re: Anyone else got a set of the new Mercury outboards on order?

quote:

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Would love to read your thoughts on lithium crank batteries for Merc 4 strokes. Don the tyrant mod at BBC is about to lock down all discussion of the topic.

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He kicked me off of there because I was correcting his completely wrong information on the new V6s and V8s. I was in a Mercury class (continuing education) a few years ago with him after hearing from several customers about how he was the best Mercury tech ever. I certainly didn’t come away from that class thinking that. I’m not perfect, but I have only been doing this for now more than half my life (over 18 of my 36 years) and he had a hard time grasping some very basic SmartCraft, CAN and Verado technology. I’m not sure how he attained master tech status unless he completed it before 2003.

With that said, I know Mercury’s stance is not to use them as engine batteries but there are plenty of pro fishermen who are using them successfully on V8s. When we repower boats with them, we use the recommended AGM batteries. In our situation, it’s better to stick by the book. I do know of a 300R and 450R with lithium cranking batteries and no problems. Those engines are using different alternators (85 amps and 115 amps). At the end of the day it’s your choice and if there’s a problem, it’s up to your dealer to report back to Mercury what the problem is and what the installation consists of.