Lithium Battery Chargers

[djkimmel]

Just wondered how many of you out there have made the big leap to Lithium batteries? If so, which charger are you using to recharge them? I may have won a lithium battery and trying to decide what to do with it (haven't received it yet). Thanks!

[Bigbass201]

Extremely expensive, but you can go for days without charging them.  One thing to look into is whether it voids any type of warranty on your boat motor.  I don't remember which company or how long ago, but one of them said using the Lithium batteries would void the motor warranty. 

[djkimmel]

I'd heard that about outboards. I saw something about the battery I'm getting maybe being approved by Mercury, but I would check before assuming that. I have a Yamaha that I'm having worked on this spring to see if it is still workable. Haven't used it in quite awhile.

My old Ranger only has room for 3 batteries, and I have a 24/36V trolling motor. I believe I need to have 3 batteries of the same size and type for that to work right, though I usually only use it in 24V.

Assuming I don't buy a different trolling motor, I'd probably stick with the 3 Deka 31 Wet Cell batteries I already have for it. I definitely have no plans to buy more Lithium batteries. Way over my budget. I could use the one for my little portable electric motor maybe if I still do rowboat rentals a fair amount this coming season, but then I need the Lithium charger I think.

Don't believe either of the ancient chargers I have now would work for Lithium. Lithium wasn't an option when I bought those chargers. Won't worry about it much until I actually get the battery I was told I won. When/If I get it, I'll figure something out.

[Bigbass201]

I'd heard that about outboards. I saw something about the battery I'm getting maybe being approved by Mercury, but I would check before assuming that. I have a Yamaha that I'm having worked on this spring to see if it is still workable. Haven't used it in quite awhile.

My old Ranger only has room for 3 batteries, and I have a 24/36V trolling motor. I believe I need to have 3 batteries of the same size and type for that to work right, though I usually only use it in 24V.

Assuming I don't buy a different trolling motor, I'd probably stick with the 3 Deka 31 Wet Cell batteries I already have for it. I definitely have no plans to buy more Lithium batteries. Way over my budget. I could use the one for my little portable electric motor maybe if I still do rowboat rentals a fair amount this coming season, but then I need the Lithium charger I think.

Don't believe either of the ancient chargers I have now would work for Lithium. Lithium wasn't an option when I bought those chargers. Won't worry about it much until I actually get the battery I was told I won. When/If I get it, I'll figure something out.

Keep us posted on this.  I ended up selling my 2003 Ranger 520 Comanche.  It had a Yamaha 225 VMax on it.  It sucked my wallet dry after each fishing trip.  I ended up going back to a Bass Tracker 190.   It has a 125 Mercury on it that burns hardly any fuel.  It was tough getting batteries in there but was able to set up a 24-volt system for trolling motor.  I'm happy so far.   I just need to be able to get the grandkids out fishing these days.  I don't see many competitive fishing days in the future.  I just don't have the time to pre-fish and compete in today's tournament series.  Something to be said for fun fishing.  It's more relaxing and lot less pressure. 

[djkimmel]

Yes, it is.

[bob o]

we stopped at the VMAX battery booth at the Novi show and we were impressed the salesman really knew his stuff. As for chargers they suguest NOCO, a NOCO 5x3 is what I'll be getting whenever I order the 100AH batteries for the basscat

[FrickerDude]

I just recently purchased some lithiums and ended up going with a minn kota 330PCL.  I was on the fence if 5 amps a bank would be good enough for me.  Found a good deal on the charger and was not much more than a 5 amp noco or a 6 amp MK. 

[djkimmel]

What's a 6 amp MK?

[FrickerDude]

What's a 6 amp MK?

Minn Kota On-Board Precision Charger MK-318 PCL 3 Bank x 6 AMP

Minn Kota does make a single bank Precision Charger in 6 or 10 amp, usually run just under 100 bucks for the MK106PCL (6amp) or and just over $100 bucks for a MK110PCL (10amp).  They will charge all battery types.

[djkimmel]

Okay, good to know. Is 6 amps enough to recharge a lithium battery overnight? When I camped a lot it took all of 15 amp charger to recharge lead acid batteries overnight at some of the campgrounds.

[FrickerDude]

Okay, good to know. Is 6 amps enough to recharge a lithium battery overnight? When I camped a lot it took all of 15 amp charger to recharge lead acid batteries overnight at some of the campgrounds.

They say you take the Amp HOurs and divide that by the Amps.  So if that 100AH battery was completely dead it would take about 16.6 hours (100AH/6A)  If it was discharged down to 50% I would assume it would take half the time. 

That's why I chose the 10amp.  10 hours if batteries were completely dead, which I would guess would be pretty hard to drain these batteries completely in a day.