Many people have different ideas about what fishing boats are. For some people, they represent a way to earn a living. Others, however, see it as a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and relax by catching some fish on the lake.
It’s crucial to make sure you keep your fishing boat’s battery setup up to date, as our modern fishing boats are increasingly equipped with amenities. There’s a lot of power that powers the gadgets and luxuries you use on your boat. As a result, you’ll need a battery system that’s robust enough to run them.
It’s time to take action as we learn everything you need to know about batteries and how you can make sure you always have the necessary power on your boat.
What is the best type of battery for a fishing boat?
Many people choose to invest in a lead-acid starter battery to start the engine and complete their installation with lithium deep cycle batteries to power the rest of the devices on board.
Although this configuration is functional, at Volthium we have developed the first hybrid (jump start + deep discharge) lithium battery with built-in alternator protection!
Thanks to our brand new 12V 100Ah Pro-series (start + deep discharge) specially designed to start your engine while powering all other devices and systems on board. You simplify your on-board installations while saving space on board.
In a few words, the 12V 100Ah – Pro Series is the flagship of Volthium technology. It features a high-performance BMS, an on/off button, a self-heating system, a cooling system, as well as built-in Bluetooth functionality (2 M12 communication ports), all ultra-compact and lightweight.
The latter is perfectly adapted to the nautical and fishing world with its IP67 certification, its CSA UL1973 certification, and its compliance with ABYC standards with the possibility of programming audible and visual alerts.
For people who prefer the AGM option for their starter battery, AGM (absorbent glass mat) batteries are usually the best choice. FYI, the lead-acid batteries of yesteryear have been upgraded and improved with these batteries. AGM batteries hold the electrolyte solution in the absorbent mat rather than in a mixture of electrolytes floating freely between the lead plates. This makes them ideal for providing the fast yet powerful bursts of energy needed to start your engine
Lithium-ion batteries are the best option for everything else, including your trolling motor, navigation system, and devices. Simply put, they outperform all lead alternatives in long-draining situations and have significantly more power for significantly less weight, and a much longer lifespan.
Should we use lithium batteries on a boat?
In our opinion, yes! This type of battery is much more versatile and offers a much wider range of features than old-school batteries, so they are probably more expensive to begin with.
One of the advantages of lithium batteries is that they are much smaller and lighter than equivalent lead-acid batteries. Since lithium batteries are small and lighter, boat owners are able to reduce the weight of their vessels or provide more power without adding additional weight to them.
Apart from the fact that these batteries can operate in extreme conditions, both in terms of hot and cold temperatures as well as in sometimes dangerous water, they can also last much longer before needing to be replaced, sometimes up to a decade in the case of high-quality batteries. Compared to conventional lead-acid batteries, lithium batteries typically last two to three times longer, so the initial additional cost is more than offset over time.
There are many advantages to using Volthium batteries. Our batteries are much safer because they have BMS protection so that they are safe in all conditions and avoid short circuits. In addition, they do not emit any hazardous gases and do not contain any toxic components, so they can be installed in any space, unlike lead-acid batteries.
What is the best lithium battery for my boat?
With our 5KW CSA UL1973 Full pack assembly batteries, or with our smaller ETL certified batteries for Full pack assembly and with our IEC62619, UL1973 & UL1642 cells safety certificates from rigorous laboratory testing, our batteries have been tested in thousands of boat installations and proven to be safe and reliable. Our battery range has been field tested in thousands of customer applications and is backed by a lifetime warranty.
Also note that it is rare that batteries, such as our Volthium Lifepo4 batteries, can meet all the standards required by ABYC. In fact, because our batteries provide RS485 closed-loop communication, we are able to trigger the audible alarms on an external speaker before a power outage.
Will replacing my batteries with lithium batteries speed up my boat?
For boats equipped with a trolling motor, Volthium’s advanced and efficient lithium battery can be expected to result in an increase in speed compared to traditional battery types. This can be especially true for kayak fishing boats. In other cases, however, you may not see as big a difference; If you’re looking for an upgrade to get bigger speeds out of your boat, Volthium’s lithium batteries might still be worth exploring, but you should also look into other more important features that could give you the speed boost you’re looking for.
Do boat batteries need to be wired in series or in parallel?
Volthium provides a simple solution for boat battery wiring. With Volthium, batteries can be wired in series or parallel depending on the owner’s needs. Batteries wired in parallel will increase the overall capacity of the system, creating a longer lifespan for the electronics due to its available amp-hours. On the other hand, batteries in series combine their voltages to maintain high-voltage elements such as trolling motors. Volthium also provides easy access to the Battery Management System (BMS) in case of the need for repairs. Thus, Volthium is a great choice for those looking to easily wire their boat’s battery setup.