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?
Last April I purchased three LiTime 100 amp deep cycle lipo 4 trolling motor batteries as well as a noco lithium charger from Amazon. I based my purchase on will prowse’s you tube video reviews. One of the batteries froze at 72 % and would not charge. Li Time customer service told me I had to ‘wake it up” by drawing 60 watts for five minutes. This seemed to work. Not long afterwords another LiTime battery went dead @10.25 volts and would not charge at all. I contacted Li Time and after several e-mails gave them my receipt, charger info, order # and picture of battery and this is their response;
“Hi Randy,
Thanks for your info. It helps!
I will help you return this unchargeable battery, we will cover the shipping cost.”
Next I received this from Li Time;
“We notice that your order was placed on 7 April 2023, which is one year ago, and according to our refund policy, for orders one year ago, the refund percentage is 60%.Is it acceptable for you?
Once the battery is delivered to the warehouse, we will arrange the refund for you, the tax will be refunded by Amazon.
For the replacement, you just need to pay $28 to get a new replacement battery.”
After complaining about having to pay shipping costs to Li Time I received this;
“Hello Randy,
We've received your returned product and we're ready to arrange a refund for you,before that,we have received your request about the return shipping cost.
As you're our valued customer, after a special application, we would like to help you cover the shipping cost of $28 for the replacement battery, but could you pls help write a 5-star review on our website before the refundation? Is is acceptable and convenient for you?
If it is possible, pls mention my name Mavis in the review. Thanks in advance for your help!!
Here are the steps to leave a 5-star review on our website.”
I noticed Li Time asked for a 5 star review BEFORE THEY WOULD SEND ME A REPLACEMENT UNDER THEIR WARRANTY.
I asked again do I need to write a 5 star review before I get warranty service?
Li Times answer was “yes in order to not get charged for shipping I needed to write a 5 star review.”
This in ‘my opinion’ amounts to blackmail for warranty service.
In my opinion this is an act ( to obtain false higher ratings) of a very disreputable company. I would advise avoiding doing business with this company like the plague, as their warranty policy is truly not 5 years , but only 30 days without penalty ( cost) to the buyer.
From Li Time;
“If the 30-day return period has passed, if the item is faulty or malfunctioning, the customer needs to pay for the return shipping cost, since you are our valuable customer, we have already covered the return shipping cost for you, normally, the replacement shipping cost will need to be covered by the customer, to make up for a little bit of the loss, if you are willing to leave a 5-star positive review on our official website, we will cover the replacement shipping cost for you again, and we will send you a brand new replacement for free!
The total shipping cost is $56( for the return and replacement”
So my replacement battery was held hostage until I wrote a 5 star review…..this I did begrudgingly. (This is an amended review of the 5 star rating I was blackmailed into writing).
Beware of this horrible company, their products, their poor warranty , and potential blackmail to obtain warranty service. Beware that those 5 star reviews you read about ,may be blackmailed by Li Time like mine was , just to get your “kidnapped” replacement battery released from Li Time .