When you’re out on the water, a trolling motor can help with navigating tricky spots, staying in place, or cruising quietly. How long can a trolling motor run on a full battery? This question goes beyond knowing the battery’s size, affecting motor power settings and battery maintenance.
Read on to explore the key components of trolling motor battery life, including uses and factors that affect performance. You can also find tips to extend the motor’s run time. No matter how long you’ve been boating, this blog will help you optimize your equipment for longer days on the water.
Common Uses for Trolling Motors
Trolling motors serve various purposes, depending on your needs and boating style. Here are some common scenarios to demonstrate their versatility:
- Trolling motors are perfect for anglers. They allow for slow, controlled maneuvering to attract fish without disturbing the water with loud noises.
- Electric trolling motors provide a quiet and eco-friendly solution to exploring lakes, reservoirs, or shallow waters.
- Trolling motors hold your position against wind and current with pinpoint accuracy.
- Some boaters use trolling motors for recreational purposes, like towing small inflatables or navigating narrow waterways.
Understanding how you’ll use your watercraft will help you choose the ideal battery and optimize its performance.
Factors Affecting Trolling Motor Battery Life
Several factors influence how long your trolling motor battery can last on a full charge. Understanding these variables helps you plan your trips.
1. Motor Thrust and Power Settings
The motor’s thrust, measured in pounds (lb), dictates how powerful it is. Motors with high thrust typically consume more energy, especially at high settings. For instance, running your motor at full throttle all day will drain your battery faster than using it at 50–75 percent power.
2. Battery Capacity
Battery capacity, measured in amp hours (Ah), affects how long your trolling motor can run. A high Ah rating means a battery can store more energy, allowing the motor to run for long periods. For example, a 100Ah battery should provide more run time than a 60Ah battery, all other factors being equal.
3. Water Conditions
Calm waters allow your trolling motor to use less power, while rough, windy, or current-heavy conditions require more effort from the motor, reducing run time. Take note of water conditions when choosing a battery for your trolling motor.
4. Boat Size and Weight
Large boats or heavily loaded vessels put more strain on the trolling motor, leading to faster battery depletion. Big motors need high-capacity batteries to operate for long periods. Minimizing weight on board can prolong the battery life.
5. Battery Age and Maintenance
Old batteries tend to hold less charge over time, even if fully charged. Regular maintenance, such as avoiding deep discharges and keeping battery terminals clean, can extend battery efficiency.
6. Temperature
Extremely hot or cold conditions can reduce battery capacity. For optimal performance, store and use batteries in moderate temperatures. Consider investing in a battery case or insulation to protect the battery from extreme temperatures.
Battery Types and Their Expected Lifespans
Choosing the right type of battery for your trolling motor will help you achieve optimal run time and durability. Here’s a breakdown of common battery types and what you can expect from each:
1. Lead-Acid Wet Cell Batteries
- Expected Lifespan: Two to three years
- Advantages: Affordable, widely available
- Drawbacks: Require regular maintenance and water refilling, vulnerable to vibration
2. Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) Batteries
- Expected Lifespan: Three to five years
- Advantages: Maintenance-free, resistant to vibration, excellent energy efficiency
- Drawbacks: Higher upfront cost
3. Lithium-Ion Batteries
- Expected Lifespan: 8–10 years
- Advantages: Lightweight, long lifespan, fast charging, superior capacity
- Drawbacks: More expensive than other options
Investing in the best battery type for your needs will impact the run time of your trolling motor as well as its long-term reliability.
Calculating Run Time for Your Trolling Motor
To estimate how long your trolling motor will run on a full charge, use this simple formula:
- Battery Capacity (Ah) × Voltage ÷ Motor Amps = Run time (Hours)
Example Calculation
- Battery Capacity: 100Ah
- Voltage: 12V
- Motor Current Draw at Speed Setting: 20A
- Putting it Together: 100Ah × 12V ÷ 20A = 6 hours
This calculation assumes consistent conditions. Keep in mind that actual run time may vary with power settings, water conditions, and other factors.
Tips for Extending Trolling Motor Battery Life
By following best practices, you can extend both the run time of your motor and the lifespan of the battery.
- Deep discharges reduce the lifespan of most batteries. Aim to recharge when it drops to around 50 percent capacity.
- Invest in a high-quality, compatible charger that prevents overcharging and provides fast, safe recharges.
- Run the motor at low speeds whenever possible to conserve battery.
- Keep unnecessary gear off your boat to decrease power strain on the motor.
- Store batteries in a cool, dry place when not in use, and ensure they’re fully charged before storage.
- Clean battery terminals and check electrolyte levels in lead-acid batteries.
Reasons To Replace Your Battery
Investing in a new, high-quality battery guarantees reliable performance when you need it most. Knowing when to replace your trolling motor battery is essential for avoiding disruptions on the water. Here are some tell-tale signs:
Decreased Performance
If your battery no longer holds a charge as it once did or struggles to power your trolling motor effectively, it may be time for a replacement.
Visible Damage
Corrosion, cracks, or leaks on the battery casing indicate physical damage that can compromise performance and safety.
Shortened Run Time
A battery that drains faster than it used to, even after a full charge, is a clear sign of aging or wear.
Difficulty Charging
If the battery takes an unusually long time to charge or fails to reach full capacity, it could be nearing the end of its life.
Age of the Battery
Most trolling motor batteries have a lifespan of three to five years. If your battery has exceeded this range, replacement may prevent unexpected failures.
Get the Best Performance From Your Trolling Motor
Maximizing the battery life of your trolling motor is all about knowing how to use and care for it. By looking into how long a trolling motor can run on a full battery, you can enjoy reliable performance and extended adventures on the water.
Still not sure which battery is right for your needs? Reach out to the experts at PowerHouse Lithium for advice. Learn how a lithium-ion trolling motor battery from our stocks can help you save money.