Questions answered
Trolling motor and electric boat questions, answered
The questions anglers ask on The Hull Truth, BassResource, Walleye Central and In-Depth Outdoors, answered from Minn Kota's manual and the battery and outboard makers' own specs. Run times are our arithmetic from those figures.
Updated . Every answer lists the sources we read it from. If we couldn't back an answer, we left the question out.
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How long will a trolling motor battery last?
| Motor | Max draw | Lithium, full speed | Lithium, half speed | AGM, half speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 lb, 12 V | 30 A | 3.3 h | 6.7 h | 3.3 h |
| 45 lb, 12 V | 42 A | 2.4 h | 4.8 h | 2.4 h |
| 55 lb, 12 V | 50 A | 2.0 h | 4.0 h | 2.0 h |
Half speed uses half the maximum draw, Newport's rule of thumb. Wind, current and a heavy boat raise the draw; slow trolling lowers it. Renogy advises not running its AGM below 50%.
Run your own numbers: Runtime calculator for your motor
What size battery do I need for my trolling motor?
Connecting batteries in series raises the voltage; connecting them in parallel raises the capacity (Victron, Wiring Unlimited).
Redodo says its 12V 100Ah gives the same usable energy as a 200Ah lead-acid battery, because it is rated for full discharge while Renogy advises not taking its AGM below 50%. Use the runtime calculator to check a battery against your motor and speed.
- Redodo 12V 100Ah (opens in a new tab)For 30 to 70 lb thrust motors (Redodo); $269.99 on October 25, 2026
Run your own numbers: Trolling motor battery picks · 24V vs 36V trolling motors
Can I charge a lithium trolling battery with a regular charger?
Our boat charging guide covers onboard chargers, alternators and solar for 12, 24 and 36-volt setups.
Run your own numbers: Charging lithium on a boat
Is lithium worth it over AGM for a trolling motor?
Per usable amp-hour that is about $2.70 for the lithium and $4.18 for the AGM. Redodo backs its battery with a 5-year warranty.
- Redodo 12V 100Ah (opens in a new tab)4,000 cycles at 100% depth of discharge (Redodo)
Run your own numbers: Lithium vs AGM calculator
Are electric outboards worth it, and how far can they go?
ePropulsion's own run-time table for the Spirit shows how much speed costs: about 35 miles in 10 hours at 3.5 mph, 22 miles at 4.4 mph, and under 8 miles in 1.25 hours at full power (6.2 mph). Charging the Spirit's battery from empty costs about $0.23 at the US average price (EIA, July 2026).
Our outboard guide compares Torqeedo, ePropulsion and Mercury models on price, range and running cost.
Run your own numbers: Electric outboard guide · Wiring a boat's house battery (CamperVolts) (opens in a new tab)
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Estimates only. Your actual costs depend on your utility's rate plan, how and when you charge or use power, and local prices. This is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice. See our disclaimer.