How Long Will a 24v Trolling Motor Last?
An electric trolling motor is considered the best option if you plan a fishing trip. They offer better performance and a noise-free experience compared to gas motors. Added features like spot locking are one of the key components for successful boat anglers.
So, if you are planning to get yourself one of these deep cycle electric motors, the first question that surely pops into your mind must be: how long will a 24v trolling motor last?
Generally, you can expect at least three to five hours of battery life from trolling motors, but this is a highly debatable question.
The run time depends on quite a few factors.
24v Trolling Motor Battery Life
The most important part of understanding how long a trolling motor will run off a battery is to understand the battery life. There are two factors that you need to keep in mind for this, and they are:
- Amp Hours
- Amperage Draw
Other factors like battery charger, charging capability, and the maximum speed limit will also come into play. But the mentioned two are the primary decider regarding the battery runtime of a trolling motor.
Amp Hours for a 24v Trolling Motor
The term amp hours is often used for marine batteries. It indicates the duration of how long a fully charged electric motor battery can maintain & supply consistent amperage for optimal performance. Like the reserve capacity of a gas tank in a car, the higher it is, the better.
The cranking amps rating will be different depending on the speed your 24-volt trolling motor is going with. For example: if you have rated amp hours of 200, then the battery will be able to provide 40 amps of power for 5 hours or 20 amps of power for 10 hours before coming to a stop.
You can easily find out the amp hours of your electric motor by doing a simple calculation. Just multiply the total amperage draw with the battery performance hour, and you will find out the amperage draw.
This is important because if you don’t have the required amperage hours, then you won’t be able to make the most out of your battery and end up with low battery life.
Amperage Draw for a 24v Trolling Motor
The next factor that you need to consider is the cranking amps draw. This refers to the amount of amp the motor runs at different speeds. If you exceed the amperage draw limit on maximum speed, then it can lead to electronic gadgetry malfunctions and short battery runtime for your existing motor.
Thus, learning the amp draw for your main motor is a high priority. You won’t be able to find the accurate amperage draw for every type of trolling motor out there. Most of the time, you need to contact the manufacturer for these details.
That being said, if you are going with Minn Kota trolling motor, then finding the amp hour will be very easy as they add a relative chart regarding that.
Once you find out the amperage draw, you can easily determine how long a fully charged battery will run until it is completely depleted. To find this out, you will have to divide the amperage draw from the amp hours; the result will be battery run time.
For example: if you have 150 amp hour and 30 amp draw, then the battery will have a 5-hour run time.
12v vs 24v Trolling Motor Run Time
The runtime of 24v motors is higher compared to the 12v alternatives. This is because most 24v systems are 70-80 lb thrust trolling motor and draws fewer amps than 12v ones. They also need a lower wire gauge, making them easier to set up, and they charge faster too.
How to Charge a 24 Volt Battery System on a Boat?
It is easy to charge the batteries, much like a car battery. First, pick up a charge controller with 24 volt output. If you don’t have a 24 volt charger, you must opt for a 12-volt charger. In this case, you will have to charge one battery at a time.
Simply put the jumper wire to negative and then plug the charger in and set the charge rate. Do this for the starting battery and the secondary ones as well.
FAQs
Do electric trolling motors lose power over time?
Yes, the power of a trolling motor will start to decrease over time. Because the more power it uses, the faster the run time goes down. But if you maintain a given speed in calm conditions, then this decrease isn’t instantly noticeable.
How can I make my trolling battery last longer?
To extend the run time, get larger extra capacity batteries. Going more than two batteries is recommended. Also, figure out how many pounds you will be carrying and get a large boat, but a small boat will ensure more runtime improvement. Taking a moderate load and not going at top speed will help the battery to last.
Also, keep in mind that these aren’t car batteries, so oil the motor often. Something like distillate marine diesel will be the best fuel option if you want to keep a powerful trolling motor at your disposal.
Adding a trickle charger will also help a deep cycle battery to last longer when it is close to depletion. Weather conditions like hot weather or significant cold can also affect the runtime positively or negatively. Batteries that utilize solar panels can also increase the runtime.
What causes trolling motor to slow down?
Multiple factors can be counted in this regard. The most common ones are: going over the maximum power to get more thrust, weather conditions like strong winds, not performing proper re-charge sessions, overloading the boat, and exceeding the battery capacity.
How do I know if my trolling motor is 12 or 24 volt?
You will find this information on top of the battery; it will be written as either 12V or 24 V. The manual and the box that the batteries come with will also have the tag.
How many amps does a trolling motor use?
This depends on the thrust, voltage, and throttle level. At 50% throttle with around 140 Nm thrust, the motor will use 14 A.
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