Batteries for Minnesota based boat (potential replacement batteries questions)

[WaskaCrank12]

In Feb. of 23' I purchased a 1992 Lund Tyee II (Evinrude V4 90hp, Minnkota Terrova, 2 older Lowrance graphs - a Hook-7 and an Elite Ti2, a three bank XPS On-board Marine Battery Charger, up to now I have not used the live wells, I occasionally fish at night and use the lights). I typically go on the water for 4 to 6 hours at a time yet there are times I am on the water for a full day (8 to 10 hours). The waters/lakes here are rough/windy so the trolling motor is often on and working hard when I am on the water. 

The current batteries are 2 lead acid - AC Delco Voyager M27MF (12v, 95ah - one is from 2018 one is from 2020) - and one lead acid Duralast cranking battery (2022).

I am considering upgrading/replacing the batteries - specifically the AC Delco Voyagers as I have had some issues with the trolling motor shutting itself off or limiting itself to 7 or less when I am in rough waters/it is under heavy load (this could also be due to loose wires/poor connections). I live in a windy/rough water area with cold temps (I bring the batteries in the house/put them on a trickle charger for the winter yet they could be outside in freezing temps early and late in the fishing season).

I am open to staying with lead acid (although I would prefer lighter batteries for when I have to put them in and take them out of the boat) or perhaps upgrading to AGM batteries. Since the boat is over 30 years old and I am not using high end electronics I probably do not need Lithium batteries (and I think that would also require purchasing a new battery charger).

Any suggestions for quality batteries ?  Anything I should be looking for in the batteries (specifically since I live in a cold weather climate) ? Are AGM batteries worth the cost of upgrading ?

Thank you in advance for your expertise and information. 

[gim]

@WaskaCrank12 the problem with your trolling can be traced to the batteries - one is 2 years older.  When replacing them, make sure you do both at the same time, not just one.  That way they start at the same line and evenly use power over time.

 

Check your charger(s) before you buy new batteries unless you intend to buy a new charger too.  Not every charger is compatible with every type of battery.  My chargers are only compatible with lead acid or AGM, not lithium.  Lithium saves a lot with weight in the boat.  Most of them cannot be charged in below-freezing temps.  There's a lot of no-name Chinese knock off lithiums out there right now.  The market is very saturated with them.

 

I upgraded to Duracell AGM last year on Black Friday (size 27) for a my two trolling motor batteries from Batteries Plus.  I prefer to buy things like batteries locally in the event there's an issue with them.  Even if you pay a little more than buying online.  The idea of repacking a battery and shipping it back does not appeal to me at all.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

Li Time lithium batteries and specifically their 12v 100ah TM(trolling motor) battery has low temp charging protection built into the BMS.   

 

At $200 a piece given you wait for sale which happens all the time, I'd be hard pressed to buy anything else.     Tons and tons of reviews, lots of YT videos with experts breaking the batteries down and evaluating them.    Almost everybody loves these batteries.   

 

Only had mine for a couple of months, but thus far it's been fantastic.   Regret not moving to lithium batteries sooner.   

[A-Jay]

21 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Li Time lithium batteries and specifically their 12v 100ah TM(trolling motor) battery has low temp charging protection built into the BMS.   

 

At $200 a piece given you wait for sale which happens all the time, I'd be hard pressed to buy anything else.     Tons and tons of reviews, lots of YT videos with experts breaking the batteries down and evaluating them.    Almost everybody loves these batteries.   

 

Only had mine for a couple of months, but thus far it's been fantastic.   Regret not moving to lithium batteries sooner.   

I'm confused.

Seems there was some type of issue(s) with that battery as you posted in Oct.

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/263301-need-some-help-with-new-lithium-battery/?do=findComment&comment=3107554

Has this been resolved ?

A-Jay

[AlabamaSpothunter]

12 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

I'm confused.

Seems there was some type of issue(s) with that battery as you posted in Oct.

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/263301-need-some-help-with-new-lithium-battery/?do=findComment&comment=3107554

Has this been resolved ?

A-Jay

Yeah, it was my fault for not understanding how the BMS worked.

 

Turns out there is quite a bit of technology built into these batteries, the BMS makes them 'smart' devices, and I had no clue about any of that.     

 

A bit of OCD and new purchase paranoia took the wheel on that deal 😁

 

[A-Jay]

11 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Yeah, it was my fault for not understanding how the BMS worked.

 

Turns out there is quite a bit of technology built into these batteries, the BMS makes them 'smart' devices, and I had no clue about any of that.     

 

A bit of OCD and new purchase paranoia took the wheel on that deal 😁

 

Sorry you had a bit of time

but glad it's all good now.

Thanks

A-Jay

[WaskaCrank12]

Hello @gimruis @A-Jay @AlabamaSpothunter

Thank you for the replies and information - armed with this info. I will start my search - which ever batteries I purchase I will look to buy them in a set/pair. The current batteries and charger were on the boat when I purchased it in Feb. of 23'.

The current on-board battery charger is capable of charging Lead Acid and AGM - so I would need to purchase a new on-board battery charger if I go the Lithium battery route.

I have missed Black Friday sales yet I will look to track Batteries Plus and other sites to see if/when sales/deals come up. I will check out some of the YouTube videos to increase my knowledge base on batteries (I know very little about Lithium batteries) - so it will be good for me to gain that knowledge before purchasing. 

Thank you - this type of information sharing is what makes Bass Resource such a wonderful place !

[A-Jay]

@WaskaCrank12

I'll be looking to replace the AGM's I'm currently running in a year or two.

So, still trying to read everything I can to decide which way to go.

There's a lot to digest both the good, the bad & the ugly as far as reviews & comments are concerned.

It's hard to know what the real deal is.

And considering the cost of the newest models & the battery chargers that go with them,

I'm still squarely on the fence.

Also, there's at least some chance this will be the last set of batteries I ever buy;

regardless of what they are.

The boat monkey is a persistent and persuasive fiend. 

Good Luck with your decision.

A-Jay 

 

[gim]

1 hour ago, WaskaCrank12 said:

The current on-board battery charger is capable of charging Lead Acid and AGM - so I would need to purchase a new on-board battery charger if I go the Lithium battery route.

That’s the primary reason for the decision I made. There’s nothing wrong with my charger and it sounds like there’s nothing wrong with yours either. I see no reason to just scrap something that works perfectly fine.

 

The advantage AGM has over lead acid is that there’s no maintenance/fluid levels to check and maintain. They generally also last longer too. Mine have an 18 month full replacement warranty. All of us used lead acid batteries for many years here before battery technology started changing. There’s nothing wrong with them.

[TnRiver46]

4-6 hour and sometimes 8-10? I wouldn’t overthink it , I can fish 12+ hours with a single regular ole  $100 12v battery. Granted if the current is raging I have to me mindful but fully charged I can do daylight to dark