Cold Weather Lithium Use

[Fishndav]

Can anyone share their experience with using lithium batteries in really cold conditions? Up here in NY we fish well into December. There are days that never get out of the 30s, and days that cold where you are still fishing in a good current. I don’t know if these batteries will hold up or charge outdoors overnight in these conditions.

[John Jackson]

For trolling motors they work fine. Initial max current available is lower, but they warm up as you use them.
For cranking, the available current drops drastically below freezing. I switched back to AGM for my cranking battery for this reason. Barely turns motor over when cold.

[Wayne P.]

The BMS will not allow the battery to be charged if the temp is too low. You can discharge it below that temp. Refer to the specs of the battery brand you are interested in.

[haus9393]

Using them in the cold is no issue at all. Charging below 32f is safe as well but you need to limit the current the charger puts out depending on the brand lithium you buy. These are all specs that are easy to find. I have cranked my 250 pro xs with my relion 100ah HP multiple times in the drive way with temps around 10 degrees and the thing started just about as easy as it does when it’s 80 degrees out.

[fishnfireman]

I have cranked my 250 pro xs with my relion 100ah HP multiple times in the drive way with temps around 10 degrees

Sounds like a good way to thrash an impeller.

[John Jackson]

Using them in the cold is no issue at all. Charging below 32f is safe as well but you need to limit the current the charger puts out depending on the brand lithium you buy. These are all specs that are easy to find. I have cranked my 250 pro xs with my relion 100ah HP multiple times in the drive way with temps around 10 degrees and the thing started just about as easy as it does when it’s 80 degrees out.

I had a Relion 100 on my 2004 250XS and it would barely crank it below freezing, Above freezing was way different. I went back to my Odyssey because cold cranking was exponentially better.

[friogatto]

Your post is very cryptic. Please provide some details. Trolling motor battery? Starting battery? Brand? Size?


Starting battery.
The Battery Management System (BMS) is programmed differently on each brand so you would need to find the specs for that brand/model battery.

My understanding, best practice is to charge lithiums before heading out instead of when you return so the battery should be warm from charging even if the boat is stored outside.

I have heard of people starting the electronics 15-20 min before cold starting. Idea is the discharge will get the battery warmed up before cranking. Not sure how well this works or practical that is.

Others have stated that after the cold start there were no problems the rest of the day.

Trolling Motor / Electronics

There should be almost zero difference between warm and cold conditions as long as the temps are within the battery specs.
Icefisherman drag lithiums onto the ice and run graphs and such. I'm sure its well below 30 degrees.

[Fishysam]

Sounds like a good way to thrash an impeller.

It's fine let the lower unit soak for a minute.

most can be used to 0*f but can't charge below 32*f. Really recks my possibilities

[fishnfireman]

It's fine let the lower unit soak for a minute.

most can be used to 0*f but can't charge below 32*f. Really recks my possibilities

Did you read the part about starting in the driveway ???

[bobcoy]

Your post is very cryptic. Please provide some details. Trolling motor battery? Starting battery? Brand? Size?


Starting battery.
The Battery Management System (BMS) is programmed differently on each brand so you would need to find the specs for that brand/model battery.

My understanding, best practice is to charge lithiums before heading out instead of when you return so the battery should be warm from charging even if the boat is stored outside.

I have heard of people starting the electronics 15-20 min before cold starting. Idea is the discharge will get the battery warmed up before cranking. Not sure how well this works or practical that is.

Others have stated that after the cold start there were no problems the rest of the day.

Trolling Motor / Electronics

There should be almost zero difference between warm and cold conditions as long as the temps are within the battery specs.
Icefisherman drag lithiums onto the ice and run graphs and such. I'm sure its well below 30 degrees.

Note: The 100 HP is a starting battery.

[haus9393]

Did you read the part about starting in the driveway ???

oh my god call the cops!!!!!!!

[fishnfireman]

Just trying to educate here.. Before you start that motor in the driveway again. You might do a little research.
I bet a dollar to a dog turd that fishysam won't crank his motor at the house without muffs.

[bencherry121]

I just put in a 125ah ionic for my 250 pro Xs and went this morning when temps were 24 degrees and it started,(did take longer than normal). After the initial start, it started like normal all day.