48v LiFePO4 battery for 12v trolling motor, anyone tried it?

[EMGX]

I have a heavy 48v 10ah LiFePO4 battery that I don't have a use for. Except that I also have a 12v Minn Kota 38lb thrust trolling motor that I could use with a kayak for fishing but my old lead acid deep cycle battery weighs over 65 back breaking - kayak sinking pounds. The 10ish# lithium battery is tempting. I'm thinking of using a 48v-12v buck converter with max output of 40a. The battery has max 60a output, 30 continuous. I don't plan on running the motor at full speed. Anyone have any experience with this (a long shot I know)?


EDIT:
the image of the convertor isn't the one I ordered (40v-72v to 12v), I'm going to give it a try.

 

[tomjasz]

I have a heavy 48v 10ah LiFePO4 battery that I don't have a use for. Except that I also have a 12v Minn Kota 38lb thrust trolling motor that I could use with a kayak for fishing but my old lead acid deep cycle battery weighs over 65 back breaking - kayak sinking pounds. The 10ish# lithium battery is tempting. I'm thinking of using a 48v-12v buck converter with max output of 40a. The battery has max 60a output, 30 continuous. I don't plan on running the motor at full speed. Anyone have any experience with this (a long shot I know)?

View attachment 116973
EDIT:
the image of the convertor isn't the one I ordered (40v-72v to 12v), I'm going to give it a try.

Just dont cheap out on a step down. It’s tempting but can cook a motor. I did it on a canoe nearly a decade ago. Great idea!

 

[AHicks]

Just a thought for the daring. Somebody familiar might consider rewiring/rearranging the wiring between the cells in that 48v pack to allow for 12v output - without the weight and efficiency loss associated with the converter?

 

[EMGX]

Maybe for some but I'm definitely not going there.



The converter is supposed to be delivered tomorrow so I should be able to give it a dry run soon. Listed as 93% efficient and that is good enough for me and it only weighs a couple pounds. I see price went up by $10 overnight, glad I decided to order yesterday.

I have a 12 foot Hobie Outback that does great hand free for fishing. I wanted an inflatable Hobie but not willing to pay $2500 for one especially when I have a very good inflatable white water kayak that I'll try the Minn Kota on. I haven't used the Minn Kota for years so if it works, great but if I burn the motor trying I'll accept that too.