Dakota Lithium Blog

I have spent the last two years validating the use of lithium iron phosphate batteries (LiFePO4) and have learned a great deal and continue to do so when it comes to trying to determine amp hours (Ah) requirements for a given Lowrance system. One of the first things I learned is that the draw of the units will vary as direct result of the power of the battery supply.  It is also important to note that the draw numbers that Lowrance provides under the specifications of each unit are only a reference number at a given voltage supplied and that will vary between each unit based on the given power supplied. To determine the actual power draw of each product...

Linking 12 Volt batteries in series is an easy way to create higher voltage 24V, 36V and 48V battery systems. Before linking batteries in series however it is helpful to first charge each battery individually. This is called balancing batteries in series, also known as voltage matching. Balancing batteries in series has two big benefits: The total capacity of the system will be higher. This means more runtime for your golf cart, trolling motor, solar battery bank, or whatever you are powering. The lifespan of each battery will be longer since the stress of running to empty is evening shared by all batteries instead of a single battery. Dakota Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries have a very long lifespan (typically...

Walleye Fishing Continues to Evolve with New Technology Always been kind of an old school guy when it comes to fishing.  I suppose many people can relate but when I started fishing, we didn’t have GPS or cell phones.  Trolling motors were twelve volt and outboard motors were all two-stroke.  If you didn’t have to mix the gas with oil and if you had a built-in fuel tank…. You were living large.  I can still remember when I got my first boat with a live well.  As a young man, I latched on to anything that was new.  Any little advantage I could find to help me catch more fish.  What is strange is that as I have gotten older,...

I started out in this industry like many of today’s veterans… I started out young.  Not that starting out at a young age is the only way or a prerequisite but my passion for fishing kept me away from many things.  I wasn’t corporate ladder material and am downright ashamed at times of all the things I missed because of fishing.  All I ever wanted was to fish and somehow make a living fishing.  I became a fulltime guide in my early twenties.  Cannot recall how many nights I slept in a boat or pickup during the early years.  I made my guiding career on Devils Lake, North Dakota.  One of the appealing aspects about guiding on Devils Lake was...

Dakota Lithium is a proud sponsor of over 200+ professional athletes in the fishing industry. From kayak fishing to pro bass tournament boats, we have the battery for you. Here's what our pros have learned: For 12V trolling motors the capacity of your battery must be larger then the lbs of thrust of your motor. I.e. use a battery with an Ah (Amp Hour) number that is larger then your lbs of thrust. For example, a small motor with 30 lbs of thrust to be used on a kayak requires a battery with 30 Ah of capacity or greater. The more lbs of thrust the larger the battery needed. The more run time you want the bigger battery you need....

Choosing the right trolling motor battery can make a big difference in your time on the water. Learn how to match battery voltage and capacity to your trolling motor, estimate runtime, and compare lead-acid and lithium batteries. Discover why LiFePO4 batteries are becoming a popular choice for anglers looking for longer runtime, less weight, and reliable performance.