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Started By
Message
Why shouldn't I switch my boat batteries out for LiFePo4?
Posted on 6/13/25 at 9:58 pm
Posted on 6/13/25 at 9:58 pm
I need to replace at least one of the batteries on my boat. I was just going to go ahead and see place both while I'm doing it. I was planning to go with AGM, but I have been seeing a lot of people recommending LiFePo4. Seeing decent prices on those, I'm wondering why I shouldn't switch.
I have twin Yamaha 115s and each has group 24 lead acid battery wired up through a single pergo. I can run the batteries in parallel to help with cranking amps, but I see that many are rated for cranking now. I don't have tons of electronics, but the sound system has an amp that has been an issue with the existing batteries. I know the LiFePo will be better for that deep cycle work. Does anyone have personal negative experiences?
I also fish mostly in the Gulf, so they'll be through some chop in a smallish catamaran.
I have twin Yamaha 115s and each has group 24 lead acid battery wired up through a single pergo. I can run the batteries in parallel to help with cranking amps, but I see that many are rated for cranking now. I don't have tons of electronics, but the sound system has an amp that has been an issue with the existing batteries. I know the LiFePo will be better for that deep cycle work. Does anyone have personal negative experiences?
I also fish mostly in the Gulf, so they'll be through some chop in a smallish catamaran.
8
Posted on 6/14/25 at 6:34 am to Galactic Inquisitor
Make doubly sure that your outboard is rated for them as many are not. Also the lithiums that I use explicitly state on their website not to use them for cranking. I still have an agm for my cranking/house battery and have lithiums for the trolling motor.
Posted on 6/14/25 at 7:23 am to Galactic Inquisitor
They are lithium, LifePo4 is the brand.
You will likely have to also buy a new charger.
You will likely have to also buy a new charger.
Posted on 6/14/25 at 7:37 am to Galactic Inquisitor
The issue with them is the battery protection system can "crowbar" the battery, essentially making it an open circuit, if there is a condition it doesn't like. Its typically for low temp protection which is somethijf we dont have to worry about but there are many conditions that can trip itm They are great but I wouldnt use one as the cranking battery for an offshore boat.
Posted on 6/14/25 at 10:29 am to Bawpaw
quote:
LifePo4 is the brand.
No it’s not. Its the type of Lithium Ion battery. Believe it refers to the chemical structure
Posted on 6/14/25 at 5:33 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
What downshift said is main reason I will never use them for starting batteries. I’ve started using the 36V for trolling motors, and probably wouldn’t have an issue using one for house battery (but you would need DC-DC charger for charging system). But don’t think I’d use one for crank battery
Posted on 6/14/25 at 6:06 pm to CP3
Posted on 6/14/25 at 6:10 pm to Bawpaw
quote:no
LifePo4 is the brand
Li = lithium
Fe = iron
Po = polonium
Posted on 6/14/25 at 8:01 pm to cgrand
It’s PO.
Lithium Iron Phosphate.
Lithium Iron Phosphate.
Posted on 6/14/25 at 11:11 pm to cgrand
Well I stand corrected! Thanks for straightening me out. I thought that was a lithium brand.
Posted on 6/15/25 at 9:41 am to Galactic Inquisitor
I've seen this question posed a few times in the Yamaha outboards groups and the answer I've seen is that the Yamaha stators don't play nice with the lithium batteries.
Posted on 6/15/25 at 9:52 am to 3deadtrolls
Thanks, guys. This is reinforcing some of the same concerns I have heard. I'll probably go with AGM.
Posted on 6/15/25 at 7:58 pm to Galactic Inquisitor
Replace everything but your starting battery.
Posted on 6/15/25 at 10:15 pm to Galactic Inquisitor
What is descent pricing?
Posted on 6/16/25 at 10:32 am to Galactic Inquisitor
I just added 3 lithiums for my trolling motor and I've had a lithium starting battery going on 2 years now. I have a Merc 300R and was cautious about purchasing it when there were so many original disclaimers from mercury about not using them. Before I ordered it, Mercury released that lithiums with certain specs were good to use so I consulted with drewcraft marine and they lined me up with the correct battery. Its an ionic lithium starting battery and its been great so far. It wasn't much more than the agm I needed to replace and came with a better warranty. I can't speak on anything for a yamaha but wanted to share my good experience with the setup I have.
Posted on 6/16/25 at 3:47 pm to Galactic Inquisitor
Would research Yamaha's technical specs for that motor. Have heard of this issue with Mercury and lithium. Something about it not working well with their 5v clean power requirement to run the computer.
Also, marine amps and stereos are the #1 suspect when it comes to battery problems. Whether its the vibration or salt air they alway tend to frick up and start drawing power.
Also, marine amps and stereos are the #1 suspect when it comes to battery problems. Whether its the vibration or salt air they alway tend to frick up and start drawing power.
This post was edited on 6/16/25 at 3:48 pm
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