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Pennsylvania => Ice Fishing Pennsylvania => Topic started by: RuttNutt on Feb 07, 2022, 12:57 PM

Title: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: RuttNutt on Feb 07, 2022, 12:57 PM
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.
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: DR.SPECKLER on Feb 07, 2022, 01:02 PM
Damn near double the run time between charges.
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: filetandrelease on Feb 07, 2022, 01:05 PM

 Hey Rutt I changed over to lithium at least double run time like the Dr said and 1/2 the weight
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: Rebelss on Feb 07, 2022, 01:10 PM
Waaaaaaaaaaaay better, in every type of battery.
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: Scranton Joe on Feb 07, 2022, 01:25 PM
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.
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: missoulafish on Feb 07, 2022, 01:46 PM
yup, no brainer. Lighter and runs over twice as long vs lead.
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: RuttNutt on Feb 07, 2022, 02:06 PM
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?
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: Gills-only on Feb 07, 2022, 03:44 PM
They say 1,000 charges out of a lead battery, and 2,000 charges out of lithium
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: Rebelss on Feb 07, 2022, 03:49 PM
And a full charge from flat is 4 hrs for a lithium; 10 hrs for a LA.    60% avg faster charge.
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: HWeber on Feb 07, 2022, 03:53 PM
And a full charge from flat is 4 hrs for a lithium; 10 hrs for a LA.    60% avg faster charge.

Must be magic ;D ;D
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: dipNrip on Feb 07, 2022, 04:53 PM
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.
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: skifisher on Feb 07, 2022, 05:17 PM
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
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: Gills-only on Feb 07, 2022, 05:46 PM
Like my dad always said” Don’t trip over a dollar to save a dime” I think the price is well worth it !
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: missoulafish on Feb 07, 2022, 09:09 PM
I'll never regret buying a better product.
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: NEZ on Feb 07, 2022, 09:12 PM
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
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: RuttNutt on Feb 08, 2022, 06:42 AM
Thanks for all the info guys! I think I have enough to justify the added expense now!  ;)
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: chumster on Feb 08, 2022, 06:50 AM
Get the lithium. Keep and use the lead acid as an emergency battery. Keep it in your sled. Doesn’t take up much room.
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: RuttNutt on Feb 08, 2022, 07:00 AM
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.
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: kayl on Feb 08, 2022, 08:00 AM
Make sure you go with LiFePO⁴ battery. They're much better in cold temps than regular lithium ion batteries.
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: Spider1 on Feb 08, 2022, 08:26 AM
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!   :woot:
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: ship of fools on Feb 08, 2022, 08:44 AM
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.
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: bigfoot86 on Feb 08, 2022, 08:53 AM
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. 
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: RuttNutt on Feb 08, 2022, 09:00 AM

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

That TOO!   ;D

Don’t tell the wife though! 🤫. I got home before she did the day the e-drill was delivered............. ....so she has no idea!  ;)
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: Spider1 on Feb 08, 2022, 09:23 AM
Lord grant that when I die, my wife doesn't sell all my stuff for what I told her I paid for it.  :whistle:
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: uncleshorty on Feb 08, 2022, 11:17 AM
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...



Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: PennAngler on Feb 08, 2022, 06:01 PM
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.
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: RuttNutt on Feb 08, 2022, 06:02 PM
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! 😎


(https://i.postimg.cc/ygLGH93d/6-F1-EFA8-D-9-A60-4794-AD4-B-18-D0-F239-C542.png) (https://postimg.cc/ygLGH93d)
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: ship of fools on Feb 08, 2022, 07:00 PM
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! 😎


(https://i.postimg.cc/ygLGH93d/6-F1-EFA8-D-9-A60-4794-AD4-B-18-D0-F239-C542.png) (https://postimg.cc/ygLGH93d)

Scheel's is awesome. Their customer service is second to none in my book.
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: Fishhog1 on Feb 08, 2022, 10:50 PM
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.
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: Mr. Charlie on Feb 09, 2022, 07:22 AM
Make sure you go with LiFePO⁴ battery. They're much better in cold temps than regular lithium ion batteries.

I second this
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: uncleshorty on Feb 09, 2022, 07:55 AM
Lead Acid : Model T :: Lithium Ion : F250 Super Duty Dually 6 WD
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: jag27 on Feb 09, 2022, 08:51 AM
I second this

Which model?
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: PennAngler on Feb 09, 2022, 09:07 AM
I actually ordered a lipo battery from Amazon a few weeks back. Decided I didn't want it and asked for a return...Amazon gave me my money back and told me to keep the battery.  ???
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: Uppervalley Kid on Feb 09, 2022, 10:08 AM
When my lead acids die I am going lithium.
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: RuttNutt on Feb 09, 2022, 11:17 AM
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.

Well, obviously not what I wanted to hear. Hoping I don;t have to go thru 3 batteries until I get one that works................. ..
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: kayl on Feb 09, 2022, 09:32 PM
Which model?

I have one Dakota Lithium and 2 Amped Outdoors. I prefer Amped, their owner has been very responsive to messages with questions. I believe they are a shanty sponsor as well.
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: NEZ on Feb 10, 2022, 01:45 PM
That TOO!   ;D

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

SHHH, we won't tell ;D
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: flyingknee on Feb 12, 2022, 11:34 AM
Lithium batteries are not affected at all by the cold
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: RuttNutt on Feb 12, 2022, 03:23 PM
SHHH, we won't tell ;D

THANKS Nez! The battery was just delivered and the wife is still out with her friends so things are working out great!  ;) ;D
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: uncleshorty on Feb 13, 2022, 11:54 AM
Well, Rut, you've got a nice marriage there.  I'd hate to see anything happen to it... like a phone call to She Who Must Be Obeyed with some previously secret info...

Of course that could all be avoided if I was to suddenly find a dozen of your best jigs, a spool of 6 lb fluorocarbon leader and a hose for a Big Buddy heater on my front porch.

You have until Super Bowl kick off.  Otherwise I can't be responsible for what happens...

 ;D ::) @)
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: saphireblue99 on Feb 26, 2022, 11:30 AM
Lithium batteries are not affected at all by the cold
Never charge lithium batteries when they are under 32 degrees, you bring them home take them inside to warm them, they do not take recharging voltage in freezing temperatures and will greatly reduce your cycle life.
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: ice dawg on Feb 26, 2022, 11:35 AM
Some LI batteries have a temperature sensor that prevents charging while the battery is cold.
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: icecube on Mar 03, 2022, 08:50 AM
Well, Rut, you've got a nice marriage there.  I'd hate to see anything happen to it... like a phone call to She Who Must Be Obeyed with some previously secret info...

Of course that could all be avoided if I was to suddenly find a dozen of your best jigs, a spool of 6 lb fluorocarbon leader and a hose for a Big Buddy heater on my front porch.

You have until Super Bowl kick off.  Otherwise I can't be responsible for what happens...

 ;D ::) @)
  UH OH  Ice Mafia LOL!!!
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: RuttNutt on Mar 03, 2022, 08:55 AM
I fessed up before the credit card bill came. I told her it was an “investment” since the lithium’s last much longer. She bought it! 😜
Title: Re: Lithium vs Lead Acid
Post by: saphireblue99 on Mar 03, 2022, 10:35 PM
Yeah I'm going to pull the trigger and get 2 for my bass boat, they keep getting better in quality and lower in price, but then ukraine is a big supplier of lithium and who knows how thats going to affect prices?