Somewhere around the third carburetor rebuild for our 3.3 hp four stroke dinghy outboard, I decided enough is enough. Four stroke outboards are supposed to be cleaner and quieter than two strokes, but they are heavier, more complicated, and in smaller sizes, not that much quieter. The old two stroke that we replaced always started first pull, but regurgitating two stroke oil into the ocean and atmosphere is no longer a responsible option. Keep your electric outboard battery happy and your dinghy range optimized with these charging tips.
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This is to ensure the battery is protected from overvoltage and that it’s charged to its maximum capacity. Sulfation is a buildup of lead sulfate crystals on lead-acid battery plates. It occurs whenever a battery is left without a full charge, which is the main reason lead-acid batteries lose performance and fail. Sulfation is responsible for longer charging times, shorter run times, and battery life. On average, a high-quality deep-cycle battery with a trolling motor can last between 3 and 5 years. If the battery discharges frequently or incorrectly, its lifespan will be shorter.
It’s large enough to power trolling motors all day, delivering the thrust you need to fish hard. Trolling motors with 30 pounds of thrust are often found on smaller boats like kayaks and canoes. The following chart shows the run times at various speeds with different battery sizes. They will degrade over time and not put out as much power in the latter years.
Goldenmate is offering our readers a discount on their batteries as well. Impulse Lithium also offers a full, 10-year (non-prorated) warranty on their batteries. Read our full review on Impulse Lithium 12.8V and 36.4V batteries. They are expensive, but when you consider their much longer lifespan, the cost is comparable to lead-acid batteries, which need to be replaced more often. A BMS will also look after individual battery cells to make sure they are balanced and have the same voltage. However, there are many types of lithium-ion batteries, and in this article, we discuss only LiFePo4 (LFP) batteries, which are the easiest and safest to use.
Best Trolling Motor Batteries Reviewed
The larger the fuel tank is, the more fuel it is able to store and the more energy it can provide to the engine. A larger trolling motor will require more power; therefore you will need a larger battery. You might think that you’ll save some money by going with a cheaper battery, but you’re using it as your transportation over water. Most anglers won’t like carrying trolling motor batteries by hand.
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It is a dual-purpose battery so you can use it to run other electronics. The plates and the mat are packed so tightly together that the whole unit is literally resistant to impacts and vibrations. And since the unit is tightly and completely sealed, the is no chance of leakages. But if you are looking for cheap batteries that can also deliver decent performance, lead-acid batteries would be the ideal option.
The batteries need to provide ample energy and duration to power your various needs on the boat or kayak and, the batteries need to do so for many years. Car batteries cannot be recharged and be brought down on water levels over and over again. If you use car batteries, you may end up buying and installing three or four of them before a quality trolling motor batteries wears out.
Make sure that the battery is damaged or old, or out of charge. If any of these given conditions occur, you will not get the ideal rated amp-hours, reducing the runtime. Lithium marine deep cycle batteries, in general, is fast, lightweight, and extremely easy to use. The Ionic Lithium Marine Batteries charge faster than a standard lead-acid battery and can be fully charged within 2 hours; it is even longer-lasting.
I’ve fished a bunch of days out of a kayak with a Motorguide Xi3 trolling motor with this battery and I love it. It charges fast, holds a charge a long time and provides ample power for all day trolling around in a big 13-foot kayak. It’s built with precision waterproofing, vibration controls and fire suppression technology. One of the worst things for a lithium battery is water on the cells and keeping water out of batteries in an environment prone to be more watery is an important feature. Higher peak discharge means it also has stronger starting power. But for running a graph or a trolling motor all day on a small boat or yak, this battery is hard to beat.
Let’s face it; batteries are not the cheapest item on the market. You must consider the battery’s brand, make, model, and core charge. The core charge is a charge before the sale to ensure you return the battery for proper disposal after its lifespan. So if you need a battery 24/7, choose a company with reliable services, so a replacement is never on your mind. Unfortunately, lithium iron phosphate batteries also the most expensive battery, which is why they aren’t on every fisherman’s boat. If you’re in a pinch and need to recharge, you can have the Dakota back to 80% in as little as 30 minutes.
It utilizes an absorbent glass mat which not only absorbs vibrations, but it also protects the battery from leaking. Another great design feature is that battery’s grid is made of tin alloy to keep the battery in excellent working condition and to give it a long life. VMAX 12v battery uses an electrolyte suspension system, which consists of an absorbed glass mat that absorbs vibrations. It has a lead plated silver terminal that helps reduce power loss and ensures that you get the power that you need to run your boat. The D34M has CCA ratings of 750 amps, which is more than adequate to start just about any outboard.
The three most common types of deep cycling batteries used in trolling motors are Lead-acid batteries, AGM batteries, and Lithium-Ion Batteries. Lead plates tend to break down quickly due to heavy vibration when the boat is at top speed. So the fiberglass mat helps resist the vibrations thereby lengthening the life of the battery. There are different types of batteries available for trolling motors. When selecting a trolling motor battery, it’s important to consider the warranty offered by the manufacturer.
The lead plates in this battery are thicker than most internally. This provides deeper cycle AGM work for longer trolling motor usage. You don’t have to worry about spillage or overpressure with this battery, as it is maintenance-free. At just 21.2 lbs, the battery is the lightest and most compact Group 24 trolling motor battery available, offering portability without sacrificing power. With an IP65 rating, this battery is resistant to moisture, dust, and salt water, making it perfect for both marine and outdoor use. The BMS offers full protection against overcharge, over-discharge, overcurrent, overheat, and short circuits, ensuring safe and reliable operation.
This is another solid brand doing some unique things with lithium marine power. PowerHouse Lithium offers good warranties that include full replacement for the first 7 years. At 7-10 years, it is repair or replacement, whichever is necessary.
This probably isn’t important if you charge your trolling motor battery overnight. However, fast charging brings about the possibility of recharging your batteries during the day or using a powerful outboard alternator or generator to top up your lithium battery. On the other hand, dual-purpose marine batteries give you the best of both worlds. With this battery type, you’re receiving cold-cranking amps and deep cycle power. SLA wet cell batteries have been around longer, which makes it a cheaper option. However, AGM batteries have better qualities, making the extra couple of bucks worth it.
Universal Power Group Battery is a spill-proof battery that is praised by a lot of anglers. The battery is made with a thick Abs plastic casing and is resistant to shock and vibration. It also has a low self-discharge rate, so you can be sure that it will work perfectly even after being stored for a long time.
