Video · Kayak Motors & Power
Solid State Marine Batteries at IBEX 2024: Legit or Not?
I check out a company at IBEX 2024 claiming to sell solid state marine batteries, and I ask you to help me figure out if it's legit.
What’s in this video
I found Solid State Marine tucked in the back of IBEX 2024 in a tiny booth. If what they claim is true, it’s bigger than the whole boat show. Electric boats with real range. So I went in and asked questions.
Tom told me their cells have about twice the energy density of any lithium iron phosphate battery on the market. Their 36 volt pack has 40 cells and the 12 volt has 20. They say that means higher charge and discharge rates and no thermal runaway issues. The cell I held was about the size of an iPhone, next to a much heavier LiFePO4 brick with the same energy. They told me these are for sale now, not a prototype.
Here’s why I care. I like electric outboards because I spend more time on the water and less time fixing gas motors. The biggest barrier has been battery size and weight. Shrinking that down is what we’ve all been waiting for.
But some things didn’t make sense to me. They say double the density, yet the display showed a 1 lb solid state cell next to a 5 lb LiFePO4 cell. That’s 5x, not 2x. The battery cases in the booth were empty. And I don’t know anyone who owns one. So until somebody proves it, I’m sticking with my LiTime LiFePO4 batteries on my trolling motors.
Key moments
- 0:00 Investigating solid state
- 1:21 Battery features explained
- 2:46 Benefits for electric boating
- 4:43 Skepticism and conclusion
Quick takeaways
- Battery weight and size are still the biggest barrier for electric outboards on small boats.
- Be skeptical of booth claims: the density numbers they quoted didn't match their own display.
- LiFePO4 batteries are still my working choice because they're chemically stable and affordable.
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