When you set out on a long-term fishing expedition, you need a trolling motor you can rely on. Whether to maintain a good position, fight a minor current, or travel silently along the shore, the best trolling motor is vital for those minute movements that don’t require full engine power.
Plus, the best rule on the water is always: more peace and quiet, better fishing.
The caveat is that a trolling motor is nothing without a reliable power source. Having the best trolling battery can make the difference between a hassle-free trip and a headache on the water.
The best trolling battery combines reliability with the power to withstand multiple charge cycles. It’s one whose draw power is never mitigated by its weight – buckling under pressure and dying on the water. And the right battery lasts for the long haul, delivering consistent performance over the years.
For all those reasons, lithium batteries have become the most popular choice for trolling motors today. But not all lithium batteries are built equally. Here are a few things to know when selecting yours:
The first question to answer is, why lithium? Typically, customers are presented with three options when choosing a battery for their trolling motor: wet cell batteries, advanced glass mat (AGM), and lithium. Each of these comes with its advantages and disadvantages:
A lithium battery also delivers long-lasting performance, with some brands claiming to last a decade before needing replacement. This makes them an excellent choice for reliably powering your trolling motor, though it isn’t without cost. Lithium batteries aren’t cheap, but that upfront cost is an investment. One that leads to long-term savings when you rarely need a replacement.
However, it’s important to note that not all trolling motors are compatible with lithium batteries, so be sure to check compatibility before making any purchase.
The first thing you want to keep in mind is the requirements of your trolling motor. Trolling motors typically have three voltages: 12v, 24v, or 36v. You will either need a battery with the same voltage or multiple batteries that can be linked to meet the motor’s voltage requirement.
If you use two batteries, ensure they are both new – never mix old and new batteries, and never mix different kinds of batteries when linking them into a set.
You’ll also want to keep in mind the max amp-draw of your motor. It should always be less than the max amp-draw of your battery (also referred to as continuous discharge rate). Essentially, your engine has a maximum amount of power that it can demand from a battery, and a battery can only deliver a certain amount of power at a time. If your battery can’t provide enough power because its max amp draw is too low, you won’t get the power you need to run your trolling motor at full strength.
Once you know the requirements for your trolling motor, you can narrow your search with primary consideration given to weight, price, and amp-hours.
Amp-hours (Ah) determine the total use your battery can get out of one charge, though the specific hours and minutes you get depend on the amp-draw of your motor.
For example, if you have a 100 Ah battery and your motor has an amp-draw of 25 amps, you will get about four hours of continuous use at top speed. Generally, if you plan to spend all day fishing, you should have a battery with double the capacity of your motor’s max draw.
So, if your motor draws 25 amps, you should have a 50 Ah battery. If you are more of a half-day motorist, then a battery with the same amp hours as your motor’s max amp draw should be fine.
Weight isn’t going to be too divergent when it comes to lithium batteries, as they are generally much lighter than other batteries. You’ll never be too encumbered, regardless of the brand. Still, some models are more lightweight, and you might be willing to pay more to take on that lighter load.
Cost is always the deciding factor when looking at batteries and can be prohibiting for many purchasers. Lithium batteries are expensive compared to other options. As always, however, the higher the quality, the higher the cost. Factors like increased voltage and amp-hours or decreased weight can up the price of a lithium battery.
These factors of amp-hours, weight, and cost are likely to be your most significant considerations when choosing your lithium trolling battery. The last thing to keep in mind, however, is warranty and lifetime battery life which can vary drastically depending on the brand.
Determining your budget and comparing that to your needs on the water is vital to selecting the best trolling battery for you. Once you decide both, the right trolling battery isn’t far out of reach.
When choosing a lithium battery for a Minn Kota trolling motor, Epoch Batteries is a great option to consider. Our batteries meet the following key factors:
Choosing Epoch Batteries for your Minn Kota trolling motor means you can have the peace of mind knowing that your battery is compatible, reliable and budget-friendly.
Motor Thrust / Max Amp Draw (A) @ Voltage (V) / Recommended Battery
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