Thread: Only downside to lithium batteries

Originally Posted by Kevin22

I dont use my boat for ice fishing. If its below 32F in my garage (unheated) for long enough to drop my batteries to 32F then its pretty dang cold out and not likely I am going to get the boat in the water the next morning anyways. I can check my battery temperature right now from my office using the bluetooth in the Ionics. Its 26F outside and my batteries are at 38.4F. I can think of one place I could fish tomorrow but I wouldn't be going until it got above freezing, so if I had to charge my batteries I would have done so 6 hours ago and they would be charged already... but if need be I would just go put an old school work light with 100W bulb in the box during morning coffee and those batteries would be above 32 in no time, give them a couple hours to charge up and then hit the water when its warm.

The lithium batteries charge stupid fast, plug in when done fishing and unplug before the temp starts to drop. Plug back in when batteries are over 32F, even if I forget its no worry.. they have low temp protection so they won't allow me to charge them when below 33F.

You can draw current (use them) down to -4F. That would be a fun challenge to find a place to fish with the boat when its -4. I've been in some cold weather while walleye fishing the river, but -4 is going to start freezing over the mighty mississippi even.

Originally Posted by KRW

😁 Or mabe wait till it gets above freezing to go fishn. Here in arkansas, fishing below 32 is just downright COLD!!

You can go fishing when it is below 32 you just have to fish until it warms up outside

Originally Posted by Kevin22

I dont use my boat for ice fishing. If its below 32F in my garage (unheated) for long enough to drop my batteries to 32F then its pretty dang cold out and not likely I am going to get the boat in the water the next morning anyways. I can check my battery temperature right now from my office using the bluetooth in the Ionics. Its 26F outside and my batteries are at 38.4F. I can think of one place I could fish tomorrow but I wouldn't be going until it got above freezing, so if I had to charge my batteries I would have done so 6 hours ago and they would be charged already... but if need be I would just go put an old school work light with 100W bulb in the box during morning coffee and those batteries would be above 32 in no time, give them a couple hours to charge up and then hit the water when its warm.

The lithium batteries charge stupid fast, plug in when done fishing and unplug before the temp starts to drop. Plug back in when batteries are over 32F, even if I forget its no worry.. they have low temp protection so they won't allow me to charge them when below 33F.

You can draw current (use them) down to -4F. That would be a fun challenge to find a place to fish with the boat when its -4. I've been in some cold weather while walleye fishing the river, but -4 is going to start freezing over the mighty mississippi even.

Originally Posted by KRW

😁 Or mabe wait till it gets above freezing to go fishn. Here in arkansas, fishing below 32 is just downright COLD!!

You can go fishing when it is below 32 you just have to fish until it warms up outside

I did not know about temp restrictions, so use to using lead acid type didn't think of that, thanks

60 watt bulb keeps my well from freezing. 8x8 block well house.

I've not yet tried to heat my batteries but today I was working in the garage and thought I'd check and see about my lightbulb plan. Batteries were at 31 and 31.5 or close to it, I grabbed an old work light with a 100W bulb in it and stuck it down in the battery box being sure it didnt touch anything. I let it run for 30 min and then stuck my small fan in there that I use for drying out compartments. Within 30 more minutes they were both 38+. I have no doubt you could just run the light all night and keep them nice and warm. I may try and rig something up, I think I have a socket around here somewhere, then I would also have a plug in work light for messing around in there.

You could even add some 1/2 inch blue board installation to the compartment if needed.

Heater is a good idea but please make sure there isn't anything that could cause a fire. To me, been an electrician all my life, it's not worth it to me. I will stay with the lead acid batteries. Now when they live out their life, might have to give the lithium another look.

Originally Posted by Kevin22

I dont use my boat for ice fishing. If its below 32F in my garage (unheated) for long enough to drop my batteries to 32F then its pretty dang cold out and not likely I am going to get the boat in the water the next morning anyways. I can check my battery temperature right now from my office using the bluetooth in the Ionics. Its 26F outside and my batteries are at 38.4F. I can think of one place I could fish tomorrow but I wouldn't be going until it got above freezing, so if I had to charge my batteries I would have done so 6 hours ago and they would be charged already... but if need be I would just go put an old school work light with 100W bulb in the box during morning coffee and those batteries would be above 32 in no time, give them a couple hours to charge up and then hit the water when its warm.

The lithium batteries charge stupid fast, plug in when done fishing and unplug before the temp starts to drop. Plug back in when batteries are over 32F, even if I forget its no worry.. they have low temp protection so they won't allow me to charge them when below 33F.

You can draw current (use them) down to -4F. That would be a fun challenge to find a place to fish with the boat when its -4. I've been in some cold weather while walleye fishing the river, but -4 is going to start freezing over the mighty mississippi even.

Originally Posted by Doninva

Heater is a good idea but please make sure there isn't anything that could cause a fire. To me, been an electrician all my life, it's not worth it to me. I will stay with the lead acid batteries. Now when they live out their life, might have to give the lithium another look.

I would think the heat mat thermostatically controlled would be the best and safest option.