Whether you are a seasoned boater or an occasional angler, nothing is more frustrating than losing your trolling motor battery power in the middle of the journey. Therefore, keeping the batteries charged is crucial to get optimal performance on the water. Many boaters take the importance of the right charging practices for granted, which may lead to unexpected shutdowns, reduced battery lifespan, and decreased efficiency.
Different types of trolling motor batteries are currently available in the market, e.g., AGM, lead-acid, and lithium batteries. Each battery type charges with a slightly different approach. If you know the right method, charging a trolling motor battery becomes simple. Using an incompatible battery charger or following the wrong approach can do more harm than good.
In this guide, you will learn how to charge a trolling motor battery following the best charging practices to get the maximum out of it. This read also presents common mistakes you should avoid at any cost to keep your trolling motor batteries protected from damage.
How Do Proper Charging Practices Improve Your Trolling Motor Battery's Performance?
Generally, deep cycle batteries (such as LiFePO4, AGM, or lead acid) are used to run trolling motors. These batteries are different from car batteries. A car battery provides a short burst of power to crank the vehicle's engine, whereas a deep cycle boat battery is known for providing consistent power for an extended period to help you enjoy longer fishing trips on the water.
Deep cycle batteries are the ideal choice for boaters and anglers, but they need special care when charging to maximize their potential. Below are a few advantages you can get by following the proper charging practices.
- Prevents Damage: The use of the wrong charger can damage your battery permanently. Similarly, undercharging and overcharging are harmful to your battery. The right charging method helps you avoid this sort of damage.
- Extends the Life: Appropriate charging practice makes sure that your trolling motor battery functions properly for more seasons than normal.
- Ensures Consistent Power Delivery: If a trolling motor battery is fully and correctly charged, it will always provide you with the amount of power you need to enjoy your boating experience.
What to Consider Before You Charge Your Trolling Motor Battery?
Before you simply plug the charger into your battery, you need to prepare a few things, as listed and discussed below.
1. Identify Your Battery Type
First, know your battery type, e.g., lithium, AGM, or flooded lead acid battery. Understanding the battery type is something you should never take for granted, as it helps you choose the right charging method. Click now to learn more about how to choose the best trolling motor battery for your boat?
2. Choose the Right Charger
Once you finalize the battery you want to use to run your trolling motor, the next step is to select the right battery charger. Considering the compatibility and the charger type are key parameters when choosing the charger for your trolling motor battery.
Make sure you choose the charger designed specifically for your marine battery type. Modern chargers now offer different selectable modes, and selecting the wrong type may lead to permanent damage. You can use a portable marine battery charger or an onboard charger (it can help you charge multiple batteries at the same time).
Considering smart chargers to recharge your trolling motor battery is also an effective option. These chargers can adjust the charging process automatically and prevent your trolling motor batteries from overcharging issues. Since smart chargers have different charging modes for different battery types, they ensure optimal and safe charging.
3. Ensure Personal Safety
Before starting the charging process, don't forget to wear gloves and safety glasses. Next, make sure the charging place is well-ventilated (it is more important for lead-acid batteries, as they release gas). Moreover, you should always keep your battery away from metal objects, flames, and sparks.
A Step-By-Step Guide to Charging Your Trolling Motor Battery
Now that you are well familiar with the importance of the right charging approach and key preparations, it is time to learn how to charge a trolling motor battery effectively. An onboard or a portable charger is used in the core trolling motor battery charging process. Below is a step-by-step guide you should follow when charging your trolling motor battery.
Step 1: Turn Off Power
Switch off all the devices or accessories connected to your battery, including a trolling motor. If you are using an onboard battery charger, don't forget to turn off the main power breaker of your boat for safety purposes. Once done, go ahead.
Step 2: Connect the Battery Charger
Keeping a close eye on the charger's clamps and the battery's terminals is crucial to ensure proper connection. Connect the positive (+) charger clamp to the battery's positive (+) terminal. The positive clamp and terminal are generally RED.
Then, connect the negative (-) clamp of your charger to the battery's negative (-) terminal. They both are usually BLACK. Make sure the connection between the two clamps and the battery terminals is secure and clean.
Step 3: Adjust the Charger Settings
If your battery charger supports different charging modes, choose the right mode according to your battery type (LiFePO4/Lithium or AGM/Flooded/Wet). Next, choose the voltage level (12V, 24V, or 36V), if required.
Step 4: Plug In the Charger
Once you adjust the appropriate settings, it is time to start the charging process by simply plugging in the battery charger into the power socket. The charger should have a proper display to confirm that the charging has started successfully.
Step 5: Monitor Progress
Keep an eye on the charger's progress periodically. Doing this will help you ensure that your trolling motor battery is charging properly. As the trolling motor battery fills, smart chargers reduce the charging current. They also indicate when a battery is fully charged. If you are charging lead-acid batteries, make sure they don't get excessively hot.
Step 6: Disconnect the Charger
Once your battery is charged, unplug the charger from the power socket or simply turn it off. This time, remove the negative (-) clamp of the charger first from the battery's negative (-) terminal, as it reduces the risks of sparks. Then, remove the positive (+) clamp from the positive (+) terminal.
Step 7: Store Your Battery Properly (If Needed)
When you remove the battery from the charger, store it in a dry, cool place to protect it from damage. Plus, keep the battery away from excessive heat, direct sunlight, and flammable objects. Moreover, check the battery charging status regularly and recharge it as and when needed. Doing this will increase the lifespan and overall efficiency of your trolling motor battery.
Alternative Charging Options for Your Trolling Motor Battery
Apart from using an onboard charger and a portable marine battery charger, there are other options to charge a trolling motor battery, as given below. Let's look at them one by one.
1. Charging with Solar Panels
Solar panels are an incredible source to maintain and charge your trolling motor batteries while you are on the water. Wondering what exactly you need to install a solar charging setup on your boat?
If so, all you need are suitable sized solar panels, a solar charger controller, a solid mounting structure, and secure connections between the battery and the charge controller. Learn more about how to charge your trolling motor battery using solar panels.
2. Charging with the Boat's Alternator
Whether or not you can charge a trolling motor battery with the boat's alternator mainly depends on the wiring setup used in your boat. Some boats come with combiners/voltage sensitive relays or DC-to-DC chargers that enable the alternator to charge a trolling motor battery while the main engine is functioning properly.
Most alternators are built to charge starting batteries. Therefore, you need an Automatic Charging Relay (ACR), a DC-to-DC charger, or a battery isolator to charge trolling motor batteries in parallel. If you have lithium batteries installed on your boat, using a DC-to-DC charger will be worth it.
Important Note: Avoid connecting an alternator directly to your trolling motor battery, as it may cause compatibility and overcharging issues, leading to reduced lifespan or battery damage in the worst cases.
Best Practices to Maximize Battery Performance
Since batteries are one of the costliest components in marine applications, every boater wants to maximize their performance and lifespan. Here is what you should do to make your trolling motor battery last longer.
- Always use a charger that perfectly matches your battery's chemistry (lithium, AGM, or lead acid).
- Don't forget to recharge your battery after each trip, even if it is slightly discharged.
- Never charge your trolling motor battery in freezing conditions or extreme heat. A moderate temperature range to charge your batteries effectively is between 10°C and 30°C (or 50°F and 86°F).
Common Mistakes to Avoid That Can Damage Your Trolling Motor Batteries
Avoiding a few mistakes can enhance your battery safety and longevity while charging. Mistakes that many boaters usually make (and you should avoid at any cost) are as follows.
- Never charge if a battery is frozen or visibly damaged.
- Avoid undercharging your battery consistently, as it may cause sulfation in lead-acid batteries that decreases capacity.
- Don't overcharge your battery to keep it functioning properly for an extended period.
- Connecting a non-automatic charger to your battery for an indefinite period is something you must avoid, especially if you plan to store the battery for a long time.
- Avoid unnecessary deep discharges, especially if you use AGM or lead-acid batteries. Try to keep them above 50% charge. The Battery Management System (BMS)enables lithium batteries to handle deep discharges better than traditional AGM or lead-acid batteries.
Final Thoughts
You don't need to charge a trolling motor battery for convenience only. Instead, it is crucial to achieve peace of mind on the water, longer lifespans, and reliable performance. Whether you have a lithium, AGM, or lead-acid battery installed on your boat, choosing the appropriate charging method keeps your battery topped up during each boating adventure or fishing trip.
This discussion above has covered everything, from knowing the right battery type to a correct charger and following the best charging practices to get the optimal performance. It has also listed the common mistakes every boater should avoid, such as overcharging, undercharging, using an incompatible charger, and charging batteries in extreme heat or freezing environments. Read the complete guide for further details.
FAQs
How long does a tolling motor battery take to charge fully?
The charger's output, the battery's amp-hour capacity, and the battery type determine the exact charging time of a trolling motor battery. Generally, standard chargers charge trolling motor batteries within 4-10 hours, whereas smart or fast chargers can charge the batteries more quickly.
Is it necessary to disconnect my trolling motor battery before the charging starts?
Yes, it is always recommended to disconnect your trolling motor and other accessories from the battery before you connect the charger. It ensures safe charging and protects against any sort of potential electrical damage.
What is the best charger to recharge a trolling motor battery?
Smart chargers are the perfect option for your trolling motor batteries, as long as they are fully compatible with your battery type. Moreover, it is recommended to choose the battery charger rated at 10-20% of your battery's Ah capacity. If you are looking for a charger for regular boat use, onboard chargers are also a good choice.
