LiTime’s Recommendations For Lithium Marine Deep Cycle Batteries

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For a lot of many years, lead-acid batteries dominated the business. They have been the most affordable choice, they have been sturdy in comparison with different choices, they usually labored pretty properly in most climate circumstances. However they’ve some severe downsides. They’re heavy. A lot of them launch hydrogen gasoline that may burn or explode if not correctly ventilated. Additionally they are likely to solely final a couple of seasons of use in lots of functions. You additionally must take care to not deplete them too low to forestall untimely degradation.

The excellent news? The business is shifting on! Lithium batteries at the moment are obtainable that may simply substitute customary lead-acid battery sizes, and extra importantly, they overcome the downsides.

This info on this article comes from its sponsor, LiTime. For those who’d prefer to study LiTime’s lithium marine batteries, be sure you take a look at their web site, the place they’ve a wide range of deep cycle marine batteries for motors and marine starting batteries.

The Benefits of Lithium Batteries

As I discussed within the introduction, lead-acid batteries are heavy, they launch flammable gasoline, they don’t final tremendous lengthy, and you’ll’t run them down too low. Lithium batteries resolve these issues and include numerous different benefits.

The largest factor is that lithium-ion batteries have the next vitality density. Which means that for each unit of weight, they’ll retailer much more vitality. I imply, it’s not tremendous arduous to beat batteries with numerous lead in them for weight! For batteries that maintain the identical quantity of vitality as a lead-acid deep cycle battery, a lithium battery merely weighs much less. In lots of circumstances, they maintain extra vitality, too.

One other enormous benefit to lithium deep cycle batteries is that they last more. In ICE automobiles, starter batteries usually solely final 2–4 years. For RV and marine functions, lead-acid batteries typically solely final a season or two, failing throughout occasions of non-use. Lithium batteries merely aren’t as delicate to durations of non-use, and might final for lots longer than any lead-acid battery, whether or not in a starter or a deep cycle utility.

As a result of there’s no distilled water to test on, no result in be disposed of, and you must purchase them much less usually, they’re additionally much more eco-friendly!

Forms of Marine Lithium Batteries

When shopping for lithium batteries, it’s essential to purchase the suitable battery for the job. Some are optimized for storage with smaller masses. Others are optimized for max output. Some are optimized for a sustained load.

The primary sort of battery to contemplate is a deep cycle trolling motor battery. Trolling motors don’t pull numerous energy, clearly, however fishermen need them to run for hours. Lengthy earlier than individuals trolled on the web, hanging out bait for arguments, fishermen would launch bait into the water and drag it slowly by the fish hoping for a chunk. Any such battery must have numerous storage and the flexibility to carry up beneath a small load for a very long time.

LiTime affords a wide range of trolling motors batteries in a wide range of capacities, and like all batteries, you possibly can wire them in parallel or sequence to both get extra capability or get the next voltage. However for those who don’t know how you can do any of that and simply need to connect these leads and go, the corporate additionally affords batteries in greater voltages, eliminating the necessity to wire and re-wire your batteries on each journey!

As of late, batteries aren’t only for trolling motors. You may as well get them for at this time’s extra powerful electric outboard motors to do your entire boating on clear electrical energy.

You in all probability wouldn’t be shocked to listen to that LiTime additionally affords a wide range of batteries for that, too. They’re obtainable in 12-volt like all batteries, however it’s also possible to get 36-volt and 48-volt batteries for a simplified set up and fewer trouble with charging and elimination/substitute.

Lastly, there are beginning batteries, that are made to begin an inside combustion engine (ICE). Clearly, everybody isn’t able to go all-electric with their boats simply but. However that doesn’t imply you possibly can’t profit from swapping out your drained outdated lead-acid starter battery for one with higher lithium battery cells inside. These batteries are very like these present in a automotive, optimized for a fast burst of vitality for operating a starter-motor that cranks up an ICE.

How To Select & Use Marine Batteries

For these unfamiliar with how you can truly use a marine battery, it’s essential to do it proper and do it safely to keep away from harm or hearth. I’ll end this text up by explaining a bit about them. For those who’re ever uncertain of how you can do any of this, don’t be afraid to ask for assist! Higher protected than sorry.

Whether or not it’s a starter motor, an outboard motor, or a trolling motor, each motor has a spread of voltages that it’s joyful utilizing. You must get your battery setup to output the suitable voltages, both by shopping for a battery with the suitable voltage or by wiring batteries collectively in sequence so as to add their voltages collectively. In any case, seek the advice of your motor’s documentation and the battery’s handbook to see what the wanted voltages are and what number of batteries may be wired in sequence.

The amp-hours or watt-hours are a measure of how a lot vitality the battery holds. For a motor, this equals run-time. Whilst you can work out your motor’s draw and work out what number of hours a battery can run that load for, it’s actually finest to get essentially the most storage you possibly can for the finances. You by no means know whenever you’ll want some further capability, so get all you can!

When putting in batteries, it’s essential to contemplate security. The battery compartment or field shouldn’t be open to the weather and to splashing water. Batteries ought to be mounted securely in order that they don’t come free and break connections, or worse, brief out and trigger a hearth! Wires ought to be of ample gauge to deal with the amps they’re anticipated to have operating by them (once more, you don’t desire a hearth). A charger with the proper voltage from a good firm is required on your batteries.

Lastly, it’s a good suggestion to retailer your batteries correctly between makes use of. Ideally, you’ll put the batteries in a room-temperature place—like in your house or in a storage. Permitting them to take a seat in extreme warmth or chilly between boating journeys may cause degradation, which ought to be averted at any time when doable. Lastly, be sure you cowl battery contacts/terminals to forestall accidents when carrying the batteries or whereas in storage.

Remaining Ideas

Getting new lithium marine batteries or upgrading to them from lead-acid can appear intimidating at first, nevertheless it’s well worth the effort and studying. Much less weight, extra storage capability, extra security, and larger longevity might help take numerous the trouble out of electrical boating.

Thankfully, corporations like LiTime are right here to assist us make it an easier course of. With progressive batteries in a wide range of voltages, documentation, and assist whenever you want it, LiTime might help you get began in your electrical boating journey. Make sure you check out their website here to get started!

This text was sponsored by LiTime.