Flasher Lithium Batteries

["Just Add Ice"]

So after upgrading my LX7 battery to a new Lithium and after shelling out 180 for the battery and charger I come across the fact that now I need to take the entire soft case off just to charge the dang battery. If you are familiar with the LX series they dont have much room in the back and all have a small opening that normally have a quick connect attachment that you simply just plug the charger into. Well the new lithium charges come with gator clips. Really now... Shell out 180 for a battery and you get this... Why would you not include a quick connect like they all have.

[CarpinMNRiver]

Well at least it still works. Mine broke so I had to change brands. Bad products.

[bee]

Lot of money. I just found one for 105.00

[CrewJones]

you can wire in the quick connect to your new charger really easy. Or what I do is I use the aligator clips on the quick connect. just match up the colors clip them on works fine

["Just Add Ice"]

you can wire in the quick connect to your new charger really easy. Or what I do is I use the aligator clips on the quick connect. just match up the colors clip them on works fine

I understand yes its not to hard to rig it up. Alligator clips to a quick connect would not work on a 7. The carry handle is right above the battery and you would knock the clips off when picking it up. I guess my point is yes not to hard to rig it up yourself. But really why would they even sell something like that. The whole line has quick connects. Should have been caught prior to marketing and selling. Not to mentions the fact the reason why I even need a new battery is the original factory 7 chargers were dump and over charged the batteries. But according to "say company" and I quote if the red light says on and does not turn over to green you are still OK it wont over charge the battery.

[CAMAN]

Did you buy this new battery from Marcum?

["Just Add Ice"]

Did you buy this new battery from Marcum?

Yes sir

[Dozer]

Am I missing something? Why in the word would you pay $180 for a battery?! I know they are light and last longer than a regular battery but $180!!!????

[Iceboy]

That is a lot - I just picked up a Bioenno Power 12V, 9Ah Lithium Ion battery for around $125 (with charger).

[FISHINGURU]

I just picked up 2-12V 9ah normal batteries for the LX-5 for $45. Does the LX-7 drain batteries quick or something so you need a lithium?

[dfeste]

I just bought an LX7 and one of the first things I noticed was the quick connect and the difficulty in accessing the battery itself. For the past few years I have been using a smart charger that seems to work quite well. Instead of purchasing a lithium battery I think I'm going to rig up a different access cord to the battery than the quick connect from Marcum. I've never been a big fan of the chargers that come in the box of any of the flashers I've owned.

[LakeDocktor]

Keep in mind that those batteries also don't have a battery management system built in. Allowing your lithium batteries to be completely drained and recharged only depletes the life expectancy of the battery. While you may find a cheaper battery online, you get what you pay for. I have been running my Solar Sportsman lithium ion batteries all year and have yet to recharge them and my battery indicator is still at 73%! Also, using a charger that is not approved or designed for the battery could potentially destroy the battery.

[fishwater]

Keep in mind that those batteries also don't have a battery management system built in. Allowing your lithium batteries to be completely drained and recharged only depletes the life expectancy of the battery. While you may find a cheaper battery online, you get what you pay for. I have been running my Solar Sportsman lithium ion batteries all year and have yet to recharge them and my battery indicator is still at 73%! Also, using a charger that is not approved or designed for the battery could potentially destroy the battery.

LD - What does the battery management system entail? I'm guessing it only has benefits for higher current applications? Low voltage cutoff might increase the longevity, but by how much are we talking? As you point out with your 73%, it takes a lot of use to fully drain them.

I've been beating on the clean republic lithiums for going on two years and they work really well, without any battery management system. I've got about $80 per battery into the deal. In all honesty, if I can get a few years of use without any maintenance worries over the summer coupled with the super fast recharge time when needed, I'm a happy camper. Being able to get a full days charge in an hour is priceless when you really need it IMO.

[Iceboy]

I don't think there is anything special about that Solar Sportsman battery - the battery management system they advertise is a separate box, and I doubt he is carrying that around.

I'm guessing all of these new lithium gel-replacement batteries have protection circuits built into them to keep them from running down too low or overcharging since they can put the same protection on 18650 cells for just a couple of dollars extra. Lithium batteries are extremely dangerous without these safety measures in place.

[LakeDocktor]

I don't think there is anything special about that Solar Sportsman battery - the battery management system they advertise is a separate box, and I doubt he is carrying that around.

I'm guessing all of these new lithium gel-replacement batteries have protection circuits built into them to keep them from running down too low or overcharging since they can put the same protection on 18650 cells for just a couple of dollars extra. Lithium batteries are extremely dangerous without these safety measures in place.

You couldn't be more wrong! Do some research, ask some questions, and you will see that others lack a management system. Seperate box???? The Solar Sportsman battery management system is built into the battery itself.

[fishwater]

You couldn't be more wrong! Do some research, ask some questions, and you will see that others lack a management system. Seperate box???? The Solar Sportsman battery management system is built into the battery itself.

Don't get me wrong, these Li batteries are dangerous if handled poorly, but in my opinion management smanagement. Personally I'd rather use the potential of the battery like god intended and not have some cheap circuit in my way.

Anyhow, what does it manage? Over current shunt and low voltage shutoff? So you can't use it to start your snowmobile if needed? Low voltage shutoff - does that mean the battery turns off at a low voltage until happily charged so it actually reduces your available electrical potential? Those sound like terrible features for the ice fanatics.

My flasher will tell my battery when it is finished. Maybe if you're burning these things up in an electric auger with high draw, a well designed circuit could provide some additional reliability, but a one size fits all management system is sucky sounding, especially without any real details.

You can source enough current from the clean republics to start a fire if necessary, I've seen the pictures. That sounds like a + to me..