You have invested in a trolling motor for your marine vessel and you will no doubt want to make sure the batteries within this device are kept in good condition. It is easy to do this through proper maintenance and the purchase of a good quality trolling battery charger.
With the best trolling motor battery charger you can be sure that your batteries will not overcharge or overheat. You can also be confident that they are being kept in the most optimum condition, and that their longevity is assured. Here we review some of the best quality trolling motor battery chargers out there and run through some of the questions you need to consider before making a purchase.
Table of Contents
Best Battery Charger For 30 Lb Trolling Motor On Kayak
OptiMATE TM-181 9-step 12V 5A Battery Saving Charger Review
If you are looking for a charger for a 30 Lb trolling motor with a 12-volt battery, then Tecmate’s OptiMATE 6 is an excellent option. This intelligent charger can detect whether your battery is just discharged on damaged with sulfation helping it to keep batteries alive longer. Suitable for AGM, lead-acid and gel battery types with ratings between 3-240 amp-hours and 12-volt batteries, this is the perfect charger for those with small boats.
The charger has an exceptional 9-steps of charging helping to ensure longevity of battery life by providing for any eventuality. Included in these steps is multi-stage desulphation, low-voltage starting and turbocharge modes. This will enable quick, safe, and complete charging as well as keeping your battery going for years to come with no risk of overcharging.
This charger also has great safety features, including daily battery condition tests, spark suppression, and automatic shutdown in the event of any short-circuit or disconnection from the battery. So you use this safely for long-term care of your battery without worrying. The 3-year limited replacement warranty also gives you added security that this model will last.
If you are after a charger with automatic precision, that will protect your battery, and extend its life, then the OptiMATE 6 will go above and beyond your needs, making sure your battery keeps providing the energy for your trolling motor needs for years to come.
Q&A: Would I need a battery tender as well as this charger?
A: This works in that way so you would not need a tender in addition to this charger.
Best Battery Charger For 50 Lb Trolling Motor On Inflatable Boat
Schumacher XCS15 SpeedCharge 15A Battery Charger Review
For those looking for a flexible charger suitable for the type of batteries that offer 50 Lbs worth of thrust to small inflatable boats, the Schumacher XCS15 works great with 6 and 12-volt batteries for AGM, gel cell and deep cycle batteries. With battery tender functionality, battery conditioning and slow charging functions, this model will ensure your batteries are protected from damage and topped up nicely.
At just a little over 3 Lbs and small briefcase size, with a useful handle built-in, this model is easily transportable and perfect to take with you wherever your trip takes you. It is also easy to use thanks to well-written instructions. The specific provisions for each of the battery types it charges mean your batteries will be well looked after, whilst it will let you know if your battery does eventually reach its demise.
Whether you are looking for slow charging capability or a higher ampere charge rate, this charger has what you need and is intelligent enough to automatically pick appropriate charge rates for your battery needs. So if you’re looking for a charger suitable for keeping 6 and 12-volt batteries going to the top of their lifespans, this model will be an excellent pick.
Q&A: Does this automatically desulphate batteries?
A: Yes, there is automatic desulphation detection.
Best 12V-24V Battery Charger For 80 Lb Trolling Motor On Pontoon Boat
NOCO Genius G7200 12V-24V 72A UltraSafe Smart Battery Charger Review
For those looking for a charger suitable for 24-volt batteries capable of providing 80 Lb’s worth of thrust power from a trolling motor, the safe and powerful NOCO Genius G7200 is the perfect fit. This model is suitable for lead-acid, AGM, deep-cycle batteries and even top of the range lithium-ion batteries. It also has battery maintaining functionality, and an intelligent microprocessor built in, meaning your batteries will get precise charge throughout each stage of the charging process.
The superb safety features of this device include reverse polarity, spark-proof technology, and reduced energy consumption. It is also water, impact and UV resistant making it a great choice for the clumsy boaters out there, or those who know they might be putting it through some rough treatment. The 5-year limited warranty also gives you an exceptional amount of security that this product will keep your batteries safely charged and topped up for years.
The smart microprocessor ensures efficient charging and enables diagnostic information to be fed to you through the intuitive LED indicators built into the model, regardless of the mode it is set to. Thanks to this intelligent technology you will also get improved charging times up to 2 times faster than competitors. So, if you are someone who likes a smart charger, that is highly secure and helps to get your batteries charged up quickly, this model should be your partner in crime.
Q&A: What is the cord length with eyelet terminals connected?
A: The total cord length is 6 foot, so you have plenty to play with.
Best Portable Minn Kota Battery Charger
Minn Kota MK-105P Portable Battery Charger Review
If ultimate portability is what you are after then you’ve hit the jackpot with this Minn Kota portable battery charger. This battery charger weighs just over 4 pounds so is the best lightweight charger for trolling motor battery. It’s easy to carry on and off the boat, and it won’t weigh your vessel down either. There is also a useful inbuilt handle which also lends to this models portability.
This charger is compatible with flooded lead-acid and AGM batteries and suitable for batteries rated at 12 volts. It can charge one bank with 5 amps of power, so suitable for smaller boats with just the one 12V battery within the trolling motor. To put this in real terms, if you have been out fishing for an afternoon it will take between 3 and 4 hours to get your 12v battery back up to full charge.
This smart charger has automatic multi-stage charging, meaning that the voltage and current are carefully controlled throughout the charging cycle ensuring a safe and effective charge. It will then switch to a trickle charge to make sure the battery is maintained at the correct charge level.
You can also be assured that this device is safe to use on your trolling motor batteries. Fitted with automatic temperature compensation it won’t let your batteries overcharge and there are also mechanics in place to prevent short circuits and reverse polarity.
This Minn Kota battery charger is fitted with LED flashing lights which indicate when the power is on, when the device is charging, when full charge has been reached, and when you need to check the connection. This addition makes this portable battery charger really easy to use and monitor the status of your trolling motor batteries.
This trolling motor battery charger is a great choice for keeping you on the waters for longer and with a three-year warranty included you can be reassured that this Minn Kota charger will be your friend for years to come.
Q&A: Is this suitable for a 12-volt 110 AH deep cycle marine battery?
A: Indeed, this is an ideal charger for such a battery.
Best Solar Charger For Trolling Motor Battery
ACOPOWER 100W 100W Solar Battery Charging RV, Boat, Off Grid Review
Here is something a little different. If you like green power that can be produced for , then this panel and charger combo is a great choice to provide the energy your trolling motor needs to keep you out on the water for as long as you need. The high-efficiency polycrystalline panel provides 100-watts of power, is easy to install as well as being highly transportable. The included LCD charge controller tells you everything else you need to know.
The kit is suitable to charge 12 and 14-volt batteries and includes an instructive user manual to help get you started. Included MC4 connectors also make this system easy to expand if you find you want to make even more use from solar energy when you find out what this product has to offer. This system is good to go once its hooked up, so you’ll be cleanly powering your batteries in no time.
The excellent controller provides all the information you need to keep your batteries happy, including voltage, amperage rate and amp hours remaining. The battery temperature sensor also makes sure you can look after your battery properly and safely. So if you’re after a charger that is solar powered and comes with all the necessary components to plug in and play, then you will want to get yourself one of these.
Q&A: Does this have a decent warranty?
A: With 5 years workshop warranty, 20 years of output warranty and excellent customer service offered, you are well looked after in the security department.
What type of battery does your trolling motor have?
Before going any further it is essential to work out what type of battery is contained within your trolling motor. There are a variety of battery types used within trolling motors and these fall into the following categories deep cycle, AGM, flooded cell and gel cell. Some trolling battery chargers will be able to charge a variety of battery types – but make sure you check that it is suited to your model before purchasing.
What is the best way to charge trolling motor batteries?
To ensure the longevity of your trolling motor batteries it is important to maintain them properly. A key way of doing this is through the way that they are charged. The majority of trolling motors will use a battery that has a deep cycle ability – this means that it can last a long time on vessels (such as your boat) that are away from a mains power source. It does this by giving a little bit of power over a long period of time.
As it is ‘deep cycle’ this means that the battery is able to discharge to a very low rate without it getting damaged. However, when it is discharged it needs to be cared for properly so that it doesn’t get damaged by sulfation (which is what occurs when a deep-cycle battery is left without a charge for too long).
These conditions can be properly handled by investing in a smart battery charger. As the name suggests, these are very clever devices which you can plug your trolling batteries into as soon as you are out of the water and the charger will provide power until the batteries are at the optimum charge and will never overcharge them.
Some smart chargers also have the option to maintain your batteries when there will be a period of disuse (say in the winter period) – it will monitor the charge of your battery and deliver a trickle charge if it needs topping up. This is a great option to prevent sulfation of your trolling motor batteries if you are planning to not use them for a while.
Another benefit of using a smart charger to charge your trolling motor batteries is than they come with the ability to monitor the temperature of your batteries. This means that they will not overheat, and therefore preventing damage.
While buying a smart charger might seem like a pricey choice initially, it really is the most economical choice when it comes to maintaining your trolling motor batteries. It will ensure the batteries work productively, and that they do not break prematurely – ensuring their longevity. This means you won’t be replacing your trolling motor batteries sooner that you should do, so will save you money in the long run than if you purchased a regular charger that does not protect from overcharging or overheating.
What does the number of banks mean on a battery charger?
When perusing the trolling battery charger market you will notice that the number of banks is stated on the charger. This is simply the number of batteries the charger is able to charge at the same time.
So if the charger has 2 banks, it can charge 2 batteries within your trolling motor at the same time. If your trolling motor is on the larger size with several batteries wired together it would be a good idea to select a battery charger that has sufficient banks to charge your batteries simultaneously. Whereas if you have just the one battery there is no need for multiple banks on a charger.
How many amps do I need in my trolling motor battery charger?
The amp rating of the battery charger determines how fast it will be able to charge your battery. If your boat is on the larger size your batteries will be of a higher voltage so you will need to be looking at battery chargers with a higher amp rating otherwise you will be waiting a long time for your batteries to charge. Also, if you have more than one battery within your trolling motor check out the amp rating per bank of the charger you are looking at – so you can judge the length of time it will take to charge both of your batteries.
If you have a small boat, perhaps a canoe or kayak, your battery voltage will be lower so you won’t need a really high amp rating. Make sure you check the battery charger is compatible with the voltage of your batteries so that you reduce the risk of overcharging them.
What about the safety features of the battery charger?
A key thing to look out for when purchasing a trolling battery charger is that it is approved by the America Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) so you know that it meets their strict safety guidelines. All of the well-known battery brands should have this accreditation.
With smart chargers, they have some reassuring safety features that should put you at ease,
having inbuilt mechanisms that prevent leakage, short circuits, overcharging and overheating. You can also find chargers that are waterproof, if you are wanting to take them on board with you. Make sure you look out for these features to make sure you are purchasing a quality charger where the manufacturer has taken safety considerations seriously.
Can I use solar power to charge my trolling motor?
Yes, you can! This is a great option to improve your green credentials, as well as being a very convenient power source. There are a variety of solar chargers on the market that are capable of charging a trolling motor and you can attach these to your boat and soak up totally energy from the sun while you sail. Usually, a 100-watt panel should be sufficient to charge your trolling motor batteries but this does depend on the size of your boat and batteries.
Of course, this method of charging is very dependent on the weather and, while solar panels are still capable of soaking up some energy even when the sun isn’t shining, overcast conditions will effect the speed in which you are able to charge your trolling motor batteries. For more information on setting up your own solar system, check out our article Best RV Solar Panel Kit.
Conclusion
This article has highlighted the importance of properly charging your trolling motor batteries. By selecting a good quality trolling motor battery charger you can ensure your batteries are charged safely and effectively without the fear of overcharging or overheating them. This will make sure your trolling motor performs to its optimum level when out on the water and that your batteries do not break prematurely.
Before purchasing make sure you check the specifications of your battery – the higher your batteries voltage, the more amps you will need in order to charge your batteries at a good speed. If you have more than one battery within your trolling motor, you will need to select a battery charger with more than one bank. There is also the option of using solar power to charge your trolling motor batteries, a great option for reducing your carbon footprint.