How Long Do Trolling Motor Batteries Last?

When fishing all day on your boat, you want to make sure your trolling motor has enough battery power to last as long as you need. But how long will a trolling motor battery run before it dies? What factors impact the battery life?

Typical Trolling Motor Battery Run Times

On average, you can expect a trolling motor battery to run for 1-3 hours on a single full charge depending on several variables. Smaller 12V batteries on lower thrust motors tend to run 1-2 hours. Larger 24V systems on bigger motors may reach 3-5 hours.

Higher battery capacities extend the potential run time. A 100Ah battery will run longer than a 50Ah battery of the same voltage. Going with lithium batteries rather than lead acid also increases battery life significantly.

Motor Thrust and Speed Settings

Higher motor thrust draws more battery power. A 55lb motor runs longer than a 70lb on the same battery. Likewise, slower trolling speeds conserve more battery than faster speeds. Use the lowest effective speed for conditions to get the most runtime.

Environmental Conditions

Wind, waves, and water currents make the motor work harder draining batteries faster. Cold weather also reduces battery performance compared to warm conditions. Plan for the worst conditions you could face.

On Board Electronics

Having more electronic devices like fish finders, livewell pumps, and lights on board provides additional load on the battery further reducing trolling time available.

Best Practices for Maximize Battery Life

– Use appropriately sized batteries – Larger capacity extends runtimes
– Get lithium batteries if possible – Holds charge 2-3x longer than lead acid
– Minimize on board electronics – Turn off devices when not needed
– Use lower speed settings – Saves significant battery over high speeds
– Carry spare charged batteries – Swap out when batteries get low

Choosing the right battery setup and smart use allows you to maximize your time on the water trolling between charges.