So, are 72V Lithium Batteries Safe?
If you’ve been looking at the Momentum M10, you’ve likely noticed it packs a real punch! The secret sauce is with its 72V power system. While most other electric outboard motors sit at 48V, our jump to 72V can feel like a big leap, therefore you might be wondering: Is that safe? The reality is that focus of our 72V architecture is not just about speed. It is actually designed to be a more efficient and more reliable way to power your boat. Here is how we engineered the M10 to provide this insane level of performance while keeping you and your passengers safe.
1. 72V Battery Safety, by design
The MB6 72V lithium battery is not a battery with 2 live 72v terminals. In fact, the pins will not energize unless the following 2 conditions are met.
- The battery detects it is securely connected to the motor.
- The safety kill switch is physically present on the motor.
Every time the battery is powered on, the BMS performs a ‘handshake’ with the motor to first confirm the connection is secure with a M10/6 and monitors continuously, the presence of a kill-switch.
Without this specific “handshake,” and meeting BOTH conditions, the pins are dead. Even if someone were to deliberately touch the pins while the battery is ‘powered ON’, no electric shock is possible.
2. Built-In Protections
Every Momentum MB-6 battery is managed by a Battery Management System or BMS. This is a dedicated computer that acts as a 24/7 safety manager for your cells. it constantly monitors for overcharging, overheating, or short circuits. If anything goes slightly out of spec, the BMS cuts the power instantly.
3. Real World Risk
In practice, 72V is not drastically riskier than 48V. While 48V is often called a safe threshold because it is below where most people feel a tingle from contact, 72V DC is still considered low electrical shock risk. In fact, it could arguably be safer as it generates significantly lower heat transmitting power through the cable! 10kw of electrical power transmitting to the motor at 48V will require significantly heavier cable to operate safely. Smoking cables can pose a even higher risk than higher voltage!
4. The Performance Payoff
We did not choose 72V just for the big numbers. Higher voltage allows the M10 to perform at a level 48V systems simply cannot touch. It provides up to 12,000W of sustained output and enough torque to get you on plane faster. Because the system is high voltage, it actually runs easier at high speeds with less strain on the wiring. This reduces heat buildup and enhances sustained performance and overall longevity of your motor.
Simple Best Practices – Maintenance Tip
- To keep your investment in top shape, just follow a few basic habits.
- Periodically inspect and clean your cables for any salt buildup and give the exterior of the motor a freshwater rinse after use.
- Avoid connecting the cable when pins are wet
- Allow a full charge after several partial charges to enable cell balancing phase to complete.
- Always use the manufacturer approved charger.
5. Summary
So, are 72V lithium batteries safe? 72V is the key that unlocks the Momentum M10 performance, bring unmatched utility and fun to electric boating. The Momentum M10 and MB-6 system is built with multiple layers of redundant protection so you can focus on boating instead of smoking wires!
For more information, check out our YouTube page.
Inflatable boat with Momentum M10 electric outboard
Going deeper: How to spec a third-party battery for the Momentum M10 (voltage windows, NMC vs LiFePO4, BMS protection stacking, and the real cost math).