50AH vs 100AH Lithiums for Trolling Motor

Guys,

I've got a Nitro Z18 with a 24V 80Lb Ultrex. I am am wanting to upgrade to lithiums for 2021 but seem to be on the fence about whether or not 50AH will be enough to take all worries away when I go fishing (not sure I can afford 100AHs). I am 99% sure I will be buying Ionics through Drewtick and when speaking with him a couple weeks ago, he seemed to have some varying opinions on if the 50AH is enough to be truly worry free - really relating down to my style of fishing.

I fish in MN, a handful of 8 hour tourneys a year (5-7), most of my longer days on water would be 12 hours max, most of the time 8-10 on the long days. I consider myself a somewhat fast fisherman but mostly have the TM on 6-7 either on large flats or off shore for most of the summer.

Any guys out there with Ionic 50AH's that have a similar set-up that can give me some real-world feedback on any issues regarding the charge lasting a good long day? Sure appreciate any help.

The comparison to what you have now might be the best way to figure it out. How many amp hours are your trolling motor batteries now? Bob

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Originally Posted by Dubtee

Guys,

I've got a Nitro Z18 with a 24V 80Lb Ultrex. I am am wanting to upgrade to lithiums for 2021 but seem to be on the fence about whether or not 50AH will be enough to take all worries away when I go fishing (not sure I can afford 100AHs). I am 99% sure I will be buying Ionics through Drewtick and when speaking with him a couple weeks ago, he seemed to have some varying opinions on if the 50AH is enough to be truly worry free - really relating down to my style of fishing.

I fish in MN, a handful of 8 hour tourneys a year (5-7), most of my longer days on water would be 12 hours max, most of the time 8-10 on the long days. I consider myself a somewhat fast fisherman but mostly have the TM on 6-7 either on large flats or off shore for most of the summer.

Any guys out there with Ionic 50AH's that have a similar set-up that can give me some real-world feedback on any issues regarding the charge lasting a good long day? Sure appreciate any help.

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i was in the exact same situation as you, I have similar size rig with 24v ultrex. I was looking hard at the iconic's however, the 50ah worried me and 100ah was over kill. I spent weeks researching and came across a company called millertech lithiums. They had more options including a 65ah option. I went with the 65ah 12v x2 for my ultrex and couldn't be more impressed. The 65ah gets me 2 solid 10 hour fishing days with 60% left over. I'm not heavy on my TM I like fishing slow and pick everything apart so my ultrex is between 30-50% power all the time. If you like fishing fast 50-80% power then those 50ah will get you through the day, on windy days you may run out. With the 65ah you will get through the day even on windy days. They only time I felt the 65ah wasn't gonna las was when the waves started crashing over the deck and I lasted 1 hour and put ranger back on trailer.

I have 2 ionic 50's with 80# ultrex and after 6-8 hours with moderate use I'm down to around 70% soc. The ionics can drain to 20% safely (according to their literature)..with that being said and you're not fishing tailraces you should be fine. If you need on boat charge others have suggested the combiner 100 to charge them from your alternator when running outboard. I love my Ionics (have 4). I have an 18' nitro with 400# 115 hp merc.

I have a 20' 10" bass boat with a 36 volt Garmin Force. I installed 3 100 AH Ionic Lithiums. I fished 6 or 7 days and they are now at 47%. I probably don't put as much load on them as some guys but I am glad I got the 100 AH. Maybe it is overkill but I don't worry about power supply to my troller.

Dubtee there are plenty of guys on here that have bought the 50ah for 24v im sure more of them will chime in with there experience to make you decision easier

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Originally Posted by DREWTICK

Dubtee there are plenty of guys on here that have bought the 50ah for 24v im sure more of them will chime in with there experience to make you decision easier

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Hi Drew I've sent you several messages, please could you respond to me?

Thanks

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Originally Posted by Fran87

Hi Drew I've sent you several messages, please could you respond to me?

Thanks

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its Christmas. Drew is probably celebrating with family. Be patient, he’ll get to you.

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Originally Posted by Fran87

Hi Drew I've sent you several messages, please could you respond to me?

Thanks

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message replied

Not in the office so have limited access to check messages until Monday

I'm another user of 2 50ah Ionics for a 24v Ultrex. Everyone has different fishing styles and fishing waters. I fish mainly "small" lakes, nothing like Toledo Bend. If fishing my club tourneys i can get back home with about 70% SOC left on batteries, depending on if i'm fishing fast or fighting the wind. On a regular "fun" fishing day, I would end up with about 85% SOC. If i'm fun fishing, i'll go about 3 trips before i charge them which is around 60% when i do.

I would ask this, your current setup with lead acid batteries, are you running them dead or still have plenty at end of day??? THat should help you determine if the 50's will work.

Lots of guys are replying and have over time replied 50AH is fine.

I'll give the other angle. Different boat, different set up (36V) but I have killed 100AH in a day.

Not a casual day and not a tournament day either. But if you stand on it all day at high speeds in practice 100AH can be killed, 50 would be no where close to enough for me.

But I don't fish like most guys, it really is how you fish.

For the record, I run a 112 Ultrex, I think the newer ones draw less.

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Originally Posted by TownesZ21

Lots of guys are replying and have over time replied 50AH is fine.

I'll give the other angle. Different boat, different set up (36V) but I have killed 100AH in a day.

Not a casual day and not a tournament day either. But if you stand on it all day at high speeds in practice 100AH can be killed, 50 would be no where close to enough for me.

But I don't fish like most guys, it really is how you fish.

For the record, I run a 112 Ultrex, I think the newer ones draw less.

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Are you talking about killing 3- 12v 100ah in one day of fishing?

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Originally Posted by Erie660

Are you talking about killing 3- 12v 100ah in one day of fishing?

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Yes and I have killed 100ah lithiums as well in a full day on the water, 2 times to be exact in the last 2 years. im pretty hardcore though. These were long days like 16 hours and very hard on the trolling motor. Once again 50s would be way too small for me day in day out.


Best advice is probably this. If you don't fish tournaments and fish less than 8 hours a day 50s will be fine. If you are a competitive tournament angler, fish every weekend and put 12 hour plus days in on the water consistently then you need 100s because those 50s will leave you dead in the water eventually.

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Originally Posted by haus9393

Yes and I have killed 100ah lithiums as well in a full day on the water, 2 times to be exact in the last 2 years. im pretty hardcore though. These were long days like 16 hours and very hard on the trolling motor. Once again 50s would be way too small for me day in day out.


Best advice is probably this. If you don't fish tournaments and fish less than 8 hours a day 50s will be fine. If you are a competitive tournament angler, fish every weekend and put 12 hour plus days in on the water consistently then you need 100s because those 50s will leave you dead in the water eventually.

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So what did you do before lithiums???? In your case even group 31 agm's would last you an 8 hr day....

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Originally Posted by fishin couillon

I'm another user of 2 50ah Ionics for a 24v Ultrex. Everyone has different fishing styles and fishing waters. I fish mainly "small" lakes, nothing like Toledo Bend. If fishing my club tourneys i can get back home with about 70% SOC left on batteries, depending on if i'm fishing fast or fighting the wind. On a regular "fun" fishing day, I would end up with about 85% SOC. If i'm fun fishing, i'll go about 3 trips before i charge them which is around 60% when i do.

I would ask this, your current setup with lead acid batteries, are you running them dead or still have plenty at end of day??? THat should help you determine if the 50's will work.

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Thanks everyone. I run two group 31 lead acids now and I have never run out of battery on the water. I have no idea where they are at capacity wise at the end of a long tourney day since they are hooked up to my on board charger.

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Originally Posted by jtracc

So what did you do before lithiums???? In your case even group 31 agm's would last you an 8 hr day....

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yea I used to kill my group 31 agm or lead acids all the time, that's why I bought lithium because they last about 30% longer in a day than lead acid batteries of equal AH rating. That extra 30% is the difference between being dead at 4pm vs 10pm. All my buddies still run lead acid and during bed season they are barely turning their prop by dark and im running 3 mph full power.

i am a 50ah Ionics with 36 volt ultrex. fishing the Tennessee River System with a 24ft aluminum console boat. The trolling motor is running non stop either spotlocked or trolling 0.5-0.8mph. I have only seen the meter hit 50% once, rest of time is 70% after a full tournament day.

I have a 19 1/2 foot Triton with a 24 volt motor guide trolling motor. I added two 50ah Ionic's and have been very impressed and pleased with them. After running the trolling motor hard for 8 hours, my batteries still read 78% charge level. I think you will be very happy with the 50's and will find that they will perform well.

I have a 20 foot Triton and use 3 50ah Lithiums for my 36v TM. I tournament fish here but I’m not in any real heavy current. I do use the TM probably more than most but I haven’t had any issues. The lowest I have gotten them was down to 54%.

I have 75’s and they easily will go two days. usually 3. 50 amp hr no problem. Also fish MN lakes!

Are y’all running 2 - 12v 50ah or 1 24v 50ah? What is the pros & cons of each?

Was thinking of lithium for trolling motor but read that it was not safe to charge them when Temps falls under
32 degrees, we fish a lot inthe cold, what do you guys up here in the north do??

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Originally Posted by rangerguyz21

Was thinking of lithium for trolling motor but read that it was not safe to charge them when Temps falls under
32 degrees, we fish a lot inthe cold, what do you guys up here in the north do??

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I fished all they way to mid November this past season and had no issues. I can go 2 trips easy during the summer so shorter fall days 8am - 5pm I can get 3 days. When I needed to charged my lithiums I did it mid day when the sun was highest and temps warmer. In the morning the temps dipped to -10 a few times and they works flawlessly.

I have a 21ft Ranger Z21 with the 112 Fortrex. I use the Amped Outdoors 36v 60ah lithium battery for my trolling motor. I use them for 10+ hours with rollers on Mille Lacs without any issues

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7obqvXTE8ow

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Originally Posted by Dubtee

Guys,

I've got a Nitro Z18 with a 24V 80Lb Ultrex. I am am wanting to upgrade to lithiums for 2021 but seem to be on the fence about whether or not 50AH will be enough to take all worries away when I go fishing (not sure I can afford 100AHs). I am 99% sure I will be buying Ionics through Drewtick and when speaking with him a couple weeks ago, he seemed to have some varying opinions on if the 50AH is enough to be truly worry free - really relating down to my style of fishing.

I fish in MN, a handful of 8 hour tourneys a year (5-7), most of my longer days on water would be 12 hours max, most of the time 8-10 on the long days. I consider myself a somewhat fast fisherman but mostly have the TM on 6-7 either on large flats or off shore for most of the summer.

Any guys out there with Ionic 50AH's that have a similar set-up that can give me some real-world feedback on any issues regarding the charge lasting a good long day? Sure appreciate any help.

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3' rollers???? Looked like a calm day on Toledo Bend to me....

The battery will not let you charge below 32f. When you run them they warm up. If you put them on the charger right away they will charge fine. Remember it is the battery temp that needs to be 32 or higher. Not the air temp. A little use will warm them. Bob

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Originally Posted by bobcoy

The battery will not let you charge below 32f. When you run them they warm up. If you put them on the charger right away they will charge fine. Remember it is the battery temp that needs to be 32 or higher. Not the air temp. A little use will warm them. Bob

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exactly and to add you can charge a lithium well below freezing as long as you don't use more than 10amps. a 2-5amp trickle charge will allow you to charge well below freezing. The colder the cells the slower they need to be charged.

I would be hesitant to charge at or below freezing. The BMS should prevent it anyway. The chemistry will fail. While it can be charged if the BMS allows it but the smaller the battery the less it can handle as far as charging. Safe numbers I have seen are like .02C. For a 100Ah battery than means 2 amps. 50 Ah is 1 amp. Be careful with your expensive batteries. Follow what your battery company tells you. Bob

Thanks for all the replies fellas, great info and I now feel better with going with the 50's.