Bandersnatch Posted January 19 Posted January 19 Do we think batteries such as 12 & 36v 55-100ah lithium’s are going to continue to drop in price ? Trying to decide wether to buy now vs 3 months from now . Quote
Super User Jig Man Posted January 19 Super User Posted January 19 If I were in the far north I would probably wait and see. Quote
Kirtley Howe Posted January 19 Posted January 19 Don't forget that our new president has stated that he wants to put a 30% tariff on anything coming from China. Most Lithium batteries and/battery cells are currently coming from China. I read that as a 30% increase in price on any Lithium battery that is not 100% made in the USA. 1 1 Quote
Super User Tennessee Boy Posted January 19 Super User Posted January 19 Tariffs are based to the value of the item, not its eventual retail price so the actual increase in the price paid by the consumers will be less. I would think that the markup on lithium batteries are pretty low since they are basically commodities so any new tariffs would have a big impact on the retail price of lithium batteries. 2 Quote
Super User gim Posted January 19 Super User Posted January 19 36 minutes ago, Kirtley Howe said: Most Lithium batteries and/battery cells are currently coming from China. I am pretty sure 100% of them originate in China. Some may be finished, packaged, etc here but the main components all originate overseas. If I was on the fence in terms of buying one now or in 3 months, I'd buy it now. But that's just me. Quote
Super User AlabamaSpothunter Posted January 19 Super User Posted January 19 Back in October I paid $195 for a Li Time 12.8v 100ah battery. A lead acid group of 29 12v 100ah marine deep cycle battery from Walmart + recycling fee is about $125 We know lead acid batteries aren't getting any cheaper for the most part, so to me the absolute floor for how low a 12v 100ah battery can cost is around that $125 mark. For $70 more you get a battery that's has the power equivalent to a 12v 200ah lead acid battery that is 1/5th the weight of the 100ah lead acid. The point I'm trying to make is that even if they get a little bit cheaper, we're already at the point where it's a no brainer decision to go with lithium over lead acid or AGM, and whatever savings you might get by waiting another year or two likely won't be all that significant. I'd go ahead and buy them. 1 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted January 19 Super User Posted January 19 2 hours ago, Bandersnatch said: Do we think batteries such as 12 & 36v 55-100ah lithium’s are going to continue to drop in price ? Trying to decide wether to buy now vs 3 months from now . Don't forget about the battery charger. Probably going to need one that's combatable with the new power source. Good Luck. A-Jay 3 Quote
VolFan Posted January 19 Posted January 19 I bought a new 100 amp one just after Christmas based on the same concerns. 1 Quote
Tackleholic Posted January 19 Posted January 19 I overheard some conversation at my marina that Lithiums will not charge in temps. below 29 degrees. Anyone else hear that? 1 Quote
Super User gim Posted January 19 Super User Posted January 19 10 minutes ago, Tackleholic said: I overheard some conversation at my marina that Lithiums will not charge in temps. below 29 degrees. Anyone else hear that? The temp may vary, but many of them will not below any element of freezing (32 degrees). Some offer a heating element but it's an extra cost. The specifications of each battery should be listed before purchase. Not really an issue in the southern part of the country most of the time, but for us yankees, it can be. I personally don't fish in extreme cold and my garage is above freezing the entire fishing season from April - Oct. But I know a few people here in which that would be a problem and for that very reason they've chosen to continue using lead acid or AGM instead. 3 Quote
Super User AlabamaSpothunter Posted January 19 Super User Posted January 19 Yeah the Li Time I bought has "Low-temperature charging cutoff protection, preventing charging below 0°C to protect the battery and extend its life." 1 Quote
Super User Tennessee Boy Posted January 19 Super User Posted January 19 20 minutes ago, Tackleholic said: I overheard some conversation at my marina that Lithiums will not charge in temps. below 29 degrees. Anyone else hear that? A combination of cold temperatures and high charge rate can cause lithium metal plating on the anodes which damages the battery. Most of us fishermen charge at 10-15 amps so the critical damage temperature is lower than 32 degrees. The BMS in my battery shuts off at 25 degrees. At 32 you would need to be charging at 100 amps to do much damage but why chance it. 2 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted January 19 Super User Posted January 19 Until the cold weather lithium battery charging conundrum is completely resolved, I will continue be an AGM battery user and abuser. I will be ready for battery replacement in a year or two. I've already been shopping just to get a feel for and to keep up with current and ever changing battery market. Been very happy with Optima performance and durability. If all things remain the same, I can see me leaning that way for a third time. A-Jay 3 Quote
BassResource.com Administrator Glenn Posted January 19 BassResource.com Administrator Posted January 19 1 minute ago, A-Jay said: I will be ready for battery replacement in a year or two. By then, solid state batteries might be an option. 3 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted January 19 Super User Posted January 19 56 minutes ago, Glenn said: By then, solid state batteries might be an option. I would entertain that option. Not super excited about replacing the 4 bank 60 Amp charger though. A-Jay 3 Quote
MediumMouthBass Posted January 19 Posted January 19 3 hours ago, A-Jay said: Until the cold weather lithium battery charging conundrum is completely resolved, I will continue be an AGM battery user and abuser. I will be ready for battery replacement in a year or two. I've already been shopping just to get a feel for and to keep up with current and ever changing battery market. Been very happy with Optima performance and durability. If all things remain the same, I can see me leaning that way for a third time. Finally another AGM user. I dont like lead acids since they ruined most of the C5 Corvettes ive been looking at (leaked acid right down on the electronics, but this is more a GM design flaw). Found out about AGM batteries because of it actually from the forums i joined for the C5. Liked everything ive seen and read so far, currently using lead acids in the boat but am thinking about switching. Absolutely hate anything lithium. These things are so volatile, anyone remember the Tesla that took over 20 hours to put out? Lithium and water dont mix or react very well to each other either, ill happily pay more upfront for my safety (which for acid and lithium i consider the opposite). 2 Quote
wdp Posted January 19 Posted January 19 I’d go ahead and pull the trigger on a Li battery now. I paid $300 for my 12v 100 AH Li Time battery 2 & half yrs ago. Last time I looked, they were only $200 now. Quote
Super User gim Posted January 19 Super User Posted January 19 8 minutes ago, MediumMouthBass said: Finally another AGM user. I use AGMs too. My charger is not compatible with lithium batteries. That being said, battery technology is evolving frequently so I won't rule anything out every time I need to replace one. 1 Quote
Super User webertime Posted January 19 Super User Posted January 19 Not to go down a rabbit hole but there are at least 6 different types of lithium ion batteries. A cellphone/computer lithium battery is very different than an EV vehicle battery, than a power tool than one used for a boat. Much less the ones used in military applications. Saying a car burned or a cell phone sparked is not relatable to they type of battery use in a boat for a trolling motor. (Most of those issues involve other components failing causing the fires). I work for a company that is an industry leader in lithium battery tech. The original question... if the battery is purchased today is $125. Then in 3 months it's 99. You're still going to be stoked with them at 125 and not care about any savings. I'm up in Vermont (6 miles from Canada). I know dozens of dudes with lithium tm batteries and nobody has ever had an issue with cold. If it's below 32 at night then just charge during the day when it's warmer... the charge will hold just fine over night. Quote
Tackleholic Posted January 20 Posted January 20 49 minutes ago, A-Jay said: I would entertain that option. Not super excited about replacing the 4 bank 60 Amp charger though. A-Jay I have the very same 4 bank charger as A-Jay, got it in 2020. It has been replaced twice and sent back to the mfg. twice for repair. Different brand next time. A friend has the Power Pole Charger, both he and my marina say it was a big mistake. Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted January 20 Super User Posted January 20 1 hour ago, Tackleholic said: I have the very same 4 bank charger as A-Jay, got it in 2020. It has been replaced twice and sent back to the mfg. twice for repair. Different brand next time. A friend has the Power Pole Charger, both he and my marina say it was a big mistake. Had this one since 2016. Has performed flawlessly the entire time. I must have gotten a lemon. A-Jay 3 Quote
Tackleholic Posted January 20 Posted January 20 4 minutes ago, A-Jay said: Had this one since 2016. Has performed flawlessly the entire time. I must have gotten a lemon. A-Jay A-Jay, you have good reason to eventually replace your charger with another of the same. Might be a good idea to ask others with a more recent version how it has performed for them; sometimes the old are better than the new. 1 Quote
Bandersnatch Posted January 20 Author Posted January 20 2 hours ago, A-Jay said: I would entertain that option. Not super excited about replacing the 4 bank 60 Amp charger though. A-Jay I have the same charger and a monster of an x2 cranking battery that I still need to charge. Prices on 36v 100ah lithium’s are hard to beat though. My lead acids could make it the season but they are so. Solid state won’t be out in a year and I’d imagine they will be very expensive for awhile. 1 Quote
WaskaCrank12 Posted January 20 Posted January 20 I ended up recently upgrading from Lead Acid to AGM - both @gim and @A-Jay were helpful to me in that process.....the charger I have is in perfect working order yet is not compatible with Lithium's....so I chose to go AGM for now 2 Quote
Junger Posted January 21 Posted January 21 On 1/19/2025 at 11:37 AM, Bandersnatch said: Do we think batteries such as 12 & 36v 55-100ah lithium’s are going to continue to drop in price ? Trying to decide wether to buy now vs 3 months from now . They were trending downward until recently. Back in October I saw a 100AH LiFePO4 no frills generic brand on Amazon for $88. I have a 105AH bluetooth that went from $170 to $130, but it's back to $170. I think prices won't be going down anytime soon, and probably upward a little with the incoming tariffs. Do you absolutely need batteries now? Or are you just planning to upgrade in a few months and want to hedge pricing? You can always fall back on cheaper wet lead acid or AGM batteries if the lithiums go up. Quote
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