Batteries - lithium ion vs closed cell

These blue brick li-ion come with their own trickle charger.

Here you go Quinn..

battery - I got all mine on Ebay but Amazon might be better if you're the nervous type about purchasing oversea stuff, not me.
http://www.amazon.com/Sangdo-Portable-6800mAh-Rechargeable-Battery/dp/B016U2B3R0/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1446741251&sr=1-3&keywords=12v+Portable+9800mah+Li-ion

waterproof plugs
http://www.amazon.com/Bluecell-Waterproof-Electrical-Connector-Marine/dp/B00ROSXT0E/ref=pd_sim_sbs_422_3?ie=UTF8&dpID=51wuEvczgEL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=11EVEQ6CDJ9STZA8YRF6

waterproof case - Drill two small holes for wires and goop.
http://www.amazon.com/CASE-1040-MICROCASE-YELLOW-CLEAR/dp/B00152PF4I/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1446741852&sr=8-6&keywords=pelican+1040

Did it, love it, won't ever go back. I own two setups. I can go all day with my Elite 7Chirp on #8 screen power.

Mike

You Rock Mike!  Thanks man!  Very much appreciate the info and yes...I will steal your ideas. You are a smart man! 

What my experience with the cheaper no name brand lithium Batts that I use for my rc is that they tend to over heat but at 12$ for 4 can't complain

My understanding about LiPo batteries is that they will swell and dramatically lose capacity if the charge is drained too far.  They're designed for quick-discharge like you get in RC applications.

Does anyone know more about that?

I have used the same battery as Mike for years with no problems except that they soak up water like a sponge. I'm on my second one.
Under that blue plastic cover is some kind of cardboard. Don't skimp on the waterproof box. There's a switch on the side of the battery but make sure you dry your hands before handling it.

Mine is twice the size of Mike's because I'm a firm believer in overkill.

Sounds like one of these would be a good replacement for the super heavy lead acid battery I use. Although I saw a report from someone that tested the output and found the mah to be less than half of what was on the label. I keep my lead acid battery on a smart charger constantly. What routine do you use for charging and maintaining a Li ion battery? How long will it hold a charge after being unplugged from the charger?

I don't think the output drops anywhere near that far on the generic blue brick batteries.

On the fancy ones, like the Anker and the Aukey external batteries, their maximum output is 70% of rated output on 12v.  That's from the manufacturers.

So a 20,000mah Anker battery is only capable of 14,000mah at 12v.

It's my understanding, and I could be wrong, that the blue bricks are true 12v batteries and do not step-up voltage to reach 12v output - and their efficiency is greater than 70%.

Here you go Quinn..

waterproof plugs
http://www.amazon.com/Bluecell-Waterproof-Electrical-Connector-Marine/dp/B00ROSXT0E/ref=pd_sim_sbs_422_3?ie=UTF8&dpID=51wuEvczgEL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=11EVEQ6CDJ9STZA8YRF6


Did it, love it, won't ever go back.

Mike

Thanks for the link Mike. The cheap trailer plugs I bought at Pep Boys are starting to corrode a bit so these will be a nice upgrade for roughly the same price. jim

I don't think the output drops anywhere near that far on the generic blue brick batteries.

On the fancy ones, like the Anker and the Aukey external batteries, their maximum output is 70% of rated output on 12v.  That's from the manufacturers.

So a 20,000mah Anker battery is only capable of 14,000mah at 12v.

It's my understanding, and I could be wrong, that the blue bricks are true 12v batteries and do not step-up voltage to reach 12v output - and their efficiency is greater than 70%.

I'm no expert. I saw this post.

http://ve2zaz.net/blog/index.php?/archives/13-A-too-good-to-be-true-6800-mAh-Li-Ion-12V-battery-pack....html

I don't think the output drops anywhere near that far on the generic blue brick batteries.
...

I'm no expert. I saw this post.

http://ve2zaz.net/blog/index.php?/archives/13-A-too-good-to-be-true-6800-mAh-Li-Ion-12V-battery-pack....html

I'm definitely not an expert and was only extrapolating from what I've seen of the brick in use and depending on tests done on them by folks on NWKA.  They hook them to a 7 watt bulb, test resistance across the circuitry, hookup the battery and let it run.  The efficiency numbers for Anker and Aukey are what the manufacturers told me over the phone, and could also be far less than what they claim.

I'm in the battery quandary loop myself.  I'd rather not carry even the slight extra weight of an SLA into (and out from) some of the launch spots up here in Oregon and am looking for a lighter weight alternative that is as easy to use and as dependable as an SLA.  The LiFePO4 batteries are spot on - if they didn't cost more than five SLA's.  The compact lithium ion batteries are fussy little devils that can have some issues if not cared-for.

Good article you linked me to.  The results don't compare directly to what I've seen when fishing with folks using the blue brick batteries to run their fish finders, but every bit of information helps.  Thank you.

My understanding about LiPo batteries is that they will swell and dramatically lose capacity if the charge is drained too far.  They're designed for quick-discharge like you get in RC applications.

Does anyone know more about that?

I set my smart charger to "LiPo Storge" setting which brings my batteries down to about 3.85 Volts per cell or approximately 50% Charge when not in use.  Nice thing about LiPo's is I know exactly how much charge I have, down to each 4 cells. 

Here's a good article:  http://valleyrcflyers.net/articles/lipo%20storage%20tips.pdf

I set my smart charger to "LiPo Storge" setting which brings my batteries down to about 3.85 Volts per cell or approximately 50% Charge when not in use.  Nice thing about LiPo's is I know exactly how much charge I have, down to each 4 cells. 

Here's a good article:  http://valleyrcflyers.net/articles/lipo%20storage%20tips.pdf

Thank you.  And thanks for the link, too.

My understanding about LiPo batteries is that they will swell and dramatically lose capacity if the charge is drained too far.  They're designed for quick-discharge like you get in RC applications.

Does anyone know more about that?

I set my smart charger to "LiPo Storge" setting which brings my batteries down to about 3.85 Volts per cell or approximately 50% Charge when not in use.  Nice thing about LiPo's is I know exactly how much charge I have, down to each 4 cells. 

Here's a good article:  http://valleyrcflyers.net/articles/lipo%20storage%20tips.pdf

Just to add, you'll need a voltage regulator/step down for most 12v applications.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__97574__Matek_Systems_4S_14_8V_to_12V_300mA_Linear_Voltage_Regulator.html

I've been using the 10A 4S for about 5 months now and after 5-6 hours of use the charge will be at 40-60%. I really love how light these batteries are. Based on calculations, this can power a 30lb trolling motor for about 1-2hours.

Thank you even more information.  I like the idea of the LiPo batteries.  Now I might get to understand the technology.  Appreciate it.

I don't think the output drops anywhere near that far on the generic blue brick batteries.

On the fancy ones, like the Anker and the Aukey external batteries, their maximum output is 70% of rated output on 12v.  That's from the manufacturers.

So a 20,000mah Anker battery is only capable of 14,000mah at 12v.

It's my understanding, and I could be wrong, that the blue bricks are true 12v batteries and do not step-up voltage to reach 12v output - and their efficiency is greater than 70%.

I'm no expert. I saw this post.

http://ve2zaz.net/blog/index.php?/archives/13-A-too-good-to-be-true-6800-mAh-Li-Ion-12V-battery-pack....html

Interesting that battery produces only 36% of the quoted 6800 mAh.  With LiPos I know I get 100% capacity of 10000mah goes to my FF.