gotten 6 full seasons out of a factory lead acid cranking battery.  Those batteries cost about 100 bucks and have a 1 year warranty.  I don't know what the expectation is for a lithium battery is, but they have a degrading limited warranty out to 10 years.  When I compare the cost and lifespan between the two, the decision is pretty easy.  When the price of lithium comes down, then it may change my mind.

Same here. I’ve always gotten 5-6 years out of $75-$80 batteries, not fixing what isn’t broke 

I didn't expect to get 6 full seasons out of a battery.  Even if I got 3 or 4 that would be fine.  I got 4.5 out of my deep cycle batteries for my bow mount and I thought that was adequate.

Sounds about normal, some last longer than others . I’ve seen crank batteries last 10 yr 

If you charge them after use rather than before use, they will last much longer.

I agree.  I don't discharge my batteries for a super long amount of time because I rarely fish for more than about 4-5 hours at a time.  That is probably playing a role here too.

Healthy debate here. Sides are pretty adamant about their choices. The people that have "upgraded" to LiFePo batteries say they'll never go back to lead acid. The people that haven't yet "upgraded" are saying they can't justify the costs. Both sides have valid points. I guess it all boils down to your budget, fishing habits, and what your intentions for your boat are long range. 

 

I'll play the guinea pig here as I have waited this long to upgrade due to inhibitive costs and availability. I don't fish weekly, but I may go twice in a week, so these batteries will see some use for sure. I'm looking forward to the adventure and trying new technology (to me anyway) to improve my fishing experience. 

Good chance I'll make the jump to Lithium next spring. My current batteries are starting their 4th season and are beginning to get a little tired. Replacing two group 31's with Lithium in my 20hp powered 1648 is a pretty good weight savings, and their ability to provide full power to a lower discharge level would be a nice performance upgrade. 

Those were my top reasons for upgrading as well, along with the thought that I may never have to dive into the battery compartment to replace batteries ever again. 3,000 discharges may well last me the life of my boat. 

I took the chance on a low cost 100ah group 27 for $349, won't know if it works out for 10 years, but for the $ I'm willing to take the chance.

 

I needed the lightweight of Lithium.

3 hours ago, Big Rick said:

The people that haven't yet "upgraded" are saying they can't afford the costs.

Fixed that for you.

15 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Fixed that for you.

I won't get into a debate with you, but I said exactly what I meant. We ALL justify our expenses and ultimately make whatever sacrifices necessary to buy what we really want. 

 

I'll say this and then shut up about the matter. I daresay a smoker would put priority on cigarettes over other items. I don't smoke. At $5 a pack that adds up quick and could put a LiFePo battery in ones boat quicker than one would realize. 

 

It's all about priorities. We ALL justify where we put our money. That doesn't give us reason to complain because we choose one thing over another. Choices are made and consequences are paid. And anyone that has the ability to solo launch a boat, fish for hours, load the boat back up and drive home can also find some source of income in this day. Jobs are a dime a dozen with employers paying more than ever. If I am healthy enough to fish solo out of a boat, I am healthy enough to work at least a few hours a day as well. 

 

YMMV

 

Rant over. 

16 hours ago, T-Billy said:

Replacing two group 31's with Lithium in my 20hp powered 1648 is a pretty good weight savings

I could see why the weight would be a selling point in a smaller watercraft.

18 minutes ago, Big Rick said:

make whatever sacrifices necessary to buy what we really want.

Food, mortgage...ya, unimportant things.

 

Money I'm putting in the F-9 was from giftings from relatives...all insist I spend it on 'something fun'...that's the only 'spare' money I have.

 

20 minutes ago, Big Rick said:

. If I am healthy enough to fish solo out of a boat, I am healthy enough to work at least a few hours a day as well. 

Wife is partially disabled - we can't afford a PCA on our fixed-income...my 4-5 hour/once a week trips are the only time I have outside of taking care of her.

If I got a part-time job - would have to either give up my fishing time or pay a PCA to come in while I was at work to watch her...at a higher rate than I'd get at the job...so a loss.

Got my stuff in and just installed it. I was really surprised at how light the batteries were! I knew they were lighter but actually holding them was very surprising. 

 

My battery compartment pic was taken a bit prematurely. I hadn't cleaned up the cables and wires yet. One battery sits a little higher than the other due to the live well drain running under it, the joys of putting a 24V system in a boat designed for a 12V system, I guess. 

 

I got them charging up now and can't wait to get it on the water next week to see if my investment was worth the effort. 

What kind of boat do you have @Big Rick?

Sweet! 

I’ve been running a 55 ah one with my 55 lb 12v trolling motor for a couple years now in my 1467. The weight savings is great in the small boat, especially with the TM battery up in the bow. I got a cheaper one if Amazon, but can’t seem to find what it was I bought.

12 hours ago, gimruis said:

What kind of boat do you have @Big Rick?

I have a 2009 G3 175 Eagle with a 2011 90 Yamaha. 

Your gonna love them. The weight difference is incredible. My 21’ Skeeter always jumped on plane but now it’s like a slingshot with noticeable less bow lift. Good luck ?