
Electric trolling motors are rated in horsepower (HP), with one electrical HP equal to 745.7 watts (W). The power required by an electric trolling motor depends on several factors, such as the size and weight of the boat, river current, wind conditions, and propeller thrust. The type and number of batteries used also play a significant role in determining the power available for the motor. For instance, a 55-lb thrust motor consuming 55 amperes at 12 volts would have an input power of 660 watts, or 0.88 HP. To calculate the runtime of an electric trolling motor, one must consider the Amp Hour rating of the battery bank and the average amp draw of the motor.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Unit of power | Horsepower (HP) |
| Horsepower to watts conversion | 1 HP = 745.7 W |
| Electric trolling motor runtime calculation | AH Battery Rating / Amp Draw = Run Time |
| Thrust | Measured in pounds (lbs) |
| Battery types | Flooded Lead Acid (FLA), AGM, Gel, and Lithium batteries |
| Number of batteries needed for different motors | 55 lbs. of thrust or less: 1x 12V battery |
| More than 55 lbs. up to 80 lbs. of thrust: 2 x 12V batteries (24V total) | |
| More than 80 lbs. of thrust: 3 x 12V batteries (36V total) | |
| E-Drive motor: 4 x 12V batteries (48V total) |
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What You'll Learn

Electric trolling motors are rated in horsepower (HP) — 1 HP = 745.7 W
Electric trolling motors are rated in horsepower (HP), with one electrical HP being equal to 745.7 watts (W). This means that a 1 HP motor will use a minimum of 746 W. It's important to note that the motor's efficiency and system losses, such as the prop drive shaft, should also be considered when calculating battery energy storage needs. Horsepower is a unit of power, while watt-hours (Whr) is a unit of energy.
To convert HP to Whr, you divide HP by motor efficiency and then multiply by 746. For example, a 1 HP motor with 75% efficiency would require 994.66 Whr of energy to run for one hour. This can be calculated as follows: 1 HP / 0.75 x 746 W = 994.66 Whr.
Converting HP to amps is another important consideration when determining battery capacity. This can be done using Ohm's Law, which states that at 12V, the Amp draw would be calculated as follows: 1 HP / 0.75% x 746 W = 994.66 Whr / 12V = 82.8A. Therefore, to operate a 1 HP 12V trolling motor for one hour, you would need an 82.8AH 12 V energy source.
The number of batteries required depends on the trolling motor's thrust, which is measured in pounds (lbs) and indicates the motor's power. For a motor with 55 lbs of thrust or less, you will need one 12V battery. If the thrust is between 55 lbs and 80 lbs, you will need two 12V batteries for a total of 24V. Motors with more than 80 lbs of thrust will require three 12V batteries for a total of 36V.
Different types of batteries, such as Flooded Lead Acid (FLA), AGM, Gel, and Lithium batteries, can be used with trolling motors, each with its own features and maintenance requirements. It's important to consult local regulations and standards when selecting and installing batteries to ensure compliance and optimal performance.
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A 1 HP motor cannot use less than 746 W
Electric trolling motors are rated in horsepower (HP), with one electrical HP equal to 745.7 watts (W). Therefore, a 1 HP motor cannot use less than 746 W. This means that a 1 HP motor operating at 75% efficiency would require 994.66 Whr of energy to run for one hour.
The number of batteries needed for an electric trolling motor depends on the motor's thrust, which is a measure of how powerful a motor is. For instance, a motor with 55 lbs of thrust would require one 12-volt battery, while a motor with more than 80 lbs of thrust would need three 12-volt batteries for a total of 36 volts.
The type of battery chosen will impact the performance of the electric trolling motor. For example, flooded lead-acid batteries are cheaper but require more maintenance, while AGM or absorbent glass mat batteries are sealed and require less upkeep. Additionally, the power setting of the motor will depend on the fishing conditions, with high-flow river currents requiring higher power settings than lake inlets.
When calculating the runtime of an electric trolling motor, it is essential to consider the Amp Hour rating of the battery bank and the average amp draw of the motor. The higher the operating voltage, the lower the amp draw. It is also important to note that batteries lose power over time, and older batteries will have less life per charge. Therefore, it is recommended to always check the power to the motor when troubleshooting.
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A 1 HP, 12 V motor requires 82.8 AH for 1 hour
Electric trolling motors are rated in horsepower (HP). One electrical HP is equal to 745.7 watts (W). A 1 HP motor cannot use less than 746 W. The higher the operating voltage, the lower the amp draw.
The number of batteries needed for a trolling motor is determined by the amount of thrust required. Thrust is a measure of how powerful a motor is and is similar to torque in a car. If the motor is 55 lbs of thrust or less, one 12 V battery is required. Motors with more than 55 lbs of thrust up to 80 lbs require two 12 V batteries for a total of 24 V. Motors with more than 80 lbs of thrust require three 12 V batteries for a total of 36 V. E-Drive motors need four 12 V batteries for a total of 48 V.
Different types of batteries have different features that may affect your battery choice. Flooded Lead Acid (FLA) batteries use a balance of water and battery acid to store the charge. If the balance of fluids is off, the battery's ability to charge, hold a charge, and dispense power will be affected. They are cheaper than other types of batteries but require more maintenance. AGM or Absorbent Glass Mat batteries are sealed batteries that use Flooded Lead Acid technology without the maintenance.
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A 55-lb thrust motor consumes 660 W, or 0.88 HP
Electric trolling motors are rated in terms of horsepower (HP) and pounds of thrust. Thrust is a measure of how powerful a motor is and is similar to torque in a car. A 55-lb thrust motor consumes 660 W, or 0.88 HP, and would require a 12V battery. This is calculated by assuming that an electric propulsion motor is capable of perfect efficiency in converting input power to output power.
The relationship between electrical power consumption and propeller thrust is given by MinnKota as 1-lb Thrust = 1-Ampere (at 12-Volts) consumed by the electric propulsion motor. This means that a 55-lb thrust motor would consume 55 Amps at 12V.
Horsepower is a unit of power, while kilowatt-hours is a unit of energy. To convert HP to required watt-hours (Whr) of energy storage, the formula is HP divided by motor efficiency times 746. A 1 HP motor operating at 75% efficiency would require 994.66 Whr of energy to run for one hour.
The number of batteries needed for an electric trolling motor depends on the thrust of the motor. A motor with 55 lbs of thrust or less requires one 12V battery, while a motor with more than 55 lbs of thrust up to 80 lbs of thrust requires two 12V batteries for a total of 24V.
The power setting of a trolling motor depends on the fishing conditions and application. Trolling in a high-flow river current requires a higher power setting than trolling near a lake inlet. On average, a professional fisherman uses 30% of the max power setting.
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A 30-amp trolling motor needs 30 amp hours for every hour of use
Electric trolling motors are rated in horsepower (HP), with one electrical HP equal to 745.7 watts (W). The power required to run an electric trolling motor depends on several factors, including the motor's efficiency, the propeller thrust, and the size and weight of the boat.
A 30-amp trolling motor will consume 30 amp hours (Ah) for every hour of use. The amp-hour rating of a battery indicates how much power it can deliver over time. A higher Ah rating means the battery can provide a certain amount of amperage for a longer duration. For example, a 110 Ah battery can deliver 110 amps for one hour or 55 amps for two hours.
To determine the battery size required for a 30-amp trolling motor, you need to consider the motor's efficiency and operating voltage. The formula for calculating the required battery capacity is: Amp-hours (Ah) = Amp Draw x Hours of Use. For a 30-amp motor operating at 12V, the amp draw is 30 amps, and for one hour of use, the Ah required would be 30 Ah. Therefore, a single 12V battery with a capacity of 30 Ah or higher would be sufficient.
It is important to note that the battery voltage affects the amp draw. As the voltage increases, the amp draw decreases. For instance, a 36V setup would require a 36V battery with an Ah rating of at least 15 (30 amps / 36V = 0.83 amps). Additionally, the efficiency of the motor and system should be considered when calculating battery energy storage needs.
When selecting a battery for a 30-amp trolling motor, it is recommended to choose a deep cycle battery, such as a flooded lead-acid (FLA) battery or an AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) battery. These batteries are designed to withstand repeated discharge and recharge cycles and can provide sustained power delivery over extended periods.
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Frequently asked questions
Electric trolling motors are rated in horsepower (HP), with one electrical HP equal to 745.7 watts (W). Therefore, a 1 HP motor will use a minimum of 746W.
The right motor depends on the thrust required to move your boat. Thrust is a measure of the power of a motor and is measured in pounds (lbs). The larger and heavier the boat, the more thrust is required.
The runtime of an electric trolling motor depends on the Amp Hour (Ah) rating of your battery and the average amp draw of the motor. The formula is: AH Battery Rating / Amp Draw = Run Time.
The type of battery depends on your specific requirements and features you want. Flooded Lead Acid (FLA) batteries are cheaper but require more maintenance. Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) batteries are sealed and require less maintenance. Lithium batteries maintain a high voltage but draw more amps.





































