Marcum Ice Force Lithium 12Volt 10Amp Battery

[Mudslide]

Has anyone had a chance to purchase one of these batteries and try it out yet. I can't find them for sale anywhere. They need a dedicated charger but look great!

[pete/ny]

I just saw these Marcum 10 amp Lithium batteries on the Rapala.com website.Rapala bought out Marcum. They are $149.

[Mudslide]

Thanks Pete Ya I've seen them on the Rapala site bit I'm in Canada. They must be available through some retail stores. I'll make some inquiries and report back.

[Curley]

I can't understand why you would need a lithium battery over an SLA for a fish finder. The price difference doesn't justify the added cost and advantages at this time.Even at the higher prices of SLAs that's 4 or 5 batteries.

[darkeyez]

Just ordered a FM1290 12v9ah battery for $22.99. Even if it only lasts 2 yrs., I can buy 6 of them for the price of a lithium. Unless the lithium is guaranteed to last more than 12 yrs. I wouldn't even consider buying one at that price.
JAO

[Mudslide]

Lithium is half the weight and twice the reserve power. SOLD!

[MichiganMan]

Actually the Lithium is less than 1/3 the weight as the same size SLA battery. If your 66yrs old and pulling a sled any distance the cost is worth it. At least to me it is 

[Mudslide]

Actually the Lithium is less than 1/3 the weight as the same size SLA battery. If your 66yrs old and pulling a sled any distance the cost is worth it. At least to me it is 

I always carry a spare SLA so the weight saving is even more significant. 1 lightweight battery is much better than two heavy ones. My LX-9 is a tank with the SLA battery. Now we just need to get the price of the Lithiums down.

[huntsfurfish]

I thought I read on a message board about one smoking while charging.  But I dont remember where I saw that.  Darn age thing.

[VTMatt]

I always carry a spare SLA so the weight saving is even more significant. 1 lightweight battery is much better than two heavy ones. My LX-9 is a tank with the SLA battery. Now we just need to get the price of the Lithiums down.

Yeah the first thing I noticed on my LX-7 was how big and heavy it is!  I might switch to the lithium battery....

[jighead]

Yeah the first thing I noticed on my LX-7 was how big and heavy it is!  I might switch to the lithium battery....

I switched to lithium battery from Bioenno and I love it, much lighter, be careful however if you use one as that strap on the LX-7, if used to carry it, the back end is so light my unit fell out of the case on the ice! From now on I carry it with the handle that is actually part of the plastic case itself. I will never ever go back to NiCad battery even if they are free!

[VTMatt]

Very nice....I might have to look into that.  Approx how much more battery life are you getting?  I'm surprised they don't have fasteners to keep the unit inside of the case....

[jighead]

Very nice....I might have to look into that.  Approx how much more battery life are you getting?  I'm surprised they don't have fasteners to keep the unit inside of the case....

Much more run time, will keep closer eye on how long, never run it out yet, yea, you certainly could velcro the plastic case to the pack, industrial velcro works so well that it is hard to get it detached.

[jwetovick]

Any updated reviews of this or any other lithium options available?

[holehopper]

I'd never heard of them before reading this post but I'm seeing 7ah lithium options on the web for 1/2 the price of this one and they don't need a dedicated charger.  What am I missing?  On the Rapala version you can see right on the picture of the battery that it doesn't have a protection circuit built in http://www.rapala.com/ice-force/ice-force/lithium-12volt-10amp-battery/lithium-12volt-10amp-battery/SEE12V10ANB.html but the cheaper versions I'm seeing do have a circuit in them.  I'm just thinking that if you have a 7ah battery and it is supposed to last quite a bit longer than a traditional SLA, why go more than 7ah?  I suppose there are times when you don't have access to a charger, etc but just seems that a 10ah lithium might be overkill? 

[esox_xtm]

Lithium.... lots of advantages but also some down sides.

Plus: light weight, does not drain off (much) during periods of non-use, better tolerance for cold (very cold) temps, oh, did I say lightweight

Minus: When they get low there is NO warning before they give up. None.... Fair warning.

[F.I.Sherman]

lithium batteries performance drops as the temperature does. if you read carefully the specifications are at above freezing

[Chris338378]

Also check to make sure your charger is safe to use with a Lithium battery, not all are rated for charging Lithium batteries. 

[Ranger619]

I've had my lithium from Rapala for 3 seasons now. Never had an issue with it charging or going low on charge even in frigid temps and it's unbelievable how much lighter it makes the whole unit. Liked it so much I got one for the wifes LX7. In the off season I plug it in to the charger you have to buy for it and leave it. I'll never run a regular one again.

[Damn Yankee]

I just saw these Marcum 10 amp Lithium batteries on the Rapala.com website.Rapala bought out Marcum. They are $149.

For the last 2 years they have a sale anytime now and the battery is $119 to $124 delivered and no tax (if you're not from their state).
The 10 amp lithium from Rapala is 2.8 lbs. My 9 amp Vexilar lead-acid is 6.25 lbs.

[Incognito]

I bought a shorai lithium iron battery 4 years ago.  The 36 model ~ 229.00  Thought I was crazy, but wanted a bullet proof lightweight battery for ice fishing.  Absolutely love it.  Outlasts my 9ah sla by 3 times.  Has enough power to winch my 25' 1970's slickcraft boat onto the trailer.  Started the 8 cyl ford 302 engine in the boat during an emergency.  It also powers my trail camera as an external battery for 3 months out of the year.

Would I buy it again?  Probably not, as stated above, that is worth 10+ sla batteries.  However, at the end of an all day ice fishing trip when I accidentally left my key in the on position of the snowmobile, it also had enough power to start the 600cc polaris in below zero temps.

Inc

[Whytie]

I use the lithium Dakota battery 10Ah http://www.electric-bike-kit.com/12v-lithium-lifepo4-replacement.aspx since rapala wont sell them in canada. just like all lithium batteries you need the right charger or you risk burning them out or over charging.

[shootsmcgee]

I use the lithium Dakota battery 10Ah http://www.electric-bike-kit.com/12v-lithium-lifepo4-replacement.aspx since rapala wont sell them in canada. just light all lithium batteries you need the right charger or you risk burning them out or over charging.

Great link Whytie, those look like great prices! The 10AH battery you ordered from them, is it the exact same size as the SLA 9AH batteries? (roughly 6Lx2.5Wx3.75H???) All the 10AH batteries I find seem to be a little bigger dimensions and the fit it pretty snug in my vex fl-18.
I see you're in Saskatoon also, LOTS of guys around here that need these things I wish a local store would start carrying them

[justborn]

I use the lithium Dakota battery 10Ah http://www.electric-bike-kit.com/12v-lithium-lifepo4-replacement.aspx since rapala wont sell them in canada. just light all lithium batteries you need the right charger or you risk burning them out or over charging.

I have six of the earlier bamboo version of the clean republic 10ah.  Awesome battery, I believe the dakota are identical to the ice force battery.  They fit in vexilar packs great!

[Whytie]

Great link Whytie, those look like great prices! The 10AH battery you ordered from them, is it the exact same size as the SLA 9AH batteries? (roughly 6Lx2.5Wx3.75H???) All the 10AH batteries I find seem to be a little bigger dimensions and the fit it pretty snug in my vex fl-18.
I see you're in Saskatoon also, LOTS of guys around here that need these things I wish a local store would start carrying them

yep they are the exact same size. I have it in my marcum so I can't compare if it would fit in a vexilar. I bought it 2 years ago when the dollar was almost at par so the exchange didn't hurt so bad lol. Definitely a huge reduction in weight about a 3.5lb difference, really helps when your hole hopping.