13 Best Deep Cycle Battery for Trolling Motor 2024

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Strong Lead-acid batteries, popularly known as deep cycle batteries, are mostly used for vehicles that need to gain more power in less time. Their durability, efficiency and discharge/charge power are what made these batteries special out of all.

Wait! Are you a dedicated fisherman, or is it just a hobby of yours? Be it any! Are you by any chance looking for the best deep cycle battery for a trolling motor? That is too of good battery size and light in weight? Boom! You are in the correct article.

We know the experience of being on the water. Spending hours happily by fishing and whispering good nothings to the streams around, is one unexplainable moment. There are millions of people like you, who choose a boat and travel in the water world, all fishing! Like all, Do you too want the best trolling motor deep cycle battery for your kayak or boat or canoe, to lead your boat as sleek as possible in its high potential?

To choose the best for your boat, you need to go through the details and understand each of the benefits. You must consider factors like size, weight, CCA, Amp-hours and a lot more. Don’t worry! We got your back. Here we are presenting you an article that tells you how to choose the best deep cycle battery for a trolling motor.

In addition to that, we will introduce you to a few of the best motors available in the market today. They not only discharge the power gradually for longer hours but also helps in powering other gadgets present with you.

Excited much? Come! Let us find the best out of all, for you.

IMAGE	PRODUCT	DETAILS
Optima Batteries	Optima Batteries	Optima Batteries 8016-103 D34M BlueTop Starting Deep Cycle Battery	Type: Marine Dual Purpose Battery (AGM) Dimensions: 10 x 6.88 x 7.8 inches Weight: 59.8 lbs Group: 31 AH: 75 Amp Hours Cold Cranking Amps: 750 Cold Cranking Amps Reserve Capacity: 120 Minutes Voltage: 12 Volt	Check On Amazon
Odyssey	Odyssey	Odyssey 31M-PC2150ST-M TROLLING Thunder Marine Dual Purpose Battery	Type: Marine Dual Purpose Battery (AGM) Dimensions: 16.8 x 11.1 x 11.9 inches Weight: 77.8 lbs Group: 31 AH: 100 Amp Hours Cold Cranking Amps: 1150 Cold Cranking Amps Reserve Capacity: 205 Minutes Voltage: 12 Volt	Check On Amazon
Mighty Max	Mighty Max	Mighty Max 12V 35AH Trolling Motor Battery	Type: Marine Dual Purpose Battery (SLA AGM) Dimensions: 7.68 x 5.16 x 7.13 inches Weight: 23.15 lbs Group: 24 AH: 35 Amp Hours Reserve Capacity: 180 Minutes Voltage: 12 Volt	Check On Amazon
Universal Power Group	Universal Power Group	Universal Power Group 12V 100Ah Deep Cycle Battery	Type: Marine Dual Purpose Battery (AGM) Dimensions: 12.17 x 6.61 x 9.16 inches Weight: 63.93 lbs Group: 27 AH: 100 Amp Hours Reserve Capacity: 165 Minutes Voltage: 12 Volt	Check On Amazon
VMAX	VMAX	VMAX MR137-120 AGM Sealed Marine AGM Battery.	Type: Marine Deep Cycle Purpose Battery (AGM) Dimensions: 12.9 x 6.8 x 8.5 inches Weight: 75 lbs Group: 31 AH: 120 Amp Hours Reserve Capacity: 230 Minutes Voltage: 12 Volt	Check On Amazon
VMAX	VMAX	VMAXTANKS VMAX V35-857 12 Volt 35AH Deep Cycle Battery	Type: Marine Deep Cycle Purpose Battery (AGM) Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 6.1 inches Weight: 25 lbs Group: 27 AH: 35 Amp Hours Cold Cranking Amps: 300 CCA Reserve Capacity: 75 Minutes Voltage: 12 Volt	Check On Amazon
VMAX	VMAX	VMAX MR127 12 Volt 100Ah AGM Deep Cycle Maintenance Free Battery	Type: Marine Deep Cycle Purpose Battery (AGM) Dimensions: 12.1 x 6.7 x 8.2 inches Weight: 68 lbs Group: 27 AH: 100 Amp Hours Reserve Capacity: 200 Minutes Voltage: 12 Volt	Check On Amazon
Optima Batteries	Optima Batteries	Optima Batteries 8052-161 D31M BlueTop Starting and Deep Cycle Battery	Type: Marine Dual Purpose Battery (AGM) Dimensions: 12.8 x 6.5 x 9.38 inches Weight: 59.8 lbs Group: 31 AH: 75 Amp Hours Cold Cranking Amps: 900 Cold Cranking Amps Reserve Capacity: 155 Minutes Voltage: 12 Volt	Check On Amazon
Mighty Max Battery	Mighty Max Battery	Mighty Max Battery 12V 55Ah Power Boat Pontoon Electric Trolling Motor Deep Cycle Battery	Type: Marine Dual Purpose Battery ( AGM) Dimensions: 9.02 x 5.43 x 9.13 inches Weight: 38.58 lbs Group: 24 AH: 55 Amp Hours Reserve Capacity: 175 Minutes Voltage: 12 Volt	Check On Amazon
Exide	Exide	Exide XMC-31 MEGACYCLE AGM-200 Sealed Maintenance Free Battery	Type: Marine Dual Purpose Battery ( AGM) Dimensions: 13 x 6.6 x 9.4 inches Weight: 71 pounds Group: 31 AH: 100 Amp Hours Cold Cranking Amps: 925 CCA Reserve Capacity: 200 Minutes Voltage: 12 Volt	Check On Amazon
NorthStar	NorthStar	NorthStar NSB-AGM31M AGM Group 31 Marine Battery	Type: Marine Dual Purpose Battery ( AGM) Dimensions: 14 x 11 x 10 inches Weight: 75 lbs Group: 31 AH: 103 Amp Hours Cold Cranking Amps: 1150 CCA Reserve Capacity: 220 Minutes Voltage: 12 Volt	Check On Amazon
Interstate Batteries	Interstate Batteries	Interstate Batteries 12V 35AH Sealed Lead Acid Deep Cycle Battery	Type: Marine Dual Purpose Battery (AGM, Sealed Lead Acid) Dimensions: 7.68 x 5.16x 6.42inches Weight: 22.9 pounds Group: U1 AH: 35 Amp Hours Voltage: 12 Volt	Check On Amazon
Trojan Batteries	Trojan Batteries	Trojan T31-AGM 12V 100Ah Group 31 Deep Cycle AGM Battery	Type: Marine Dual Purpose Battery ( AGM) Dimensions: 13.0 x 6.8 x 8.3 inches Weight: 67 lbs Group: 31 AH: 100 Amp Hours Reserve Capacity: 177 Minutes Voltage: 12 Volt	Check On Amazon

13 Best Trolling Motor Deep cycle batteries

Here we are, presenting you some of the best batteries for your trolling motor. We are providing you the needed information covering the factors you need to look after before buying a battery. Choose wisely and we highly recommend you to go through the “How to choose the best deep cycle battery for trolling motor?” part of this article to choose the best one for yourself that meets all the needed requirements. 

Difference Between Dual Purpose Battery and Deep Cycle Battery

Before we get into the important factors of deep cycle batteries for trolling motors, it is important to know how far the deep cycle batteries and dual purpose batteries are different from each other.

Dual purpose battery is a combination of Starting battery and Deep Cycle battery. Wondering about Starting battery, already? A Starting battery is also known as a cranking battery, and is designed to produce a huge amount of energy for a shorter time period. So, they are ideal for starting engines such as an automotive engine or an inboard or outboard marine engine, rather than some full time supporting ones. 

These Starting engine supportive batteries are used as daily drivers. These batteries are literally made of standard lead “sponge plates.” The numerous parallel thin plates we find within, helps in achieving the low resistance with high surface area.

They are designed delicately in such a way that the sponge plates dissolve quickly. The deep discharge will shorten the life of the battery and it is not at all designed to handle multiple discharge/recharge cycles. On working condition, this battery produces / releases a large burst of power to start a normal engine and that’s it!

With this one burst, the battery discharges about 1-3% of its power. Once the engine is started, the starting battery stops its functioning and lies ideally, where the alternator maintains power and recharges the starting battery. Simply, we can say that It can be helpful as a secondary battery and should definitely have an alternator.

While coming to the deep cycle batteries, Instead of discharging a large amount of energy for a short period, these are designed to discharge a small amount of energy for a long period of time. It goes on continuing until the maximum of the battery’s capacity has been discharged.

To make sure of this, most of the deep cycle batteries are built to discharge upto 75% without giving a room to any damage. Although, this percentage of safety varies from one manufacturer to the other, the least can be 45%. And the highest rate will be 75% or can also be more than it without having any bad impacts on the battery’s durability and performance.

For larger, more powerful trolling motors, several deep cycle batteries can be connected in series and used as a power source. The larger batteries are used as solar storage batteries and other renewable energy packeting ones.

Deep Cycle Batteries are mostly found in vehicles such as Jeep wrangler that don’t have an alternator, like race cars or racing bikes. They are also used in vehicles that support numerous electric accessories or for off-road applications.

In addition, they can be seen being used for trolling, golf carts, forklifts, wheelchairs, and more, as they just don’t need only initial high burst, but also a continuous power for longer hours. For that, the solid lead plates in these batteries are made thicker that will improve cycling abilities, and provide a consistent amount of power for a long time.

They are designed to provide a steady amount of current for a longer period of time. It can be discharged the worst to 20% too and still works perfectly without affecting the battery.

Now, as we said that the Dual purpose batteries are the combination of starting engines and deep cycling, these are heavy and are used for buses, military vehicles, trucks and lasts longer.  Though they are good, they can’t be able to match the individual deep cycle battery power range.

As we know that, we don’t want it just to give high power on starting, but it should produce the charge continuously for longer hours offering durability too and that happens only in deep cycle batteries.

This is how, the deep cycle batteries and the dual purpose batteries are different from each other.

How to choose the best deep cycle battery for trolling motor?

CCA

Cold Cranking Amps, simply known as CCA, These are generally known as CCAs, which tells us the number of Amps a battery can produce at 0 degree Centigrade (32 degrees Fahrenheit) for half a minute (30 seconds).

This Cold Cranking Amps feature is needed for starting batteries as they need to release huge amounts of power for a short amount of time to start the motor. Whereas, Reserve capacity tells us how long a battery can release power, under 25 amps, before it needs a recharge again. 

When looking for a battery, there is no need to look for Cold Cranking Amps, unless you want it to use for multi functionality, not just as a starter. Through multi function, we mean that it is needed to start the battery and run it for long hours. That’s what a deep cycle battery does to your trolling motor, right?

AH 

The Amp-Hour Rating, is also known as AH rating which is one of the most important factors you need to consider while deciding what deep cycle battery you want for your trolling motor.

The Amp-Hour Rating is defined as the amount of amperes that can be discharged by the battery in a certain consistent amount of time period. For example, if it says that you have a trolling motor battery which is rated at 100 aH.

It means that the battery can produce 1 amps for 100 hours, 2 amps for 50 hours, 4 amps for 25 hours, 5 amps in 20 hours, 10 amps for 10 hours, 25 amps in 4 hours etc. It would need a minimum of 20 AH for a small kayak under 16 feet, though.

To explain simply, all you need to do is to divide the amp-hour rating by the total number of amps expected to discharge. And there you go, you’ll get to know how long the battery can run continuously on one charge. Always remember! The higher the Amp Hours are, the longer your battery runs.

Brand

If you are unsure of the best branded motor you always want to get, don’t panic or just don’t go by a blind choice. Customer reviews play a main role over here. Before buying a product, we always request you to go through the reviews, as they are what the experiences users face. They will give you a maximum idea of a product and how it is exactly working. 

It is myth that the best of the products always come from the major manufacturer. There are several fantastic products that didn’t come into the limelight, but deserve much more attention from customers. Reviews will never fool you.

So, If you find any off-brand battery that saves you a good amount of bucks and has a good number of outstanding reviews about its quality and warranty, just buy it. Don’t miss it.

Power

Reserve Capacity is one of the major factors you need to go through before buying a battery for your interstate trolling motor. Well, What is this Reserve Capacity? Reserve Capacity is generally known as RC, which helps in knowing the number of minutes in which a battery can deliver 25 amps by keeping its voltage greater than 10.5 Volts.

Power draw required for the batteries based on their motor weights.

• A 30 pound motor requires a maximum power draw of around 30 amperes
• A 40 – 45 pound motor requires a maximum power draw of around 42 amperes
• A 50 – 55 pound motor requires a maximum power draw of around 50 amperes
• A 70 pound motor requires a maximum power draw of around amperes
• An 80 pound motor requires a maximum power draw of around 56 amperes
• A 101 pound motor requires a maximum power draw of around 46 amperes
• A 112 pound motor requires a maximum power draw of 52 amperes

On Comparison:

We can say that the deep cycle battery holds more power than any of the normal car batteries. Ever observed the difference between a normal car and a race car? The speed variance and the smoothness of travel? Like a race car, you need good power for your trolling motor.

This difference is because of the harnesses of the power between these two batteries. A normal starting battery provides short and high electricity pulses whereas a deep cycle battery releases a needed (lower), consistent amount of energy continuously, as it can always be discharged and recharged unlike a starting battery. They are almost the same in design except the thickness of the electric plates surface area. 

Applying the same for the trolling motor, It gets the needed speed on running with a deep cycle battery. It doesn’t make sound and runs smoothly, making it easy for you to catch the fishes into your net, oh fisherman!

In short, both are useful and best for their own purposes.They are special in their own way and are invented based on the pulses an engine needs based on the mode of travel, usage. The leniency is a bit more towards the deep cycle battery due to its durability, discharge/charge ability and efficiency.

Design, maintenance

Warranties are the boons. Every manufacturer offers a different kind of warranty on every product. Check warranty before buying a product. Some companies may offer five to ten year warranties, while some provide one to four month warranties and some offer lifetime warranties. Choose a battery that offers a decent warranty so that you can protect yourself from getting stolen. 

Again, customer reviews come into their role here. CCheck the average lifespan of a battery, warranty details and returning package details in the reviews. They speak to you a lot and tell you the actual facts of the motor.

Battery type

This is one of the important factors out of all.There are so many, as we say, many and more kinds of trolling batteries available in the market, today. They will confuse you on getting one, and we don’t want you to fall for a wrong one in the chaos.

If you are thinking that all the batteries are the same. No, they are not! Using a low quality or non-type battery will reduce the efficiency of your trolling motor. Doing much research on the battery is the most needed thing you need to do before buying one for your trolling motor.

There are 4 major types of batteries available in the market. They are:

1. Lead Acid Battery:

This France’s Gaston Plante developed product (in 1859) is the commercial usable one which is said to be the first ever rechargeable battery. It is an affordable, inexpensive, reliable, popular, handy and easy to use battery. These batteries are often called “flooded batteries” in the marine sector and they also have an upper hand in the automobile, golf cart, warehouse machinery sectors too.

These are designed with the lead oxide places with acid flowing in between and these plates are covered by the plastic on the outer side. They combinely produce the power with the help of electrolyte. 

These are the cost-effective batteries and are good for the starting and powering up the device purposes. They can be deeply discharged and still, the battery’s efficiency won’t be damaged. But, unlike other batteries, they are a bit fragile and need maintenance as misusing it may lead to internal damage.

2. AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) Battery:

Absorbed Glass Mat, or AGM batteries are non acid spill batteries and contain the quilled glass fiber separators over surface area internally that helps in sucking the electrolyte. Unlike many batteries that allow the free flow of acid between the plates, these batteries are designed in such a way that it houses the acid in mats and offers a dry state. So, are you thinking of any acid leaks or spills? It’s time to say a good-bye for the spills and leaks through this battery.

To deliver the charge, the electrolyte substance will be passed from the mats to the plates. These batteries are highly recommended for solar systems, robotics, hybrid systems, wind systems, electric automobiles, and  TVs. Coming to marine, they are often used  to crank engines in extremely low temperatures, as well as with trolling motors and electronics. A best choice, isn’t it?

Forgot to tell, they offer the high Cold Cranking Amps and Reserve Capacity due to their augmented surface area and get charged quickly and can be used for longer hours than lead ones. However, overcharging may reduce the battery’s efficiency and the battery should be charged at a minimum of 50% for good functioning.

3. Gel Battery:

These are called Gel batteries because their electrolyte is of gelled type. This immobile Gel is the mixture of sulfuric acid and fumed silica. It is unique as it can be fitted in any direction unlike many other batteries.

They are best for marine purposes as they offer higher performance than any standard AGM products when it comes to deep cycle applications. They can withstand the hard impacts as they are sturdy and forgiving. However, it isn’t considered much user friendly and you should be very careful while going to pick a compatible charger.

4. Lithium Ion Battery:

Lithium Ion Battery is commonly known as ‘Li-On’. It works on the electron transferring between the ends of electrodes (cathode and anode). These batteries are light in weight, just like a feather, and still have a greater lifetime than the other batteries belong to the same class.

This battery is made of metal oxide, electrolyte immersed salt solution with lithium ions and carbon. They offer good storing capacity and weight to energy ratio and fit in electronics like cell phones. 

Their special features and featherweight made the dive towards the marine sector too. They are recharging rate is slow and cases of self combustion have been reported. Although they are eco friendly, the marine specialized cells are expensive. 

Size

Size is another important factor one needs to discuss before going to buy a trolling motor battery. The wrong size selection may cause the low power turn and you may get stuck in water. 

1. For good run-time

• Battery Group: Group 24 battery
• Power: 70 – 85 amps per hour at 12 volts.
• Ideal for: Small boats

2. For better run-time

• Battery Group: Group 27 battery
• Power: 85 – 110 amps per hour at 12 volts.
• Ideal for: Bass boats

3. For best run-time

• Battery Group: Group 31 battery
• Power: 95 – 125 amps per hour at 12 volts.
• Ideal for: Larger bass boats.

Weight

It is not a major problem but you must need to see it. Because, if the weight is too much, it may slow down the vehicle miserably. So, choosing the battery in a vehicle’s weight limit is mandatory.

For kayaks, batteries that are below 30 lbs will be okay. It is known that most of the modern batteries are somewhere between 20 and 50 pound. The lower the weight, the better it is!

Lifespan

The complete lifespan of a battery is termed as cycle life. Most of the companies won’t let you know about the cycle life of their products in their advertisements. Generally, the cycle life should be in between 3 to 5 years. You can always go through the reviews of the customers to know about the cycle life of the battery.

Tips and tricks for maintaining battery:

Choosing a battery might seem very simple and straightforward. But, it is not. For getting the best battery, you need to look through various factors so that you could find a suitable one for your trolling motor.

We request you to go through “How to choose the best deep cycle battery for a trolling motor?” part of this article, and go through everything, be it CCA, or AH or Power, every little thing. 

To make your trolling battery last longer, We suggest you travel on the sleek water. Because, if you travel in rough or windy conditions, inertia increases and the motor needs to put more energy to oppose it, thereby decreasing the efficiency of the battery.

Precautionary Tips and Tricks for maintenance:

Proper battery maintenance will increase the life of the battery. As the deep cycle batteries are very expensive, with the proper care and measures, you can bring out a good output out of them for a longer time.

We often look over a few measures that are actually needed to be taken care of. For example, checking the water levels in the battery or not providing the battery an exact charger it needed. Loose cables, spillages, corrosion what not!

The precautions you need to take while restoring or using a battery are larger in number. Here, we are providing you with them. We have taken care of introducing you almost every precaution you need to take while dealing with the battery.

Common Precautions:

1. Make sure you wear all the protection wear. Before going through the process, wear gloves, protection glasses and rough clothes THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS as you are dealing with an acid material which can burn your skin and damage your organs.

2. Don’t use tap water which may contain salts that are harmful to mix up with either the acid mixture or for electrolyte purposes.

3. Deep cycle dead batteries contain acids and gases that are flammable. Make sure that there us no fire or explosive substances while reconditioning the battery.

4. Never discharge below 10.5 volts.

For Keen Self Observation:

1. Examine the outer surface area of the battery carefully, completely. The top of the batteries and terminal connections should be clean, dry, and free of corrosion. With the baking powder and water solution, you can clean the surface of the battery. To clean the terminals, you need to use the brush and should handle the terminals gently. 

2. In case of Deep Cycle Wet Battery, Keep checking the top surface of the battery. If you find any fluids flowing on the top of a wet battery, it may mean that the deep cycle wet battery is being over-watered or overcharged. For that you need to have a good watering plan.

Note that, Only deep cycle wet/flooded batteries can be watered. YOU SHOULD NOT WATER THE AGM/GEL deep cycle batteries.

3. In case of Deep Cycle GEL /AGM battery, If you find any fluid on its surface, it may mean that the battery is being overcharged. It can decrease the battery performance and lifetime of it.

4. Keep on checking the battery cables and connections often. If you find any fault, change the cables and tighten any loose connections. Make sure not to overtighten the terminals. Else, it may result in a post breakage, post meltdown, or fire.

5. Use an insulated wrench while dealing with the clamps. Initially, they may get surrounded with any electrolyte spill that may cause burns.

Watering precautions:

1. Only deep cycle wet/flooded batteries can be watered. YOU SHOULD NOT WATER THE AGM/GEL deep cycle batteries.

2. Flooded/wet batteries need to be watered from time to time (for every few weeks). The frequency of watering depends on battery usage, charging and operating temperature. 

3. You should use distilled water to fill the cells. Why distilled water? Because the undistilled water contains hydrogen and oxygen and if it remains in the battery later, it may cause the sparks or explosions. Hard water can contain contaminants like sulphates, chlorides etc that will damage the battery. Make sure that the containers you use are debris and dirt free.

4. In case of low electrolyte level, add just enough distilled or deionized water to cover the plates and then charge the batteries. Never let the water overflow out of the cells.

5. While checking the electrolyte levels, place the vent caps you have removed upside down or flip it, so that dirt does not accumulate on the underside of the cap.

6. In warm or hot conditions, you should water the battery more often. Check the electrolyte levels and add distilled water, if required.  Never add electrolyte to a battery that is not fully charged. Just add distilled water and do not overfill.  The plates must be covered at all times.

Precautions you need to take while cleaning:

1. For flooded batteries, check whether all the vent caps are secured properly on the battery or not.

2. Make sure to clean the top of the battery, terminals, and connections with a dry cloth or non-metallic brush, with the baking soda solution (1 cup of baking soda to 1 gallon of water). Do not allow the cleaning solution to get inside the battery.

3. Rinse with water and dry with a clean cloth.

4. Apply a thin coat of petroleum gel or protector spray after cleaning the clamps.

5. Keep the area around batteries clean and dry.

For the storage of batteries:

1. Physically inspect for damaged cases, remove any corrosion, and clean and dry the battery tops.

2. Fully recharge the batteries.

3. Check the electrolyte levels and add distilled water as required, but avoid overfilling.

4. Store in a cold dry place, but not below 0° Centigrade.

These are the minimum precautions needed to increase the durability of the battery. The good the precautions you take, the better the battery will be. 

FAQ

Final words

Lastly, Trolling motor is an integral part of your boat. To maintain it, you need to choose the best and compatible deep cycle battery. Overlooking the factors or going through the cheap prices won’t help. We suggest you – understand the factors needed for your moto’s battery and then go for the good battery at an affordable price. So, treat your boat’s motor well by giving it the best battery.