Lithium vs Lead Acid

[RuttNutt]

So I started having problems with my Marcum on Saturday. I think it’s my battery(lead acid)

Just wondered how many guys have switched from lead acid to Lithium and do you think it’s worth it?

I’m not concerned with weight. I’m more interested in battery life and performance.

[DR.SPECKLER]

Damn near double the run time between charges.

[filetandrelease]

 Hey Rutt I changed over to lithium at least double run time like the Dr said and 1/2 the weight

[Rebelss]

Waaaaaaaaaaaay better, in every type of battery.

[Scranton Joe]

I made the switch several years ago from lead acid to lithium. 

It's a no brainer, especially since they are slightly cheaper than they were years ago.

Or pick up a marcum lithium shuttle.  You can probably get four trips before recharging.

[missoulafish]

yup, no brainer. Lighter and runs over twice as long vs lead.

[RuttNutt]

Ok-thanks guys! One more question for those of you that have had them awhile.............how is the longevity? Do you also get more years out of them before having to replace them?

[Gills-only]

They say 1,000 charges out of a lead battery, and 2,000 charges out of lithium

[Rebelss]

And a full charge from flat is 4 hrs for a lithium; 10 hrs for a LA.    60% avg faster charge.

[HWeber]

And a full charge from flat is 4 hrs for a lithium; 10 hrs for a LA.    60% avg faster charge.

Must be magic

[dipNrip]

The negative is 3-4 times the cost for similar amps. I just bought a 12 amp LA for $25 last year. We’ll over $100 for similar Li.
  It’s not cold enough to justify spending that on a battery to me.

[skifisher]

The negative is 3-4 times the cost for similar amps. I just bought a 12 amp LA for $25 last year. We’ll over $100 for similar Li.
  It’s not cold enough to justify spending that on a battery to me.

Difference between a Volkswagen and a Cadillac…you get what you pay for! MHO

[Gills-only]

Like my dad always said” Don’t trip over a dollar to save a dime” I think the price is well worth it !

[missoulafish]

I'll never regret buying a better product.

[NEZ]

Rutt, don't waste your time or money on a lead battery.  Go with Lithium.  I bought a brute 2 years ago for my Marcum LX7.  this graph uses a ton of power.  Just for laughs, I did not charge it for the last 3 times that I was out.  The days I was out, I spent 8hours, 3 hours and then 5.5 hours.  The graph said I still had 13.0volts.  This was even using the glow ring the last time out for 1.5hours in addition with the graph.  My Lead battery would only last the day of fishing and by the time the end of the day was coming, the graph was starting to shut off.  Well worth the money.  My vote a Marcum Brute.  Watch some of the other batteries, like the king.  They are too big for your battery slot in your graph.  Nez

[RuttNutt]

Thanks for all the info guys! I think I have enough to justify the added expense now! 

[chumster]

Get the lithium. Keep and use the lead acid as an emergency battery. Keep it in your sled. Doesn’t take up much room.

[RuttNutt]

Get the lithium. Keep and use the lead acid as an emergency battery. Keep it in your sled. Doesn’t take up much room.

That’s what I’ve been doing for a few years now. I keep it in a big playmate cooler with my bait and other ice-fishing essentials.

[kayl]

Make sure you go with LiFePO⁴ battery. They're much better in cold temps than regular lithium ion batteries.

[Spider1]

Thanks for all the info guys! I think I have enough to justify the added expense now! 

Who you kidding Rutt, you just like buying new toys!   

[ship of fools]

The negative is 3-4 times the cost for similar amps. I just bought a 12 amp LA for $25 last year. We’ll over $100 for similar Li.
  It’s not cold enough to justify spending that on a battery to me.

I'm with you. I have an account at ADI so I can buy a 7Ah 12V Lead Acid battery for under $20. It lasts all day and doesn't way enough more to bother me. If I ever go from my Vex to a Livescope that might change my mind.

[bigfoot86]

Lithium is better in every aspect especially with digital graph units as they have a tendency to use more battery.  I got an 18ah lithium AMPED Outdoors battery for my helix 9 graph that I take out with me on some lakes.  Now in regards for a lead acid battery for a traditional style flasher, I don’t think it’s a real big deal due to the fact the traditional style don’t consume a whole lot of battery and I usually recharge after every fishing trip anyways. 

[RuttNutt]

Who you kidding Rutt, you just like buying new toys!   

That TOO!   

Don’t tell the wife though! 🤫. I got home before she did the day the e-drill was delivered............. ....so she has no idea! 

[Spider1]

Lord grant that when I die, my wife doesn't sell all my stuff for what I told her I paid for it. 

[uncleshorty]

A lot of people don't understand how to take care of a Lead-Acid Battery. 

First and foremost a lead acid battery should NEVER be discharged to less than HALF is AH rating.  Do do so shortens battery life drastically.  So if you need a 20 AH batt. you've got to buy a 40 AH batt for the desired 20 AH capacity and battery life.

Lead-Acid batts begin a steep downward discharge curve the minute they are connected.  The discharge curve of a Li batt is almost a flat line until they "fall off the cliff" and are quickly exhausted.  Doing that kind of full discharge again and again does not hurt the LI battery... but is death to LA batts.

I'm too old to buy new equipment, my time's almost gone.  But if I was to buy a battery for ANY outdoor use today it would be an LI batt & smart charger, no questions asked...

[PennAngler]

VERY worth it. Plus you can get lithium iron phosphate batteries off Amazon crazy cheap these days. The life span in my experience is much longer and you can discharge them much more that lead acid or agm.

[RuttNutt]

Well, I found a Marcum Brute on sale for $69.99 so I pulled the trigger!

I also think my lead acid battery is toast. I charged it fully when I got home this past weekend. Took it out and used it for 20 min today before it crapped out. Switched to my backup lead acid battery and fished for another 90 min with no issues. Will keep that as my backup.

Can’t wait for the Brute to be delivered! 😎

[ship of fools]

Well, I found a Marcum Brute on sale for $69.99 so I pulled the trigger!

I also think my lead acid battery is toast. I charged it fully when I got home this past weekend. Took it out and used it for 20 min today before it crapped out. Switched to my backup lead acid battery and fished for another 90 min with no issues. Will keep that as my backup.

Can’t wait for the Brute to be delivered! 😎

Scheel's is awesome. Their customer service is second to none in my book.

[Fishhog1]

I don't trust the Brute Lifepo. I've 3, one didn't work from new, it's replacement won't work after one season, and the third is still kicking. Knock on wood. Marcum hasn't responded to emails. Currently using a lead acid in one of my units until I get a Dakota. Idk, but I'm apparently not the only one as I've seen similar experiences shared in reviews.

[Mr. Charlie]

Make sure you go with LiFePO⁴ battery. They're much better in cold temps than regular lithium ion batteries.

I second this