[Treebeard63]

I wanted something to run my 80# Minn Kota terrova on my pontoon, but did not want to have to deal with 2- heavy acid batteries or rig on-board chargers..so i bit the bullet and bought a Dakota 24v lithium.. about $1k with the charger.. couldn't be happier with the decision.. I've run it almost non-stop for 8+ hours at a time using spot-lock, and positioning the boat..and have never drawn it down below 70%.. It weighs a bit over 30lbs...less than my tackle bag.. so I just take it home and charge it with the free charger it came with.. The clincher for me was the 11 year warrantee.. The acid batteries Jerry links to are almost $400 each..and weigh 83lbs each... so $800 to get your 24 volts..and 160lbs added to your boat.. plus a charger if you don't already have one.. they don't mention a warrantee, but most acid batteries are only covered for a couple years at most.. so I figure to come out ahead in the long run.. but the convenience of a single, relatively lightweight battery is well worth the initial expense to me..