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Twice the Power?
Yes! Here at Dakota Lithium we build all of our batteries with lithium iron phosphate technology which has many distinct advantages over traditional batteries. Including 60% less weight, a charging speed that is up to 5X faster, and a significantly longer lifespan (5-10 years longer on average). One of the most noticeable advantages however is the flat voltage curve. Unlike a lead acid battery where the voltage drops as you use the battery a Dakota Lithium battery has a steady voltage for 99% of the battery’s charge. That means you get all the power down to the last drop and double the usable power of traditional batteries.
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Are Lithium Batteries Safe?
Dakota Lithium batteries are 100% safe & reliable. Our signature chemistry, Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4), does not contain rare earth elements (like Cobalt) or heavy metals, is non-toxic, including no lead or acid, is non-corrosive, does not off gas, requires no watering or maintenance, can be placed in any orientation, and unlike other lithium batteries will not explode or catch fire. In addition, each Dakota Lithium battery is protected from over heating, over charging, and short circuiting, by a battery management system (BMS) microchip that also extends the lifespan and is contained in a rugged, waterproof case (although enough water can conduct electricity between the terminals, so don’t submerse the battery). For best performance & reliability we recommend using a LiFePO4 charger.
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How do I charge a lithium battery?
Dakota Lithium LiFePO4 batteries perform best when charged by a LiFePO4-compatible battery charger. LiFePO4 batteries require a different charging profile and voltage requirements compared to traditional battery chargers. Chargers designed for different chemistries may work, but they may not charge a Dakota Lithium battery to full capacity. It’s important to select a charger that has a LiFePO4-compatible constant-current constant-voltage (CC/CV) charging profile, provides the correct charging voltage for your battery, does not exceed the charge current (amp) for the battery, and has a charge indicator LED to let you know when the battery is fully charged. You can find more information on How to Charge Dakota Lithium and LiFePO4 batteries on our website. If you need help finding a compatible charger for your Dakota Lithium battery, or if you want to check your current charger compatibility, please reach out to our support team.
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Will cold weather affect my battery?
Your Dakota Lithium battery will discharge normally between a range of -20F and 120F (-29C to 49C). DL batteries are commonly used among ice fishers for their flashers and ice augers, so they are quite resilient and are frequently used in cold climates. In cases of extreme cold however, it is recommended that the batteries be insulated. We also do not recommend charging our batteries below freezing temperatures. If you are planning to regularly charge your battery below freezing temperatures we recommend the DL+ 12V 135Ah battery which has an internal heating element and is optimal for use in cars, trucks, RVs, off grid solar, and any application where the battery will be charged regularly in extremely cold environments (like a North Dakota winter).
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Do You Have a Military Discount?
Yes! Dakota Lithium support active and former members of the US or Canadian armed forces. You can use the code DakotaMilitary to get a 5% discount at checkout. If you provide verification through email, you will receive an additional 5% off, making the total discount 10%. Please indicate the branch of the military or unit where you served in the order notes. Many veterans and pilots, including one of our founders who flew F-16s, work for Dakota Lithium. We’d love to hear your story! (P.S. The discount code operates on the honor system, so please only use it if you are a veteran). If you represent a veterans’ organization interested in partnering with Dakota Lithium, you can arrange a group purchase at wholesale prices by contacting sales@dakotalithium.com. For donations, please complete the philanthropy application form available here.
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How can I become a dealer?
1) For wholesale & bulk orders simply buy in bulk on the website. Bulk pricing is available on the product page (see bulk pricing discount) or on the Wholesale / Custom page.
2) To become a dealer fill out the form at the bottom of our dealer page. Or contact sales@dakotalithium.com
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Can I use this to start my car/boat engine?
We have two battery options available for starting motors: the LTO Automotive Cranking battery and the DL+ Dual Purpose line. Both are designed for starting motors, with a 1000CCA equivalent of engine starting power for boat, car, or truck engines. The DL+ line also offers our legendary deep cycle capability in addition to engine starting power. Please note that our standard deep cycle packs do not have cranking ability and cannot be used for starting motors.
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What Trolling Motor Battery Do You Recommend?
Dakota Lithium is a proud sponsor of over 200+ professional athletes in the fishing industry. Here’s batteries sizes recommended by our pros depending on the size of your trolling motor:
Motor Thrust / Max Amp Draw (A) @ Voltage (V) / Recommended Battery
20 lbs / 20A @ 12V / DL 54 or DL+ 60
25 lbs / 25A @ 12V / DL 54 or DL+ 60
30 lb / 30A @ 12V / DL 54 or DL+ 60 or DL 100
45 lb / 42A @ 12V / DL 54 or DL+ 60 or DL 100
55 lb / 50A @ 12V / DL 54 or DL+ 60 or DL 100
70 lb / 42A @ 24V / 24V Single or DL 54 x 2 or DL+ 60 x 2 or DL 100 x 2
80 lb / 56A @ 24V / DL+ 60 x 2 or DL 100 x 2 or DL+ 320 x 2
101 lb / 46A @ 36V / 36V Single or DL+ 60 x 3 DL 100 x 3 or DL+ 320 x 3
112 lb / 52A @ 36V / 36V Single or DL+ 60 x 3 or DL 100 x 3 or DL+ 320 x 3
>112 lb / Up to 100A @ 36V / DL+ 60 x 3 or DL 100 x 3 or DL+ 320 x 3
For wiring multiple batteries in series we recommend Connect Ease trolling motor connection kits available on our trolling motor battery page.
For a deep dive on trolling motor batteries read How to Choose A Lithium Battery for Trolling Motors
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What battery do I need for my RV or Camper Van?
The industry standard house battery size used in most RVs, Campers, and #VanLife builds is the DL 100Ah battery. This is a drop in replacement for AGM and most lead acid batteries. If you are charging off your engine’s alternator we recommend a Victron DC-DC smart charger. If charging off solar panels we recommend a Victron Smart Solar charge controller, or if you have a solar charge controller choose the lithium setting. A handy size chart for number of batteries needed by size of RV is available here.