Lithium Batteries

Have any of you guys gone with lithium batteries? If so, did you go with the 54 amp hour or 100 amp hour batteries? Also, did anyone try the big single 36 volt 63 amp hour battery? Finally, can you run a lithium battery as your cranking battery?

yamaha sho or mercury does NOT recommend lithium as a starting battery.
AGM is best for starting.

Steve, where did you get the information that supports your statement. Just wondering, as being a Dakota Lithium dealer I have not seen anything that says that.
Yamaha Ser. manual for a 250 SHO says the ratings needed should be 680-1150 CCA. That equates to 94Ah-159Ah. That being the case, the Dakota 12V100Ah battery is sufficient. This information is found in Yamaha's Owner's manual for F225-LF300 (LIT-18826-12-05). I am going to make the leap and say that Mercury and the rest on the big motors are similar.

I would think that the outboard charging is a problem with the lithium battery for starting. I don't see the draw ratings being a problem but they are very picky about charging....

I would be interested in talking to you sir. Dakota batteries was actually what I was wanting to go with. Can you give me a phone number for your business please?

Merc sent out a letter stating that they do not recommend lithiums, but yet most White River marine boats (which all come with Mercury’s) are available with the Tracker Re-Lion Lithiums.


Don’t waste your money on a 50, it’s not big enough for electronics. Go with the biggest one, a 125ah.

I would be interested in seeing a copy of that letter. Makes no sense that a Mercury dealer would put install lithium batteries if their motor suppler does not recommend them. Hearsay is not a statement of fact.
Dad2rklm PM sent.

Google is easy to use.


http://www.bbcboards.net/showthread.php?t=1107423

Beat me to it. I was just about to post the same link. Has me wondering though how WRM is doing this when it goes directly against Mercury's installation guidelines.

Yep, makes you wonder what would happen on a warranty claim.

wrmg may be using lithiums for trolling motor an regular batteries for outboard .

I just checked their website and they are using their lithium starting battery for cranking and lithium deep cycles for trolling motor. Looking at their lithium starting battery specs it shows to be good for alternator based charging systems.....It would be nice if this was cleared up cuz my lithium's for my trolling motor are great and I would love to safely put a lithium cranking battery in there....

Correct that they are offering them as a cranking battery but still no word on Mercury about it. So if theirs a problem who’s going to warranty it.

i have the mercury SOB here anytime you want to see it. printed out.

the yamaha from what i've been told is still under consideration due to the new 2022 charging systems. does not apply to previous year engines with less voltage output
through the charging system.

IMO the problem with lithiums is the amount of juice it takes to charge them.
A depleted lithium battery will take more current over a longer time than an AGM or flooded cell battery.

That is an advantage that allows it to be charged in a shorter time period but at the same time can overheat an alternator or burn it up.

It is the "smart" alternators on the new motors jiving with "smart" batteries that have their own brains. When the motors up the juice to top off the battery, it throws the BMS of the Lithium battery into overload protection. Now you have a running motor with no 12v accessories.

And I'd say WRMG is going to say we offered it as an option, you choose the options, all we did is install and rig the boat as you specified... It's on you as the owner to make sure it doesn't possibly void the warranty... Same way you could void the factory warranty by installing a whales tail foil. Drilling holes or altering the lower unit in any way voids the lower unit warranty also... Ask question, get it in writing before adding thing that could void warranties... Dan