Regardless of your level of experience, it is essential that you find the best trolling motor battery for your particular set of needs. In order to achieve this, you need to have a firm grasp of how these batteries operate. In this article, we will attempt to demystify everything about the best battery for trolling motor that is available on the market in 2019.
Before committing to a particular purchase, it is essential that you familiarize yourself with the basic characteristics of trolling motor batteries. This will allow you to pick the option that is best suited for your needs. Scroll down to learn more about the main qualities that you should focus on when you are trying to find the best trolling motor battery.
While opting for unknown brands is not necessarily a bad idea, it is highly advisable that you stick to established brands that a have a proven and verifiable track record of crafting high-performing products. This guarantees that you will be getting a reliable output as well as a responsive and competent customer support team.
It is important to note that a starting battery won’t be enough to power a trolling motor. For a battery to be able to adequately power boats and various other marine vehicles, it needs to be the best deep cycle battery for trolling motor. This is done via multiple cycles that consist of repeated discharging and recharging.
Voltage is an extremely important factor that you should not neglect. The minimum you should aim for is 12 volts. This is the rate that is capable of powering most mid-sized boats. Anything less than that won’t have sufficient power to start trolling motors.
This metric indicates the battery’s capacity to power a trolling motor for a specific period of time. To get the most out of your motor, the minimum you should opt for is around the 100-amp mark. Batteries that are below that range will have trouble delivering a sustainable amount of power for any meaningful span of time.
In stark contrast with bulky and heavy units, light batteries offer a lot of advantages. They are easy to store and carry and are less likely to test your vehicle’s weight limit. Generally speaking, the ideal range is around 20 to 50 pounds.
This factor is especially important for novice users who are not familiar with the maintenance requirements that come with certain high-end batteries. Ideally, you should go for an option that does necessitate an overly complicated maintenance process. To make sure that is the case, check the instructions before making a purchase.
The first unit in our list is this amazing marine battery from VMAX Marine. This battery boasts several great characteristics and it is a no-brainer pick considering its relatively affordable price. It is rated at around 35Ah and features a solid case that ensures more durability. It was primarily designed for use with mid-sized trolling motors and it is capable of providing up to 9 hours of charge in optimal conditions.
Durability and high performance are not the only noticeable qualities of the VMAX V35. In fact, the efficient and compact design is one of this product’s biggest highlights. Besides being very compact and easy to carry, it features several elements that contribute to eliminating shocks and vibrations.
In line with all products from this manufacturer, the V35-857 is easy to maintain and its performance remains steady for years. This is owed in great part to the combination of the advanced AGM technology that was used to construct it and the sturdiness of the case. You can get up to 8 years of continuous operation out of this unit in float mode. Furthermore, it has high recovery capabilities at a decent discharge rate of around 60%.
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If your budget allows it, this option would constitute a great investment. It is made by industry heavyweight Odyssey and it contains all the advanced design elements that we have come to expect from this manufacturer. This battery serves multiple purposes and it is characterized by both a high cranking power and high capacity. The price might be too high for some people but it is worth remembering that the level of quality and durability that you can expect out of this unit is more than worth the price.
As it is the case with any high-end battery from Odyssey, the 34M-PC1500ST employs AGM technology. This results in a more balanced and optimized regulation of the power output, an essential quality when powering mid-sized and large trolling motors. In addition to this, the battery is also designed to diffuse vibrations and absorbs all kinds of shocks.
It goes without saying that the specs of this unit are some of the best on the market. The reserve capacity exceeds the 200-minute mark and the maximum output of the battery can reach up to 100Ah. This immense power allows it to operate with a range of motors, especially mid-sized ones. The battery can even power large motors for several hours in perfect conditions.
The pros
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The biggest selling point of this battery is probably its versatility. It is suited for various types of battery-powered vehicles and it is especially perfect for trolling motors. Its power output is reliable and consistent and its flexible design allows it to be mounted in different positions without any noticeable drop off in performance. The UB121000 can be effectively used to power carts, small and mid-sized boats, as well as scooters and RVs.
The battery was engineered using AGM technology. It is therefore highly efficient when it comes to regulating power output and ensuring a smooth and consistent operation regardless of the type of application. Thanks to its smart design, the UB121000 is adept at reducing the impact of vibrations and shocks which in turns enhances the battery’s productivity. The built-in valves are also practical since they provide you with direct control over the output of the battery.
Other amazing features of the Universal include the decent storage capacity that often comes in really handy in rough weather conditions and the sealed nature of the case that prevents any leakage of spills. If you considered all the variables and moving parts that are at play, it is easy to see why this model is the best trolling motor battery at its price range.
The pros
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When it comes to the value that is offered for the money, this battery stands out as one of the top options on the market. It features an absorbable glass mat design that is rarely seen at the entry-level price range. Moreover, it is completely leaking and spill proof and it is capable of being mounted in any orientation of your choosing.
The range of application of this affordable unit is surprisingly wide. While it is mostly designed for light trolling applications, it is still capable of handling some rough kayaking action. However, it is essential to remember that it is only rated at around 35Ah, so you should not expect more than 5 amps for a little less than 7 hours of operation.
For such a cheap entry-level product, the Mighty Max is very sturdy and durable. The materials that were used to construct it satisfy the highest standards of quality and the lifespan that you can get out of it is fairly long. As a testament to their utmost confidence in their batteries’ quality, the manufacturer has decided to back all their products with a generous warranty that covers any type of damage or malfunction.
The pros
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This battery has everything that you would like a high-end option to have. It is rated at 12 volts and it is designed to accommodate various motors of different sizes and power. It can effectively power mid-sized trolling motors as well as powering a wide array of vehicles that rely on lead-acid batteries. As you would expect from a high-end battery, this unit employs AGM technology. This allows it to consistently operate in an optimized fashion without encountering some of the electrical current issues that plague cheaper models.
As far as sheer power is concerned, the UB121000 is as good as it gets. At 100 Ah and around 10 amps for a staggering 10 hours, this battery is capable of powering large trolling motors with relative ease. Big boats aside, you can use it just as effectively with some of the smaller and mid-sized trolling motors due to the battery’s ability to automatically adjust its power output depending on the application. However, it is essential to note that this is a fairly large and heavy battery, so before committing to a purchase you need to make sure that your boat has ample room to accommodate it.
The pros
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The battery is a critical component of your boat and its quality is directly correlated with the performance that you can expect out of the motor. Take the time to understand all the variables and moving parts at play and make your choice in accordance with your own preferences and budget to decide what is the best battery for a trolling motor.
Last update on 2021-12-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
