Thread: Lithium battery configurations ...

I will give you a disadvantage of Lithium. I replaced all my batteries last year. Started to do the 3 lithiums then I was told Mercury issued a service bulletin 9/22 concerning these batteries. Among other things Mercury wants a battery heater for lithium cranking battery when temps in the 30's. And some models still void warrenty if it aint on Mercury's list of engines approved for special lithium batterys. After reading all that and seeing lithium battery fires on the rise news reports I went with AGM. CBS news just had another news report tittled " Lithium battery fires on the rise" today 6/15/23. I know lots of boats have them, but with my 3 batteries 2" away from 20 gallons of fuel and my kid sitting less than a foot away from that I went with the old school stuff. I own lithium batteries for all kinds of stuff, phones,laptops, flashlights.ect but my family is not sitting near fuel/battery mixes with these and they do not have extreme temp swings like 110degrees in the summer and 30 in the winter like my boat does

As of 12/23/2022, Mercury has issued Service Bulletin 2022-19 and Racing Bulletin 2022-21 stating that the listed engines will be permitted to use a Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery that is designed for engine cranking, as long as it meets the listed specifications:

-2.1L 75-115hp Fourstroke, ProXS and SeaPro Models
-3.0L 150hp Fourstroke, ProXS and SeaPro
-4.6L V8 and 3.4L V6 175-300hp Fourstroke, ProXS, SeaPro and Verado Models
-2.6L L6 200-400 Pro and Verado Models
-7.6L V12 500-600hp SeaPro and Verado Models.
-ALL MERCURY RACING OUTBOARD ENGINE MODELS (Current Production)
-NO other engines approved at this time.

Minimum Specs Required:

-Chemistry/Format: Lithium IRON Phosphate designed for MARINE CRANKING USE.
-Minimum Cranking Amps: 800A for 8 second minimum @ 20 Degrees F
-Peak Charge Acceptance: 165A at 20-130 degrees F for one minute
-Max Charge Alternator Size: 150A at 20-130 degrees F
-Max Charge Voltage/Alternator Output: 14.8V
-Reserve Capacity (RC25 @ 80F): 135 Minutes
-Ingress Protection (IP rating): IP67 or greater.

Cautions that use at temperatures below 32F may require additional equipment such as a battery heater.

Bulletin also lists a Relion Battery that has been evaluated and meets the above requirements: RB100-HP.

Lithium Marine Battery Dual Purpose | RELiON

Originally Posted by NCkenner

I'm not sure I buy into the need for a separate "electronics" battery. I think one high capacity lithium cranking battery could do double duty and save space and weight. Then charge all 3 with a 3 bank charger (Noco, MK precision, etc.)
What am I missing?

Chris

Well when your electronics run your battery down low enough that your motor won’t start, you may change your mind

Just glad I still had plenty left in the trolling batteries. I now have a separate battery and jumper cables.


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I run a 12v100A Skinny Water Lithium on my engine and dash, same on my electronics, and a 36v100A Skinny Water Lithium for my Ultrex. I run individual Skinny Water lithium chargers for each battery.

Be sure to check with whatever lithium manufacturer you choose and see if they will warranty their lithium battery if it is not charged with a dedicated lithium charger. Some won’t!


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Originally Posted by bamahound

I will give you a disadvantage of Lithium. I replaced all my batteries last year. Started to do the 3 lithiums then I was told Mercury issued a service bulletin 9/22 concerning these batteries. Among other things Mercury wants a battery heater for lithium cranking battery when temps in the 30's. And some models still void warrenty if it aint on Mercury's list of engines approved for special lithium batterys. After reading all that and seeing lithium battery fires on the rise news reports I went with AGM. CBS news just had another news report tittled " Lithium battery fires on the rise" today 6/15/23. I know lots of boats have them, but with my 3 batteries 2" away from 20 gallons of fuel and my kid sitting less than a foot away from that I went with the old school stuff. I own lithium batteries for all kinds of stuff, phones,laptops, flashlights.ect but my family is not sitting near fuel/battery mixes with these and they do not have extreme temp swings like 110degrees in the summer and 30 in the winter like my boat does

Warranties cannot be voided per the Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act. If using an unapproved battery, and it causes damage, the warranty claim for that specific damage can be denied.

delete, duplicate

Originally Posted by rnvinc

3 identical individual chargers allows the same versatility as 3 individual batteries ...

If one craps out, I still have options to charge while the dead charger gets fixed or replaced ...

With a 3 bank charger, if one bank dies there is no charging capability at all until the 3 bank charger gets fixed ...

I have more room in my battery compartment than most boats ... space is not a concern in my specific scenario ...

Rickie

Yeah, after I made the post I realized redundancy is the goal.

125 ah ionic for starting and electronics
3 50ah ionics for trolling motor
4 bank 10amp ionic charger
But i have anotjer single 36 volt too
Impulse lithium 36 volt 40ah
10amp single 10 36volt ionic charger
I have anderson plugs in the back to switch between my 36volt batttery setups.
Have this noco charger plug to plug up my 2 ionic chargers.
Pics of my noco plug and the anderson plugs i use

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