Considering Lithium Tender Battery

[Sadey]

I’m considering on replacing the traditional battery in my tender with a lithium battery. Has anybody done this? Any thoughts? I’m looking to increase the time I can run the stereo while decreasing weight.

 

[Briankinley2004]

I just bought one to use a trolling motor on my Nucanoe. Can't comment yet on how it works but it definitely is much lighter. I hear you need a waterproof battery box as any water can mess them up. I am working on that prior to launch.

 

[Scarlett]

Had a friend the got a very small lithium battery, I think a jet ski battery, and was able to fit it under the outboard motor housing, inside the motor. Worked great and no wires running around in the dingy. Motor was a 15 hp Honda. John

 

[Sadey]

I talked with a tech guy a Dakota Lithium today. Great info. The long and short is I’m buying the Dakota DL+12V 64Ah start/deep cycle. Comes with a built in BMS and I’ll add the Bluetooth shunt to monitor the battery from my phone. I’ll let you know how it goes.

 

[Pascal]

Last week a power cat went up in smoke and sank at Chub. The cause of the fire? Surfboard lithium battery

No idea what brand or where it was made... likely China but not ready to used them unless I have to

 

[Sadey]

The 787 was nicknamed sparky because of the batteries. One of the ways to prevent fires is to have a BMS (battery monitor system) which prevents over charging which is the source of heat that leads to a sparky event. Not sure if that was the case on the cat. I also hope no one was hurt.

 

[Pascal]

The family escaped unharmed except for their dreams of a 6 months bahamas cruise.

We have an eFoil on the 116 I run, big lithium battery but made in the US with an industrial grade charger. I still only charge it in the ER, away from flammable sources

 

[Sadey]

It's not the external heat that is a big problem, its the internal heat that can be generated during the charging process (thermal runaway). I'm assuming your thought process of an ER only charging station is the ER is a more self contained and fire ready room. That is great thinking!

 

[Pascal]

Yes, safer place with auto fire system. I don’t charge it after a run when the ER is hot but after it cools down. We have great blowers and the air con helps keeping it cool too.

The eFoil dealer recommended using a fire box for the battery. I may get one

 

[zigzag930]

I thought Lithium batteries were for deep cycle loads and not typically a good choice for "starter" loads. Maybe my information is old or incorrect?

 

[Boatsb]

There's some drop in replacement batteries made for smaller engines. Also look at the chemistry. LiFePo will not burn. Other chemistries will.

 

[Sadey]

Not sure about other manufacturers but Dakota has on combo model that’s advertised as 100ccc. On our airplanes we have fire containment bags in the event a battery has a thermal event so the manufacturer’s recommendation might be a good idea.