Battery and charger recommendations

[BrianMDTX]

I’m going to need a 12V deep cycle battery and a charger for a 17 lb. thrust Minn Kota trolling motor for my new boat. Looking for recommendations. 

[gim]

If you can afford a lithium battery, I would go with that. Noco makes a pretty good charger for them too.

 

I can’t comment on which exact lithium battery, as I don’t own one. I would avoid the cheap Chinese knock offs on Amazon though. Hopefully someone who has a quality lithium battery will chime in with a review for you.

[Way2slow]

Is that a typo error or is it really a 17 lb thrust?  Years ago, I bought an old aluminum jon boat that had a 17lb mercury TM on it.  It was next to useless if there was any wind blowing, even on small private ponds.

As for a battery, make sure it's for Marine Deep Cycle use.  Automobile cranking batteries don't hold up under the constant discharge and charging.

For the charger, get at least a 8 to 10amp and one that says it's a, smart charger or Inteli-charger and one that has a good maintainer in it.  The cheap transformer style automatic chargers shorten the life of the battery because that can't properly charge the battery.  To fully charge a battery, it has to be over charged approximately 5% to balance the cells and those cheap chargers don't do that, 

 

[casts_by_fly]

Because you’re in a small inflatable, light is the order of the day. I’d go lithium. Not sure how long you want to fish on it it, but I can’t imagine a 17# thrust motor pulling much amperage. A 60 ah lithium should do wonders. 

[MN Fisher]

1 hour ago, Way2slow said:

Is that a typo error or is it really a 17 lb thrust?

Sounds like he got an old, used MinnKota 35

 

The 35M and N models pushed 17lbs thrust at max speed and drew 25amps. So a 50AH lithium battery would last 2 hours at max...probably 10 hours at minimum if it pulls the same 5amps that the more modern TMs do at min.

 

Average usage....a 35ah would probably be the smallest I'd go for.

 

And yes - a NOCO Genius would be your best bet for a charger.

[BrianMDTX]

Yeah, no typo lol. I’ve had this motor since the mid-80s. Haven’t used it in decades but it works fine. For an inflatable it should be more than sufficient. Boat, motor, engine, all gear and me should be less than 400 lbs. on the water. 

[Alex from GA]

I use a 50 ah lithium for my 45 lb trolling motor and it lasts for 3 days.  I've been using a cheap Chinese knockoff for 3 years with no problem.

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[Way2slow]

I have a Minn Kota 65 transom mount I've had more years than I can remember, probably from back in the 80's.  Even still have the Maximizer I used on it.  Didn't realize they even made a 35.  

A lot depends on how you plan on using it.  If just a small local lake you plan on spending a few hours on, or if a large lake and you plan on covering a couple of miles during an outing.  

Having hauled many a group 27 Deep Cycle battery from a vehicle to a boat and back over the years, that ain't no fun.   I think the lithium's have gotten down to almost affordable for a descent size battery.  You might see how Alex uses his 40Ah and see if that will fit the bill for you.  Me personally would lean more toward something close to 100Ah.  You have to remember, when you do the math to calculate run time, you can only use about 70% of that without damaging the battery.  Then you have to figure even the last 10-15% of that is not going to be that great because the voltage drop is going to be having the motor running a lot slower.  Not as bad a lead acid battery but it will probably be noticeable and it's recommended not to use a lithium when the performance starts to drop to keep from over discharging it. 

 

Also understand, if you go with a lithium, you have to get a charger designed for lithium's.

[BrianMDTX]

I’d say likely use will be on bodies of water 5-8 acres in size, with occasional trips on reservoirs from 60 to 300 acres. I have no plans to fish large lakes (although if I ventured out on Lake Conroe I would not go long distances). 
 

I’ll look at the lithiums as well as the lead-acid. And make sure the correct charger is purchased. 

[VolFan]

I use a 60 aH lithium for my 55 lb Powerdrive. I’ve never run it down in a day of fishing. I’m on 1-2 all day long. 

Mine is a non-name brand.

I’ve had it for 5+ years.

[WRB]

Do you plan to use sonar unit that requires a battery?

I assume the TM is your primary propulsion that is transom mounted. 
You inflate the boat and load it up at the lake. So the battery weight is an issue putting it into and out of the boat each trip.

Lithium is 1/2 the weight of lead acid and 3X the price, it’s a budget issue. Deep cycle Lithium battery needs it’s own charger when you buy the battery.

LiFePo4 50 AH deep cycle marine battery is about $120-$160 price range. Weight about 13 lbs.

AGM 60 AH $160, 45 lbs. for comparison.

Tom

[BrianMDTX]

Tom, the battery will only be used for the trolling motor. No sonar, no other electronics. 
 

I agree about the weight issue. I will be lugging the battery to and from the garage to the water and back each trip. 13 vs 45 lbs is a huge difference. Do you think 50 AH is enough for 2, maybe 3 hours of use. I’m thinking total actual run time would likely be 2 hrs. It’s mainly for getting from the ramp to spots to fish. Once there I’d probably either use the oars or paddle to maneuver in an area vs constant use of the motor. 

[WRB]

Should last a few days at 50% TM power.

If you run full power you would be better off getting 55 lb 12V TM and run at 50% normal conditions and have reserve power if windy.

Tom

 

[BrianMDTX]

Ok, thanks. I’m going to look at that. 
 

It’s not a bass boat lol. I have no misconceptions about motoring 3-4 miles across and up and back on big lakes. It’s mainly to get a little more distance and definitely to make it easier to leave from and return to the ramp when it’s a bit breezy. 

[Way2slow]

Remember, #17 thrust probably means running at max current most of the time to go anywhere.   A newer digital controlled motor can run the same speed with a much lower current draw, and have plenty of extra power if needed.

Of course, if you listen to all our recommendation's we will have you spending $1,000 when you were probably thinking of spending $100.

[BrianMDTX]

Well, no, not $100.00. I realize quality equipment costs less in the long run. And up until now, a motor was a non-issue.  It’s just now that this boat can be powered, and as I already have a serviceable (albeit an antique at this point) motor, I figured I might as well give it a try. But the weight savings between the lithium and a lead-acid battery is a great selling point. 

[Junk Fisherman]

20 hours ago, gimruis said:

If you can afford a lithium battery, I would go with that. Noco makes a pretty good charger for them too.

 

I can’t comment on which exact lithium battery, as I don’t own one. I would avoid the cheap Chinese knock offs on Amazon though. Hopefully someone who has a quality lithium battery will chime in with a review for you.

 

Love my Noco and recommend them.  I actually would recommend getting a knock off.  At least I would research them.  I have read from several people about getting cheap Amazon lithium batteries and them being very satisfied.  I have a Miller Tech lithium which is a name brand and I'm not crazy about it.  I've read how the name brand lithium batteries are purchased from China and they slap their name on it and have some bass pro sponsor them.  

[MN Fisher]

If you have a Home Depot close to you - you can order Mighty Max batteries for 'Ship to Store'. If you ever have a problem, just take it back to the Home Depot...no shipping it with the outrageous charges that USPS/UPS/FedEx have for Lithium batteries.

[BrianMDTX]

Plenty of Home Depots around here. 
 

Yeah, you search online and there are names of battery makers you’ve never heard of. Amazon has a 12.8V 50AH LiFePO4 battery for $155.00 with free shipping. But I’ve never heard of ECO-WORTHY. They have another that’s $114.00 (maker is generic lol). 

[MN Fisher]

10 minutes ago, BrianMDTX said:

Plenty of Home Depots around here. 

Well, there you go. I'm on year 3 on my Mighty Max AGMs, and they're still solid. 100ah for the TM which I run 6-8 hours at 2-3 and I've still got 75%charge when I get home.

 

When I go to Lithium - it'll be Mighty Max.

[TnRiver46]

My red neck $!?@ would be running it off a lawn mower battery 😂 

 

but with the results @Alex from GA and @VolFan had, hard not to go that route 

[VolFan]

Your redneck arse rows!

[BrianMDTX]

@TnRiver46 Yeah, at those prices (and the low weight), I think that’s the route I’m going to take. 
 

Once I get it titled and registered!

 

(Edit- not transferred lol) 

[gim]

1 hour ago, Junk Fisherman said:

I've read how the name brand lithium batteries are purchased from China and they slap their name on it and have some bass pro sponsor them.  

Certainly possible. I’m sure a lot of batteries originate in China, just like everything else we buy. Lots of people buy them and never have an issue. The headache occurs when there is a problem within the warranty. Trying to get a replacement from a Chinese company on Amazon would not be much fun.

 

For this specific reason I would go with @MN Fisher route and buy a local version that can more easily be replaced. But that’s just me.

[JackstrawIII]

Interstate marine battery (or whatever they sell at the Monroe Muffler nearest your house, and a Noco charger. Simple. Enjoy!