I have three LiTime TM batteries (https://www.litime.com/products/litime-12v-100ah-tm-deep-cycle-lifepo4-battery-for-trolling-motors) that I bought based on Will's teardown video.
I have a Minn Kota 440PCL 10A charger (https://minnkota.johnsonoutdoors.com/us/shop/battery-chargers/on-board-precision-chargers?v=102071). This charger has a lithium setting, and I do have the charger properly set to "lithium."
Finally, I have Victron Smart Battery Sense Bluetooth monitors on each battery (https://www.victronenergy.com/accessories/smart-battery-sense).
I am currently using two of the batteries in series for a 24v trolling motor. I fully charged them to balance within .02v prior to connecting them. The third one will be used when I upgrade to a 36v trolling motor in the coming months. The charger is connected to each battery (independent 12v leads).
The batteries have run my trolling motor fine so far (two trips), but charging seems to be a mess. Two of the batteries seems to be periodically locking up at approximately 12.9 volts. This is happening to one of the batteries in the series and to the battery that is standing alone (which was previously connected in series - I swapped them out). When this happens, the charger seems to turn on and off so that the voltage (per Victron monitor) is flicking back and forth between 14.3 to 12.9. The battery stays at 12.9v (does not increase) regardless of how long I let it do this (I've tried up to two days) and sits as 12.9 when I unplug the charger.
I contacted LiTime, and they said I should discharge the problem battery for one minute, then charge it again. That didn't work, but eventually I got it to work by connecting a device, letting it run for considerably longer than one minute, and then connecting the charger. This seemed to get the battery to accept a charge. But when I disconnected the charger, the battery fairly quickly (30 minutes give or take) stepped down 12.9v as through something was sucking the power from it. The only devices connected to the battery is the bluetooth monitor and the charger. I've done this with both "problem batteries." I've yet to experience this with the third battery, which has been in series the entire time).
The only thing the two "problem batteries" seem to have in common is that I've had each of them connected in series with the positive to the load and the negative coming from the third battery that has not yet had a problem. LiTime says these batteries can be run in series up to 48v. I did balance them before connecting in series. And the charger is built for lithium. I am mostly clueless, but guessing the BMS isn't compatible with my setup. This would be very disappointing given the fact that these are marketed as trolling motor batteries and I have one of the most common chargers and setups for trolling motors...
I'm frustrated. I have an Ionic brand battery for my starting/house battery and it's been flawless in that application with the charger. I've asked LiTime twice now to send me a return authorization for the batteries. They keep coming back with advice and have yet to send the return authorization. Their latest advice was that I should buy their charger and that they'll take it back if it doesn't work. This system is in the hull of my boat with difficult access. The MK440PCL charger is installed in the hull of the boat and I don't want to remove it. And I can't disconnect the series for charging due to access restrictions).
I was hoping to save some $ by going with these and at this point I wish I had just paid for Ionic across the board. I took the risk, but LiTime should at least honor their 30 day return policy.
Any thoughts or advice on this?
I have a Minn Kota 440PCL 10A charger (https://minnkota.johnsonoutdoors.com/us/shop/battery-chargers/on-board-precision-chargers?v=102071). This charger has a lithium setting, and I do have the charger properly set to "lithium."
Finally, I have Victron Smart Battery Sense Bluetooth monitors on each battery (https://www.victronenergy.com/accessories/smart-battery-sense).
I am currently using two of the batteries in series for a 24v trolling motor. I fully charged them to balance within .02v prior to connecting them. The third one will be used when I upgrade to a 36v trolling motor in the coming months. The charger is connected to each battery (independent 12v leads).
The batteries have run my trolling motor fine so far (two trips), but charging seems to be a mess. Two of the batteries seems to be periodically locking up at approximately 12.9 volts. This is happening to one of the batteries in the series and to the battery that is standing alone (which was previously connected in series - I swapped them out). When this happens, the charger seems to turn on and off so that the voltage (per Victron monitor) is flicking back and forth between 14.3 to 12.9. The battery stays at 12.9v (does not increase) regardless of how long I let it do this (I've tried up to two days) and sits as 12.9 when I unplug the charger.
I contacted LiTime, and they said I should discharge the problem battery for one minute, then charge it again. That didn't work, but eventually I got it to work by connecting a device, letting it run for considerably longer than one minute, and then connecting the charger. This seemed to get the battery to accept a charge. But when I disconnected the charger, the battery fairly quickly (30 minutes give or take) stepped down 12.9v as through something was sucking the power from it. The only devices connected to the battery is the bluetooth monitor and the charger. I've done this with both "problem batteries." I've yet to experience this with the third battery, which has been in series the entire time).
The only thing the two "problem batteries" seem to have in common is that I've had each of them connected in series with the positive to the load and the negative coming from the third battery that has not yet had a problem. LiTime says these batteries can be run in series up to 48v. I did balance them before connecting in series. And the charger is built for lithium. I am mostly clueless, but guessing the BMS isn't compatible with my setup. This would be very disappointing given the fact that these are marketed as trolling motor batteries and I have one of the most common chargers and setups for trolling motors...
I'm frustrated. I have an Ionic brand battery for my starting/house battery and it's been flawless in that application with the charger. I've asked LiTime twice now to send me a return authorization for the batteries. They keep coming back with advice and have yet to send the return authorization. Their latest advice was that I should buy their charger and that they'll take it back if it doesn't work. This system is in the hull of my boat with difficult access. The MK440PCL charger is installed in the hull of the boat and I don't want to remove it. And I can't disconnect the series for charging due to access restrictions).
I was hoping to save some $ by going with these and at this point I wish I had just paid for Ionic across the board. I took the risk, but LiTime should at least honor their 30 day return policy.
Any thoughts or advice on this?
Last edited: