Between now and 2030, the global marine battery market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 18 percent every year. Pro anglers and sailors alike are increasingly relying on the latest advancements in battery technology to allow them to compete and explore off-grid for longer periods of time. However, with continually growing demand, the market has been flooded with a wide range of batteries, making it more difficult than ever to select the optimal fishing battery. Below we cover the top four factors to keep in mind when determining which batteries will best meet your customer’s needs.
- Long Lasting, Usable Capacity versus Nameplate or Rated Capacity
- One of the most important factors to consider is how much energy the battery can store, as this directly impacts how long the battery will last before needing to be recharged. There is nothing anglers dread more than heading out for a full day of fishing only to get stranded on the water midday. Although lead acid batteries have a lower upfront price point, they will be damaged if they are discharged more than 50% of their rated, or nameplate, capacity. As a result, you would have to buy double the number of lead-acid batteries just to reach a similar usable capacity to that of lithium batteries.
- For almost a decade, pro anglers like Bryan Thrift and Trevor Fitzgerald have been using RELiON’s lithium RB100 12 volt, 100 amp hour batteries due to their capacity. RELiON also recently unveiled its RB36V40 36 volt, 40 amp hour battery, which has been designed and engineered to offer 20% greater capacity. This large increase is based on a comparison of three RB36V40s wired in parallel versus three RB100 batteries wired in series, as the parallel wiring allows the RB36V40 batteries’ amp hours to be multiplied, unlike wiring in series.
- Simple Installation & Setup
- Whether upgrading from lead-acid to lithium batteries or installing batteries for the first time, no one wants to be spending an inordinate amount of time setting up a battery system and losing precious time on the water. One of the main ways to streamline the installation process is to select a battery that offers parallel wiring because it only involves combining the positive leads together and then combining the negative leads together. RELiON’s RB36V40 offers improved connectors and parallel wiring to enable your customers to receive maximum voltage with minimum hassle. For example, if your customer wants more power from their 12 volt battery by increasing the voltage, but they do not have a battery that can be wired in parallel, they would need to wire in series, which makes for a much more complicated installation process.
- The RB36V40 also provides a significantly greater voltage alongside a much smaller footprint compared to lead-acid batteries. On average, RELiON lithium batteries weigh one-third less than lead-acid batteries, making them much easier to lift and install. They were also specifically designed to provide a drop-in lead-acid replacement for customers who are looking to upgrade their energy storage systems.
- Mechanical & Electrical Safety & Stability
- When out at sea, the elements – from water exposure to wind to humidity, are uniquely challenging compared to life on shore. As a result, a marine battery’s components, construction, and prior testing are of utmost importance. The RB36V40 battery was specifically designed and built to address the challenges posed by marine environments:
- IP67 Rated Casing: This rating ensures dust, water, and splash-resistance. A rating of IP67 provides peace of mind that a battery offers the highest possible protection against solids, and one of the highest waterproof protections against liquids.
- The Battery Management System (BMS) is bolted to the heat sink. This serves to reduce vibrations that regularly take place on boats, removes the chance of accidental faults due to vibrations, as well as extends the battery’s lifespan.
- UL1642 & UL94-V0: The RB36V40 has been tested to the absolute highest safety standards. Underwriters Laboratories (UL), is a global safety certification organization based in Illinois that has offices and labs in 46 countries. UL has been a leader in the development of safety standards for many modern electrical products.
- Manufacturer’s Reliability & Company History
- With the ongoing lithium battery boom, there are all kinds of new market entrants with a wide range of claims – some verifiable and some not. Even companies who have been around for many years may not be able to back up their claims with their warranties and product testing. RELiON Battery has been in the industry for over 20 years with 190 years of combined battery experience. Its batteries are engineered in the United States and its Lowell, Michigan-based engineering team works hand-in-hand with the company’s manufacturing facilities to ensure quality products that perform. The company’s factory is ISO 9001:20015 certified, which ensures the highest quality management systems. Additionally, its RB36V40 lithium battery also comes with a ten-year warranty, unlike many other marine batteries on the market.
If you have additional questions about what makes RELiON batteries the top choice for fishing, get in touch with an expert today.