Lithium battery brands

[wombat88]

I want to buy a lithium battery for our trolling motor, something around 60-70ah.

I've heard that some lithium batteries are better than others but I know nothing. Weight, or lack of it is important to us as is price (inevitably)!

Can anyone recommend a brand that can be relied upon?

Also, I have what I would call 'normal' chargers, can they be used?

 

[shanemax]

Go to the BOAT SAFETY SCHEME web site for recommended marine quality lithium batteries. Also you must inform your insurance company or your insurance could be null in void if you intend charging the battery on the main boat. Insurance companies see lithium as an imperfect science so require professional standards for fitting and charging. Because Lithium charges so easily using a normal alternator can burn it out so please check. A home/ garage trickle charger with a lithium option should be easy to obtain at a reasonable price.

 

[wombat88]

Thanks, I should have said that the trolling motor is to be used on a small dinghy. Charging will be done at home.

 

[Sea Change]

Things to consider:
- make sure it's rated for the discharge current you need.
- ideally, get one with Bluetooth, so that you can check the state of charge. There's little point in using the trolling motor's built in charge indicator because even a nearly empty lithium battery will be higher voltage than a full lead acid, so it will just show 'full' until about five minutes before it runs out.
- weather proofing might be useful, check if there's an IP rating etc.

Contrary to popular opinion, you can bulk charged a lithium battery using a conventional lead acid charger. You'll will be reliant on the BMS to stop it from overcharging so it's not as safe as doing it with a charger that has a lithium setting. You may also end up with it not spending enough time at the correct voltage for cell balancing. So it's definitely a bit of a bodge. If you have to do it, watch the BMS app so you know what's going on.

 

[Moodysailor]

I don't have a lot of experience with different type of lithium batteries, but recently bought an Eco Worthy lithium for our boat as I needed new batteries. From my research it seemed to be a good quality battery and at the time was on sale for a great price. I am very happy with it so far and it seems well put together. It has built in bluetooth for monitoring.

For the capacity we need we now have one battery instead of 3, for relevance to an earlier post my insurance company were fine with me doing the installtion as I am ABYC certified (I confirmed with them first).

 

[HughClayton]

If you buy from a reputable UK supplier, like Tanya, you should be ok. I’d avoid buying from whomever has decided to sponsor Google this week.

 

[Trident]

Renogy make good kit (for your needs the 50ah, which is what I use on my dinghy motor is a good bet and weighs just 6kg) , Fogstar are very good but their smallest battery may be too big for you (100ah)

 

[fredrussell]

Whichever brand you choose, check what the max current draw is on your trolling motor. Then check what the max discharge rate of lithium battery’s BMS is.