However, while they offer deep cycling, the Golf Cart Battery performance of this function isn’t on the same level as a dedicated deep cycling battery. It’s also more susceptible to failure when completely discharged, although this is easy to avoid by always recharging after use. Regardless, both are becoming very popular with anglers looking for a high-performance battery for their trolling motor, especially where weight and efficiency are top priorities. After all, one weak trolling motor battery can ruin your weekend on the water.
The better your maintenance, the longer your battery will perform. The amperage hour (Ah) rating is a measure of the capacity of a battery. It represents the electrical charge a battery can deliver over a particular time. For example, a battery with a 100 Amp-hour rating can deliver a current of 1 ampere for 100 hours or 10 amperes for 10 hours before the battery discharges.
Every manufacturer recommends a specific charger, but it’s most important to have a charger that has enough amperage and is compatible with an ABM battery. It’s always best to take the recommendation from the manufacturer, though. This helps to extend the life of your battery and give you an overall better experience.
Best Trolling Motor Battery Reviewed
Lithium iron phosphate, or lithium-ion batteries, are the newest advancement in the battery world. They’re lighter than other deep-cycle batteries and have a longer lifespan. These factors make them the ideal match for anglers looking to get into electric-powered vessels. Lead-Acid Batteries must have the proper amount of distilled water and have regular checks for corrosion on the terminals. These batteries usually don’t have enough power to crank over an engine (cold cranking amps). So it’s best to have a separate cranking battery (starting the engine) and a deep-cycle for running batteries for a while.
Battery Types: Know The Difference!
Our team in Minnesota has run multiple configurations of Dakota Lithiums on the ice, in boats and in kayaks. We have also interviewed several of the engineers for today’s batteries and will follow up with a comprehensive guide to lithium power in another piece shortly. In addition, we have individual reviews of each battery coming shortly as well. If it’s your first trolling motor, and you’re unsure how long you will use it, going with lithium is probably not the best idea. Because lithium batteries can be safely discharged deeper, down to 80% of their DoD (depth of discharge), you can choose to go with a smaller size. Although you can buy a 36-volt lithium battery, there are not many reputable manufacturers to choose from.
As an AGM battery, it’s very durable and can be mounted in any position without the risk of leaking. Measuring 10” x 6.75” x 7.8” and weighing 43.5 lbs, it’s lighter and more compact than many similarly-sized batteries, being the perfect battery for small to medium-sized boats. There is no single best Ah rating for a trolling motor battery, as the needs of each angler will influence how much charge is necessary.
Being an AGM also means the battery handles vibrations and shocks without lowering performance. If you’re on choppy water or driving at higher speeds the battery performance won’t take a hit, and you won’t need to worry about leakages either. It’s completely sealed and won’t require fluid top-ups, so there should be very little to worry about in terms of maintenance. Of course, a general rule of thumb is that the higher the Ah number the better, as it means you’ll get even more charge from the battery so you can fish for longer. Higher Ah ratings often mean a more expensive battery, although this is often worth the investment when fishing frequently.
Chargers
Compared to other battery types, these batteries showed the longest lifespan. And if you are looking for trolling motor battery for kayak specially, this 35 Ah battery and this 70 ah battery would be enough. If you want to learn all ins and outs about the electric trolling motor battery, we’ve summarized everything you need to know for a comprehensive understanding of it. On the downside, higher amp-hour ratings usually mean bigger batteries, a higher cost, and slower recharging times. The main indicator of expected battery life is the amperage per hour rating.
If the battery has good reviews and a short warranty, that may mean the quality of the battery is good, and the company is confident in that. This reputable company has a long history of producing high-quality marine batteries that are popular with anglers everywhere. They are popular because of their reliability and low maintenance. The manufacturer has also taken measures to make this battery resistant to corrosion and excessive damage due to weather. The external part of the battery is built to be rugged and vibration resistant. This extends the battery’s overall life and makes maintenance simpler and faster.
A 12V trolling motor requires just one 12V battery; for 24V and 36V systems, you will need to connect 2 or 3 batteries in series. More batteries of the same size mean more capacity and more range available. Depending on the voltage of your trolling motor, you will need a different number of 12-volt batteries.
Northstar also offers an excellent warranty depending on what kind of battery you get. As with the other AGM batteries, it is entirely maintenance-free. No checking water levels or cleaning corrosion off the terminals. The battery maintains itself and is durable when stored over long periods of time and holds up in extreme conditions.
Before starting the business, read the manual of the manufacturer carefully. The last thing you would like to do is cause a fire outbreak or damage your battery prematurely. Customers appreciate the battery’s compact size, with one mentioning it’s great for small areas. Changing either of these can make a big difference as to how long your battery will last so you should always add in a large margin.
I ran the Walmart Everstart Batteries for more than a decade without a single problem. I had 3 of those 29 series Deep Cycle batteries last me more than 5 years. The fact that you can pay roughly $100 and get a battery to power your stuff for 5 years is a pretty darn good deal in my opinion.
This VMAX deep cycle battery is a beast at 69 pounds and is meant for larger vessels. It carries a lot of energy at 100 amp hours and is a highly regarded product. When it comes to trolling motors, having the right battery is essential to ensure you get the best performance when on the water.
Dakota Lithium batteries will give you twice the run time for your trolling motor while lasting 8x longer, providing exceptional lifetime value. In another scenario, Chris, a tour operator, uses multiple 150Ah batteries and motors drawing 30 amps to ensure full-day tours. Here, the calculator helps Chris manage battery swaps efficiently, enhancing customer satisfaction. These examples demonstrate the calculator’s versatility across different user needs.
That said, there are still plenty of deep-cycle batteries for your trolling motor. Picking the right battery for your bow-mounted trolling motor is a whole other kettle of fish. Trojan Batteries are known well for their performance over long-term use. Trojan has a ton of eco-friendly benefits factored into its battery design as well.
Beyond wiping off mud and grime or removing signs of corrosion, there isn’t much cleaning needed to properly maintain the battery, especially if it is an AGM. While the best AGM batteries perform better than wet cell batteries, they do cost more, so don’t immediately assume they are the best option for you. Of course, if you have the money available, we do recommend an AGM battery over a wet cell as they’re generally better and offer good value for your money. Lithium-ion batteries are relatively new to the market but boast the best lifespan, averaging at around 10 years in most cases. Again, this does come with a higher price but given the longevity of the battery, there is certainly value for money when investing in this type of battery.