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re: Boat Batteries

Posted on 8/5/25 at 11:51 am to
Posted by CP3
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2009
7551 posts
Posted on 8/5/25 at 11:51 am to
Dakota

Amazon brand

I forget what the other one was. Started with an I but it wasn’t Ionic.

Fun fact, a decent amount of these new lithium startups are all just selling a rebranded version of the same exact batteries from china. Just like any other mass produced item

Not saying all of the big names brands in the US are guilty of it, but there are a good bit of people selling the same batteries just with a different sticker on it (same thing happens with AGM or lead acid).

Posted by CP3
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2009
7551 posts
Posted on 8/5/25 at 11:55 am to
I will say that I have been eyeing these lately. Would be nice to find from a more known brand, but you get the idea.

I REALLY like the form factor. I feel like they would be awesome to use somewhere, just haven’t quite figured out where that is yet


Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
71136 posts
Posted on 8/5/25 at 12:03 pm to
Mercury doesn't void your engine warranty anymore just because you used one. They did that originally because the BMS on lithium batteries was causing charging system failures. They don't say anything about it being a good idea.
Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
71136 posts
Posted on 8/5/25 at 12:04 pm to
quote:

Best cranking option available.



*sigh*

No, it is not.

I'm done. You win.
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
86531 posts
Posted on 8/5/25 at 12:05 pm to
quote:

Dakota

Amazon brand
There aren't a whole lot actually advertising as cranking batteries. No way would I would use an Amazon brand for that. Hell, even Amped specifically states their batteries are not for cranking. No idea on Dakota.

If this were 2018, I'd agree with every negative post here, but alas, it's not.
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
86531 posts
Posted on 8/5/25 at 12:05 pm to
quote:

No, it is not.
It is. Know why? Because it's not 2018.
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
86531 posts
Posted on 8/5/25 at 1:14 pm to
quote:

Mercury doesn't void your engine warranty anymore just because you used one. They did that originally because the BMS on lithium batteries was causing charging system failures. They don't say anything about it being a good idea.


quote:

As of 12/23/2022, Mercury has issued Service Bulletin 2022-19 and Racing Bulletin 2022-21 stating that the listed engines will be permitted to use a Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery that is designed for engine cranking, as long as it meets the listed specifications:

-2.1L 75-115hp Fourstroke, ProXS and SeaPro Models
-3.0L 150hp Fourstroke, ProXS and SeaPro
-4.6L V8 and 3.4L V6 175-300hp Fourstroke, ProXS, SeaPro and Verado Models
-2.6L L6 200-400 Pro and Verado Models
-7.6L V12 500-600hp SeaPro and Verado Models.
-ALL MERCURY RACING OUTBOARD ENGINE MODELS (Current Production)
-NO other engines approved at this time.

Minimum Specs Required:

-Chemistry/Format: Lithium IRON Phosphate designed for MARINE CRANKING USE.
-Minimum Cranking Amps: 800A for 8 second minimum @ 20 Degrees F
-Peak Charge Acceptance: 165A at 20-130 degrees F for one minute
-Max Charge Alternator Size: 150A at 20-130 degrees F
-Max Charge Voltage/Alternator Output: 14.8V
-Reserve Capacity (RC25 @ 80F): 135 Minutes
-Ingress Protection (IP rating): IP67 or greater.
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
86531 posts
Posted on 8/5/25 at 1:36 pm to
quote:


Dakota

I just checked their site. They only list one cranking battery. It is claimed to be "IP67, Mercury compliant" . So, it it wasn't that battery, I would not take it as an example of one not to use. To be clear, I am not advocating that one just slap any lithium battery into their boat starting system. I just assumed we were all talking about those batteries equipped to be starting batteries.
Posted by CP3
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2009
7551 posts
Posted on 8/5/25 at 2:17 pm to
quote:

I just checked their site. They only list one cranking battery. It is claimed to be "IP67, Mercury compliant" . So, it it wasn't that battery, I would not take it as an example of one not to use.


The faulty BMS sensor doesn’t care if it’s a cranking battery or approved by mercury lol. Any lithium with any BMS can have a lockout for any valid (or non valid) reason. It’s a basically a computer between your power source and the end device that introduces an additional (possible) point of failure that can prevent you from having power. Computers/sensors aren’t perfect, and anyone that owns a mercury for a decent length of time should be well aware of this

Do the majority of lithium batteries experience a faulty BMS? No, it’s probably pretty uncommon.

But being an EE and my focus being on reliability (based on the use case of boats I work on), it’s hard for me to justify that risk just to have a smaller/lighter battery. Sure, you can lose a cell or have a AGM/LA go bad after time, but that typically won’t happen randomly while your out fishing and there will be signs beforehand that there is an issue. If it does, it’s a lot easier to troubleshoot/diagnose/bypass than a built in BMS is.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not afraid of new technology and I think lithiums are great in the right application. I guess it just comes down to how much it would impact you if for whatever reason your battery decides it wants to shut off mid trip one day, even if it’s a rare occurrence.

Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
86531 posts
Posted on 8/5/25 at 2:34 pm to
quote:

The faulty BMS sensor doesn’t care if it’s a cranking battery or approved by mercury lol.
But they use totally different ones.
Posted by CP3
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2009
7551 posts
Posted on 8/5/25 at 2:40 pm to
I get that. It is still a “computer” that uses inputs to determine if it will let you have power or not, and can/will malfunction if any of them aren't working correctly for whatever reason.

I guess we will just have to agree to disagree lol. I don’t necessarily think it’s “wrong” to do it, it’s just not something I’m 100% on board with quite yet.
This post was edited on 8/5/25 at 2:41 pm
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
86531 posts
Posted on 8/5/25 at 3:09 pm to
quote:

I guess we will just have to agree to disagree lol. I don’t necessarily think it’s “wrong” to do it, it’s just not something I’m 100% on board with quite yet.
Understood, and you and I have different concerns when it comes to battery failure. I will say this since we've brought up personal experiences, I've been stranded numerous times by older lead/acid and once for sure with AGM. Never with lithium
Posted by tes fou
Member since Feb 2014
962 posts
Posted on 8/6/25 at 10:17 pm to
Yamaha says no lithium not compatible with their charging system and if you fry your ecm or wiring harness with one they will not cover it.

I have seen multiple issues with lithium batteries in boats and just this week reached out to a pro staff member trying to get a client on their boat to see it. Guy messaged me back that his 36v lithium on his trolling motor had failed and burned the boat to the ground.

We sell a handful of them, in the right application they’re fine. Personally I don’t recommend them or push folks to buy them but they do have positive traits in certain applications. They also have some serious potential drawbacks as well.
Posted by Jblac15
Member since Mar 2011
703 posts
Posted on 8/12/25 at 4:50 am to
Ended up just going back with the Duracells from Sam’s. Discovered my onboard charger was not even working in the process… thanks again for all the tips.
Posted by 98eagle
Member since Sep 2020
3122 posts
Posted on 8/12/25 at 9:04 pm to
I have 4 LifePO4 batteries on my boat. Two are 12V and two are 48V. They have been great and can be backups to each other. I have Anderson connectors on them and jumper cables of different lengths so any of the two sets can quickly be used for a possible battery failure or if one runs out of power while boatin. They are Bluetooth as well so I can monitor them in use from my phone. I have zero worry about them causing a fire like the older style lithium batteries. They perform better than other battery types in my opinion and are much lighter.
This post was edited on 8/13/25 at 4:28 am
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
86531 posts
Posted on 11/8/25 at 7:43 am to
quote:

It is still a “computer” that uses inputs to determine if it will let you have power or no
Had a panic situation this morning. All ready for a nice Fall trip then notice I left my TM plugged in. Batteries were dead/asleep. My Minn Kota charger would not charge and stayed with solid red lights. I knew there was a possibility of waking them, but never had to do it before. I remembered I had a Noco 1 somewhere so I hooked it up to one battery. I got a pulsing red light. I could not get it into forced charge mode. Anyway, just a few minutes of the Noco on each battery got them to the point that my PC would charge them. Phew! I was already shopping new batteries
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