36V Lithium Marine Charging Systems

[kingfisher_jr]

We are in the process of going to a 36V lithium battery system for our trolling motor on our bay boat. I want to what people who are running a lithium system for their trolling motor are using for their on board charging system. I would like to install a direct plug system, so I can just charge all of the batteries at the same time via a extension cord. I had a 36V system on my old boat, with this type of charging system, but the batteries were not lithium. This boat is a new build, so we can install whatever we want. I am just under the impression that a different type of charging system is needed for Li vs a traditional sealed battery.

Does anyone run a setup similar to this? If so what on board charger are you using?

[Capt.Bryan]

Most lithium ion battery manufacturers sell an equivalent charging system. You going with 3 - 12 volt or one 36? Minnkota precision chargers will charge them in agm mode, but they also came out with an actual lithium charger. Power pole charge may be best of both worlds, but expensive. It will charge trolling motor batteries of of engine alternator output or wall charger plug in.

[Jon-Paul]

My last boat I used the Minn Kota 4 bank to charge cranking, house and lithium trolling batteries. With that being said I would get the Power Pole charge

[randal]

I’ve got pro guide lithium batteries with a minn kota 4 bank charger, there’s a setting on it that you have to change to lithium.. I think it’s cause lithium batteries can’t have a constant charge on them once full but could be wrong

[FruitCityHunter]

I changed all my batteries to lithium and started with the Minn Kota then went to the Power Pole Charge. The charge gives me realtime information plus, will use the motor to charge either the trolling motor batteries or the cranking depending on which needs it.

[easttexasbucks]

I went with powerhouse lithium and the run n gun charging system. I have
Been very happy.

[glen]

Depending on battery you go with. Some companies require you to use their charging system for warranty. I know bluetooth connectivity allows the battery to tell the charger when fully charged and to turn off. I’d figure out what battery and go from there

[LarryP_1989]

I just put lithiums in my boat and went with a NOCO Genius 3 bank charger. It’s going to depend on whether you run three 12v batteries or one 36v. I went with two 12v batteries due to the fact that if I ever had a problem with my lithiums I could pick up two 12v batteries anywhere and swap them out in a pinch. If you go with a single 36v you will need a 36v charger, and if your out of town and have an issue it’s going to be pretty tough getting a 36v battery.

[bowhntrmatt]

I think the best ones out now are the powerpole charge and the powerhouse run and gun system.

On my bay boat, I had 2 house/cranking 12v's and one 36v Lithium Pros. I had their charge on the run charger. In two years a battery charger never touched that boat, it just charged during engine running. I didn't heavily use the trolling motor like you would on a bass boat, though.

[Quackerbox]

My last boat I used the Minn Kota 4 bank to charge cranking, house and lithium trolling batteries. With that being said I would get the Power Pole charge

If it was a new build, Id also go with the power pole system.

Im going two 12v liths when my current batteries die (prolly next year) and I'll go NOCO since I'll still have regular battery for cranking

[Mayhem]

If it was a new build, Id also go with the power pole system.

Im going two 12v liths when my current batteries die (prolly next year) and I'll go NOCO since I'll still have regular battery for cranking

I agree with this.


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[Slew]

I just put lithiums in my boat and went with a NOCO Genius 3 bank charger. It’s going to depend on whether you run three 12v batteries or one 36v. I went with two 12v batteries due to the fact that if I ever had a problem with my lithiums I could pick up two 12v batteries anywhere and swap them out in a pinch. If you go with a single 36v you will need a 36v charger, and if your out of town and have an issue it’s going to be pretty tough getting a 36v battery.

I run a 4 bank NOCO. 3 for the 100AH GYLLs and one for the AGM cranking battery and a seperate NOCO and a 100AH for the electronics battery all from David at Shut up and Fish. I have a spare I keep charged up as well if one crashes and considering getting another 2 bank charger and a battery so I don't have to take my electronics battery in and out every tournament we're in Clay's boat, but that's more of a first world problem post!

[big10]

Are you going to a single 36v battery or 3 separate 12v? This will determine what charger you need.

I prefer 3 - 12s over a single 36v. If a battery goes out on a 12v system you can replace it with any wet cell 12v battery to get by in a pinch. If your running a single 36v battery and have a problem, your TM is done for the trip.

Iv ran lithium's for several years with mixed results based on battery brands. Currently running 3 12v 100AH Ionic lithium's for trolling motor, 1 group 27 starting, and 1 group 27 deep cycle for everything else. All being charged by 1 Minn Kota precision 5 bank charger. On this current setup iv fished 2 full days on a single charge on the lower Mississippi river and still had almost half a charge left after those 2 days.

It is my understanding that lithium batteries are required to be charged to a higher voltage and also require a charge of 10A per bank. For this reason its best to go with a charger that has a lithium setting on it. The MK-550 PCL has the ability to select battery type for each bank, and then remembers which type each time you plug in. I also had great results with Noco GenPro 10x3 charger on my last setup.

https://online.factoryoutletstore.com/product/Minn-Kota-MK-550-PCL-On-Board-Precision-Charger---5-Banks-10-Amps/MINN-1835500-N?utm_source=bing%20pla&utm_medium=cpc&utm_id=NG3148&adtype=&product_id=NG3148&ifproduct=&ifcreative=&campaignid=590085342&adgroupid=1152289186941758&creative=&targetid=pla-4575617656879414&matchtype=e&device=c&network=o&&adid=72018246555292&msclkid=38809ab960d019c5b0a3fe941da07b61

https://www.grainger.com/product/797WN1?gucid=N:N:PS:Paid:MS:CSM-2293:MOO74J:20501231&s_kwcid=AL!2966!10!79577302794270!4583176801749205&ef_id=5b5b1b30c23a1d90f0a57f1dbc92eb90:G:s&gclid=5b5b1b30c23a1d90f0a57f1dbc92eb90&gclsrc=3p.ds&msclkid=5b5b1b30c23a1d90f0a57f1dbc92eb90&gclid=5b5b1b30c23a1d90f0a57f1dbc92eb90&gclsrc=3p.ds

[KenWood]

I run three Ionics deep cycles and still on my lead acid cranking battery. I bought the Ionics four bank charger from Lithium Hub with my batteries. It charges my lead acid cranker also.

[kingfisher_jr]

I just put lithiums in my boat and went with a NOCO Genius 3 bank charger. It’s going to depend on whether you run three 12v batteries or one 36v. I went with two 12v batteries due to the fact that if I ever had a problem with my lithiums I could pick up two 12v batteries anywhere and swap them out in a pinch. If you go with a single 36v you will need a 36v charger, and if your out of town and have an issue it’s going to be pretty tough getting a 36v battery.

This is all awesome info, thanks guys. Really appreciate the input. I should have specified in the OP but we decided to go with 3 - 12V's for trolling and most likely a single lead acid for cranking. Not 100% sure yet, may run 2 cranking/house batteries.

I am kinda leaning towards the NOCO 3 or 4 Bank system. I am just not 100% certain on how to wire it but I can figure that out. I do not really need the charging system to charge the starting battery but if I could go with the 4 bank system and charge it at the same time I may go that route. I am just not sure if there are any concerns with the engine charging the cranking battery that is tied to a changing system with lithium's, being the cranking is not a lithium. Everything I have read shows that Yamaha does not support lithium cranking batteries, I assume this is because of the charging system it uses. But I have also read of many people running lithiums on Yamaha's without any issues. We run a Yamaha SHO.

We have tossed around the idea of putting in a perko switch from the first 12V lithium to the outboard as a back-up cranking battery in case we get in a bind on the water. Using it just to turn the engine over, than swapping back to the lead-acid battery once the engine is running. But I am also not sure on this either.

It does seem that the Power Pole system gets the most votes, but they are almost 5x the price of the NOCO... I am not totally decided yet but this is all great info to take in.