With our charts, you can compare the run times of different battery sizes when used with popular trolling motor sizes: 30, 55, 80 and 112 pounds of thrust.
Our battery run time calculator will give you an idea of what you can expect from a given battery capacity at a specific amp draw.
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The run time of trolling motor batteries is calculated by dividing the battery’s amp-hours (Ah) rating by the number of amps the motor draws at a given speed.
In our calculations, we assume 80% depth of discharge (DoD), which means the battery will still have 20% remaining capacity. This is a recommended value for lithium batteries.
In the battery charts below, we use a rough estimation of how much amp draw occurs at different speeds. The actual amount varies depending on the motor being used, as well as the boat and water conditions.
To get an accurate amp draw estimation, read your motor’s user manual or check our amp draw chart.
Remember to factor in any additional electrical equipment that may be using power from the battery while trolling.
Trolling motors with 30 pounds of thrust are often found on smaller boats like kayaks and canoes. They are powered by a single 12-volt battery. The following chart shows the run times at various speeds with different battery sizes.
| Battery Bank 12V | Max Speed 30A | Med Speed 15A | Low Speed 7A |
| 35Ah Battery | 56min | 1h 52min | 4h |
| 50Ah Battery | 1h 20min | 2h 40min | 5h 42min |
| 100Ah Battery | 2h 40min | 5h 20min | 11h 24min |
| Battery Bank 12V | Max Speed 40A | Med Speed 16A | Low Speed 8A |
| 35Ah Battery | 42min | 1h 45min | 3h 30min |
| 50Ah Battery | 1h | 2h 30min | 5h |
| 100Ah Battery | 2h | 5h | 10h |
| 200Ah Battery | 4h | 10h | 20h |
Trolling motors with 80 pounds of thrust are most often found on larger boats such as bass boats, pontoons, and small center console fishing boats. They are powered by two 12 volt batteries wired in series for 24 volts in total.
| Battery Bank 24V | Max Speed 35A | Med Speed 15A | Low Speed 5A |
| 2 x 35Ah Battery | 48min | 1h 52min | 5h 36 mins |
| 2 x 50Ah Battery | 1h 8min | 2h 40min | 8h |
| 2 x 100Ah Battery | 2h 16min | 5h 20 min | 16h |
| 2 x 200Ah Battery | 4h 32min | 10h 40 min | 32h |
These powerful trolling motors are typically found on larger and heavier boats. They need 36 volts to run at full power. (3 x 12 Volts)
| Battery Bank 36V | Max Speed 40A | Med Speed 15A | Low Speed 5A |
| 3 x 35Ah Battery | 42min | 1h 52min | 5h 36 mins |
| 3 x 50Ah Battery | 1h | 2h 40min | 8h |
| 3 x 100Ah Battery | 2h | 5h 20 min | 16h |
| 3 x 200Ah Battery | 4h | 10h 40 min | 32h |
For lead-acid batteries, the deeper a battery is discharged, the lower its capacity and run time will be. It’s recommended not to discharge them more than 50% to maximize your battery’s life. If you frequently discharge a lead-acid battery to 80%, it will very likely have reduced capacity after one season.
Lithium batteries, on the other hand, can be regularly discharged to 80% and still last hold the charge after 5 and more years.
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The main difference between lead-acid and lithium batteries is their longevity. Lead-acid batteries will typically last around two or three years with regular use, while lithium batteries can last five years or more.
Additionally, lead-acid batteries are prone to sulfation (the buildup of sulfate crystals on the plates) when stored for long periods of time, while lithium batteries do not suffer from this problem.
When selecting a trolling motor battery, it’s important to consider the warranty offered by the manufacturer.
Lithium batteries usually come with a longer warranty, often up to five years full coverage and sometimes as much as 10.
By comparing different batteries on this chart, you can identify the best battery size for your application based on the trolling motor thrust.
Keep in mind the amp draw is just an estimation based on our research to give you a rough idea of what to expect.
March 25, 2021
September 15, 2020
Hi there, I'm Tom!
I am an outdoors, camping and boating enthusiast. My greatest passion is electrical propulsion systems, including trolling motors and electric outboards. I like building things, fixing them and sharing helpful knowledge.
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