Complete Guide to Choosing a Lithium Battery for Trolling Motors - Why and How
, by Sally Zhuang, 10 min reading time
Trolling motors play an important role in fishing. They help maneuver the boat silently and avoid spooking fish, ultimately increasing your chances of catching fish. Additionally, the type of battery you use for your trolling motor can have a significant impact on the performance of your fishing experience. In recent years, Lithium batteries have become a popular choice among anglers due to their longer lifespan and lower maintenance requirements compared to traditional batteries. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of using lithium batteries for trolling motors.
Table of contents
- 5 Benefits of Lithium Batteries for Trolling Motors
- Advantage 1: Lightweight and portable
- Benefit 2: Longevity - LiFePO4 offers long-term cost savings
- Benefit 3: High Energy Density - Improved trolling motor performance
- Advantage 4: Low maintenance - Practical for all fishing enthusiasts
- Advantage 5: Increased safety and environmental friendliness
- Factors to consider when choosing the right LiFePO4 battery size for your trolling motor
- Choosing the right LiFePO4 battery for your trolling motor
5 Benefits of Lithium Batteries for Trolling Motors
Advantage 1: Lightweight and portable
When choosing the perfect trolling motor battery, weight is a crucial factor to consider. A heavy battery can affect your boat's speed, maneuverability and fuel efficiency, especially in turbulent water conditions. Because trolling motors operate at low speeds for extended periods of time, choosing a lightweight battery can reduce the overall weight of the boat, improving its handling and responsiveness.
The weight of the battery also affects the balance of the boat, which is critical to safe operation in various water conditions. A heavy battery can cause the bow to dive, making steering difficult and unsafe in bad weather. A lighter battery can ensure boat stability and make it easier to navigate in difficult conditions.
Lithium iron phosphate batteries (LiFePO4) offer a significant weight advantage over conventional gel cell and AGM batteries. Gel cells and AGM batteries often weigh between 60-70 pounds for a 12V 100Ah battery, while the same capacity LiFePO4 battery weighs 26 to 32 pounds. A Power Queen 12.8V 100Ah LiFePO4 battery weighs only 24.25 lbs(11kg).
The weight savings can improve the speed, maneuverability and fuel efficiency of the boat, giving you more time to fish and worry less about the weight of the battery.
Benefit 2: Longevity - LiFePO4 offers long-term cost savings
Trolling motors place high demands on batteries, especially when used for extended periods in different water conditions and speeds. A battery's lack of durability can lead to premature failure, leaving you without power on the water.
In contrast, a powerful battery can maintain its capacity even with repeated use, providing you with reliable power at all times. This longevity guarantees that you will save money in the long run as the batteries will need to be replaced less often, which can be expensive and inconvenient.
It is also important to consider the expected lifespan of a battery. Long-lasting batteries tend to last longer than their less durable counterparts. For example, lithium iron phosphate batteries (LiFePO4) have a lifespan 3-5 times longer than lead-acid batteries. Lead-acid batteries have a lifespan of 300-500 cycles, meaning they need to be replaced every 2-3 years. In contrast, you can get LiFePO4 batteries with a lifespan of 4.000-15.000 cycles use for more than ten years.
Choosing a long-lasting battery can help you avoid frequent battery replacement costs and hassles, ensuring your trolling motor performs optimally on the water and saving you money in the long run.
Benefit 3: High Energy Density - Improved trolling motor performance
Compared to other battery types, lithium iron phosphate batteries (LiFePO4) have a higher energy density. This means that more energy can be stored in a smaller size and weight compared to lead-acid batteries. While the typical energy density of lead-acid batteries is between 30-50 Wh/kg, it is around 100-150 Wh/kg for LiFePO4 batteries. This higher energy density allows LiFePO4 batteries to provide the trolling motor with more energy for longer periods of time.
The higher energy density of LiFePO4 batteries also ensures consistent voltage delivery, which is critical for optimal trolling motor performance. This consistency allows the engine to operate at a constant speed, allowing for smooth and efficient navigation on the water.
In addition, LiFePO4 batteries can be discharged at a higher discharge rate than lead-acid batteries. They offer discharge rates of up to 5C or more compared to the 1C-2C rates of lead-acid batteries. This discharge rate means the battery can deliver more energy to the motor when needed, ensuring better performance and longer operating times on the water.
Advantage 4: Low maintenance - practical for all fishing enthusiasts
Proper maintenance is critical to optimal trolling motor battery performance and life, and accessibility for maintenance should be considered when selecting a battery.
Maintenance can affect your entire fishing experience, as regular maintenance such as checking water levels, refilling distilled water, and ensuring proper charging can be time-consuming, inconvenient, and shorten your fishing time.
Lead-acid batteries, for example, require regular maintenance, and neglecting these tasks can result in shortened battery life or even battery failure, leaving you without power for your trolling motor.
In contrast, LiFePO4 batteries require much less maintenance than lead-acid batteries, earning them the title of "maintenance-free". LiFePO4 batteries do not require frequent water level checks and do not require special charging processes to ensure their longevity. Choosing LiFePO4 batteries will save you time and effort on maintenance, making fishing on the water smoother and more enjoyable.
Therefore, when choosing a trolling motor battery, battery maintenance is an important consideration, and choosing a low-maintenance option like LiFePO4 can provide benefits in terms of time, effort, and overall performance on the water.
Advantage 5: Increased safety and environmental friendliness
The safety of trolling motor batteries is critical as overcharging and undercharging pose significant safety risks. Overcharging can cause the battery to overheat and therefore rupture or explode, while undercharging can damage the battery and affect its performance.
Another risk is the release of toxic gases when charging or using the battery. Charging or using lead-acid batteries releases hydrogen gas, which is highly flammable and can cause fire or explosion if not properly ventilated. In contrast, LiFePO4 batteries do not emit toxic gases, making them safer for enclosed areas such as boats.
Advanced safety features that ensure optimal battery safety include overcharge protection, thermal regulation and short circuit protection mechanisms. It is also important to store and use the battery in a well-ventilated area, away from heat sources and flames.
Power Queen's LiFePO4 batteries have a built-in BMS (Battery Management System) that provides protection against overcharge, over-discharge, over-current, short circuit and high temperature, ensuring the best safety and reliability.
By selecting a battery with advanced safety features and following appropriate storage and usage guidelines, you can minimize the risks associated with battery use. This way you can enjoy a safe and worry-free experience on the water with your trolling motor. In addition, LiFePO4 batteries are environmentally friendly, avoid pollution and protect nature.
Factors to consider when choosing the right LiFePO4 battery size for your trolling motor
Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries offer a number of advantages over traditional lead-acid batteries, including high energy density, longer life and improved safety. When considering a LiFePO4 battery for your trolling motor, choosing the right size is crucial to ensure optimal performance and durability.
Here are some factors to consider when choosing the right LiFePO4 battery size for your trolling motor:
VoltageThe first thing to consider is the voltage required for your trolling motor. Most trolling motors work with either a 12 or 24 volt system. Choose a LiFePO4 battery with a voltage that meets the needs of your trolling motor.
Amp-hour (Ah) capacityThe amp-hour capacity of the battery determines how long your trolling motor can operate on a single charge. To calculate the battery capacity you need, consider how long you want your trolling motor to run and at what speed. Remember that higher speeds use more power and drain the battery faster.
You can use the following formula to calculate the required battery capacity:
Battery capacity (Ah) = (trolling motor current draw in amps x hours of continuous use) x 1.5
For example, if your trolling motor draws 10 amps and you want to use it continuously for 4 hours, you will need a battery with a capacity of at least (10 x 4) x 1.5 = 60 Ah.
Size and weightLiFePO4 batteries come in different sizes and shapes. Therefore, it is important that you choose a battery that fits your boat and is easy to install and remove. Keep in mind that LiFePO4 batteries are also much lighter than traditional lead-acid batteries, so you may be able to choose a battery with a higher amp-hour capacity without putting too much strain on your boat.
Choosing the right LiFePO4 battery for your trolling motor
When choosing the right LiFePO4 battery for your trolling motor, there are a few factors you need to consider. The size of the battery, measured in ampere-hours (Ah), its voltage and dimensions must all match.
For motors with a thrust force of 30 to 55 pounds, a LiFePO4 battery with a capacity of 50-100 Ah should be sufficient. In this case, the Power Queen 12.8V 100Ah mini LiFePO4 lithium battery is highly recommended.
For motors with a thrust of 55 to 80 pounds, a battery with a capacity of 100-150 Ah is required. The Power Queen 12.8V 200Ah LiFePO4 lithium battery is ideal for this category.
If your motor has between 80 and 100 pounds of thrust, you should choose a battery with a capacity of 150-200 Ah. In this case the Power Queen is 12.8V 300Ah LiFePO4 lithium battery a suitable partner.
If you have a larger trolling motor with a thrust force of 200 to 300 pounds, a LiFePO4 battery with a capacity of 200-300 Ah is required to provide the required power and runtime. In this scenario, thePower Queen would be 12.8V 410Ah LiFePO4 lithium battery the best choice.
Conclusion
Lithium batteries offer an impressive list of benefits, including longer lifespan, better battery performance and a better power-to-weight ratio than traditional batteries. This makes them an excellent option for anglers looking to maximize their trolling motor experience. Purchasing a trolling motor with a lithium battery that suits your fishing needs and preferences is easy if you know what to look for. Follow the guidelines in this article and you will find the right lithium battery and trolling motor without any problems, which will ultimately improve your fishing experience.
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