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Hello all, just a question for both TCarper and Elad if I may? It’s been a couple of years since you bought your Lifepo4’s now, how you getting on with them, still a game changer?
Thanks for your time
Paul
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In reply to Post #38
just a heads up if your looking for a decent 100w solar panel i managed to get a doklo suitcase folding one with all the attatchments for different accessories and a charge controller for £108 on ebay at the moment on special offer,best price ive seen by a long way.
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In reply to Post #37
From what I have read a good 100w solar panel will charge it from 10 to full in 3 full days of sun so I would say that is plenty to keep it topped up
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In reply to Post #36
cheers for the advice
also what size folding panel would keep a 100ah battery topped up?is 100w panel sufficient or do i need to go bigger? what do you use for trips abroad?
thanks in advance for any advice
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In reply to Post #35
If you can afford it do it. Lithium batteries are a game changer in performance and weight saving.
It does depend a bit on the size of lake and amount of use.
I use a 84Aperh lithium with a 50lb bison and 8th tender and can do 5 batting up trips without charging it on a 60 acre lake.
Where as with my old 110Aperh leisure battery I could do two dependant on weather conditions.
The weight saving carrying them in and out of the boat on slippy banks is so much safer as well.
Make sure you contact a digital voltage meter or carry a volt meter and write the batter voltage characteristics on the battery.
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after some battery advice please for use with a minn kota 30 and yak 240.
would a 50ah lithium be ok .? was thinking of purchasing 2 and keeping 1 charging on a 100w solar panel while using the other.thoughts please,cheers
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In reply to Post #10
Hi Mark,
I'm after something like this for my Minn Kota 50.
Would it suffice and what charger did you go for please?
Thanks
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In reply to Post #28
Hey Mark,
after a bit of advice on how you use the voltage reader. I have just got one, do you just have it as a unit to test occasionally, via croc clips or something, or have you cut it into the battery box and have it hard wired all the time?
Thinking I should be putting it on the battery box and hard wired all the time?
Cheers
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In reply to Post #31
Ignore me I thought they were life batteries.
Got a 75amp Numax for a backup now.
Cant wait for it all to come 
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In reply to Post #10
Hi guys
I have just bought one of the batteries mentioned in Mark's link
Looking for a backup battery too. Found these
SLK Power Mobility Scooter AGM Battery Pair of 2 x 12v 36ah
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M7XE2AC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apan_glt_fabc_W2CAY5R01W3Q5S3FQNV0
Would they be ok as backups to the 75ah one?
Newbie alert go easy!!!
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In reply to Post #28
That's the one I ordered!
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In reply to Post #26
Numax are very good mate, Exide are excellent as are Lucas. They are so much cheaper now... Just get a very good branded one. They last much better than the cheaper ones.
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In reply to Post #27
I have this one Ken, but yes anything will be fine.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/294317835184?_trkparms=aid
It reads from 6v up to 63v batteries. What voltage are your lithium bait boat batteries 6v or 12v? It will read either. You will just have to find out what your bb battery reads voltage wise, at around 25% power left, so you know when you are running low. Have it showing volts, not %... That is useless.
You'll work it out Ken. I'm pretty confident after two trips with my battery that I have it sussed now. I've saved on my phone what my battery reads at approx 15-20% power left.... And then 9% left.
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In reply to Post #23
I have a lithium voltage meter Ken
Good thinking, Mark. Getting one off Amazon today. There are a couple of cheap ones, but they are only for checking my bait boat batteries. Should be sufficient...Yes?
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Hi, me and my mate only use a boat for one week a year, we have our own motor, but the lake has just informed us they no longer can supply us with batteries. So we are going to purchase a new one but are not going to go the Lithium route as it is for only one week a year, so can anyone point me in the direction of the best value leisure lead battery please, TIA
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I've had a 100Ah Lithium for a few years now and mainly for use at Rainbow plus few other lakes abroad when using a boat and cannot fault it, used to take a couple of lead acid 110Ah and would be charging one up after 3/4 days alternating the lead acids so 48 kilos replaced by just the one 13 kilo battery, last time at Rainbow for one week it lasted the whole trip and still came home with loads of charge remaining.
To conserve on battery life when I was using the Lead-Acids I have always rowed out to spots for initial feature finding or dropping the rigs only using low speed to hold position whilst baiting, putting in markers , prodding etc... the main use then was for motoring out to play fish or returning to the bank with them at low speed, now with the Lithium the oars stay in the rowlocks tickling about at low speed for most things but flat out to do battle with the fish.
It's the weight that is most pleasing my 50 year old back loves it the most.
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In reply to Post #21
Just went one up and ordered the 100ah lithium and a 75ah lithium. hoping this should stop the need to carry as many lead acids, if any.
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In reply to Post #22
I have a lithium voltage meter Ken. I contacted the manufacturers, and they kindly gave me an approximate chart of what the battery will read voltage wise at certain percentages of its draining down. So I don't have to rely on the voltage meters % readings, I have it set to read the current volts.
They told me my battery should read 13.9 -14v when at 100% and at rest. Approx 12.4 volts at 10% power left at rest. I will try not to go down past 10% to prolong its life, even though you can go down to zero without damage. They told me the expected cycle life they give is based on 100% charged & going down to 0%. But by only charging to 90% & taking power down to around 10-20%... They said it will vastly improve the batteries length of life, long past what they actually publicise (2000 cycles) He said by taking care of them I could expect anything up to 10,000 cycles. 
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The Ultramax are superb batteries, both in the 'proper' boat and in the bait boat. The only thing you be aware of with Lithium batteries is the fact that they do not show any sign when they are running down, and as consequence they will stop dead without any advance warning. OK when afloat as you'll always have oars, but not so funny when the bait boat stops 250m out!
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In reply to Post #20
It really is amazing. I will know more in a couple of weeks... But early indications are the 75aH lithium, is going to last around three times longer than my 105aH lead acid on the bank, doing identical applications.
That's even better than I thought.
The best thing is there is no loss of power at all and it weighs feck all in comparison. I was taking that 105aH Numax, and an Exide 80aH as back up every week. Two hours drive either way. The weight that has taken out of my motor, is incredible.
LHR had already had a bite that morning.
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In reply to Post #17
Nice one, thanks for that.
Couple of my lead acids are a few years old now so am going to get a couple. 2 weeks on Lac Du Der in October so can give them a good test 👍🏻
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Not been out on mine yet… need to find somewhere to launch on the kennet.
I know the water your on though, that’s a lot of graft even with a boat!
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In reply to Post #13
Elad... It's nothing short of incredible!!
I've just got home from a three night trip. I done three rods, 8 trips back and forth at 550m. 40lb thrust motor on speed 5 (top speed). That's approx 4.4km. Previously I was using a brand new Numax 105aH lead acid. After these 8 trips back and forth, the lead acid would be losing power massively and would need changing.
My Lithium is 75aH. At 100% it reads 13.9v. At 10% it will read 12.4v I just got home and checked it. It is reading 13.3v... After 4.4km of the motor running on speed 5
That's well over 50% of the power still left.
I am absolutely dumbfounded as to how good it is.. 
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In reply to Post #14
No that will be fine.
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In reply to Post #13
They have come down a lot in price mate recently. I'm guessing that where you can take lithium safely down to 5-10% at full operating power... (instead of 50% lead acid)... That in reality that 75aH lithium, should last as long on the bank as a 130-140aH lead acid.
Cost me £350 delivered from Amazon with a lithium charger.
I will let you know on here.
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I’m thinking about getting a 75ah lead acid to pair with a 40lb motor.
Hoping it’ll give me 2-3 hours at low speeds.
Pushing a 230 zodiac dinghy
Am I hoping for to much?
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In reply to Post #12
Let us know how you get on with it.
I've got quite a few 110 lead acids for long French trips but the thought of not hiking them through the mud and killing my back is making my wallet open..
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In reply to Post #11
It's absolutely incredible Jamie. It's soooo much lighter.
The FunYak wasps are pukka, but it only has a weight limit of 150kg. Me, a 105aH lead acid & motor is okay... But add a ton of bait too and it is pushing it a bit on a gnarly windswept big pit.
The lithium will make things much much better. Can't get over how light it is!!
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In reply to Post #9
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In reply to Post #8
Purchased one of these today... 75aH. It's being delivered this week. I'm hoping that's going to be the equivalent of a 135-140aH lead acid.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B084BTDYHR?psc=1&smid=A15P2V7WUMBZKK&ref_=chk_typ_imgToDp
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In reply to Post #2
How long do you think that 50aH lithium lasts you on your boat mate? I've heard that as you can discharge a lithium to 95% instead of 50% that you can for a lead acid.... So in theory you can get away with roughly half the size. I've been looking at one of these https://www.amazon.co.uk/ECO-WORTHY-Rechargeable-LiFePO4-Phosphate-Protection/dp/B08XZCHJQG/?
Do you think your 50aH lithium lasts as long as a 100aH lead acid on your boats motor?
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In reply to Post #6
They both have their advantages. I only use small ones for charging my tablet, depth finder, phones, bivvy lights etc, but can only imagine how nice it would be to have lightweight lipos for my minn kota. That reduced weight is a real plus, and being able to drain your battery without worrying about damaging it too. As far as the bigger ones are concerned: too expensive for me. I really do properly maintain my batteries, so I prefer buying a new lead one every five years, as opposed to spending a ton of money. In the end lithiums die of old age too (loss of performance etc).
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In reply to Post #3
For you guys using the Rebelcell, do you think they were worth the investment rather than a lead acid. Comparing the costs, is the investment worth it in the long run ? vs a well managed lead acid ?
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In reply to Post #1
I also have Rebelcells. Lithium comes with a price tag though. And I found out that the current on lifepo's is somewhat unstable, so you'll need some sort of stabilizer when you want to use certain types of depth finders or when you want to charge phones (check rebelcell website). Could be the same with lead batteries though, I'm not sure.
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I’ve got the rebel cell battery 50aH nice and light
I use it for my boat but also use it to charge/power up things when boats are not allowed,I rigged it up inside a storage box with brass bolts sticking out so you can either use crocodile clips,spade ends etc on you devices 👍
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