Are you ready to make the transition to Lithium Batteries in your bass boat, but don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, our Best On Tour Ultimate Guide to Lithium Batteries for Bass Boat Applications has the answers you need! This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the upgrade process and address all your crucial questions.
For years, traditional marine lead-acid deep-cycle batteries have been the go-to choice for trolling motor and electronics power among the bass fishing community. However, this outdated technology often falls short of modern demands. Lithium batteries, on the other hand, offer significant benefits in terms of longevity, reliability, and lightweight performance allowing you to confidently power all of the new technology that modern bass boats are equipped with. Before we get into the nuts and bolts of which Lithium Batteries are on the market it’s important to understand how the power system in your bass boat functions.
Basic Modern Bass Boat Power System
Understanding these components will help you make informed decisions when upgrading to lithium batteries and enhance your boat’s overall performance. While you can rig and power your boat as you see fit, it is relatively standard to break your power needs into three separate categories in order to maintain the proper voltage for each system.
- Starting/Cranking Battery:. The cranking battery is responsible for starting your engine and keeping your bass boat running. While some engine manufacturers do not recommend Lithium Batteries for this purpose, it has become pretty standard as of late. Lead-acid batteries are well-suited for this role because they can deliver a high burst of power for a short period, which is essential for engine cranking. AGM and Sodium-Ion technology are also great choices for cranking batteries if you are still unsure about making the Lithium Battery jump.
- Auxiliary or House Battery: Many anglers are utilizing a dedicated battery or batteries to power all the electronics on their bass boat, including pumps, lights, and other accessories. 12V or 16V Lithium Batteries are a great option for this power source.
- Trolling Motor Batteries: Providing adequate power to your trolling motor is essential. Most bass boats utilize a 24V, or 36V trolling motor. Depending on which one you choose will determine the Lithium Batteries you need to properly run your system. Two 12V Lithium Batteries wired in series will run a 24V system, or three 12V wired in series is what you will need for a 36V system. Some Lithium Battery companies also offer one 36V battery to run a 36V trolling motor system if you are looking to consolidate and save space.
What is Amp Hour Rating and why does it matter?
When choosing a Lithium Battery it’s important to select the right amp-hour rating for your needs. The amp hour rating determines how long your batteries will last throughout the day. Most serious tournament bass fisherman choose a Lithium Battery with a 100Ah rating to ensure you have enough power for a full day on the water without concerns about running out of juice. While every setup is different the chart below is a general rule of thumb of what Amp Hour Ratings you will need for different volt systems.
- 12V System: One 100Ah is sufficient.
- 24V System: Two 100Ah batteries wired in series to achieve 24V.
- 36V System: Three 100Ah batteries wired in series will provide the 36V required, or one 36V battery.
Series vs. Parallel Connections When Powering a Bass Boat
When setting up your Lithium Batteries, it’s important to choose the right wiring configuration based on your power needs. Here’s a quick guide to understanding series and parallel connections:
- Parallel Connections: Use parallel wiring when you want to increase the total amp-hour (Ah) capacity while keeping the voltage the same. For example, if you connect three 12V 100Ah Lithium Batteries in parallel, you’ll get a 12V 300Ah system. This setup is ideal for applications where you need more runtime without changing the voltage, suitable for many 12V systems.
- Series Connections: Use series wiring when you need to increase the voltage while maintaining the same amp-hour capacity. For instance, to power a 36V trolling motor, you’ll need three 12V 100Ah Lithium Batteries wired in series. This will create a 36V 100Ah system, providing the higher voltage required for your trolling motor.
Now that you have a basic understanding of Lithium Batteries and what you might need to properly power your rig let’s take a look at some of the brands that support the fishing industry.
Amped Outdoors Lithium has a 10-year hassle free warranty on LiFePO4 50AH and larger batteries, Bluetooth compatible, built to Top Tier A Grade components only, and educates customers to make decisions that best fit their needs at the link here.
Battle Born Batteries harnesses the power of lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4), bringing the most efficient, stable, and powerful lithium-ion battery to the market. The Battle Born team is devoted to creating a new standard in energy storage by making green, renewable energy available to anyone.
Dakota Lithium batteries last 4-10 times longer than traditional batteries, providing lasting value for customers, and reducing e-waste that impacts our planet. They are also twice the power, half the weight, and 5 times faster charging than traditional batteries.
Impulse Lithium Batteries are designed with a rigid internal structure, properly connected terminals, foam insulation, IP67 waterproof rated housing and a BMS to protect your investment for years to come. Impulse Lithium offers Premium Lithium Batteries that are backed with a FULL 10 Year NON-PRORATED Warranty.
Lithium Pros batteries are assembled and tested in Tennessee, and are three times the energy, a fourth of the weight, charges up to seven times faster, and lasts seven times longer than the traditional battery. All products carry a 60-day risk-free guarantee. If you are not satisfied with your purchase for any reason, you can return it to where it was purchased (with proof of purchase) for an exchange or full refund!
MillerTech lithium batteries are twice the power of traditional batteries, UL Certified, and up to 10-year warranty. MillerTech harnesses the power of innovation, integrity, and exceptional customer service to cultivate and advance the renewable energy revolution.
Monster Marine Lithium batteries are Bluetooth compatible, advanced LiFePO4 technology, up to 10 times longer lifespan than regular AGM or acid batteries, weighs less than half of regular marine batteries, easy instillation, built to handle the toughest of beatings, and protection over charger, discharge, temp, short circuit, and BMS single cell. Also covered with a 15-year warranty.
Next Gen Lithium is a proud 100% Veteran owned and operated business, batteries covered with a 12-year warranty, BMS to protect your investment, and they offer a full refund if you are not happy with your purchase within 30 days of purchasing. Their 12V 100 Ah Cranking Battery can run 4-5 graphs!
Norsk Lithium offers an app that provides a Bluetooth Connection allowing you to connect to multiple batteries simultaneously to monitor their health and charging status and receive real-time alerts to your phone. Their batteries also feature thermal core heating technology on heated marine batteries, internal BMS on all batteries, built in battery meter on portable sonar batteries, and built in dual USB ports on portable sonar batteries.
Optima ORANGETOP lithium batteries offer up to 1200 cranking amps of power, 120–150-amp hours, internal BMS, IP67-rating against water and dust intrusion, and they are Bluetooth compatible allowing for checking the state of charge, health, and temperature.
PowerHouse Lithium was started by two friends who set out to design and bring to market the world’s first dedicated high-performance graph 16V LiFePO4 Lithium-Ion battery. Their batteries require zero maintenance, have 4 times longer running time, 5 times faster charging time, and 200% more power than traditional batteries.
Pro-Guide Batteries was founded in 1980 and has always been known for its commitment to quality, innovation, and exceptional service. Their batteries provide extended runtime, allowing you to stay on the water without having to worry about power, and are engineered to deliver consistent power output, ensuring optimal performance.
RELiON lithium iron phosphate batteries offer significant advantages, including improved discharge and charge efficiency, a longer life span, and the ability to deep cycle while maintaining power. They also have one of the largest LiFePO4 product offerings available with 12V, 24V, and 48V batteries. Their RB36V40 marine lithium battery also won a 2024 Top Product Award by Boating Industry Magazine. Read more about it here.
X2Power lithium batteries are Bluetooth compatible, longer lasting, 50% lighter, 2-4 times faster charging, features internal BMS, and offered in 12V, 24V, and 36V. Their batteries are also backed by a 10-year, 2000 Cycle Limited Warranty on deep cycle batteries, and a 3-year free replacement limited warranty on powersport batteries.
If you are a lithium battery company and would like to be included in our Best On Tour Ultimate Guide to Lithium Batteries please contact us at info@bestontour.net