Battery for canoe/kayak applications where weatherproof AND low temp charging cutoff is available. Used for 12V 50lb Trolling Motor

[bralee886]

Reposting this to the marine section as well. I think there are a lot of fishing people out there that use AGM/Lead Acid deep cycle batteries that would benefit from this conversation. I just don't know how many fisherpeople are venturing to LiFePO4 batteries yet.. but for my application in a canoe it seems like a game changer


There doesn't seem to be both of weatherproof AND low temp charging cutoff combinations out there.. I know the 100ah SOK battery is solid for just about everything besides being weatherproof.. I am a newbie/beginner with LiFePO4 batteries as well as most of what is discussed on this forum, but I am learning.

Application example:

• 13' Flat-back canoe with a 12V 50lb thrust MinnKota Endura Max Trolling Motor (Canoe has 700lb weight capacity)
• Currently running an Everstart 29DC Lead Acid (EverStart Maxx Marine Battery, Group Size 29DC) which is heavier than hell (~60lbs) and ideally I'd like to have the battery tilted on it's side depending on how much gear is in the canoe.
  • Shooting for a battery less than 30lbs
• Live in Wisconsin, so low temperature cutoff is important, but not a deal breaker as I will be using this battery mainly Spring-Fall.
  • As long as I don't charge the Ampere Time below 32F, I can still use and discharge it below that if the temps were that low?

Currently looking at the 100ah Ampere Time or CHINS for cost(~$300+). Don't really want to spend the money on a BB 100ah for $800.

Rebel Batteries or AOLithium have also peaked my interest. DIY batteries scare me a bit as I am not that confident building batteries.

Any other avenues/batteries suggested?

 

[MNexcursion]

I have a very similar set up and have the same challenges. Did you decide on a battery?

 

[bralee886]

I have a very similar set up and have the same challenges. Did you decide on a battery?

Yes I did. I ended up going with the 100ah smart CHINS battery.

Amazon.com

I did a rudimentary capacity test and it pulled the full 100ah. I will be testing it out soon once the ice melts in WI.

 

[MNexcursion]

I did a fair amount of research yesterday and was also settling on the CHINS smart battery. Some of the previous reviews of their "non-smart" 100ah batteries on this forum give me pause, but I'm hopeful that they've improved their manufacturing practices with the new version.

 

[MNexcursion]

Have you decided if you're going to put your Chins battery in a battery box in your canoe? If so, have you decided on one?

 

[bralee886]

I had my old lead acid in the one I purchased originally.
NOCO HM318BKS Group 24-31 Snap-Top Battery Box for Marine, RV, Camper and Trailer Batteries https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004W5SGBO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_RJMM4BJRZ980KJRD019V?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

It’s a bit big honestly, but it’s what I already have

 

[bralee886]

update on trolling motor usage on a 3-night camping trip: (monitored battery power through bluetooth app on my phone the whole trip)

• Motored into the campsite which was about 2.5 miles in. Using power level 30/100. Drawing around 3-5amps. At this speed I could go for around 20 hours I estimate
  • Canoe was loaded with two 200lb guys, and probably 200 lbs of gear.
  • I was ALSO towing another canoe into the campsite that tied a rope. (was still pulling that little amps)
  • Not significant wind or current.
• used up around 10% battery getting in to the campsite
• Fished and used the trolling motor every day to fish and motor back up wind for drifts. As well as trolling along shorelines.
• 
  
• Last Day I also Motored out of the campsite. This time using power level ~50/100. Drawing around 6-7amps. you could tell it was a bit faster than the 30% power level. We estimated about 2.5 miles per hour at this speed (STILL towing the other canoe out)
  • Canoe was loaded with two 200lb guys, and probably 150 lbs of gear on the way out.
  • Headwinds hitting us on the way out.
• Ended the trip with 30% battery level.

Very impressed with LiFePO4 and how much better it performed than Lead Acid.

 

[magnesium]

Hi,
Excuse my bad English, i'm french...
I use a 12v 40Ah Winston battery with a home made (from China) DC speed controller not very efficient and a Coulomb-meter to monitor input (when charging) and output (current Amps, remaining capacity, remaining percentage, voltage) when using.
I use a Minn Kota 40 Lbs, and I've removed all the motor's original mechanical power variator to plug directly on the DC speed controller by a potentiometer and trying to have better efficiency (supposed and verified).
I've build a motor support to adapt my Minn Kota on a Gumotex Solar inflatable kayak 2-3 persons.
@ around 2.5 knots, with two people on board on the river (problems of current sometime), I can use the battery for 20 kilometers.
I'm very impressed too with the LiFePo4 !
Ad I can charge it from a normal car battery charger at home or directly when driving in a normal litghter plug.
I use this battery from 4 years without any loss of capacity.