Marine Battery Buying Guide

By Gerald, Updated on May 7, 2024

Are you fed up with the frequent changes of a traditional lead acid battery on your boat? If you want a better marine power solution? A 12 volt lithium marine battery offers longer life, lightweight, and fast chagrin options. It combines almost all the important features a marine battery should have. This article will discuss marine battery type and 12 volt lithium marine battery considerations and parameters.

Part 1. Marine battery type

Being a boat owner, you have many battery options. Each battery type has unique advantages and drawbacks. Therefore, you should consider every aspect when choosing any battery.

There are three main types of marine batteries:

1. Flooded Lead-Acid (FLA) battery

Lead acid is a traditional marine battery type used mostly in many boats. It is very affordable in budget but needs frequent replacement after some time. Moreover, a lead acid battery needs a regular checkup to maintain fluid levels in the battery. We do not advise you of a lead acid battery as it has a shorter lifespan and needs maintenance.

2. AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) battery

It is an advanced form of battery that comes with a 2 to 3-times longer life than lead acid batteries. AGM is a marine battery type with all marine features like spill-proof, maintenance-free, and high energy density. However, the battery has a shorter lifespan than a 12 volt lithium marine battery.
Maintenance-free and spill-proof, but with lower power and shorter lifespan than lithium.

3. Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery

The lithium battery is the latest in technology and has all the features that an ideal battery must have. The 12 volt lithium marine battery has deep cycle charge and discharge ability with fast charging and is lightweight. It is 60% lighter in weight and life up to 5 to 7 years. The 12v lithium marine battery utilizes lithium ions to charge and discharge. However, lithium batteries are expensive compared to other batteries. But you can cover the initial cost with a long lifespan.

Part 2. What is the lifespan of a 12v marine lithium battery?

A 12v lithium marine battery has an impressive lifespan of around 5 to 10 years depending upon the marine battery type and usage pattern. On average, a lithium marine battery has around 3000 to 5000 deep discharge cycles. However, you should consider the following factors that contribute to the lifespan of a battery.

Keep the battery at normal temperature with proper ventilation
Do not discharge the battery below 20%.
Regularly clean the battery terminals and corrosion.
Charge the battery with a specific marine lithium battery charger

Part 3. 12v marine lithium battery key parameters

Every battery works on some crucial parameters when choosing a 12 volt lithium marine battery.

1. Cold Cranking Ampere (CCA)

The cold cranking ampere is an important parameter if you need a battery to start your boat’s engine. The high value of cold cranking ampere means the battery can start the engine with more instant power.

2. Amp-hours (Ah)

Ampere-hours (Ah) is the indication of a battery’s capacity. For example, a 100Ah battery has more energy capacity compared to 50Ah.

3. C-rate

It is the discharge rate of a battery measured in c-rating. If you are looking for a 12v lithium ion battery trolling motor purpose, choose the battery with a higher C-rate.

4. Battery Management System (BMS)

BMS is an internal circuit of a battery to protect from overcharge, over-discharge, and overheating. It is like a safety barrier for a 12 volt lithium marine battery to last long.

Part 4. How should I choose a 12v marine lithium battery?

The selection of a 12v lithium marine battery always depends upon some factors. However, these factors can vary from one person to another. Here are some of the important considerations are as follows:

1. Boat size and power needs

The determination of a battery size depends on the size of the boat and its needs. A large boat with a trolling motor means the battery should be big enough to start the engine and power the electrical instruments. Sometimes, a dual battery set is an ideal choice.

2. Budget

A 12 volt Lithium marine battery has a higher upfront cost. Therefore, you will need a battery that can fulfill the boat’s needs at a suitable price range.

3. Features
Lithium batteries with additional features like Bluetooth connectivity, BMS, and digital display indicators can cost more in your pocket. Therefore, consider the functions that are necessary for your needs.

Part 5. 12v marine lithium battery charger

A charger plays a vital role in making the discharge battery ready again within a short period. However, a specific marine lithium battery charger is always needed to charge the battery properly. You should know that a battery’s charging ampere and voltage can vary from one model to another. Therefore, a suitable marine lithium battery charger is the battery’s essential accessory. You will have to verify the charger in the following ways

Marine lithium battery charger’s output voltage details
A charger should have chagrin stages and voltage variation accordingly
An automatic cut-off to avoid overcharging the battery
Match the model of the charger with the battery

Part 6. 12v lithium marine battery price comparison

As discussed above, a 12v lithium marine battery is not cheap. You will have to spend a significant amount on the battery. So, if we look at the average price of a 100Ah lithium battery, it will cost around $1000. However, this is a time investment and will benefit in the coming years in the form of a long lifespan of about 10 years.

Here’s a price comparison of 5 major brands for a 12v 100Ah battery (prices may vary):

Battle Born Batteries: $925
Relion: $899
Ufine Battery: Different models have different prices. Contact us for a quote.
Dakota Lithium: $699
ZPRO Lithium: $399

Part 7. Best 12v marine lithium battery

1. Battle Born Batteries

One well-known manufacturer of lithium marine batteries is Battle Born Batteries. It offers a wide variety of battery options for your marine needs. A 12 volt lithium marine battery weighs 32 pounds and has a capacity of 100 Ah. Battle Born Batteries come with a 10-year warranty and a lengthy lifespan of up to 15 years when equipped with BMS. As a result, you won’t have to worry about regular replacements and additional costs as a time investment.

2. Relion Lithium

The Relion battery model RB 100-12 A is a good option if you’re searching for a 12v lithium battery for a boat. The battery boasts the lightest weight, high power output, and Bluetooth BMS, among other essential features. But the cost of the battery is a little high. This battery for your yacht will set you back $899.

3. Ufine Battery

The third-place battery brand that can meet all of your maritime needs for power is Ufine Battery. It provides a 12-volt LiFePO4 100 Ah battery. Even though the battery includes all the features, such as safety overcharge prevention and BMS, it weighs only 18 lbs. Therefore, choosing the Ufine Battery brand for small boats is best.

4. Dakota Lithium

Dakota can be a good option if you are looking for an affordable 12 volt lithium marine battery. LiFePO4 technology has been used to re-engineer this 12v lithium marine battery. Eight times longer lifespan than a sealed lead acid battery. With an 11-year warranty and a capacity of 100 Amp-hours, it’s the perfect lithium-cranking battery for boat and marine applications.

5. ZPRO Lithium

You can get this battery at ZPRO Lithium if you require a tiny battery backup for fishing finders or want a 12v lithium-ion battery trolling motor work. This battery is not the best choice for a boat’s lithium-cranking battery. However, it is an extra power source for your small marine needs.

Related Tags: