Boating is a thrilling hobby that lets you venture out into open waters, explore new territories, and get lost in nature. However, it also involves ensuring all equipment and supplies work correctly, including keeping your boat battery charged and ready for use.

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Marine batteries are essential to any boating trip, with lithium-ion (Li-ion) and lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries serving as two of the most popular choices for boat owners. Here, we'll compare lithium-ion vs. LiFePO4 marine batteries to help you choose the best option for your boating needs.

Capacity and Voltage

Some of the primary differences between Li-ion and LiFePO4 batteries are their capacity and voltage. Lithium marine batteries have higher energy density and voltage output, which makes them considerably lighter and more compact than LiFePO4 batteries, with a capacity varying between 100–300 volts. LiFePO4 batteries, on the other hand, come with a larger, blocky design and are rated at a low voltage output, ranging from 12–24 volts.

Cycle Lifespan

LiFePO4 batteries have longer life cycles than Li-ion batteries and can last between 2,000 and 5,000 cycles. In contrast, Li-ion batteries have a shorter lifespan, lasting between 500 and 1,000 cycles. Due to the lifetime, LiFePO4 batteries are more expensive than Li-ion batteries.

Temperature Range

A significant consideration for boat owners is the temperature range in which the marine batteries can function correctly. LiFePO4 batteries operate smoothly in colder conditions, between -20 to 60 degrees Celsius. On the other hand, Li-ion batteries cannot handle extreme temperatures and must be kept within a particular range to work at optimal levels.

Safety Considerations

LiFePO4 batteries are more resistant to thermal and mechanical shocks and offer more stability than Li-ion batteries. Overcharging a Li-ion battery can cause thermal runaway, leading to a fire or an explosion. Additionally, their lightweight and compact nature makes them more prone to accidental damage when compared to the LiFePO4 battery.

Cost

When it comes to the cost of marine batteries, LiFePO4 batteries are pricier than Li-ion batteries due to their high cycle life and reliability. However, due to their unique design and construction, they offer a more stable, safer, and longer-lasting energy storage solution than Li-ion batteries.

Knowing the Difference Is Key

When deciding between lithium-ion vs. LiFePO4 marine batteries, knowing which to choose often depends on your budget, environment, and safety concerns. If you're looking for a lightweight, compact, and affordable battery for your boat, a Li-ion battery is an excellent option. On the other hand, if you're searching for a reliable, safe, long-lasting, and more expensive battery, a LiFePO4 battery is the way to go. Regardless of the battery, always prioritize your safety and consult a professional before making a decision.

Lithium Deep Cycle Marine Batteries

Stay on the water longer with Ionic deep cycle lithium marine batteries.

Our Lithium Marine Batteries For Bass Boats

We create our Ionic lithium batteries with the highest quality materials. Built for the long haul, these top-rated batteries will provide countless hours of fishing and fun on the water. 

12 Volt Batteries

• Commercial Batteries

  Ionic Lithium 12V 60Ah | LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Trolling Motor Battery + Bluetooth

  $449.00 Original price was: $449.00.$299.00Current price is: $299.00. Add to cart
• Commercial Batteries

  Ionic Lithium 12V 100Ah | LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery + Bluetooth

  $699.00 Original price was: $699.00.$549.00Current price is: $549.00. Add to cart
• Commercial Batteries

  Ionic Lithium 12V 150Ah | Dual Purpose Starter Battery CA + LiFePO4 Deep Cycle

  $899.00 Original price was: $899.00.$699.00Current price is: $699.00. Add to cart

24 Volt Batteries

• Commercial Batteries

  Ionic Lithium 24V 50Ah | LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery + Bluetooth

  $999.00 Original price was: $999.00.$699.00Current price is: $699.00. Add to cart

36 Volt Batteries

• Commercial Batteries

  Ionic Lithium 36V 50Ah | LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery + Bluetooth

  $1,099.00 Original price was: $1,099.00.$899.00Current price is: $899.00. Add to cart

experience the advantage of ionic brand lithium batteries

11 year
warranty

Buy with confidence with our competitive, no-nonsense 11-year warranty.

grade a
cells only

Ionic uses the best cells so your battery lasts longer with optimal performance.

bluetooth
monitoring

Monitor your charge at any time from our user-friendly Ionic mobile app.

Advanced
BMS

Ionic batteries are 100% compatible and safe with Yamaha and Mercury motors.

get the battery of tomorrow, today

50%

50 percent lighter

0%

zero maintenance

200%

2x the power

500%

5x faster charging

Our Lithium LiFePO4 batteries bring you revolutionary technology ahead of its time. As the creators of the Ionic brand, we combine powerful lithium, Grade A battery cells and Bluetooth monitoring for a battery that lasts longer, works harder and plays smarter. With LithiumHub, you're guaranteed 100% US-based support, plus a competitive, no-nonsense 11-year warranty for a battery with a longer lifespan. Explore our collection today to experience the latest in lithium battery technology.

Types of Marine Batteries & Their Purposes

Most bass boats require two types of 12-volt batteries. One is the cranking, or starting battery type. Its purpose is to start the main engine. The other type is the deep cycle battery. Its purpose is to power the trolling motor and other accessories. And some batteries do both (to some extent anyway).

Cranking
Batteries

Most bass boats require two basic types of 12-volt batteries. The cranking (starting battery) starts the main engine. Cranking batteries are designed to provide short, big bursts of energy to start your engine quickly. The deep cycle battery type powers the trolling motor and other accessories. Some batteries do both, usually not as well as the cranking and deep cycle specialists.

Deep Cycle
Batteries

Unlike cranking batteries, deep-cycle batteries release power slowly. They can be drained and recharged multiple times over their lifespan. While both are important, deep-cycle batteries are the ones that you depend on for most of your navigation and power. These batteries are responsible for the trolling motor and other battery-powered appliances on your boat. (Like your audio system, fish finder, and GPS.)

dual purpose
Batteries

Some boats don't have room for more than one battery, so they need a dual-purpose battery (like our dual purpose 12V 150Ah). While dual-purpose batteries are available on the market, many boaters don't choose them because they need more power. They aren't as powerful as a cranking battery. They also don’t last as long as a deep-cycle battery. Instead, most professionals opt for two separate batteries.

The 4 Boat Battery Technology Types

There are four technologies you can choose from for your marine adventures. Lead-acid batteries, gel batteries, AGM batteries (Absorbed Glass Mat), and lithium batteries. Here’s the pros and cons of each:

lead-acid Batteries

These batteries are inexpensive short-term, and you can recharge them multiple times. However, they also break easily and require constant maintenance to avoid problems. Checking and refilling the water level every couple of weeks is extremely important. Because if you don't, you risk damaging your battery. In addition, leakage can be devastating to marine environments and brings up a lot of safety concerns.

AGM Batteries

These batteries don’t require a lot of maintenance, and they rarely leak. However, the upfront cost is expensive. And if they do need maintenance from overuse, it’s hard to reach the internal components. Chances are, you’ll have to purchase a whole new battery instead. They also require more battery charges as you can only discharge them to 50% - 50% Depth Of Discharge (DOD). In comparison, an Ionic lithium battery has a 99% Depth Of Discharge.

Gel Batteries

Gel batteries are popular because they don’t require a recharge very often, and you can store them for a long time without losing their life. Their drawback is their high price compared to other batteries with the same RC and MCA. Charging a gel battery can also be an annoying process. The charge cycle can be slow, and you have to be present to disconnect the battery charger as soon as it’s complete. Failure to do so can cause irreversible damage, requiring a new battery and a lot of money.

Lithium Batteries

Comparing a lithium battery to the rest is like comparing an iPhone to a flip . Both options work, but one clearly has better reliability, function, and design. Lithium batteries come with a cost, but they last longer, weigh much less, are hassle and maintenance-free, and are non-toxic. And Ionic batteries? They're currently the only lithium deep cycle batteries in the marine industry with Bluetooth technology. That takes away guesswork and worry. With our lithium batteries (unlike others), you'll know precisely how much charge is left (and much more) with a quick glance at your mobile device.

Spend More Time On The Water With A Lithium Deep Cycle Marine Battery

You get packed up and ready for a long, glorious day on the water. Only to realize the battery’s dead. Somebody forgot to check the battery the night before. Whether you’re planning the day for leisure or sport, a dead battery means neither.

The good news? Lithium batteries maintain their charge for longer but are also a vastly lighter battery pack; if you choose Ionic, they're Bluetooth-equipped. With a few taps on your cell , you'll know the status of your batteries. It's that easy. Plus, all of our batteries have a built-in BMS to keep them from overcharging.

These high-performance batteries are designed to be highly durable and withstand the elements in rugged conditions, producing reliable power for your boats, trolling motors, fish finders, and beyond.

Our lithium deep cycle marine batteries provide a longer battery life with less recharging and no maintenance. No more lake days spent at home, less stress, more time on the water.

Bass boats, electric boats, center console boats, pontoon boats - whatever your vessel is, our batteries bring unprecedented durability, longevity, weight advantage, reliability, and performance.

Smaller Batteries, Bigger Punch & Built-in Cold Weather Protection

Ionic deep cycle lithium batteries have built-in cold weather protection - They do not take a charge if temperatures are below -4C or 24F (in our case). There are some variations with part tolerances.

For more information, please visit Wirentech.

Our Ionic heater deep cycle batteries warm up the battery to enable a charger once the battery is warmed up. Not only that, these lithium marine batteries have a high energy density so they can store more power in a smaller space.

need help finding the right deep cycle battery?

Our experts are just a click (or a call) away. Get fast, expert battery advice from a real human, located right here in the USA.

The Ionic Lithium Marine Battery Advantage

These batteries have been gaining popularity with professional boaters and anglers. Why? Because of superior benefits. They have a longer life span, more consistent output, and the ability to maintain their charge longer. Whether you’re a professional or a hobbyist, lithium is an ideal option. Here's why.

Consistent Output

Most batteries on the market will not put out as much amperage once they reach 50% battery life. This means that while you still have 50% of your battery left, the amperage isn’t as strong, so some of your accessories may stop working.

Comparatively, lithium marine batteries continue to produce the same amount of amperage even once they reach below 50% battery life. Also, you can fully drain lithium batteries before you need to recharge.

Maintain Charge

If you remember from the previous section, people usually buy gel batteries because of their ability to maintain their charge even when not using them. Well, Ionic lithium marine batteries can do the same thing.

Unlike other types of marine batteries, lithium batteries can maintain their charge for years. They maintain their charge even if you put them in a storage shed and don't use or keep them charged.

Lightweight

Most batteries weigh down your boat and are hard to move around if they need maintenance. Ionic deep-cycle lithium marine batteries are lightweight and compact, so they can fit onto almost any boat and get the job done without weighing down your boat. You’ll spend less on gas and be able to navigate more.

Status Monitoring

Lithium marine batteries charge much quicker than lead-acid ones, and Ionic batteries are also Bluetooth-equipped. No need to guess if your battery needs recharging; you can see exactly how much charge is left and how long the charge cycle will take. All with a couple of taps on your with the Ionic iOS or Android app.

Long Lasting

You’ve heard the saying, “You get what you pay for.” And there’s a lot of truth to that. With an Ionic lithium marine battery, you pay more initially. But that cost will save you a lot in the long run. Here’s how.

Compared to a lead-acid battery, a lithium battery usually lasts 2-4x longer (up to 10x longer). You can recharge a lead-acid battery about 300 to 400 times. If you’re using it daily, it should last you around a year.

In comparison, our deep cycle lithium batteries are rated to last cycles, so you can recharge them times. That's nearly 14 years of extended usage, using it daily. While the lithium battery is more expensive initially, the cost is much lower in the long run.

Environmentally Friendly

Lead-acid batteries are known for their leakage. They can leak battery acid into the water and onto your boat if you are not careful with their upkeep. Our lithium batteries are leak-free and toxic-free. You can even recycle them.

In addition, our Ionic lithium marine batteries don't require ventilation; they don’t have toxic chemicals. Therefore, you can store them anywhere - even inside. Looking for a top-quality battery tray to secure your batteries and keep them safe? Check out our Ionic Battery Tray!

Maintenance Free

Lead-acid batteries require constant maintenance to keep them from being damaged. They need constant water refilling, corrosion removal, and electrolyte replacement. And also, if lead acid batteries sit too long without being charged, they'll get damaged due to sulfation. You have to keep them fully charged, especially during storage. Lithium batteries are not prone to sulfation, and are far less prone to damage if left partially charged.

Want to get on the water and enjoy yourself without worrying about non-stop maintenance? Lithium is your ticket, as it requires exactly zero maintenance. And they'll never overcharge, thanks to their built-in battery management system.

We'll get you up & running in no time.

With Ionic deep cycle lithium marine batteries powering your boat, you'll be able to spend more time on the water doing the things you love. No more worrying about whether your lead-acid battery is charged and ready to go or wondering what level the charge is at. Lithium marine deep cycle batteries are fast, efficient, lightweight, and easy to use.

Typical Marine & Bass Boat Battery Setups

The most common setup we see for bass boats with a 36-volt trolling motor is three 12V 50Ah batteries for the motor and one 12V 150Ah battery for your engine starter and other equipment like a fish finder.

But if simplicity is what you're after, why not swap out your three 12V trolling batteries for one 36V 50Ah battery? You'll have fewer cables to hook up and fewer connection points to worry about.

Neither option is better than the other. There are pros and cons to both. Ultimately, it’s all about finding what works best for you! Check out the full rundown on one 36V battery vs. three 12V batteries here.

Smaller bass boats can manage with fewer batteries: If you were running a24-volt trolling motor, you could use two 12V 100Ah batteries for the trolling motor and one 12V 150Ah battery for the engine starter and other onboard equipment.

Here are some more in depth examples based on common questions & setups we see.

36 volt trolling motor & starter battery

Let’s say you need to power a 36V, 112lb thrust trolling motor (max amp draw of 52A). And you’re looking for a lithium battery to start your 250hp outboard and run two large depth finders. Here are your best options:

• For 36V trolling systems, the majority of our customers use our Ionic deep cycle 12V 50Ah lithium marine battery, which provides plenty of reserve energy. But you can also use our 36V 50Ah battery. The choice is yours!

• For the starter battery, our bass boat customers (most of which have 200-250hp 4-stroke motors) typically go with our recommended Ionic deep cycle 12V 150Ah lithium marine battery.

24 volt trolling motor & starter battery

Now, let’s say you have a 24V 80lb thrust trolling motor and a 300 Yamaha HPDI. You have two batteries for the trolling motor and two cranking (perko switch for the cranking). You’re looking for the best possible lithium setup. What do you need?

• For your 24 volt trolling systems, we recommend two Ionic 12V 100Ah lithium marine batteries.

• For your starter battery, we recommend the Ionic deep cycle 12V 150Ah lithium marine battery.

12 volt trolling motor & starter battery

What if all you have one 12 volt trolling motor battery and a starter battery?

• One Ionic 12V 150Ah lithium deep cycle marine battery to start your engine and power your onboard equipment.

• One Ionic 12V 100Ah deep cycle lithium marine battery to power your trolling motor.

Maintaining Your Lithium Batteries

To keep your batteries performing at their best for as long as possible, follow these simple tips:

• Avoid high charge/discharge rates. While lithium batteries can handle high currents, consistently pushing them to their limits can shorten their lifespan.
• Charge after each use. This helps prevent deep discharges and extends battery life.
• Store in a dry, secure place. Keep batteries in a dry compartment and properly secured.

• Avoid charging in extreme temperatures. Too much heat or cold can damage the battery.
• Connect properly. Run batteries in series to increase voltage and parallel to boost amp hours.
• Use the most ideal charger. For optimal results, always charge lithium batteries with a charger designed specifically for lithium batteries.
• Use larger batteries with advanced BMS. If you need higher voltage, choose batteries with a capable battery management system.

need help finding the right deep cycle battery?

Our experts are just a click (or a call) away. Get fast, expert battery advice from a real human, located right here in the USA.