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Putting in a lighter Battery

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utah997

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When I first got my speedster last year, on the first trip out, we had an exhaust leak.. which was slowly filling the bilge. I've since gotten it fixed, but it got me thinking. It was surprising how fast a little water in the bilge dragged the boat down, and made it very difficult to get up on plane.

I found a couple of companies that sell lighter batteries that might be able to be used for these boats. Has anyone ever tried this?

Normal marine batter weights what, like 40lbs?

http://earthxmotorsports.com/shop/etx680

This one says it's ok for Rotax engines. And weighs in at a svelte 4.1 pounds!

I can't see how eliminating 35 pounds from the engine bay wouldn't help performance (at least a little)

Thoughts?
 
Personally.......


Li batteries have no business being in an Automotive or Powersports application. They have VERY specific requirements on charge current, and voltage. Not to mention a "C" rating for discharge and low charge voltage. Our charring systems are "Dumb" and rely on a loading of a led battery.

With that said... the Li batteries have become more tolerant over the years... but they do have a nasty habit of self-igniting if any of the above mentioned conditions is exceeded. Or have we forgotten about cel phones with cheap batteries, and the infamous "Hover Boards".


So... there are WAY too many negatives.

1) If the internal charge board fails... Fire.
2) If you discharge it too far... Death to the battery and/or fire.
3) CRAZY expensive. (and they shouldn't be)
4) 34 lbs is only a reduction of 2% of the projected weight of the boat. (fuel, oil, 2 passengers)


So... if you don't believe me... head over to a motorcycle chat board. (they got them first) If you want to save weight... look at an Odyssey battery.


That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
 
Personally.......


Li batteries have no business being in an Automotive or Powersports application. They have VERY specific requirements on charge current, and voltage. Not to mention a "C" rating for discharge and low charge voltage. Our charring systems are "Dumb" and rely on a loading of a led battery.

With that said... the Li batteries have become more tolerant over the years... but they do have a nasty habit of self-igniting if any of the above mentioned conditions is exceeded. Or have we forgotten about cel phones with cheap batteries, and the infamous "Hover Boards".


So... there are WAY too many negatives.



1) If the internal charge board fails... Fire.
2) If you discharge it too far... Death to the battery and/or fire.
3) CRAZY expensive. (and they shouldn't be)
4) 34 lbs is only a reduction of 2% of the projected weight of the boat. (fuel, oil, 2 passengers)


So... if you don't believe me... head over to a motorcycle chat board. (they got them first) If you want to save weight... look at an Odyssey battery.


That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

Good intel. I'll do some poking around. I certainly don't want to be carrying a bomb around.

But I come from the car world, and I'm always trying to improve HP and reduce weight. It seems as if these engines are already wound pretty tight.. so not much more hp to be gained. So naturally, I was looking at weight.

Maybe I'll just hit the P90X again and shave of 20lbs.. lol
 
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