Why choose 16V over 12V?
16 volt will give you a crisper, brighter image on your graphs. It does this all while giving you better returns from your transducer which results in clearer side, down and forward imaging allowing you to unlock the full potential of your graphs and make you a better offshore fisherman. Maybe you have already noticed your console units with engine running at 14.6 volts look slightly better then your bow units running at 12v this is because of the increase in voltage.
16 volt is also 20% more efficient than 12 volt, meaning you will get longer run times on the equivalent amp hour rated 12 volt. Example, 16V 80AH will get similar run time to a 12V 100AH.
Will 16V damage my graphs or void my warranty?
No, The short explanation for this is, 16V draws 20% less amperage. Amperage is what causes heat in your electronics, which is your electronics number one enemy.. Lets face it you are already running 14.6 on units while engine is running on full charged battery. Plus the units are rated to run above the 16v limits.
Is 16V compatible with my graphs?
Yes, Humminbird's working voltage is 20 volts, Garmin's is 18 volts and Lowrance's working voltage is 17volts. Working voltage on battery is 16.4 so lowrance units cannot be turned on while charging unless you purchased the voltage regulator which maintains the stead voltage of 16.4 to equipment. The run and gun charger can only be run with a voltage regulator installed. This only applies to lowrance units, all other brands can handle the higher voltage when using charger.
Do I need a specific charger?
Yes, 16V batteries require a special charger and are not compatible with 12,24 or 36V, or any other chargers. We sell the required 16V LiFePo4 charger on our website.
What size of 16V battery do I need?
Refer to the table below under the "16V draw"column in accordance with each of your graphs and transducers. Add these numbers for each graph and multiply that total by how many hours you spend on the water before recharging. This will give you the maximum total amps you will require. Finally, choose the appropriate size that fits your requirements, either 48AH,60AH, 80AH, or 100AH. If your system requires, you are able to wire in parallel to meet your required demand. Best when used with built in waterproof DC charger that will charge the battery when the outboard is running.
What is the importance of the 16v Battery Install Kit?
This install kit gives you the ability to switch from 16V to 12V on the fly. This ensures that you always have a backup plan. If for some reason the power goes out or you're not able to fully charge, or you plain forget to charge your 16V and you run it dead, this give you the ability to switch over to 12V backup power and keep you on the water. The kit includes (4) 6AWG battery cables to hook up the 12v and 16v batteries to a 3 position Perko switch to choose 12v or 16v power. (Note: helpful tip if you are in remote area with hard to get power cord connections and are running the built in DC charger you can select 12v power for the practice day before, and charge the 16v during practice.)
What size wiring is needed to carry loads?
We suggest 10AWG to run form batteries to Perko switch and to units. Our battery install kit comes with (4) 6 AWG battery cables to go to Perko. If you choose to run main power to a separate fuse box then you only need 14AWG as 16v system carries the load much better than 12v and will not drop voltage, especially since you are running each device on a separate circuit to the fuse box. Fuse box eliminates the factory fuse holders that are impossible to get to if a problem occurs on the water. But system will accepted other wiring harness from other suppliers.
Can I use this battery in place of my cranking battery?
No. This battery is designed to take the load off your cranking battery by running a separate clean power system to the devices.
