Lithium ion Marine Battery :The Ultimate FAQ Guide

Lithium ion marine Battery :The Ultimate FAQ Guide

After decades of development, China’s lithium-ion battery manufacturers from the initial few to now hundreds, complete the number of breakthroughs, China has become the world’s largest lithium battery producer and consumer. Driven by policies and subsidies, many global competitive enterprises have emerged in China’s lithium ion battery industry.

With the application of lithium-ion battery in various fields becoming increasingly extensive, especially in electric vehicles, new energy, military and other fields, countries and major enterprises have increased their research and development support.

At the same time, advanced materials such as graphene and nanomaterials have been continuously improved, and their integration with lithium ion battery research and development has accelerated. Innovation in the lithium ion battery industry has accelerated, and various products have been released and put on the market.

With the gradual rise of new energy market, power lithium battery has become a strong growth point in the battery industry, product demand volume is increasing . Therefore, in the development and application of lithium battery, the cathode materials needed have the characteristics of high specific capacity, high density and so on, and can maintain a long service life and better service density.

This article will mainly focus on lithium ion marine battery, including how to choose suitable lithium ion marine battery and how to maintain the marine battery.Let me explain to you all the important aspects of lithium ion marine battery.

1.What is a lithium ion marine battery?

A lithium ion marine battery is a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) deep-cycle battery and starting battery.
Lithium ion marine battery can power a trolling motor or power equipment on your boat. Currently China has advanced technology to make marine battery safer, with higher quality and longer life.

2.How many kinds of lithium ion marine battery?

There are two main types of lithium ion Marine batteries:trolling motor marine battery and deep cycle marine battery.

1)Trolling motor marine battery

We’re going to focus on Trolling motor marine battery（Starting Batteries for Marine），That’s because most of the power in the battery is running motor.
Trolling motor batteries ：Trolling motor batteries are specially designed batteries for a trolling motor.

2)Deep cycle marine battery

Deep cycle marine battery：This battery provides a steady output of power to charge the ship’s equipment, making your journey on the water more pleasant and smooth.

On five instances boat generally need marine battery where three main instruments are supplied with power and lights.

The examples are:
① Phone charging
② Finding fish
③ Audio and video system
④ Light source power
⑥ Trolling motor

Phone charging
You must make sure your phone is charged throughout your water journey. You can take images without worrying about a dead phone,thereby preventing you from shooting. With a well-laden phone, you can keep your family in touch and update your wellness.

Finding fish
Fish-finders are vital because they help in the underwater location of fish. These devices demand that batteries remain constantly charged. You can continue fishing without intervention.

Light source power
Light is crucial in a kayak as light allows you to be seen by other boats. They play an important role during night fishing, thus a properly charged marine battery for easy kayaking in the night is vital.

Trolling motor
It can consume energy and be difficult to paddle the kayak while bobbing. The best thing to do is to mount the trolling motor on the boat so you can focus on finding the fish. However, they need a battery as power source for the trolling engine to perform. The finest to last for your effective kayak fishing is a high amp-hour marine battery.

3.How do we get 36V, 24V, 12V marine battery？

The most common way to get 36V, 24V, 12V marine battery is to connect them in series and in parallel.

For the 12V Trolling motor, we can use one 12V marine batterty or multiple 12V lithium ion batteries in parallel, which can increase your fishing time.

For 24V Trolling motor, we can use a 24V lithium ion marine battery. Or we also can use two 12V lithium batteries in series,thus is equivalent to a 24V lithium ion marine battery.

For 36V Trolling motor, we can use a 36V lithium battery or three 12V lithium batteries in series.

4.How do you select the best lithium ion marine battery ?

There are various models and brands of lithium ion marine batteries on the market, and finding the right motor marine battery is often a difficult task. But before you buy a new lithium ion marine battery or lithium ion marine battery pack, you should first know some basics, including weight of the boat ,the Voltage of the motor, the fishing time required, and, of course, the budget for the marine battery.

Listed below are the sizes and weights of the most common small boats, as well as recommended thrust at power reserve and motor ratings.

In order for the motor to have more power (50-60 amps), we recommend using the motor to run at 24 or 36 volts.

5.How many hours lithium ion marine battery will last if used at once?

After we know the lithium ion marine battery nominal voltage, we also recommend the battery capacity based on the boat’s speed and fishing time.

Battery Amp Hours
                                           —————————————–        =    hours of run time
Starting Motor Amp Draw

If you have a 100 amp-hour marine battery and a 20 amp trolling engine. You’ll have approximately five hours running time. There is a table here with estimations of the motor drive and runtime to facilitate it ever more easily.

Finest lithium ion marine battery should be capable of satisfying – and exceeding – your requirements.
Thus, before we go further, consider the energy your fish-finder needs and the average length of your fishing expeditions.

1)Battery capacity

Multiply the current amps in the fish finder by the desired time and you will obtain a good battery capacity estimate measured in Amp-Hours to power your equipment (Ah).

2)Considering waterproof for marine battery

Fish finding machines tend to be water resistant, but lithium ion marine battery is not. And moisture is a vital aspect of any work on-the-water In view of the fact both are kinds of archenemies, you should consider seriously about where and how your lithium ion marine battery should be stored.
If the terminals wet, the electronics could be short or corrosive. Whatever the case, you’re in for hefty damages — and extra charges.Make sure the battery is kept away from the sprinkling water and components in a waterproof case, ideally in the waterproof kayaking compartment.

3)Density

Energy density refers to the amount of Energy stored in a given space or weight. The energy density of a lithium ion marine battery is the amount of energy released per unit volume or weight of the battery.

Battery energy density, the ratio of the energy that can be filled into a given electrochemical storage device to the mass or volume of the storage medium. The former is called the “mass energy density” and the latter is called the “volume energy density” and is measured in watts · hour per kilogram and watts · hour per liter respectively.

Battery weight Energy density = battery capacity x discharge platform/weight, unit Wh/kg
Battery volume energy density = battery capacity x discharge platform/volume, in unit Wh/L

The greater the energy density of your marine battery, the more energy can be stored per unit volume or weight.

6.What is the difference between a deep cycle marine battery and trolling motor battery?

Trolling motor marine battery – To start the motor, the battery must provide a short, intense burst of energy. If consuming less than 50 percent, it can damage them and shorten their life span. So we need trolling motor battery to provide such kind of power for our boat.

Deep cycle marine battery – once the ship’s engine starts, it no longer needs a short but powerful burst of energy. Instead, the ship needs constant, reliable power to activate the decoys — including electronics like GPS, radios and cell phones.
It can be worn down over a long period of time.

7.Can we use the same battery for deep-cycle & trolling?

This may be tempting for any boatman wanting to minimize fittings and their boat.  But in the long run, this approach will cost you more money and time.
Combining the performance of a starter marine battery with that of a deep cycle marine battery is very difficult.

When the deep cycle marine battery is in continuous use, it may overheat and exhaust the available capacity. By the same token, when a deep cycle marine battery is called upon to provide the energy needed to start the engine, it doesn’t always work.

Also, when you use two separate lithium ion Marine batteries, you usually get the best results and the lowest operating costs.

8.Why you should use lithium ion marine battery in trolling motor instead of lead acid marine battery?

Lithium ion marine battery has considerable advantages compared to deep cycle marine battery of lead acid wet cells, AGM and gel. At present, the battery on the market is divided into two camps of lead-acid and lithium batteries, and lead-acid and lithium batteries have their own advantages, which brings certain difficulties for consumers to choose and buy.
Here’s a look at the differences between the two batteries.

1)The impact on the environment

Lead-acid marine battery compared with lithium ion marine battery, lead-acid marine battery production pollution, now the government has begun to slowly limit lead-acid battery, lithium battery is more green than ordinary battery, little pollution to the environment, long service life can avoid the environmental pollution caused by ordinary battery replacement.

2)Lifespan

Lead-acid batteries generally have a service life of about 2 years, while lithium batteries are more durable, with a life span of 4-5 years.
Lead acid marine battery cycle complete charge and discharge in general within 300 times, and lithium marine battery is complete charge and discharge cycle more than 2000 times.

Cycle life diagram of lithium iron phosphate battery

3)Weight

The most obvious feature of lithium marine battery is smaller. And lighter weight, easy to disassemble.
Lithium ion marine batteries are known to weigh only half as much or less than lead-acid batteries for the same voltage capacity. Lithium batteries, of course, last longer. It actually works twice as well as lead-acid batteries.

4)Energy density

5)Charging and power efficiency

When combining significant weight reduction with additional running times, you are able to achieve a much more efficient system with lithium marine battery.Some experts explain that lead-acid battery charging time is too long, charging to the end of the poles into effective substances, if you continue to charge, will produce a lot of hydrogen and oxygen gas.

When the concentration of this mixture of gas in the air accounted for 4%, and too late to escape, if the exhaust hole is blocked or too much gas, there will be an explosion in the open fire, light damage to the battery, heavy injury,damage.

That is, lead-acid batteries are more likely to explode if they are overcharged.At present, lead-acid batteries on the market do not do any “overcharge protection”, which makes the lead acid marine battery in charge, especially in the end of the charge is very dangerous.

6)Management of built in system

Electric vehicle spontaneous combustion explosion often occurs, most are caused by battery charge and discharge.
some experts explain that the lead acid marine battery charging time is too long, charging to the end, the poles into effective substances. if you continue to charge, will produce a lot of hydrogen and oxygen gas.

Lithium battery home analysis found that when the concentration of this mixture of gas in the air accounted for 4%, and too late to escape. if the vent plug or too much gas, encounter open fire will explode, light damage battery, heavy injury, damage;

Now lithium battery basically avoids the risk of the battery explosion, lithium battery pack built-in battery insulation accessories, battery BMS protection plate, battery insulation adhesive paper to prevent short circuit.And lithium battery also has overcharge protection,overdischarge protection, overcurrent protection temperature protection and other functions.

9.Drawbacks of using lithium ion marine battery

There are disadvantages, like the use of any technology, which must be balanced against the benefits.
Although the technology of the lithium ion marine battery has its drawbacks, this does not mean that it is not high performance.

1)Temperature

Another aspect is that the temperature of the lithium ion marine battery is monitored in order to avoid extreme temperatures.On most packages the maximum loading and discharge current is between 1°C and 2°C. That said, on occasions when charging fast, some get a little warm.

2)Cost

The main disadvantage of the lithium ion marine battery is its cost.
Typically, the production costs of lithium ion cells are more expensive than lead acid cells. This is an important factor when we consider its use in mass-produced consumer products.

3)Ageing

One of the drawbacks of the lithium ion marine battery is that it has age problem. It is dependent not only on this time or calendar but also on the number of charging cycles the battery has undergo. Often only 1500- 2000 charging down cycles can be resisted by batteries before their capacity falls. This figure is increasing with the development of lithium ion marine battery technology, although after a period batteries may need to be replaced.

10.How to charge different motor types lithium ion marine batteries ?

Usually the type and number of lithium ion marine battery depend on the charger you are using. Multiple bank chargers may be more appropriate if more than one marine battery is used, as two or more batteries can be recharged simultaneously.

1)On-Board Chargers

First step: Unplug the Trolling Engine
Second step: Battery connection
Third step: Connect the charger to your source of power
Fourth step: Turn on the power

2)Portable Chargers

First step: Remove the battery
Second step: Connect the charger
Third step: Connect the charger to the power source

3)Solar Chargers

First step: Place the solar panel in the sunlight
Second step: Disconnect battery from the trolling motor
Third step: Connect the charger with the battery

11.Is It right to charge my lithium ion marine battery a long time ?

Here are some charging suggestions:

1)Don’t overcharge

The charger should be unplugged when it is indicated to be full. Current chargers are generally full of automatic stop design, a short time not to take off the your marine battery from the charger is fine, but leave the battery on the charger for a long time is not OK.
At night when the power grid voltage rises, the charger has stopped charging, after the voltage rises, it will continue to charge, causing the battery overcharging. This can affect battery life.

2)Do not charge the marine battery after completely exhausted

When the device prompts “low battery”, it should be charged; Don’t discharge until the device shuts down automatically. If charge the battery after completely exhausted, it will affect the service life of the battery.

3)How to charge the marine battery if it will not be used for long time

If the marine battery is not used for a long time, to charge to 60%, stored in a cool and dry place, and every 4 or 5 months for supplementary charging.

12.How do I make my lithium ion marine battery last longer?

1)Avoid frequent overcharging

In order to prolong the life of the marine battery, the battery needs a good management system. Even the best deep cycle marine battery can dramatically shorten their life if they discharge at less than 50% of their rated capacity. So don’t underestimate the impact, overdischarge is the single biggest cause of battery failure.

There is no such thing as overcharging with good chargers, but overcharging with low quality chargers is inevitable. Overcharging can cause the temperature inside the battery to rise too high, which is harmful to lithium ion marine battery and charger.

2)Activate the lithium ion marine battery

The new purchase of marine battery will have a little power, therefore, the user can get the battery to directly use, the rest of the battery is used up and then charged, after 2~3 times of normal use can fully activate the lithium ion marine battery.

3)Avoid lithium ion marine battery that heat up after a full charge

When marine battery is newly charged, the temperature can be high, and if you use them immediately, the internal temperature of the electronics will increase, which can have a negative effect on the electronics of the device.

4)Store marine battery in a dry and cool place

Due to the very low self-discharge rate of lithium ion marine battery, it can be stored at 20℃ for more than half a year, most of the capacity can be restored. Self-discharge phenomenon of lithium ion marine battery, such as 18650 cell, if the cell voltage is lower than 3.6V for a long time, will lead to overdischarge of the battery and damage the internal structure of the battery, reducing the battery life.

Therefore, the long-term storage of lithium ion marine battery should be charged every 3-6 months, that is, charged to 3.8-3.9V voltage (the best storage voltage of lithium battery is about 3.85V), keep in 40%-60% of the discharge depth is appropriate, not full.
The marine battery should be stored in a dry environment of 4 ° C to 35 ° C or packed in a moisture-proof package. Keep away from heat sources and direct sunlight. Avoid contact with metal contacts.

5)Proper use of marine battery

Do not knock, needle, trample, modification, sun battery, do not place the lithium ion marine battery in microwave, high pressure and other environments.

6)Use the right charger

When we use electronics carefully, we can’t ignore the damage a broken charger can do to our marine battery. When choosing a charger, the original charger is the best choice.

7)Clean the terminal

Make sure your lithium ion marine battery terminals are clean and shiny. Mix a brush with some of your favorite soda and water to wash away any corrosion that has formed on the dock. When cleaning, we should gently clean, then reinstall and tighten the terminals. Tighten the marine battery terminals once a month in summer to prevent loss of connection. It is important to have a good connection so that the battery can be charged properly.

In summary, in the use of lithium ion marine battery, we should no longer adhere to the old concept, to pay more attention to the above problems, not only can timely protect the battery, but also can try to avoid unnecessary damage.

13.Conclusion

As the industrialization of new energy lithium ion battery gradually thorough, countries around the world and the key enterprises are increasing their efforts to develop power batteries, power battery technology already became the various countries’ competition. Lithium ion marine battery industry based on new materials and structure, vigorously promote the safety, life, low temperature characteristics of the marine battery, and cost reduction is the future direction of the industrial technology development.

Driven by the policy, the scale of China’s lithium battery industry has grown rapidly, and the market concentration of the industry has further improved. Power batteries have become the main reason driving the growth of industry demand.