Are you sick and tired of complicated trolling motor installation and removing? Do you wish the process to be much easier?
If you have a difficult time assembling and connecting those wires with a motor, there is a simple solution. Use a special trolling motor plug.
For me, an experienced user of trolling motors, wiring has always been a problem. Even in docks, I did not like getting those wires together.
If you don’t like it either, I understand you: you are always at risk of damaging a wire. It is difficult to change it in a motor.
You always risk getting electrical damage if you do not use protection.
The most frustrating situation happens when you need to unplug a motor on the sea. Everything can happen, from the battery overheat to water poured into a battery. And you find yourself with the wires you have to disconnect quickly and carefully.
That is why a trolling motor plug is a must-have for every trolling enthusiast. In this post, I’ll try to tell you everything about trolling motor plugs, what are the best plugs, and what you need to install and use them.
A proper choice of a battery for your trolling motor is essential.
A good battery can ensure long terms of fishing, minimal maintenance efforts, and safety.
An experienced fisher knows that there is nothing more frustrating than problems with a battery in the sea: they can discharge, leaving you helpless.
In some cases, water leaks into batteries, making them turn off or overheat. If you are sick and tired of constant searches and choices between longevity, safety, and reliability, the following post is for you.
Here, I’ve gathered everything that I know about lithium trolling motor batteries. You’ll find a description, how they work, and how the situation on the market looks now.
Lithium Trolling Motor Batteries: What Are They and How Do They Work?
As you know, you need two batteries for your boat motor: a starting battery to start a motor and a deep cycle battery to ensure the longevity of motor workflow. Combined batteries exist, but they are usable only in small boats with low-power motors.
There are four main types of batteries. The main difference lay in chemicals and their physical state:
Wet-cell batteries are filled with special liquid acid.
Gel batteries have gelled contents instead of liquid.
AGM (absorbed glass mat) batteries have got a dry fibreglass separator between the plates.
Lithium batteries are powerful owing to pure metal plates inside. You’ve probably heard that lithium batteries are considered to be the best in the majority of spheres they are used. Mobile companies produce cell phone batteries made of lithium.
Lithium accumulators are considered to be the best.
How do they work?
The electricity inside a lithium battery is produced by the movement of ions (positively or negatively charged atoms and molecule particles).
This flow happens between a cathode (a part that gives away the electrons and accepts ions) and an anode (a part that accepts the electrons and gives away ions).
In a lithium battery, the cathode is formed from lithium metal oxide (cobalt in most cases). Pure lithium is very reactive.
Cobalt does not let lithium ions react with the environment.
An anode is formed by lithium-carbonate compounds (graphite) that can accept and build in the ions into their structure.
So, when a battery works, the ions move from the anode to the cathode, making the electrons move the other way. When the battery is charged, the process goes vice versa.
In your boat, a lithium battery works according to its purpose.
It is able to give short bursts of energy if it is a starting battery and discharge slowly, giving a stable power flow if it is a deep cycle battery.
Choosing a proper battery for a boat is a cornerstone issue. Besides the reasons I’ve mentioned already, there are effectiveness, price, and cost-efficiency. What to choose? A low-budget variant is pleasant for your purse, but it can waste your nerves in the future.
On the other hand, you need to save money on high-quality equipment, which excludes fast decisions. In other words, the choice is up to you. Here, I will try to compare the batteries and highlight the main advantages of lithium batteries.
Wet-cell batteries deal easily with overcharges.
They are the exact low-budget variant available on the market in big numbers. Their features differ from producer to producer (even high-quality ones can give you a significant price), but their disadvantages are common.
Such batteries need a periodical inspection.
You need to check them for the electrolyte (acid) leaks that can do a lot of damage. You need to supply these batteries with distilled water as well. It is obvious that these batteries are very vulnerable to water and high-temperature differences.
They are likely to self-discharge in a state of rest. In addition, the liquid electrolyte does not stand long-term vibrations: it is likely to give away more electrolytes to be wasted for nothing.
Gel cells try to reduce the disadvantages of liquid electrolyte cells. They can stand extreme temperatures. Their leak-proof properties are much better.
You need fewer efforts to maintain them. As for the disadvantages, these batteries are not that good incapacity. They are sensitive to overcharging as well. Finally, their price is pretty high.
For a long time, AGM batteries have led the market. They do not need maintenance. AGM batteries are safe. They do not have liquid inside to leak. Compared to other battery types, these batteries showed the longest lifespan.
At the same time, they did not self-discharge too much. However, they are very sensitive to overcharging.
Finally, let’s talk about lithium batteries. They are the newest on the market, but now you can find a lot of variations on the market. Before we speak about the advantages of the battery, let’s consider some cons:
The price for a battery is high. To tell the truth, it is way more expensive than any other battery. If it is not, you are going to buy a lousy battery. In addition, they are very vulnerable to overheating.
You’ll need some protection, or at least covering a battery from direct sun rays. Though it does not need maintenance, in case of damage, you’ll need professional repair that will not be cheap.
These minuses cannot cover all the advantages that are beyond discussion:
A lithium battery weighs less than any other battery. It means that the battery of volume similar to the other battery types will be from 170 to 225 lbs lighter. It can be crucial for small fishing boats or boats with lots of equipment. It also means that you can get another spare battery on board without complications.
Lithium batteries are less likely to be disturbed by the environment. They always give away an equal and smooth electricity stream. Except overheating, lithium batteries are not vulnerable to vibration, cold temperatures, or water leaks.
The coolest advantage of a lithium battery is the number of times it can be discharged and charged again. Some producers claim that it can reach up to 700-800 times. Lithium batteries are irresistible to self-discharge. Finally, lithium batteries hold more power and can work longer than their competitors.
As you can see, choosing a lithium battery is an investment to consider. You need to pay a lot, but you get reliable equipment that will work for you for many years.
If you are a trolling fishing enthusiast and you cannot live a season without it, such a battery is a must-buy.
Is Your Trolling Motor Compatible With a Lithium Battery?
This issue is more crucial than you think. With all the advantages, some lithium batteries are quite specific. Some of them cannot be members of the battery series for more powerful motors.
Some motors will not work at maximal speeds with lithium batteries, as they have been designed when such batteries did not exist yet.
The first thing you should know is that the majority of trolling motor producers suggest buying LiFePO4 batteries. It means that Ferrum (iron) stands as a supporting element in a battery.
Such batteries are more stable and give smoother electricity. What is for exact companies?
Before we start, note that if your motor is old (20+ years), probably, it has not been designed for lithium batteries.
They can overheat or damage a motor. In this case, we suggest consulting your motor producer before changing a battery.
Minn Kota claims that its trolling motors can run on lithium batteries, though the majority of them were designed for liquid acid usage. They warn about possible damage in case of long usage of a motor at maximal speeds.
Newport motors are more liberal to battery changes. They can stand maximal powers for a longer time, with less risk of damage. The only thing you should consider is the impossibility of installing a series of batteries. If you have got a 24V or 36V motor, you cannot install a lithium battery as a substitution for a single battery in the chain. Getting the whole chain battery slots substituted by lithium analogies will not do good: a group of batteries do not work as well as a single one does. So, find a single battery for your Newport motor, and everything will be OK.
Haswing motors like lithium batteries. The newest items on the market go well with them, with no significant problems reported. Older models can be vulnerable to maximal powers, so be careful.
Garmin motors are of the extra-sophisticated class. If you’ve got money to buy them, you would like to buy the best battery either. A lithium battery is your choice. And again, a single battery is your only way to success here.
GoPlus motors are of a budget version. Though, their newest items are fully compatible with lithium batteries. The older models might have problems with maximal powers. A good alternator or an additional battery power control can solve the problem.
In general, if you are not sure about a lithium battery choice, we can recommend two more things to do besides consulting a motor producer.
You can consult a battery producer. They are interested in your success, so they should give you a tip. If it is not an option, you can run a test. For that, you need to know the AMP draw of a motor. As for the equipment, you’ll need:
Something to measure the temperature of a motor if it does not have an in-built thermometer.
Voltage and amperage meter. As a rule, special test claws have both functions.
Apply the test instruments between a battery and motor, measure the voltage and power flowing from a battery, and perform a long-term test to guess if a motor overheats or not. Usually, there is no reason to worry.
5 Best Lithium Batteries
Here is my list of favourite batteries that are worth buying and considering.
This battery has the following measures: 12.75 x 6.5 x 8.75 inches (~324 x 165 x 222 mm), 27.5 pounds.
It can give away 100 Amps continuously and 200 AMPs for 10 seconds.
Its only minus is a minimal minus temperature (-4 F) of discharge. Its advantage is increased durability: 4000 cycles of full discharge and 4800 with the 80% discharge.
Among pleasant features, there are a 10-years warranty and the ability to connect via Bluetooth, so you can monitor it with a phone.
This one is the best battery to be connected in packs and series. It is a lightweight and small battery (12.75 x 6.875 x 9 inches and only 29 pounds).
With a nominal 12V voltage, it gives away 12.8V of actual voltage. With at least 20% of capacity remaining, it can stand from 3000 to 5000 charging/discharging cycles.
It will be a perfect choice for motors that do not require more than 60 amps.
It’s even a lighter battery (13 x 6.8 x 8.4/9.3 inches and 22.6 pounds. It gives away 12.6V and can do it up to 90% discharge.
The capacity of 100 Amps provides at least five hours of continuous work. However, this battery does not feel itself well in series.
It makes it a perfect choice for kayak trolling (minimal weight and dimensions can fit into the smallest boats), but if you need more power – choose something else.
You can find this model in four variations – gel, AMG, lithium, and lithium smart. We’ll talk about the last one.
With the dimensions of 11.4 x 6.8 x 7.4 and a weight of 26 lbs, this battery is a solid 12V choice for you.
It shows good discharging vulnerability and can stand between 7000 (50%) to 3000 (80%) cycles. It is one of the best batteries of a quality/price ratio in this list.
This 24V battery is bigger than others in the list (20.5 x 9.37 x 8.54 inches and 47.4 pounds) but smaller than other batteries being able to carry 2560 Wh.
Among its features, I can name a special battery management system that prevents it from self-discharging.
A single battery with a powerful current of 50A maximum can make a motor working for 2 hours in a row.
With an On and Off technique, the time can be prolonged. Trolling motor enthusiasts love this battery for its lightweight and pretty good power options.
Conclusions
The modern market is full of lithium battery options. Changing your trolling motor battery to lithium is a good idea.
You are less likely to see a battery discharged, and a perfect purchase will last long. Lithium batteries are expensive. It can be an obstacle.
The overall productivity makes lithium batteries better than other battery types, though.
Have you ever heard of fish finders? Experienced anglers use them regularly and know how to select the best one for their trolling motor.
If you are a beginner in this activity, you will probably want to learn more about this device and its benefits.
This guide will tell you about the device, its peculiarities, things to consider, and the top 10 best fish finders according to the reviews on Amazon and other websites.
What Is It and How Does It Work?
There is no need to explain what a fish finder is. The name of the device explains its function – it reveals fish. So, it is a fishing tool with a screen and a transducer. An angler uses the screen to see where the fish is while the transducer sends information about the target and its depth.
An average angler does not have problems with reading data from the fish finder screen. The display introduces the data about fish in a primitive way. The most important part of the fish finder is its sensor.
The transducer’s job is to send sound waves into the water and send back data about obstacles (parameters and depth of location).
Due to fish finders, an angler is not blind while fishing. This tool is helpful in sport fishing. Sport fishing fans can catch the biggest fish and win the competition.
On the one hand, the disadvantage of the device is that any object will be reflected on the screen. On the other hand, one will be able to avoid shallow waters, weeds, logs, rocks, and other underwater barriers.
Fish finders help your fishing rods and propeller serve longer. Some people use a fish finder as a hazard finder when just floating in new waters. Fish finders work similarly to ice fishing flashers that detect fish in winter under ice.
Instead of sounds, ice fishing flashers send sonar pulses and reflect the information on round screens. They present the data in various colors to mark fish, weeds, lure, etc.
Benefits of Trolling Motor and Fish Finder Paring
If you like trolling fishing, you will need to control the speed of your boat and the surrounding conditions. It is not simple. Fish finders help you remain focused on fishing and do not be distracted by bothering things. It allows you to get rid of constant thoughts about coordinates and the possible location of fish.
A foot-controlled trolling motor plus a good quality fish finder will free your hands to let you enjoy fishing.
Fish finders with GPS and mapping let you mark lucky fishing spots and return to them later. High-quality transducers allow you to see where the fish is, what speed to choose, and how to maneuver the boat to improve fishing results.
If you are a family man, you will have a chance to enjoy fishing with kids. You can cope with difficulties due to fish finders. Together, you will try to read it and get the biggest catch. Some fish finders have fish alarms. So, you might have a rest, get busy with bait, and deal with other things.
How to Read Data on a Fish Finder’s Display
Today, manufacturers of fish finders try to make their products simple for reading. It results in higher rates and better sales. An average device shows the shape of the hit object and its depth.
Some of them provide more information. Thanks to that, you will know what tools, lures, and baits to take with you. Most fish finders have blue, red, yellow, and black colors to mark weeds, bars, fish, rocks, and other obstacles.
You can select the device that satisfies your demands and the one you can afford. Prices differ to let everyone get the product. The lowest one is $40, and the highest one is $3,933.
Everything depends on the manufacturer and the number of the offered features. The cheapest one will provide you with a rough estimation of the found object and the bottom of the lake or river. If you spend a little more, you will receive more accurate data and additional information required for successful fishing.
Advanced and expensive devices supply you with details, including trajectory and difference between the found fishes.
Some models have GPS to boost your fishing abilities. For example, you go fishing and find a spot full of fish. GPS helps save it and return to the place next time or share coordinates with your partner.
You can watch YouTube videos or read informative articles to learn more about fish finders and the meaning of their color patterns. For example, the manual of Lawrence says that yellow defines soft objects while others (red, blue, and black) define harder objects.
Anglers recommend test colors in the process. You can go fishing, watch the screen, and, if possible, check what it is. In this case, depth finders with cameras are useful. Some people take a partner who can dive to see the obstacle.
It is hard to select the best fish finder among so many existing variants. They differ by manufacturers, specs, and prices. We have consulted experts to create a list of things you need to pay attention to when choosing a fish finder.
Transducer
This part of the fish finder is the most important. A transducer does the main job as a fish revealer. It sends sonar waves into the water. If the wave hits some object, it sends a signal back, and a display reflects the shape and color of the object, depending on its density (soft or hard).
If your transducer is of poor quality, it will break, or search results will not be accurate.
You should pay attention to its composition. It must be solid and durable because anglers locate a transducer on the side or underneath the kayak or boat. Consequently, water and various objects might damage a transducer.
Besides, it must be easy to install. It is necessary to check whether the bracket, bolts, and screws come in a package or you need to order them separately.
Another essential feature is the frequency of sent signals. Standard sonar sends equal waves while chirp one deals with a quick burst of waves that makes the search results more accurate.
Brand
A manufacturer must have a good reputation. You can check reviews on Amazon, eBay, Walmart, and Trustpilot to find out the rating of the chosen product. Every feedback of customers provides the pros and cons of a product that you should be aware of.
Mounting
A fish finder may be portable or mounted on the board of the kayak or boat. Those who like long trips at high speed need through-hull mounts. They are more expensive but durable compared to transom ones.
Another mounting variant is the in-hull one. You should mount it inside the boat but be ready to find a place that can fit the transducer’s penetration.
The next thing to regard is the width of the sound wave. It depends on the cone angle. A larger radius does not always mean better results. Experts noticed that a narrow radius presents better and more accurate results. One should pay attention to the cone’s depth. Sometimes the angle is good, but the device does not send signals deeper than 100 feet. Professionals prefer dual spectrum chirp and not less than 300 feet depth detectable range.
Display
It can be vertical or horizontal, big or small, black-and-white or colorful, and with a simple or advanced touchscreen. Anglers prefer split screens that are easy to navigate.
The screen must provide a vivid picture that is visible in any weather condition. It must be waterproof. Colorful displays allow you to observe not only fish but differentiate between weeds, seeds, rocks, etc.
If your screen is too small, you won’t be able to see what is going on underneath. High resolution is especially essential for those who like to see details or beginners that still cannot properly read the fish finder.
The same one can say about dimensions. The smaller the device is, the smaller screen you will get.
If your boat is small, you will have either to sacrifice the space or to suffer to adapt to discomfort monitoring.
It is not a secret that brands become popular thanks to top-quality products and services. The easiest way to learn about some company is to investigate FAQ and rating websites. Visitors of FAQ pages often search for recommendations concerning brands and products. Their average questions sound like, “What fish finder would you recommend?” or “What is the difference between these two brands?” Other users write shreds of advice regarding their experience.
Rating websites serve to inform people about the pros and cons of some products, services, and manufacturers. We have visited many websites to find out what fish finders customers like best of all. This way, we have learned the top 5 brands.
Reviews of customers are essential. People share their impressions and thoughts about some product or its manufacturer. For example, many anglers consider Garmin to be one of the best manufacturers of fish finders and trolling motors. Unfortunately, many of them do not like the customer support of the company. They ask questions and either receive zero answers or get them too late.
Speaking about Amazon, it calculates the rating of the product depending on three features – quality, simplicity in use, and installation. Sometimes, the rating gets lower because of delivery problems or the price of the product. That is why it is important not only to look at the number of stars but also to read reviews before ordering the fish finder. It is even better to compare reviews on several websites to get trustworthy data.
10 Best Fish Finders 2021
If you like to learn something by studying a sample, you will search for top-rated fish finders to select the right one. We offer the 10 best fish finders that differ in prices, specs, and dimensions. Due to that, you will be able to spot the difference and understand what suits your needs.
Anglers like this model due to its LCD HD Display and a minimum of buttons. Such a composition does not distract from fishing. A person observes the screen and uses only several buttons to monitor the situation on the bottom of the lake or river. This device fits both summer and winter fishing as it uses sonar impulses. It presents only data about fish to let an angler concentrate and get it.
This compact device is of moderate price and has GPS. Garmin is a reputable manufacturer of navigation tools. Striker 4 Vu scanning sonar presents an image that resembles a real photo with fish, weeds, and various obstacles. Everyone finds it simple for installation and use.
This fish finder fits both summer and winter fishing and is perfect for vertical jigging. Though, you need to buy extra parts (batteries, cables, etc.) to install it. One needs to pay attention to things that go with the device or not.
Lucky Wireless Handheld fish finder resembles this product and is also affordable. It fits ice fishing and is waterproof, so it can be used in rainy seasons.
This device is perfect for those who want to have everything in one delivery. It provides a vivid picture from Vu scanning sonar and has an auto-control of screen brightness. The tool has an in-built chart and maps. It updates GPS position and pre-set heading every 5 seconds. The device is fast, easy-to-use, and powerful enough to be on the list of the top 10 fish finders.
This is a cheap, compact, and easy-to-use fish finder. It provides a user with information about water temperature, depth, weeds, sands, rocks, and, of course, fish.
One can use it at night due to backlight mode. It also has a fish alarm mode that one can switch off if necessary. Simple, cheap, and to the point.
This fish finder is the most expensive model on Amazon. It provides super-accurate data about the bottom of the place and fish on a large touchscreen. It has advanced GPS and network options like WiFi, HDMI, Bluetooth, and NMEA 2000.
At the moment, there are no reviews on Amazon because it became first available on February 20, 2021. Though, its specs are much promising.
If you want to have a clear view all the time, you will need to get this product. It has an Auto Adjust system that improves the image without constant settings. This device stores data about your tracking. So, you have access to data about underwater conditions, chosen fishing spots, and peculiarities of the place.
This is a moderate-price fish finder with a 4.7 rating. It has Dual Spectrum CHIRP, ethernet networking, MEGA down imaging, GPS, mapping, and Auto chart. Customers are satisfied with its performance and rate its features (accuracy, installation, and interface) with 5 stars. So, it’s worth every penny.
This fish finder has advanced display technology, high-detailed real-time mapping, wireless networking, and top-quality images. One gets notifications on a smartphone to have absolute control of the situation. It suits those who like quality and enhanced technology that makes fishing better.
This fish finder goes with a transducer and brackets for the screen and the transducer. Customers find it easy to install and set up. It has a 5-inch display, a split shot transducer, an autotuning sonar, and excellent fish reveal option. Both beginners and experienced anglers can operate it easily.
The fish finder has a 4.8/5 rating on Amazon that speaks about its quality and performance. The device is very accurate and provides data about the lure, baits, fish, depth, and various water barriers. The model is a perfect choice for fans of winter fishing.
Conclusion
When people buy a fish finder for a trolling motor, they hope that it will serve long. One’s decision depends on many factors. Besides, some features are hard to understand, not only for beginners.
We hope that this guide was useful to you due to the explanation of the basic characteristics of simple and advanced fish finders. If you want to avoid a mistake, you will consult an expert or read and watch more to make the right choice.
Recreational fishing is very popular around the world. 50.1 million people from the United States participated in recreational fishing in 2019. People regard it as a sport or hobby. It is a pleasure to spend a weekend trying to catch the biggest fish. Fresh air and magnificent scenery relax. If a person does not know some peculiarities of fishing, he or she will fail to enjoy this activity.
First of all, it is necessary to learn as much as possible about the place where you want to go fishing. You should be aware of streams and their speed, baits, habits of local fish, and, of course, the law. One can consult a specialist to learn law restrictions in some regions. Geographical websites will help you find out more about the water and its inhabitants. The last thing to consider is the speed of the motor boat.
If you move too fast, fish won’t be able to swallow the bait.
Today, anglers prefer trolling motor boats. The best variant is to choose the one with a bow trolling motor because it allows you to maneuver the boat even in shallow and weedy places. The slow and steady movement does not frighten off fish. Besides, most trailing motors work silently. The speed depends on several things that an experienced angler needs to know. These are currents, the load of the boat or kayak, the weight of the motor, and general parameters of the vessel.
Customers and fans of recreational fishing often have questions when selecting a trolling motor for their boat that will satisfy their needs. We have investigated marine and sports websites to get questions that need answers. This guide will answer basic questions about the speed of a trolling motor to help you enjoy your fishing.
Have you ever tried to speed up your boat, but something did not let you reach the goal? The main reason is lack of knowledge and fishing experience.
An angler should know everything about currents, fish, weeds, and obstacles that might occur in the chosen area. The direction and strength of the stream can help increase the speed of a boat. An angler must be aware of the top speed of the trolling motor. A person should use tricks to fasten the boat and maneuver the boat better.
This article will answer all your questions about trolling motor top speed. We have discussed essential points with experts to provide only truthful data. We hope that it will help you enjoy recreational fishing and predict things that might spoil your day out.
Trolling is a perfect way to fish. There is only one minus – a suddenly discharged battery. Have you ever been in such a situation? Being stuck in the open sea far away from the shore with nothing helpful is not funny, isn’t it?
Do you fear long fishing sessions because you cannot rely on your trolling battery? Or, maybe, you still struggle to choose the most convenient way of charging batteries, which work inside a running trolling motor, don’t you? If at least one answer is yes, we are companions in misfortune.
As a trolling fishing enthusiast, I used to face different problems with a battery. After stopping in the middle of the sea and calling a coast squad for help, I’ve decided to dip into extra charging a battery.
Keeping a spare battery in the boat and changing it in the sea has never been an alternative. I could not take the whole workshop with me. Plus, in the past, I used to rent a dock with no option to charge the battery from the shore. I am sure I am not the only one having this trouble.
Brief research showed that charging a trolling battery while running is not that difficult. There are plenty of variants.
This post is a brief explanation of how to charge a boat battery on the water.
I hope it will give you a clue and open a world of long-term fishing without fears and troubles.
Choosing a proper trolling motor wire size is more important than you might think. Many people, especially beginner boat enthusiasts underestimate wire gauges. They don’t know about electrical resistance and think that a proper current is the only thing that matters.
To ensure you don’t make such a mistake, we’ve created this gauge wire guide. The first section is dedicated to the general notion of a wire gauge and why it’s important, as well as the American Wire Gauge.
The second part is more specific to trolling motors, but we recommend you read the whole piece to have a full understanding of the topic. Electricity issues hold a serious fire hazard, and fire on the water never sounds good.
A time ago, it was hell to charge a trolling motor battery. Batteries had containers, and battery acid was circulating within them during the charge. It was a good method, though it was rather time-consuming.
Besides, a person spent much effort and was exhausted by the process. Fortunately, we live in the epoch of new technologies, and the approach to battery charging has improved greatly.
To charge a trolling motor battery, a person is to be aware of its type to select the best charger. This guide will help you to avoid mistakes and make your trolling motor battery serve longer.
Do you own a pontoon boat or a kayak? Do you want it to be fast and show the best performance? Then, find out how to choose the best trolling motor battery. A battery with light weight will help you to improve your boat performance and get a positive boating experience.
You should make the choice of the battery responsibly as not all lightweight trolling batteries can work for hours without charging. Paying attention to the charging potential is a must for smooth boating. Check how to choose the lightest trolling motor battery that will help you to optimize your boat function.
Conducting various tests and learning the exact parameters of a motor is useful in at least four cases.
The first case concerns buying a used motor. As a rule, a motor has got a tablet with all characteristics and documentation with the same detailed information. Sometimes, when you purchase a used motor from a private seller, the data can be missing. In this situation, a strategy to perform tests to learn the characteristics of a motor is correct.
The second situation happens when something is wrong with the motor, and you would like to repair it. Measuring AMP draw can exclude or confirm problems with the inner electric circuit, power consumption, and overall effectiveness of a motor. The test is important but not difficult to perform by yourself.
The third case concerns custom motors. Suppose you are an enthusiast and want to assemble your own trolling motor from different parts. In this case, amp draw tests are obligatory, as you have to make sure what kind of battery to apply.
The fourth situation is advice from many experts. They recommend decreasing the electricity power of a starting device. Such a procedure lets a battery last much longer.
What can happen if you neglect the amp draw test?
You will waste money by picking the wrong battery. If the power of a battery is not enough, it will not start the motor at all.
You risk burning or overheating a motor with a too strong battery. Excessive heat can make motor lifespan significantly shorter.
You will ruin the motor completely or overpay for another repair. As we said, you can perform the test by yourself if you know how to prepare and the instruments you’ll need.
