Balance issue after going to Lithiums

[Dadof4]

I just put lithiums in and went out today and felt like my rear end was all over the place. Tried raising and lowering my jack plate to get better control but it really didn’t help the issue much. Thinking of putting some weight back there to load it up and see what happens. Anybody have the same issue after taking out AGM’s. I would imagine I’m about 180-200lbs lighter in the rear now. Any suggestions welcome. Thanks

[1ranger487vs]

Not lifting bow now.

[BigfishRanger]

I lost my bow lift also. I believe this was a combination of Lithium batteries and heavier troller, and two MFDs up front. I moved all my plastics to the rear compartments, but it didn't do much. As some have said, most of our older boats were designed for heavy batteries in the back.

[1BADAIR]

I switched from an Etec to a Merc and also went to lithium at the same time. Tried a bravo first and the boat was undriveable over 60. The rear would actually jump to the right like 2 feet every time you touched the trim button. I put a Agm back in the center for weight and it didn’t do much. Switched to a Tempest for less stern lift and it helped but am gonna send it to Croxton for more cup cause I can’t get the bow up. I have a Solas on it right now to try soon.

[Dadof4]

I still jump up on pad quick, but the rear end just sways back and forth. I have a prop worked by Croxton on my boat now but I’m wondering if a 4 blade XL might give it more dig under throttle to keep my rear end from swaying around. I’m going to move my plastics to the rear and see what happens next trip. Also putting my blades back on so that may add some weight as well.

[TXZ21]

Have been dealing with this issue also. This was what I used. I put three of them in the bilge. Probably not a permanent solution, but its working.

https://www.amazon.com/BALLASTExtra-...%2C120&sr=8-40

[Dadof4]

Have been dealing with this issue also. This was what I used. I put three of them in the bilge. Probably not a permanent solution, but its working.

https://www.amazon.com/BALLASTExtra-...%2C120&sr=8-40

Great idea I was thinking the same thing. Just need to measure and make sure I can fit a few in there. I was thinking of filling my live wells also and seeing what the effects were. Thanks for sending the link. I appreciate it.

[zrp]

I hear this a lot. I think I'll stay with lead acid and avoid these kind of problems.

[billnorman1]

I don't have a Ranger. I took two AGM 31's out of the Port side of my Stratos and 100 pounds or so when I went to Lithium. She will stand on the rub rails on extremely sharp lower speed turns and oscillates slightly at speed straight ahead.
I think adding ballast is the wrong thing, so at some time I'll move the starting AGM over to the Port side and see what happens.

[Whiteboat]

2018 Z520c with 2s ProXS and four lithium batteries. I have not noticed any issues

[bass.man65]

I moved engine back 2 inches and that has it running better than it did before lithium.

[TopgunZ521C]

2014 Z521C 4 ionics 125 ah 250 pro xs 2 8ft PP Atlas Hydraulic running a fury 4 blade i have zero issues with hole shot or driving at any speed

[erickennedy1]

After switching to 4 lithiums (3x 50ah & 1x 125ah) I didn't notice any issues with drivability. Holeshot improved but I did lose top end speed, only 1-3 mph. I need to lower jackplate and see what that does. My results are without changing anything in prop/engine height

[Dadof4]

I think I might start by adding 50-60lbs to the port side and moving some gear around to find the sweet spot then maybe look at different props. My set back is already 4 inches so not sure I want to dive into that quite yet. Thanks everyone for the thoughts and suggestions.

[Jbass123]

If your setback is 4 inches and your engine is a G1 Evinrude, you definitely would benefit from at least 4 more inches setback.

[Dadof4]

If your setback is 4 inches and your engine is a G1 Evinrude, you definitely would benefit from at least 4 more inches setback.

It’s a G2, not sure what the weight difference is between the 2 but I can check that out and list that as a possibility after I attempt to fix it with the lower level remedy’s

[Jbass123]

The significant difference between G1 and G2 engines is that the G2 already has 4 inches of built-in setback, to add to your 4-inch plate. So you’re pretty close on total setback already. G1 and G2 engines don’t weigh much different, if that’s what you’re thinking. As others have said, a relatively easy fix would be moving weight from the front to the back, if you could. Another easy experiment is to fill your fuel and fill your livewells, then test. 200 pounds of water in the livewell makes a difference in how a boat runs, which would give you some ideas without moving or adding other weight.

[Dadof4]

[QUOTE=Jbass123;13458261]The significant difference between G1 and G2 engines is that the G2 already has 4 inches of built-in setback, to add to your 4-inch plate. So you’re pretty close on total setback already. G1 and G2 engines don’t weigh much different, if that’s what you’re thinking. As others have said, a relatively easy fix would be moving weight from the front to the back, if you could. Another easy experiment is to fill your fuel and fill your livewells, then test. 200 pounds of water in the livewell makes a difference in how a boat runs, which would give you some ideas without moving or adding other weight.[/QUOTE

Yes I went and looked all this up and you hit the nail on the with set back. A friend is going to give me some of his 50lb ballast bags he used on his old ski boat and slide that in were there is a void where the batteries used to occupy the entire space and fill the live wells right off the bat and see how that works out. Thanks

[royalsblue]

After switching to 4 lithiums (3x 50ah & 1x 125ah) I didn't notice any issues with drivability. Holeshot improved but I did lose top end speed, only 1-3 mph. I need to lower jackplate and see what that does. My results are without changing anything in prop/engine height

Same with my boat...top speed was 72-73ish, now 69.7 is the best she will do.

[Dadof4]

Went out and fished for a day with my boys and played with it a bit. Filled the live wells when I launched and had minimal positive results. After doing the math my starboard side is 40lbs lighter and port is 46lbs lighter. I think I may put 40lb ballast bags in my rear storage compartments and see what happens next. I wouldn’t think 86lbs would make such a dramatic difference but I guess with my current set up it does.