Battery/Trolling Motor Questions

[JN94]

Just bought my first boat and am making a few upgrades. Wanted to pick y'all's brains about the following:

 

- boat came with two 12V lead batteries (one for TM, one for cranking). It seems like lithiums are the way to go. I talked to a buddy who's a former pro and he says to do two 12V leads as opposed to a single 24V lithium for the TM. What is best in your experience? I'm upgrading to a 24V TM. And if lithium is the way to go, is there a specific brand that is best? It seems like there are lots of options

 

- looking at these Garmin Force TMs. They look awesome and seem to get good reviews. Anyone have any experience? 

 

Any info here would be greatly appreciated!

[GRiver]

Just my two cent, could be wrong. 
I would want 2/12’s vs 1/24 …… you won’t be able to use it for anything else other than the trolling motor. Without installing a step down converter, and it would have to be  a pretty hefty amp to operate the starter. You can switch batteries if you have 2/12’s, to start the motor and get ya home in an emergency situation. 
I wired mine with isolated switches to pull off TM battery if needed and charge while running outboard.  But I’ve got acid filled batteries. 

[padlin]

Battle Born brand was top of the heap when I was looking 2 years ago, one pays a price though. Dakota’s are good too.

[GaryH]

What @GRiver said is good advice. I run 3 Ionic lithiums for my 36 volt Ultrex and 1 for my starting. I’m very satisfied with my Ionic batteries.A month ago my house was hit by lightning and the boat charger was plugged in. The starting battery was damaged and wouldn’t take a charge. I called them and they had me send it back and said they would either fix it or replace it at no charge. Even though it wasn’t the batteries fault. I got it back in a week with for no charge for the battery or the shipping. So I’m a little bias on Ionic. 

 

 

 

[DaubsNU1]

For what it's worth...In my old 1960 Rich Line, I ran WalMart marine deep cycle battery for 12v foot controlled TM. Had separate battery to run my Garmin Echmap 7sv on the bow, and Garmin Striker 4cv. Hooked them both up to ProMariner 2 bank charger...and left it plugged in 24/7. Held up great for almost three years before I sold it this summer. No issues with the marine batteries. 

 

I was dead-set on Garmin electronics paired with Garmin Force trolling motor on my next boat. 

 

My brother got a new boat three years ago, and set it up with Ulterra 36v, paired to Helix 9's on console and bow. I was not a fan initially, but after fishing with him, and seeing how much more detail the Humminbirds displayed vs. my Garmin...well, when it came time to outfit my boat...I went with Ulterra 24v, and two Helix 9 MEGA SI+ G4N's. They are powered by standard marine deep cycle batteries. 

 

I might upgrade to lithium's in a few years. Right now this set up has been fantastic! 

 

The Helix's are networked together, and can share waypoints. But Humminbird makes you buy map SD cards for each unit. I'm still learning all the functions. 

 

Congrats on your new boat! Check out tiny boat nation...some good ideas there.

[Tennessee Boy]

If the two batteries that came with the boat are identical then I would use them to power your new TM since you already have them.  Lithium’s last longer and will give you slightly better performance but you will never notice the difference and the fish certainly won’t either.  When the batteries die then switch to Lithium.  

[Alex from GA]

There are lots of youtubes and articles about lithium batteries.  I bought a 50ah lithium over a year ago and am very pleased.  I couldn't lift the 70 lb batteries any more and the lithium weighs 12 lbs and pushes my boat faster than the lead acid did and I charge every 3 trips.  I bought a less than $200 battery from Amazon and it says not to charge it if the temperature is below freezing so I don't.

[gimruis]

I feel like lithium batteries will be the future of most batteries, including marine.  It's just a matter of time and how quickly the price tag comes down.

 

The advantages are obvious.  Longevity and weight savings.

 

There are other items to consider though.  If you live in the northern tier, you cannot charge them in below freezing temperatures unless you equip them with a battery heater.  You can add that as an add-on for extra $.  The other item to consider is if your charger is compatible with a lithium battery.  Mine are not.  They only work with lead acid or AGM.  That means I'd not only be upgrading to a lithium battery w/heater, but also two new chargers as well.  Not a cheap investment by any means.

 

I will be replacing my deep cycle trolling motor batteries before next season and I will likely be doing it with AGM style ones.

[WRB]

Suggest reading Cobalt Red before buying Lithium batteries, higher cost then money.

If weight is a driving factor then it’s an option. Longevity of battery life is marginal vs today’s AGM’s. You are a recreational bass angler that goes home after a day on the water, charging the battery isn’t a issue. Multiple day use and can't charge the batteries, Lithium is a choice.

Tom 

 

[Woody B]

I have no doubt that some lithium mines have unethical practices.   However, cobalt isn't used in LiFePO4 batteries used in marine applications.   However, lithium that's minded a few miles from where I live is sent to China to be processed.   Many power tools, phones, electric/hybrid vehicles use NMC batteries that use Lithium-Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt-Oxide.   

 

I wouldn't go with a single 24 volt battery regardless of chemistry.   I've had no problems with my Ionic lithiums.  I originally went with lithium when the 88 amp hour trolling motor that came with my boat would die after 4 hours fishing in the wind.   When I decided (a year later) to go to a 24 volt trolling motor I bought two 50 amp hour Lithium batteries, then made my 125 amp hour that had been for my 12 volt trolling motor my cranking/electronics battery.   

[WRB]

Let’s be honest the only Lithium mine in the USA is located in Nevada. There are vast amounts of strategic minerals located in the Owens Valley, Death Valley along the California Nevada boarder that companies like Union Carbide polluted the ground water and political pool resulting in no mining in those areas. Australia and China are the major sources of lithium.

When America becomes a player in the lithium battery business in lieu of a buyer I will change my mind.

If you haven’t Figured out by now I am a boycotter of everything made in China including lithium batteries.

Yes, it is the current state of the art and I am or was a aerospace engineer who knows EMF the process converting dissimilar metals to electrical energy. Lighter weight then lead-acid and shorter recharge time drives this technology.

My only grip is we invented the technology and don’t produce it.

Enough said we don’t have have any alternatives so buy from companies who support the products

Done!

Tom

[airshot]

When my AGM batteries go dead ( 4 yrs old now) I will replace them with Lifepo4 batteries as the prices are comming down and the quality is getting better, the poor battery makers are being forced out of business.