Any new lighter 12v battery options?

Look at the output power specs and just program your charger to provide that. It's probably something like 12v, 1 or 2 amps.

That's a good thought.  It says 12.6v 1 amp.  What I'm confused about is why the "stock" charger's output would be 12.6v but the tenergy charger auto-senses 11.1v.

Look at the output power specs and just program your charger to provide that. It's probably something like 12v, 1 or 2 amps.

That's a good thought.  It says 12.6v 1 amp.  What I'm confused about is why the "stock" charger's output would be 12.6v but the tenergy charger auto-senses 11.1v.

Remember what I said about most lithium based batteries being in cells of 3.7.  This charger has programs for Li-po, Li-ion types of batteries that come in non-voltage regulated packs of multiples of 3.7 volts.  So what the charger does is it looks at the voltage of what you plugged it into and thinks "Ok, this thing is sitting at around 12v, which is closer to 11.1v (3.7v*3) than 14.8v (3.7v*4) so I'll ask the user if it's 3 cells stacked up in series".  So it asks you if this is a 3 series pack. If you say yes, it then wants to charge the pack up to what the full charge voltage of 3 cells is.  3.7v lithium cells typically have a voltage range during use of 4.2v when fully charged down to something like 2.9v when they're fully discharged.  So your charger is going to want to pump that pack up to 12.6v (4.2v*3).

Another thing I keep forgetting to mention.  A cool feature of that charger, well, the IMAX B6 has it so yours probably does to, is that it has a timed charging shutoff.  So if you're paranoid about it overcharging your battery, like I am even though they all are protected by a bms, you can set the timer so it won't charge for longer than a set time. Mine is set to 2 hours.

Thanks for all the crazy good info that everyone is sharing on these batteries.  It's definitely a learning curve for me. 

I'm still a little confused if I should buy a 20 ah blue pack value battery for $36 or a 17.5 ah totally waterproof battery for $220, but I have more information to make that decision than I did before. 

I'm not going to take this thread off the topic of batteries, but I want to start a new thread on boat wiring systems to attach to your battery of choice.  That's the next can of worms after you have your battery.

Thanks again.

Look at the output power specs and just program your charger to provide that. It's probably something like 12v, 1 or 2 amps.

That's a good thought.  It says 12.6v 1 amp.  What I'm confused about is why the "stock" charger's output would be 12.6v but the tenergy charger auto-senses 11.1v.

Remember what I said about most lithium based batteries being in cells of 3.7.  This charger has programs for Li-po, Li-ion types of batteries that come in non-voltage regulated packs of multiples of 3.7 volts.  So what the charger does is it looks at the voltage of what you plugged it into and thinks "Ok, this thing is sitting at around 12v, which is closer to 11.1v (3.7v*3) than 14.8v (3.7v*4) so I'll ask the user if it's 3 cells stacked up in series".  So it asks you if this is a 3 series pack. If you say yes, it then wants to charge the pack up to what the full charge voltage of 3 cells is.  3.7v lithium cells typically have a voltage range during use of 4.2v when fully charged down to something like 2.9v when they're fully discharged.  So your charger is going to want to pump that pack up to 12.6v (4.2v*3).

OK - cool, that makes sense.  Thanks for all you help, rawk.  I learned alot (or, am learning)!

I'm sure this is a RTFM thing, but is there an easy way to tell the % charged of whatever battery you're charging from the device?

Another thing I keep forgetting to mention.  A cool feature of that charger, well, the IMAX B6 has it so yours probably does to, is that it has a timed charging shutoff.  So if you're paranoid about it overcharging your battery, like I am even though they all are protected by a bms, you can set the timer so it won't charge for longer than a set time. Mine is set to 2 hours.

That is a good feature.  Alright, you've sold me, I guess I'll keep it

Great breakdown Rawky!  Thanks for going in to such detail!

-Mark-

You're welcome.  Happy to help - I love talking about this stuff.

I'm sure this is a RTFM thing, but is there an easy way to tell the % charged of whatever battery you're charging from the device?

Not really.  Just maths.

This looks kinda interesting.  A lighter, drop-in replacement for the SLA.

https://dakotalithium.com/product/dakota-lithium-12v-10ah-battery/

I went this direction last year.  Simply replaced an existing 7ah lead acid battery.  _Much_ lighter and significantly longer run time that what I'd had previously.

-Sam

Were you using a trolling motor too? I'm going with a small one for trolling my PA14 and am looking at battery options to run it.

This looks kinda interesting.  A lighter, drop-in replacement for the SLA.

https://dakotalithium.com/product/dakota-lithium-12v-10ah-battery/

I went this direction last year.  Simply replaced an existing 7ah lead acid battery.  _Much_ lighter and significantly longer run time that what I'd had previously.

-Sam

Were you using a trolling motor too? I'm going with a small one for trolling my PA14 and am looking at battery options to run it.

No - fish finder only.  I have no need for a trolling motor - that's what my mirage drive is for!    

BTW, my only experience with batteries for trolling motors was in small boats that could carry a full size deep cycle battery. 

-Sam

This looks kinda interesting.  A lighter, drop-in replacement for the SLA.

https://dakotalithium.com/product/dakota-lithium-12v-10ah-battery/

I went this direction last year.  Simply replaced an existing 7ah lead acid battery.  _Much_ lighter and significantly longer run time that what I'd had previously.

-Sam

Were you using a trolling motor too? I'm going with a small one for trolling my PA14 and am looking at battery options to run it.

No - fish finder only.  I have no need for a trolling motor - that's what my mirage drive is for!    

BTW, my only experience with batteries for trolling motors was in small boats that could carry a full size deep cycle battery. 

-Sam

Like he said Hobie PA 14 aka small boat!

This looks kinda interesting.  A lighter, drop-in replacement for the SLA.

https://dakotalithium.com/product/dakota-lithium-12v-10ah-battery/

I went this direction last year.  Simply replaced an existing 7ah lead acid battery.  _Much_ lighter and significantly longer run time that what I'd had previously.

-Sam

Were you using a trolling motor too? I'm going with a small one for trolling my PA14 and am looking at battery options to run it.

No - fish finder only.  I have no need for a trolling motor - that's what my mirage drive is for!    

BTW, my only experience with batteries for trolling motors was in small boats that could carry a full size deep cycle battery. 

-Sam

I believe my Mirage drive serves the same purpose as yours, Sam....just sayin. However, there are times when I don't want to paddle or peddle. I want to troll effortlessly and that's why I personally am installing a battery/watersnake trolling motor on mine.

I used a 12V flashlight battery for my FF. Weighs about 2-3 lbs. Got it at ACE Hardware. I battery would last me all season. Minimal contacts to isolate whenever it would changing.