Gary's Story with LiTime Lithium Batteries for Electric Boats
For anglers and boaters, powering your vessel efficiently is critical. Lithium batteries have emerged as game-changers, offering lightweight durability and superior performance. In this LiTime user story, lifelong bass angler Gary shares how LiTime lithium batteries transformed his electric boating setup, slashing weight, costs, and headaches.
Considerations When Choosing Marine Power
Powering up your boat, whether it is your trolling motor, electronics, your 12 volt power sources, your gasoline engine or the electric motor to power your boat several considerations should be made.
Some considerations should be; the size of your boat, the type of trolling motor, your electronics or the electric boat motor you will be using. The size of your gasoline engine, to determine your cranking battery size.
Trolling motors can be purchased from several different manufacturers, models and power (thrust). Trolling motors also come in different voltages, depending on the make and model, such as 12 volt, 24 volt and 36 volt. Powering your electric boat can be done using an array of different voltage rated motors and manufacturers.
Related Reading: What Size Battery for Trolling Motor
Consider your electronics and your 12 volt power sources to manage your boat. Depending on the motor manufacturer and the size of your main motor it may come in 12 volt, 24 volt, 36 volt, 48 volt, 60 volt and 72 volt. Some of the larger more popular motors are Elco (48 volt system), Ray Electric Motors, (48, 60 and 72 volt systems), Torqueedo (48 volt system) and E propulsion (30-60 volts), just to name a few.
Depending on the type and size of the boat would determine your motor preference and size. Another consideration is the fact that there are some restrictions on the area or waters you may want to fish; you may be restricted to the motor’s size. You may be fishing in a local pond or in a lake or reservoir where you are only prohibited to use electric powered motors. Electric only lakes or reservoirs can be found throughout the United States.
I have been a bass angler all of my life. I began fishing local reservoirs. Most anglers then used 14’ and 16’ flat bottom aluminum boats. The most popular electric motors at that time were called a “STICK MOTOR”. At the time there was not a large selection of them available. For the angler that could afford a motor a 12 volt lead acid battery was used. The battery weighed about 60-70 lbs. depending on the manufacturer. As time changed anglers became innovative and began using two stick motors, using two batteries. That meant they could go faster and farther. More lead acid batteries also meant more weight in the boat. Some anglers were seen using three and four stick motors. Lithium batteries were virtually non -existent unless you were powering your flashlight.
The Popularity of Electric Boat
Electric boat anglers became increasingly innovative in their pursuit of higher speed and longer distances on lakes and reservoirs. They started building their own electric outboard motors using golf cart motors, often repurposed from old or damaged carts. These motors were paired with outboard motor lower units, typically rated around 7-10 horsepower.
The golf cart motor, which was usually a 36-volt unit, was mounted on a plate alongside the outboard motor lower unit. A coupling between the two allowed them to connect and function together. Builders often ran the motor on 36, 48, or even 60 volts, though higher voltages caused the motor to overheat and burn out. To ensure longevity, most people ran the motor on 48 volts, which was optimal for performance.
To power the motor, builders used eight 6-volt lead-acid batteries wired in series. Using four 12-volt batteries was less effective due to the thinner lead plates inside, which didn't provide the same durability. To achieve variable speeds, solenoids were used, controlled by a three-position fan switch. The first switch position activated the 24-volt portion of the batteries, the second switched to 36 volts, and the third engaged 48 volts. This gradual increase in voltage helped avoid overwhelming the motor with torque all at once.
Solenoids were chosen for this setup because solid-state controllers were too expensive and hard to find at the time. Lead-acid batteries were the power source, and I personally built five of these golf cart motor-based outboard setups.
As time went on other electric outboard motors showed up on the market. Some familiar motors were Elco, 48 volt system, Torqueedo,48 volt system and E Propulsion, just to name a few. At that time everybody was using lead acid batteries and there were only a few lithium batteries around. They were very expensive and no one really knew much about them.
Personal Experience with Lead Acid vs. Lithium Batteries
About three years ago, I was running a 60V Ray Electric Motor, but I wanted to eliminate the heavy lead-acid batteries. I began searching for a lithium battery solution but couldn’t find a reasonably priced 60V lithium battery or any 12V battery that could be wired in series for higher voltages. At that time, I was using 10 six-volt lead-acid batteries to run my main motor, along with three 12-volt lead-acid batteries for the trolling motor and electronics, totaling about 1,000 lbs of battery weight.
LiTime Lithium Batteries for Electric Outboard Motors
I decided to purchase a 10.0 Torqueedo Electric Outboard motor, which was a 48 volt system. About three years ago I began another quest, looking for a lithium Battery Company that had lithium batteries that were reasonably priced, reliable, and a company that had great service. I did a lot of research on lithium batteries and looked at their reviews. I found a company named LiTime and reached out to them along with three of their competitors via email. I received a response within 24 hrs from LiTime. The thing that impressed me the most was how fast they responded back to me. I spoke to their marketing group and they asked if I would be interested in promoting their batteries. The rest was history.
I own a 19-foot Skeeter Semi-V with an 84” beam, powered by a 48-volt 10.0 Torqueedo motor. This motor is backed by four LiTime 48-volt, 100 AH lithium batteries, connected in parallel to provide 400 AH of runtime. Each battery weighs about 80 lbs, totaling 320 lbs.
For additional power, I have a 24-volt Minn Kota Quest trolling motor with spot lock, powered by a single LiTime 24-volt 100 AH lithium battery. This setup allows me to run the trolling motor all day—even in windy conditions during tournaments—and still have enough power for at least two more full days.
I also run two large-screen fish finders with forward-facing sonar, as well as bilge pumps, lights, aerators, and other electronics. These are powered by two LiTime 12-volt, 100 AH lithium batteries, which easily last all day without issues.
By replacing my lead-acid batteries with LiTime lithium batteries, I removed about 700 lbs of weight from my boat, significantly improving performance. Weight is crucial in boating, and using lithium batteries makes a huge difference. Running an all-electric boat is proof of how much better lithium batteries are compared to lead-acid, and many anglers with electric boats rely on multiple batteries for their power needs.
Promoting LiTime Products: My Experience and Insights
About a year ago I suggested to LiTime that they should consider building a lithium battery that can run a 60 volt and 72 volt system. To my surprise the brand manager told me the company built a 60 and 72 volt system and were going to depute the batteries at the ICAST show in Orlando Florida in 2024. I was ecstatic.
The batteries are called OBM batteries (Electric Outboard Motor) The 12 volt, 100 AH OBM you can run up to five in series, which gives you the 60 volt system, 100 AH. You can also run up to 5 in parallel, 5S5P. It should be noted that most lithium battery company’s batteries are not designed to run more than four 12 volt batteries in series. The 72 volt system is possible using their new 36 volt, 100 AH OBM batteries. Two of these batteries in series give you the 72 volt system. You can run up to 4 in parallel, 2S4P.
LiTime 12V 100Ah OBM Lithium Marine Battery for Electric Outboard Motors
A boater/angler using a 60 volt Ray Electric Motor could install (10) of the 12 volt 100 AH OBM batteries in their boat. You would wire 2 sets of five in series and then in parallel to get 60 volt 200 AH. The total weight of these 10 batteries would be about 220 lbs, compared to 10 6 volt lead acid which would weigh about 700 lbs. The 12 volt OBM battery runs around $200 each during a sale, costing about $2,000 for this system. The current cost of 6 volt lead acid is about $175-$200 each
A boater/angler using the 72 volt Ray Electric Motor could install (4) of the 36 volt, 100 AH OBM batteries in their boat. You would wire 2 sets in series and then in parallel to get 72 volts, 200 AH.
The cost of the 36 volt 100 AH OBM is around $600 ea or $2,400 for the system. The total weight for this system would be about 252 lbs. compared to (12) 6 volt lead acid batteries, 840 lbs.
As you have read and can see I have had some experience using batteries, lead or lithium and their applications. Since my tenure with LiTime I have personally converted about 20 boats from lead acid to LiTime lithium batteries. I ‘m forecasted to do at least 10 more this year. The conversions consist but are not limited to replacing all of the lead acid batteries with LiTime lithium batteries, re-wiring all of the batteries and changing of wiring configurations or any wiring necessary. Since promoting LiTime batteries I have personally had referrals of approximately 50 + customers. The referrals consisted of approximately 200+ batteries, chargers and accessories. All of these customers are local anglers, boaters, friends, neighbors and customers through means of word of mouth. So that is a testament of the amount of LiTime products that are out there. LiTime products have definitely made a name for themselves.
LiTime’s Impact on the Boating, Angling, and RV Communities
LiTime has made major inroads into the boating, angling, RV, solar and golfing communities. LiTime’s personal service, quality of its products and its unmatched value makes it so affordable today. LiTime has allowed people the opportunity to be able to afford a quality lithium battery at a reasonable price, something that was almost impossible in the past. Having the opportunity to assist, work and interact with so many LiTime customers that enjoy and believe in LiTime products is extremely rewarding.
Since joining LiTime’s team it has been a great experience to have the ability to promote their product. Since that time I've been in contact with at least one of Li Time’s Sales Group, Marketing, Research and Brand and Event Group weekly or meeting virtually. Last year I had the extreme pleasure of representing LiTime at the 2024 ICAST Show held in Orlando Florida. It was an experience of a lifetime. Everything that LiTime did prior, up to, and at the show was first class. Their booth/display area was huge as well as impressive.
I hope and look forward to working for and with LiTime and assisting them in their future Trade Shows.
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