looking to upgrade to lithium batteries for my trolling motor. the cost differential between different brands is hard to understand. Are the Dakota brand lithium batteries that much better than Ionic batteries (just to use two examples). am I missing something regarding the quality of the different brands and will eventually regret not spending more money?

if it matters, I only fish saltwater in the Dulac/Cocodrie area.

thanks in advance for any help.

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Posted by Saskwatch

Member since Feb 2016

17515 posts

Posted on 5/14/25 at 11:13 am to ME712

Mostly tied to quality of the cells and warranty. FWIW I have Ionics and have not had any issue.

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Posted by AlxTgr

Kyre Banorg

Member since Oct 2003

84326 posts

Posted on 5/14/25 at 11:17 am to ME712

quote:
Are the Dakota brand lithium batteries that much better than Ionic batteries

I cannot imagine they are better, much less a lot better. I bought from an established brand because I was somewhat early in on this. I read a few forums, and it seems people are getting good results from the less expensive brands. I would not hesitate to chance it on TM batteries, but would not dare do so with a crank battery.

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Posted by Sea Hoss

North Alabama

Member since Jul 2013

1018 posts

Posted on 5/14/25 at 11:55 am to ME712

I have no idea of the quality of the cheaper amazon brands but I don't think they were even that many cheap brands on the market when I bought several years ago. I can say I ordered a Dakota and paid for it. 3 weeks later I still had not recieved a shipping email. I tried to contact them by phone for several days during business hoiurs to no avail so I started googling and read some same stories like mine. I emailed the company and they did respond but said it would be 3 more weeks to get a battery because the owners werer splitting the business or something to that effect. I recieved a refund and bought an Epoch brand. I've been nothing but happy with the battery since installation. The dealer is a sponsor on the Hull Truth forum and gives a discount to members plus responds to any questions very quickly.

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Posted by Dock Holiday

Member since Sep 2015

1746 posts

Posted on 5/14/25 at 12:23 pm to ME712

After a decent amount of research I came to the conclusion that nearly 100% of lithium batteries are touched my China in some capacity. Even Dakota lithium.

Over a year ago I bought random lithium 12v 100aH blue tooth batteries off Amazon for under $200 each, they have been great for my TM usage.

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Posted by Mister Bigfish

Member since Oct 2018

1144 posts

Posted on 5/14/25 at 7:17 pm to ME712

There was just a thread on this. Some good info there.

LINK

There is a guy on YouTube. I don’t think he is sponsored as he cuts open and reviews a bunch of different lithiums. Don’t remember his name but pretty easy to find.

I would not drop money on dakotas or even ionic for that matter. There are a lot of value brands that you can get quality 12 volt 100 ah for around $200 per battery. Little less if you don’t need Bluetooth.

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Posted by subMOA

Komatipoort

Member since Jan 2010

1873 posts

Posted on 5/14/25 at 9:02 pm to ME712

I have the CHEAPEST 100ah 36V battery that was for sale on Amazon that day- it’s a Chins brand- no joke.

Going on two years on my 27’ boat with an iPilot Minn Kota.

I left it sit for 6 months when we picked the boat up and it charged right up a month ago.

$725

And yep- all the cells come from China. I bet that the Dakota batteries come out of these same factories.

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Posted by redfish99

B.R.

Member since Aug 2007

17697 posts

Posted on 5/14/25 at 10:00 pm to ME712

Get the cheapest that offer Bluetooth. I went thru the same process. Many off brands are just as effective as expensive ones.

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Posted by bayouvette

Raceland