Lithium Batteries

[Judy]

I am thinking about switching to Lithium batteries for my Nitro Z20 2016. What would be the best setup and brand to look at?

 

[Larry Williams]

I am thinking about switching to Lithium batteries for my Nitro Z20 2016. What would be the best setup and brand to look at?

Judy,
There is a ton of information and opinions out there on the web. Not trying to speak for others- but a lot of us have decided that the cost is just too extreme for recreational fishing applications. If you do this, let us know how it works out for you as to performance and cost factors..

 

[Tim_C]

Judy,
What size trolling motor is on your boat? Are you thinking of lithiums both for Trolling and Cranking? Lithiums for cranking are different from Deep cycle trolling. What type of fishing do you do? Four hours on a lake, tourney fishing in all types of lakes and weather, river fishing? You need this info to consider the AH range, the size BMS, the charging system, and number of batteries needed.

 

[Starbanker]

I use Ampere Time 100AH type 31 batteries in a 3 battery 36 volt setup for my trolling motor. I get over two days before charge on my normal long fishing day. They cost $349.00 each right now at Amazon, they have the only American based warehouse, all boat and automotive type lithiums are made in China. I use an Interstate AGM dual purpose type 31 for my starting battery. Those three lithium weigh the same amount as the AGM alone. I saved about 160 lbs. of weight right on my stern with them. Over the lifetime of the batteries they will save a lot of money. You'll need to replace deep-cycles four times over the time lithiums will last. A lighter boat is faster and more economical to run. Only one company makes a lithium that is "said" to be able to be used for a starter battery, Bass Pro sells this under their brand name Tracker, it is only a lithium with a 200 amp BMS (the little computer chip that regulates charging and discharging of the battery) rather than a 100 amp BMS that the Ampere Time does. Other brands do offer 200 amp BMS's as does Ampere Time but none recommend their use for starting which is a high amp and short duration function. Those lithium "starter" batteries run about a $1000.00. You'll get more watts out of a lithium than a deep cycle lead battery the same AH size or larger because you can discharge a lithium down to nearly zero % without damage, lead deep cycles only about 50% as it would shorten their lifespan significantly. I am buying a 4th lithium battery to run my electronics and stereo this week.

 

[Judy]

Judy,
What size trolling motor is on your boat? Are you thinking of lithiums both for Trolling and Cranking? Lithiums for cranking are different from Deep cycle trolling. What type of fishing do you do? Four hours on a lake, tourney fishing in all types of lakes and weather, river fishing? You need this info to consider the AH range, the size BMS, the charging system, and number of batteries needed.

The trolling motor is 36volts. We fish mostly on a lake, not tournament fishing.

 

[Tim_C]

You should then be fine with 50-60AH lithiums. You can go three-12V or one 36V. Its really a comfort/peace of mind thing that you will read people swearing to get 3 12V. The worry if you Cranking battery fails you can jump it from a single 12V. I think it is easier just to carry a dedicated jumpstarter. They are small and you can get good ones fairly cheap ($69-$99). I upgraded my trolling motor to 36V and got one 36V due to the price and the charger came with it. Amazon has bunches of good batteries Zoom, AmpereTime, Weize, etc for under $300.