Over the past two weeks I've read everything I can find about Lifepo batteries. They seem to be the answer to powering and extending the range of my electric kayak. The motor is a Minn-kota 35 lb thrust. It has the latest design controller and draws 28 amps at full throttle. I am dissatisfied with the range afforded by the 93ah deep cycle lead acid battery I am currently using. Based on what I have read it appears that I can afford to construct a pack using 3.2 10ah cells. For the sake of economy can I safely use these cells 3 in parallel and four of these in series to provide 12.8 volts and 120ah? The next question I have arises from my inability to find any literature/diagrams/schematics which illustrate a method of balancing paralleled cells. Do I wire each cell to a balance plug or are the 3 parallels treated as one cell? It appears to me that if it's each cell then I would need a BMS between the pack and a charger, if treated a 3 as 1 then I can use a Thunder AC 6 type charger and skip the BMS. In either case I intend to install a Watt meter on the 'yak to prevent over-discharge on the water. Thank you all in advance for any help. I've tried hard to read up and not have to come to this. G