Trolling motor batteries

[gb1234]

My battery is down $100 (30%) from what I paid 2½ years ago.

[West Basin]

Thanks, gb1234, for doing the research. I'm sure a lot of people on here appreciate it. As you found out, it takes a lot of time to really research these batteries.

Did you create that chart, or get it from a source?

Besides the type of cells used, and the manufacturing process, the BMS, or Battery Management System, is crucial to proper charging and use of Lithium Marine Batteries. The cells need to be charged correctly, and used properly. Many BMS do not provide the added technology to monitor all the cell properties, check for various issues, and perform charging as best as possible. The "bargain batteries" typically don't have an advanced BMS. Again, I was very through in my research, spent the additional time required to get all the information I could get. There is more to all this, but again, way too much to list here.

The bottom line is it all depends on the use. The bargain batteries are fine for general use, such as camping or tail gating or other uses where the battery is not put in harsh or tough environments, and not used a lot (say only 8-10-12 times a year). The tougher the environment and the more a battery is used, the greater the chance for a problem. Bargain batteries can provide years of service in marine (boat) use. But they are not as dependable as the more advanced (expensive) batteries with better construction and better BMS. Again, you get what you pay for.

If you want to get the advantages of a Lithium battery, one gets what one can afford. If you can't or don't want to spend the extra money on a high quality battery, then get a lower cost but most likely lower quality battery. Take good care of it. If you have the money for the better quality brands, and your situation is pretty demanding, then spend the extra money on a top rated model from a high quality brand.

I have one of each. The MillerTech battery is in the boat, used for the fish / depth finder and a few other electronics. The bargain brand is used for my mobile sonar system, since it's used less and is not subject to being on a boat from April through October.

[gb1234]

That's my chart - based on info I could find over the last few days on each company's web site. I wish I could have another column for whether the BMS includes active balancing, and another showing whether the internal connections are welded or bolted, and another for how much hassle it is to get warranty service. But I couldn't find that data on the company web sites. If my battery includes active balancing circuitry while no one else does, why wouldn't I advertise that? But no one is making such claims that I could find.

I agree that a higher price enables companies to make a higher quality product. However. companies commonly have to elevate their prices well beyond ethical profit margins - because when they try lower prices, consumers won't buy, concluding it must be junk. It's a game of psychology. It is also true that two batteries with different branding and different pricing can actually be the exact same thing, made at the exact same plant.

So... the personal experience of folks posting here means everything to me. You guys love expensive Dakotas and MillerTechs, but you also love cheap Timeusbs.

[topwater]

I have a 36V saltwater MK Terrova and went with Miller Tech. I am charging them with a 3 bank MK precision onboard. I had an issue where one of the batteries would drain to zero before the other two. I switched their position up on the charging banks and the problem followed the battery. I contacted MillerTech and they were fantastic. They sent a replacement to me next day. Since then everything has been great and I can troll all day with the waves or around 9 hours if I'm heading into or a combo of in and out of the waves. Boat is a Robalo R247 and is quite a heavy boat. I am just hoping the batteries last long enough to justify the expense, but as of now I am extremely happy and its been 3 years.

[jdeezay74]

i use 2 back up sump pump sealed gel cell batteries from menards for the price i couldnt go wrong. i also use a nico smart charger there are two in series for a ghost at 24v. im on five years now no problems.

[Ole fisherman]

My Wal-Mart starting battery is going on 7 years now with no signs of weakening. The house battery was replaced last season at 6 years of age. Trolling batteries (2) were replaced this spring ( 6 yrs) with one 140 ah lifep04 battery ant it runs almost twice as long as the two agm batteries from walmart.

[gb1234]

Update on my battery experience...
1. It took exactly 2 weeks since I emailed Li Time Support until I received a replacement battery.
2. I asked them what can be done to prevent the internal cells from becoming unbalanced and they claimed the BMS would do that. That's not true because the BMS didn't do it for the battery I returned - unless the replacement battery has an updated BMS.
3. Interestingly, I see that Li Time now offers a "TM" version of their 100 Ah LiFePO4 battery. (TM stands for Trolling Motor). It has the same specs as my battery, except its BMS allows a greater amperage pull for a short time. This tells me the start up of an 80lbs Minn Kota probably tries to draw more current than a standard BMS will allow.
So, if I had to do it all over again, I would buy a battery that allows these short-term higher draws. I would really like one with Active Balancing, but no one advertises that feature at this point.

[Ole fisherman]

My guess is you jyst got a bad one....no matter who, a bad one can show up on ocassion. When I bought my look from TimeUSB, I called them, discussed exactly what I wanted to do with my particular trolling motor and how much power I wanted from a battery. They recommended the battery and charger, which I bought. No problems and I am amazed at how well it works. Let us know how this new one works out...

[gb1234]

First trip with the replacement Li Time battery today...
I think it did fine. It lasted about 6 hours, but I had the Minn Kota running between 7 and 10 the whole time - because it got pretty windy and I was trolling into it. I would like to compare charge time versus how it used to be, and whether one battery charges faster than the other. It used to take overnight to charge these guys back up with my little NOCO. However, the recommendations now are to store them at only half charge, so I won't get to see if the charging is the same as it was before. I assume it would be. Hopefully this new one lasts more than two seasons.

[airshot]

I have the 140 ah TimeUSB battery for my 12v min kits 55# thrust trolling motor. I had over 20 hours of use with my trolling motor this past session before I recharged the battery. The BMS told me I had another 4 plus hours of use at that same avg amp draw....estimated 24 hours of continuous use. The battery was at 37% when I hooked up the charger, 6 hours later the battery was fully charged.