How long will my trolling motor last on a brand new deep cycle marine battery ?

Question

This is a small trolling motor, and a brand new battery rated for 65 Amp hours.

How do I figure out how long it will last ?

I need to know for a camping trip i'm going on this weekend. I can take two batteries, but weight could be an issue in a 10' John boat.

Answer 1

Motorguide rates its 12V motors at about 48amps peak draw.  Steady state I'm thinking you use about half that, so you're looking at around 2 hours of continuous use until your battery is 80 percent discharged.

My last campout was 3 days/2 nights, using a 12V MG 46lb thrust, 100 amp-hour battery, not too windy, fished 1 night, every morning & evening (mid-day way too hot).  When I got home the battery was about 65percent discharged.  I was purposely going easy on the trolling motor though.

Answer 2

It will depend on how hard you run the trolling motor. Run it at the lower speeds, don't fight the wind, go with the wind if possible. It should last you two days of fishing if you baby it. You're not going to be fishing 12 hours a day non-stop, but rather morning, evening,etc I have a house boat, and I've made a lot of two day fishing trips on one battery before with a 16 foot boat. So I think you can do it.Good luck!

Answer 3

we have a minn kota and it will go about 45 min on a jon boat. we run it 5th' speed for running to the spot, and 2nd speed for running along land. (46 lbs thrust, 12 ft boat )

Answer 4

Depends on how hard you run it. I pushed a 500 lb sailboat with a trolling motor and a smaller gel battery and I got about 45 minutes at medium power. I wouldn't plan on much more than 1 hr max with each battery. A time trial will tell the true story. Many variables to consider. Perhaps you should put your motor in a garbage can full of water and see how long a fully charged battery lasts? This way you are certain when on the water...

Answer 5

I have a minn kota 36lbs thrust troller with same battery and a 12ft. row boat and I'll get about 4-5 hours at top speed (5) and I'll get about 10-12 hours at medium to low speed (2).  Also, I'm not running the motor constantly, but I am running it very often....got to stop at the good fishing holes right!