Best Trolling Motor Battery: Is It Easy to Choose?
Batteries have been around since the early times, and in the recent decades, have allowed smaller mechanical or electronic components to operate without having to be plugged to an AC Power Source and be portable in the process. This is the exact same principle with ships and smaller boats, where voyage in the open seas and in bodies of water is made possible through a battery-powered motor, otherwise known as the trolling motor battery. Having said that, one has to make proper deliberations with choosing the best trolling motor battery to have the smoothest sailing experience possible.
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Last update on 2022-08-23 at 13:26 PST - Details
*Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
How To Choose The Best Trolling Motor Battery
Knowing how to choose the best trolling motor battery is just as important as choosing other materials used in fishing. The reason for this is simply because the quality of your trolling motor battery could either make or break your fishing experience. Having said that, here are some of the things that you have to keep in mind whenever you go out choosing a trolling motor battery for the boat you’d be using when fishing:
1. Determine Its Battery Life
The longer the life of the Trolling Motor Battery is, then the better it is for you. This is for a rather obvious reason, and it’s that it would be an absolutely dreadful experience to have your motor dying out while you’re in the middle of the sea.
This would leave you floating and possibly stranded in the ocean or river for several hours, should it happen, which could expose you to the dangers of the seas. Most of the batteries available for trolling motors are of the lead acid variety, which is the same one used in cars.
In looking for a battery for trolling motors, look for one with a running time of at least 4 to 9 hours, and one which does not take a long time to charge.
2. Pick One With A Solid Design
Lead Acid, while touted as a highly effective substance for use in batteries, is one which is dangerous, given its low pH, or high acidity level. Exposure to lead acid could result to irritation and burns on the skin, as with lead having long-term cognitive effects brought about by its exposure. Having said that, it’s important that the trolling motor battery you decide to purchase is spill-proof in nature, given that rough seas could cause violent rocking on the boat might end up shaking the battery as well.
Another advantage of having a solid, waterproof design for your battery is that it could be placed virtually anywhere on the boat, without any risk, and one would not have to bother taking steps to “waterproof” the battery. While solid designs would usually mean a heavier weight, this would still be beneficial, nevertheless.
3. Always Remember To Check The Boat’s Weight
When it comes to choosing the best trolling motor battery for your boat for fishing use, it is of utmost importance for one to check and give due consideration to the weight of the boat first. The reason for this is that not all batteries, as long-lasting as they can be, are able to effectively provide the thrust that is needed for your boat to get going.
The same battery may bring a heavy boat longer to the desired destination longer than a boat which is much lighter.
4. Never Choose The SLI-Type Batteries
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It was previously mentioned that batteries of cars are made of the same materials as the one for trolling motor batteries, specifically the presence of lead acid. It is equally important, however, for you to keep in mind that these batteries are especially designed solely for car uses. Cars are not as exposed to water as boats, and this alone makes a huge difference.
While SLI-Type Batteries would work for a while, chances are, these would die out much much quicker, as they are not made to power up trolling motors. Moreover, using these could end up damaging both the trolling motor and the battery itself in the long run. Pick only the most robust, and most suitable for activities such as fishing.
5. While Not Necessary, Extraneous Features Can Be Beneficial
Who says trolling motor batteries can’t be adorned with other accessories? There actually are a lot of motor batteries out in the market nowadays that not only provide power for the trolling motor, but allow you to charge other materials from the power of the motor battery as well. This includes cell phones and other communication devices like walkie-talkies and radio-frequency communicators, extra lights, and the like.
While solar energy could be good for these materials, chances are, it would be tedious and expensive to have a panel installed in the boat, and not all the time are you assured that these essential devices would be charged fully before setting sail. A great alternative to solar panels would be “smart batteries”, which help to not just provide power to the trolling motor, but to other devices that you may bring along while fishing as well. These “smart batteries” are equipped with the necessary charging docks and USB Ports to allow charging to ensue.
For a more in-depth guide, feel free to have a look at this video:
Best Trolling Motor Batteries Out In the Market Today
Given that we now know the basic characteristics for what makes the best trolling motor battery for your fishing needs, here are the best of the best:
Last update on 2022-08-23 at 13:26 PST - Details
*Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
If you’re conscious of the battery life, and you would want the best for your small trolling motor, then the Trolling Motor Power Center by Minn Kota is one of the best choices you could possibly have. Apart from a long-lasting battery life, it also allows you to have accessory plugs as well, thus giving you more freedom to charge other things deemed necessary to charge.
Pros
- Ideal for Smaller Boats
- Terminals are Equipped with Easy Access Leads, so no need to open
- Extra Strong and Solid Terminals
- Has Battery Meter to effectively check on Battery in real time
- Equipped with separate Breakers for accessory plugs and the trolling motor to prevent material damage
- Equipped with circuit breakers
- Fit for either 24- or 27- batteries
Cons
- Wires may be too short
- No Instruction Manual or any form of Pamphlet inside the container
The SLA Battery is one which works best indeed for any trolling motor. Making use of it, instead of other types such as the SLI would ensure that both your motor and your battery would last long. The following are the pros and cons for the SLA Battery for Minn Kota Endura C2:
Pros
- Standard 35 AH, 12 V DC rating, which are the common ratings for batteries that are most compatible for motors
- Maintenance-free, and therefore, hassle-free battery
- High rate of discharge
- Resistant to harsh temperatures
- Spill-proof, and therefore, extra rigid for longer service life
- Purchase comes with refund policy good for 30 days, warranty good for 1 year
Cons
- Purchase is might be too costly that the average lead acid battery.
If strength is what you’re looking for, then Power Boat Pontoon Electric Trolling Motor Deep Cycle Battery could be the perfect one just for you.
Pros
- Long lasting, 12 V, 55Ah power rating, much stronger and longer than that of the average trolling motor battery.
- Made of Quality, Heavy-Duty Components
- Equipped with ground-breaking AGM, or Absorbent Glass Mat Technology
- Suitable for either indoor or outdoor use
- Resistant to both shock and vibration
- Multipurpose, ideal for Portable Tools, Access Control Materials, Security, Emergency Lighting
- SLA Internal Chemistry
Cons
- No apparent cons in terms of functionality
- Might be a bit more expensive
Another heavy duty one that’s best for your market is the VMAXTANKS Vmax857 Group U1 Marine Deep Cycle Battery by Minn Kota, which basically has everything you look for in any trolling motor battery.
Pros
- Maintenance-Free Operation
- High Discharge Rate
- Extra Efficient
Cons
- May require additional washers to secure battery
If you don’t fish often, and if you do not want to add too much weight to your boat, which could reduce its thrust and over-all speed, then the Shorai LFX09L2-BS12 Powersports Battery is one which is best for you.
Pros
- Extra Light, a mere 20% of the weight of the average typical lead-acid battery
- Gas-Free, Environment-friendly
- Ultra Quick Rate for Recharging
- Perfect for Small-Scale Fishing
- Great as Spare Battery
- Cheaper than others
Cons
- Not fit for long-term, primary Battery
- Lasts a shorter span of time
Conclusion
The reality is, a lot of the batteries for trolling motors are not difficult to find. Having said that, there are more than the ones that are featured on this review that you can use for your trolling motor boat. If you’re on the lookout for the best, then the sure winner would most definitely be the Power Boat Pontoon Electric Trolling Motor Deep Cycle Battery, which has the highest Ah rating among all of the products featured above.
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