Best Battery For Trolling Motor
The quest to find the best battery for a trolling motor is a confusing one for most people.
We try to shine a light that will help you make the right decision quicker. We recommend you go through the whole article to avoid making the wrong purchases.
We will look at:
- 3 Types of Marine Batteries
- What is the Right Trolling Motor Battery
- What is the longest lasting battery for a trolling motor?
- What size battery do you need for a 55 lb thrust trolling motor?
- How long will a 100Ah lithium battery last on a trolling motor?
- The best battery for a trolling motor
Types of marine batteries for trolling motor
The four major types of deep cycle marine batteries include:
1.Lead-Acid Flooded Batteries
2.Gel Batteries
3.AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) Batteries
4.Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries
Flooded Lead-Acid Trolling Motor Batteries
These are the most common types of batteries used by many because they either came with the boat or they are the most affordable type of battery. They usually cost less than $100.
Flooded Lead-Acid batteries, also called Wet-Cell batteries, typically last from 1-3 years, depending on how they are used and cared for.
You will find that while Wet-Cell Lead-Acid batteries are the cheapest on this list, they are also the most demanding when it comes to the need for maintenance and safety:
●You need to regularly top-up Lead-Acid batteries with distilled water so that the battery’s cells are always fully submerged. Failure to maintain a proper maintenance routine will damage your battery and drastically reduce its lifespan.
●You always need to make sure the battery’s caps are tightly secured so that none of the battery's acid will overflow or spill into your boat. If the battery's acid somehow finds its way out of the battery, you might suffer damages due to corrosion of the boat and other property.
AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) Trolling Motor Batteries
AGM batteries, AKA absorbed glass mat batteries, go by many names. You can sometimes find them referred to as Sealed Lead- Acid (SLA) batteries or Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) batteries.
What is an AGM battery? AGM batteries are an improvement on Flooded Lead-Acid batteries. But when compared to Flooded Lead-Acid batteries, AGM batteries have many areas where they are superior and preferable to Flooded or Wet-Cell Lead-Acid batteries.
AGM batteries vs. Flooded Lead-Acid batteries:
●AGM batteries are sealed so you don’t spend any time on maintenance and distilled water top-ups.
●They also have a longer lifespan of up to 4 years. Twice as long as traditional lead-acid batteries.
●They are lighter than their flooded (wet-cell) cousins.
●They do not overflow or give out any gas.
●AGM electrolytes in glass-fiber woven mat instead of liquid, so they are more suitable for marine use.
While AGM batteries are usually more expensive than flooded batteries, in our opinion, the increased cost is a worthwhile investment because AGM batteries offer better performance, double lifespan, increased safety, and more.
Gel Trolling Motor Batteries
A Gel Battery, also known as a Gelled Electrolyte Battery, is a rechargeable battery that uses a gelled electrolyte instead of the usual liquid electrolyte found in Wet-Cell batteries.
Gel batteries are another branch of Sealed Lead-Acid (SLA) or Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) batteries just like AGM batteries. So they share many of the same features and advantages. For example:
●Gel batteries are also sealed to prevent spillage leakage.
●They also use a gel electrolyte that’s suitable for use in unstable and turbulent environments.
●They are 100% maintenance free and don’t need any electrolyte top-ups.
●They don’t give out any gas.
●For more related information, please click Solar Gel Batteries: Everything You Need To Know.
Let’s look at the differences between AGM batteries and Gel batteries.
Gel Battery vs. AGM Battery
●Gel batteries can work in a wider range of temperatures ranging from 5°F to 140°F, more than AGM’s 5°F to 122°F.
●Gel Batteries have a longer lifespan of 750 life cycles compared to AGM’s 500 life cycles.
●Gel batteries are slightly more expensive than AGM batteries.
Gel batteries are less commonly used for marine purposes. But rest assured that our Hybrid Gel batteries are more than equal to the task. Take care not to use our hybrid Gel batteries in the same battery bank as pure Gel batteries.
Lithium Iron Phosphate Trolling Motor Batteries
The latest improvement in deep-cycle battery technology. Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries, also referred to as LiFePO4 batteries or lithium marine batteries, boast the longest battery lifespan of any marine or deep-cycle battery.
They are the best battery for a trolling motor any boatsman, yachtsman, or angler could want. The only drawback is that they are also the most expensive battery type.
That being said, lithium batteries have many features desirable to people who venture into the deep, including:
●They are the smallest and lightest battery type suitable for use on both big and smaller vessels.
●They are sealed, so they don’t need any maintenance.
●They have extremely long lifespans of up to 10 years. 5 times longer than flooded batteries and 3 times longer than AGM batteries.
And these are only part of the advantages they offer. LiFePO4 batteries offer several performance advantages such as a longer staying power without voltage drop, 100% depth of discharge, and faster charging times.
On the other hand, the biggest disadvantage of Lithium batteries is that they are expensive. The good news is that the cost continues to drop as more and more manufacturers and people adopt the technology.
What is the Right Trolling Motor Battery
The right trolling motor battery should be:
●Able to provide sufficient to run your trolling motor for the length of time you are going to use it. So its Ah rating should be more than the trolling motor’s maximum current draw.
●Able to stand the test, turbulence, and challenges of being out on the water.
●Be safe and easy to use in confined spaces. This means no spills, refills, or gas releases.
●Light enough for the target vessel.
Taking these factors into account, the right trolling motor battery should have at least a 100Ah rating, and a Group 27 rating to get the best results.
What is the longest lasting battery for a trolling motor?
The longest lasting battery for a trolling motor is Renogy’s REGO 12V 400Ah Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery.
This battery comes with a one-of-a-kind 400Ah battery capacity that will keep your trolling motor running for days at a time. And because it’s a LiFePO4 battery you are guaranteed up to 10 years of daily usage.
We also provide 200Ah AGM, 200Ah hybrid Gel, and 200Ah lithium iron phosphate batteries that can sustain your trolling motor for at least two days, if managed properly.
What size battery do I need for a 55 lb thrust trolling motor?
A Newport Vessels (NV) 55 lb thrust trolling motor draws a current of 52A at full speed. On paper, this means that you can run that motor at full speed for almost 2 hours (1 hr 55 mins) if you use a 100Ah battery. On the other hand, a 50Ah battery can sustain the same motor at full speed for nearly an hour.
In reality, you likely won’t use your trolling motor continuously at such speeds. So if it’s managed properly, a 100Ah battery is more than enough to sustain a 55 lb thrust trolling motor for the whole day.
Some tournament anglers even report that they used a 50Ah battery to power their trolling motor for the whole day.
At the end of the day, the choice is up to you. Just know that for your peace of mind we recommend you get a battery with an Ah rating that's larger than your motor's maximum current draw like Renogy's 100Ah deep-cycle batteries (lithium, AGM, Gel).
How long will a 100Ah lithium battery last on trolling motor?
To find out how long any battery will last on your trolling motor, you need to know the current draw of the motor at the speeds you travel at.
For example, if your trolling motor draws a current of 54A at full speed. A 100Ah lithium battery will last for 1.85 hours or 1 hour 51 minutes on that trolling motor at full speed.
Here's the formula and calculation we used to find the answer:
●Formula: Running Time = Battery Ah Capacity / Trolling Motor Current Draw
●Calculations: Running Time = 100Ah / 54A = 1.85 hours or 1 hr 51 mins
You can use the above formula to calculate how long any battery will run. All you have to do is substitute in your battery’s Ah rating and your trolling motor’s current draw. For example, if the same motor draws 10A at half speed, here’s how to find out long the 100Ah will last:
●Formula: Running Time = Battery Ah Capacity / Trolling Motor Current Draw
●Calculations: Running Time = 100Ah / 10A = 10 hours or 1 hr 55 mins
Best battery for trolling motor
Despite their higher cost, Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries are the best batteries any boatsman could ask for; not only do they have a longer battery lifespan (up to 10 years), but they also have the following advantages:
●They are super light.
●They are smaller.
●They don’t need electrolyte top-ups or maintenance.
●They have great staying power and continue to output high levels of power until the last drop of energy.
So it should come as no surprise we highly recommend investing in a lithium iron phosphate battery for your trolling motor.
For the best result, the best battery for your trolling motor would be the a href="https://www.renogy.com/12v-100ah-lithium-iron-phosphate-battery-w-bluetooth/" target="_blank">12V 100Ah Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery w/ Bluetooth<. According to many anglers, the battery’s 100Ah rating will sustain your motor for at least a day under tournament conditions
You can also check out our line of high-quality Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries. If LiFePO4 batteries are out of your budget at the moment, we also have reliable AGM and Gel batteries with a lifespan of up to 4 years.
If you want to know something about other products such as solar panels, pure sine wave inverters, etc, feel free to contact us or visit our online store.
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FAQs
What is the best battery to run an electric trolling motor? ›
We suggest selecting a 12-volt deep cycle marine battery with at least 110 amp hour rating. Usually Group 27 size or larger. The higher the amp-hour rating, the more run time your trolling motor will receive.
How big of a battery do I need for a trolling motor? ›Selecting Battery Quantity
If the motor is 55 lbs. of thrust or less, you will need (1) 12 volt battery. If you have a motor with more than 55 lbs of thrust up to 80 lbs. of thrust, you will need (2) 12 volt batteries for a total of 24 volts.
For example, say you have a 100Ah battery and a trolling motor with a max amp draw of 50 amps. 100 divided by 50 equals 2, so the battery would last for about two hours with the trolling motor drawing the maximum number of amps.
What size lithium battery do I need for a 50 lb thrust trolling motor? ›| Thrust Range | LiFePO4 Battery Capacity | Recommended Battery |
|---|---|---|
| 30 to 55 pounds | 50-100 Ah | LiTime 12V 100Ah TM Litime 12V 100Ah mini |
| 55 to 80 pounds | 100-150 Ah | Litime 12V 200Ah |
| 80 to 100 pounds | 150-200 Ah | Litime 12V 300Ah |
| 200 to 300 pounds | 200-300 Ah | Litime 12V 400Ah |
If you rarely run your motor at max power then you want 60 amp hours. The DL+ 12V 60Ah, the single 24V 60Ah battery, or the single 36V 60Ah battery will give you a full day of run time. If you are running at max power often, using spot lock often, or regularly fish in heavy current you want 100 amp hours or more.
How long will a 50 Amp Hour battery last on a trolling motor? ›Many of our customers can comfortably run their trolling motor and other accessories for a full day fishing trip with our 50Ah models. With our 100Ah models, many customers report 2 or more full days of fishing before needing a recharge.
How do I choose a trolling battery? ›For trolling motors use, we recommend a battery with AT LEAST a 100 amperage hour rating, a Group 27 rating and 175 minutes of Reserve Capacity (RC).
How many amp hours does a 55lb trolling motor use? ›In theory, if you are looking to power our 55lb thrust trolling motor at full speed for roughly two hours, you will need roughly 100 amp hours. However, we regularly have customers report using their 55lb motors off and on all day with a 50Ah battery, and only use half the charge.
Why are lithium batteries not recommended for trolling motors? ›Lithium Batteries maintain higher voltages for longer. Motors engineered to make the most of flooded lead acid batteries can be damaged by the higher power output. To prevent this damage when using Lithium batteries you should not run your motor at its highest speeds, staying at 85%/Speed 8.5 or lower.
Do lithium batteries last longer on trolling motors? ›A lifespan of a lithium marine battery can last up to 10 times longer than traditional lead-acid batteries—ultimately saving money in the long run.
What size lithium battery do I need for a 55 lb thrust trolling motor? ›
Using a Newport Vessels 55lb thrust motor continuously for two hours at full speed would require a battery with a 100-120 AH rating. On the flip side, two hours at lower speeds with breaks will only require a battery between 50-100 AH rating.
What is the best amp hour for a trolling motor? ›Amp Hour Rating
This is one of the most important specifications to look for when considering a new trolling motor battery. It is recommended to have at least 100 amp hours for use in trolling motors to ensure your battery won't fail. But higher amounts, for example, a 125 amp hour battery will last longer.
A 55lb thrust trolling motor in similar circumstances will achieve around 4 miles per hour. A 62lb thrust motor will reach about 4.5 miles per hours. Finally, an 86lb thrust motor can get up to about 5 miles per hour.
How many HP is a 55lb thrust trolling motor? ›So every 746 watts is roughly equivalent to 1 horsepower. Using this formula the popular Newport Vessels NV-Series 55lb Thrust Trolling Motor is rated as 624 watts at the highest forward speed and so 624/746 = 0.84 and would be roughly equivalent to a 0.84 horsepower motor.
How fast will a 50 lb thrust trolling motor go? ›The maximum speed of a trolling motor is 5 mph regardless of how many pounds of thrust.
Is AGM battery better for a trolling motor? ›That type of jarring movement can easily damage a flooded lead-acid battery. AGM batteries also tend to have lower internal resistance. That means they can accept current faster (recharge) and deliver current longer (running your trolling motor longer) than a typical flooded lead-acid battery.
Is a 35AH battery good for a trolling motor? ›Brand New 35AH VMAXTANKS AGM Battery Replaces any Group U1 12V battery. Ideal for trolling motors, backup power, wheelchairs, and more. Trolling motor run times: Estimated 4 HOURS (for 40LB Trolling motors). 9 Hours for 18LB trolling motors.