More Power, More Power with Lithium Ion Batteries by Brad Wiegmann

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Lithium Ion batteries were designed for the tool man who wants more power, more power, however, anglers are figuring out that more power is good for them. How much power, life cycles, weight or other factors depends on the brand and model. The good news is Lithium Ion or Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries are perfect for anglers, but there is one drawback and that’s price.


For all practical purposes we are not going to include Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) batteries. Popularity of AGM technology started in the early 80’s and was used in military airplanes or vehicles as a sealed lead acid battery. UPS also started using them because AGM batteries were reliable and to reduce the weight.


Not all lithium batteries are the same. There are basically two popular types of lithium batteries for anglers to pick from either lithium-ion or lithium iron phosphate. Both have their advantages, but cost is the biggest factor normally.


Lithium-ion normally consists of lithium manganese oxide or lithium cobalt dioxide and has a graphite anode. On the other hand, Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) has a cathode of iron phosphate along with an anode of graphite. Although both are lithium batteries you will often find anglers will use lithium-ion for power hungry marine electronics. Lithium iron phosphate batteries excel at high temperatures, its discharge rate doesn’t decrease as the capacity is reduced and they are safer than lithium-ion.


Why is lithium iron phosphate a safer choice in batteries? First it has excellent chemical and thermal stability; in addition to staying cooler in high temperatures. Lithium iron phosphate batteries are incombustible if it short circuits or if mismanaged when rapidly being charged or discharged. Note lithium-ion batteries can be unstable and experience thermal runaway while lithium iron phosphate battery phosphate cathode will not explode or burn when overheated or overcharged.

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Co-owner of MTech Lithium Dean Yoder said, “Our company started around 10 years ago and in the past 3 years has grown to offer high quality, light weight and dependable RV and Marine batteries. Great batteries like MTech Lithium start with using high quality grade A cells and superior sophisticated electronic battery management system. Plus our customer service is second to none.”


Yoder noted that the MTech Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery has a life cycle of 2000-3000 cycles. A complete cycle consists of a fully discharged and recharged battery. Typically that would equal into having a 12- to 15-year battery life span for an angler. What battery charger is a question that Yoder gets asks often and he recommends the Minn Kota Precision.


The list of crappie pros using lithium iron phosphate is an impressive list. It includes John Godwin, Dan Dannemueller Sr., Greg Robinson, Mike & Tony Sheppard, Brandon Threadgill and Joel Harris. All of them represent MTech Lithium and either guide, fish crappie tournaments or both.


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Beaver Lake fishing Guide Greg Robinson not only guides, but installs marine electronics in the northern Arkansas area. “I will do installs on boats and they will ask what I use for batteries to keep my four Garmin units going and I tell them the MTech Lithium Iron Phosphate 12 volt, 100AH/1150 CCA starting battery. It runs the Garmins all day and starts my outboard every time.”
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Robinson has been using his for over 1 year now. “I typically troll non-stop all day long during the summer months using PICO Lures (www.picolures.com) at 1.5- to 2-mph with 3- to 4-people in my boat and I always have enough power to last. When I was using AGM batteries I wouldn’t have enough time between trips to charge the AGM up, but with lithium iron phosphate batteries they charge up fast and they are ready for the next trip out the following day.”


Cost is really the negative aspect of lithium iron phosphate batteries. Depending on brand and quality a Marine starting battery 12 volt 100AH with 1150 CCA can be round $955. A Deep cycle marine battery 12 volt 100AH is around $825.


On the other hand, these batteries usually come with an extended warranty; have good density, lightweight and a long life span. Lithium iron phosphate batteries have a stable chemical thermal chemistry with no thermal runaway and safe when fully charged.

Good report, Thanks.

My question is will it harm my alternator on my Honda motor?

I like that they are light weight, I like that they are strong, last long and charge fast. But I just can't get over the price. Hopefully they come down in price at least a little, and it might make me jump in and get some. I suppose if I were a guide, or a tournament angler, it would make sense though. I'm just not there yet.

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Originally Posted by Slab

I like that they are light weight, I like that they are strong, last long and charge fast. But I just can't get over the price. Hopefully they come down in price at least a little, and it might make me jump in and get some. I suppose if I were a guide, or a tournament angler, it would make sense though. I'm just not there yet.

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I switched my icefishing units over to lithium but they are no where near the price of the big batteries. I’ve been contemplating on getting a couple for my trolling motor this spring. That will be a nice chunk of change if I do. I’d have to increase my boat insurance coverage.

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Originally Posted by chaunc;[URL="[URL

tel:4097446[/URL]"]4097446[/URL]]My question is will it harm my alternator on my Honda motor?

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You need to check with each manufacturer of the size of the lithium battery your requesting that info based on the size of the alternator’s charging amps to the battery. On the manufacturer’s website it is sometimes also posted per size of battery the max amps you can charge the battery at. If the alternator charging output is too many amps, the bms system of the lithium battery will shut down and the battery will not take a charge while running your big motor. It’s a safety feature built into the bms of the lithiums.

it won’t harm the alternator if the bms system were to shut down charging from the alternator as your alternator shuts down upon charging a wet cell or agm battery when it’s fully charged while running.

I think in 10 years we will all be running lithium’s, for trolling etc.
I bought an amped battery, for live scope.
I love it, really.
I bought one because Nimrod had been running one, and was happy with it.


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

i heard a story about using one on a livescope , it involved a higher voltage and better screen images
i cant wrap my mind around how that can be so , anyone in the electrical science department here have a clue ?

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Originally Posted by Ketchn;[URL="tel:4098373"

4098373[/URL]]i heard a story about using one on a livescope , it involved a higher voltage and better screen images
i cant wrap my mind around how that can be so , anyone in the electrical science department here have a clue ?

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Lithium batteries give a continuous amperage high output starting at 13.3-13.4 amps when fully charged compared to wet cell batteries. Wet cells loose their strength especially when drawn down below 50% of their power. Give you a example...One of my lithiums is at 42% charged right now and still is showing 13.1 amps of power output and lithiums won’t give less amps till they are down to 20-25%. With the strong amperage output as well as continuous as the power of them is drawn down..your trolling motor will run faster and alittle stronger as well as your depth finder screens will stay brighter for longer periods of time. It’s not recommended to draw lithium batteries to below 10% or completely dead as it will decrease life expectancy alittle. With wet cell batteries,,as they loose power so does the amperage output.

I been using a 32Amp Hour Lithium battery I bought from Amped Outddors . Never goes below 12 volts . It is rated for 14.8 volts but charges up to 16.8 volts . It powers my 1242 and black box for livescope about 16 hours . Lithium less than 5 lbs and about size of a motorcycle battery . Would like to use lithiums for trolling motor but a pair of 100 Amp Hour Lithiums are pricey . Hope since more companies selling maybe prices will come down . Just remember Lithiums require special chargers . Mine came with a charger .