re: Lithium trolling motor batteries

Bumping this thread after search

I am contemplating purchasing two Ionic 12V 50AH to run my trolling motor. I have lead acid batteries currently which are shot. Will I have to change any wiring? The boat currently has an on board battery tender charger. I assume I'll need to buy a new charger and install as well. Would the installation of new batteries and possible new charger be plug and play or should I look at some kind of installing service? I'd like to keep my lead acid cranking battery as it's in good condition and I'd rather not have to shell out for a 3rd lithium battery at this time.

Wiring should be fine. You will need to have a charger that's appropriate for lithium charging. When I bought my boat last year, I paid an upcharge for the Minn Kota PC because I knew I would be going lithium eventually. My install was no different than changing out lead acid.

Since I last posted, I finally got an understanding of shunt style meters. I got one installed. On my usual trips that are half days of fishing tops, I have yet to run my two 60ah batteries below 88%. I easily could have gone with smaller AH. My 125ah crank battery gets down to low 80s when using my 3 graphs. Will likely be a bit lower if running the livewell, but I rarely do that, as I mostly catch and release, and when I know I want to keep fish, I bring a dead-well.