Do you know how long your trolling motor battery can run? Or how many miles can you trolling motor can run before you need to change? This is important because we all need to be prepared before the battery runs out of power.
This blog will help you calculate the endurance of the trolling motor battery and the endurance of your streamer motor.
In this article, we will also focus on the average life of trolling motor batteries and how to extend their life through proper maintenance.
What Are Trolling Motor Batteries?
Generally, there are two types of batteries on trolling motor batteries, ordinary energy storage battery and power start battery.
The ordinary trolling motor battery is a battery designed specifically for use with marine trolling motors. The purpose behind them is to provide power for longer periods of time when slowly trolling through fishing areas.
In contrast, trolling motor starting batteries are used to start the ignition. With a trolling motor battery, the engine needs to be started and then provide enough power to maintain the motors and equipment connected to the boat.
Trolling motor batteries can last anywhere from 3 to 10 years. The type of battery, how often you use it, and whether or not your trolling motor is running hard will all affect how long your boat battery will last.
Trolling motor batteries can last for many years if cared for and maintained properly. Each battery should include its expected life in the product information.
What are types of trolling motor batteries?
There are Four types of trolling motor batteries:
- Immersed lead-acid (wet) battery
- AGM lead-acid battery
- Gel lead-acid battery
- LiFePO4 Lithium Battery
Most trolling motor/marines are equipped with floodlight lead-acid batteries, but the modification of lithium ion batteries is simple.
The cost of lithium trolling motor battery is higher than that of lead-acid battery, but it brings significant benefits.
- Longer life than lead-acid battery
- No maintenance, no watering or cleaning
- Do not lose power when the voltage drops
- Charging is much faster.
- Less weight
The battery life depends on the charging times and maintenance quality, so the used battery is not worth taking risks.
How long should a trolling motor battery last?
The life of a trolling motor battery depends on many factors such as battery type, frequency of use, battery discharge rate, motor power, battery size, and conditions of use. But the main life expectancy of a trolling battery depends on the type.
As mentioned above, the trolling motor can be powered by four types of batteries: gel batteries, absorbent glass mats, and submerged lead-acid batteries.
Gel Batteries: Typically lasts 3-5 years.
Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) Batteries: These are also known as valve-regulated lead-acid batteries and last up to 5 years.
Flooded Lead Acid: These are also called wet batteries because they have a liquid electrolyte. They can last 2-3 years.
Lithium trolling motor battery: Maximum lifespan is 5-10 years.
In addition, the life of lithium batteries also requires team battery maintenance. If the lithium battery is in a state of discharge for a long time, it does not maintain a good battery power state. Unfortunately, this is what most people do when storing their trolling motor batteries during the colder months.
Therefore, it is important to charge the battery after each use and use a trickle battery charger during the colder months. Instead, you can charge the battery once a month during the winter months to keep it charged.
Another best solution is to use a car charger. Just connect it when you get home, as this will help keep your battery from dropping below 50% every time. This is one of the reasons for shortened battery life.
If you want your trolling motor battery to last longer:
Keeps clean and free of dirt to prevent corrosion and prolong battery life
Make sure to charge it regularly, like once a week
Keep it in a cool dry place when not in use
If you’re shopping for a new motor battery, don’t forget to consider the most important aspects. First, decide what type you want. The two main types of trolling motor batteries are AGM and lead wet acid batteries. Each has pros and cons, so make sure you do your homework before buying. Second, determine the size of the battery. Since batteries come in different sizes, please choose the one that suits your needs.
Read more: Where You can find The Best Battery OEM/ODM Manufacturer
How to prolong the service life of trolling motor batteries?
Here are some suggestions on how to maintain trolling motor batteries,
Avoid exposing the battery to extreme temperatures.
Extreme temperatures can cause moisture evaporation, corrosion and other issues that affect the life cycle of batteries. Any temperature above 45°C (113°F) and below -20°C (-4°F) can be considered an extreme temperature for your trolling motor battery. However, if you avoid storing batteries anywhere above 38°C (100°F) or below 0°C (32°F), that’s fine.
Regularly maintain the battery
Maintain trolling motor battery routine maintenance by adding solution or water as needed. This is the best way to prolong its life and avoid corrosion.
For example, wet cells require a lot of maintenance because the water level must be added frequently. If you ignore this and let the battery dry, it will stop working after a few uses. Use distilled water when topping up, as you don’t want to affect the concentration of the electrolyte.
Since charging trolling motor batteries is a hassle, you can opt for sealed motor batteries that don’t require any maintenance and don’t require watering.
If the battery is new, consult the manufacturer for proper maintenance guidelines.
Do the right battery storage
Knowing how to properly store your trolling motor battery during the offseason is crucial. First, disconnect the negative wire from the battery and charge the battery. Do not store batteries with empty power.
Clean the battery frequently
Debris and dirt on top of the trolling motor battery and its terminals can cause the battery to die. This will discharge the battery and even use an extra charge cycle, damaging the trolling motor battery. Therefore, it is very important to clean the top of the battery and its terminals with a damp rag at least once a week.
Keep the battery fully charged
Prevent your deep cycle battery from dying. Don’t leave it on discharge for a long time, as this will affect its lifespan.
So if you’ve been using your trolling motor battery all day, don’t forget to charge it when you get home. If you use the motor for a few hours or occasionally, you can charge it once a week.
One of the biggest problems occurs when you keep your trolling motor batteries in the cold season. If you don’t charge them regularly, that can damage them. One of the effective ways to solve this problem is to use an automatic charging device that detects when the trolling motor battery is fully charged.
This method will help you keep your battery fully charged throughout the winter, extending its lifespan. Don’t forget to store them in a dry and cool place. Avoid placing batteries on concrete floors.
