Best Lithium Battery for Trolling Motors: 2026 Guide (12V, 24V & 36V)

Short answer: The best lithium battery for a trolling motor is a LiFePO4 battery that matches your motor's voltage, stores enough watt-hours for a full day on the water, has a continuous discharge rating above your motor's maximum draw and fits your battery compartment. For 36V motors, the Pro-Guide 36VM75 (75Ah, 2,880Wh) or 36VM60 (60Ah, 2,304Wh) runs the motor from one Group 31-size pack. For 24V motors, choose the 24VM115 or 24VM90, and for 12V motors, the 24M100 (12.8V, 100Ah, 23.8 lb).

A trolling motor battery has one job: deliver steady power for hours, then recharge overnight. Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) holds its voltage under load, so the motor pulls the same at the end of the day as at launch, and you can use nearly all of its rated capacity. This guide covers matching a 12V, 24V or 36V motor, runtime math, discharge rating, fit, charging and cold weather, and which Pro-Guide battery fits each boat.

Key Takeaways

• Match the voltage first: a 36V motor needs a 36V-class (38.4V nominal) battery or bank, a 24V motor a 24V-class (25.6V), and a 12V motor a 12V-class (12.8V).
• Size by watt-hours: watt-hours (volts x amp-hours) compare batteries of different voltages fairly. The Pro-Guide 36VM60, 24VM90 and 31M180-DP each store 2,304Wh in a standard Group 31 case.
• Check continuous discharge: the battery's continuous rating should be above your motor's maximum amp draw at full throttle.
• Measure the height: Group 31 and Group 31 Tall share a 13.07 x 6.93 in footprint, but the Tall case is 10.83 in high instead of 8.9 in.
• Use a LiFePO4 charging profile: 43.2V cut-off for Pro-Guide 36V models, 28.8V for 24V models and 14.6V for the 24M100.

Match the Battery Voltage to Your Trolling Motor

Every trolling motor is built for one system voltage: 12V, 24V or 36V, printed on the motor and in its manual. Your battery or bank must match it.

Lithium batteries carry a class (12V, 24V, 36V) and a nominal voltage. A LiFePO4 cell is 3.2V nominal, so four cells in series make 12.8V, eight make 25.6V and twelve make 38.4V. A 38.4V battery is a 36V-class battery.

As a general rule, smaller boats such as kayaks, jon boats and small aluminum boats run 12V motors. Mid-size boats often run 24V. Larger bass boats and bay boats with long bow-mount motors usually run 36V, because higher voltage delivers more thrust at lower current.

One Pack or Several 12V Batteries in Series?

There are two ways to build a 24V or 36V system. You can wire 12V batteries in series, where the voltages add and the amp-hours stay the same. Or you can install one battery built for the full system voltage.

• Series math: two 12.8V 100Ah batteries in series make 25.6V and 100Ah (2,560Wh). Three make 38.4V and 100Ah (3,840Wh).
• Single pack: one Pro-Guide 36VM75 is 38.4V and 75Ah (2,880Wh) in one Group 31 Tall case. One 36VM60 is 38.4V and 60Ah (2,304Wh) in one standard Group 31 case.

Several 12V batteries can hold more total energy, and each can be replaced on its own. One pack means fewer cables, one battery to monitor and more open compartment space. If you plan to wire batteries in series or in parallel, confirm that your specific model is approved for that configuration and follow the manufacturer's charging and installation requirements. For a full walk-through of both layouts, read One Pack or Three? Choosing the Right Trolling Motor Battery Setup.

Three 12V Pro-Guide 24M100 deep cycle batteries next to a 31M235-DP dual purpose battery. A series bank of 12V batteries is the traditional way to build a 36V trolling motor system.

How Much Capacity Do You Need?

Runtime comes down to simple arithmetic: divide the battery's amp-hours by your motor's average draw in amps. Because a LiFePO4 battery can use nearly all of its rated capacity, the result is a useful estimate. A lead-acid or AGM battery is usually discharged only about halfway to protect its life, so it delivers roughly half the runtime its rating suggests.

Motor draw changes with speed, wind, current and boat weight. The draws below are example loads for arithmetic only, not the rating of any particular motor. Check your motor's manual for its real figures.

Battery	System	Capacity / energy	Example average draw	Estimated runtime
24M100	12V	100Ah / 1,280Wh	30A	About 3.3 hours
24VM90	24V	90Ah / 2,304Wh	30A	About 3 hours
24VM115	24V	115Ah / 2,944Wh	30A	About 3.8 hours
36VM60	36V	60Ah / 2,304Wh	15A / 20A	About 4 hours / about 3 hours
36VM75	36V	75Ah / 2,880Wh	15A / 20A	About 5 hours / about 3.8 hours

Drifting and low speeds stretch the day beyond these figures, while running into wind at high speed shortens it. To learn your own average draw, note the state of charge before and after a typical day. The 24V and 36V Pro-Guide batteries include Bluetooth monitoring and a state of charge gauge for exactly that.

Compare across voltages in watt-hours: a 60Ah 36V battery and a 180Ah 12V battery both store 2,304Wh.

Continuous Discharge vs. Motor Draw

A lithium battery's management system (BMS) limits how much current it delivers. The continuous discharge rating is the current it can supply without stopping. Your motor's maximum draw at full throttle should sit below that number, or the BMS may cut power when you need it most.

Pro-Guide ratings range from 60A on the 36VM60 to 200A on the 31M235-DP. The comparison table below lists each one.

As an example only: if your 36V motor's manual lists a maximum draw of 55A, both 36V Pro-Guide models cover it. If it lists 70A, the 36VM75 covers it and the 36VM60 does not. Check your motor's manual for its maximum draw before you buy.

Will It Fit? Group 31 vs. Group 31 Tall

Group sizes describe the outside of the case, not the chemistry inside. All of the Pro-Guide 24V, 36V and dual purpose batteries in this guide share the same 13.07 in long by 6.93 in wide Group 31 footprint. The difference is height:

• Group 31 (standard height), 8.9 in tall: 36VM60, 24VM90 and 31M180-DP.
• Group 31 Tall, 10.83 in tall: 36VM75, 24VM115 and 31M235-DP.

The Tall case is about 1.9 in higher. If your lid or hold-down sits close to your current battery, measure before ordering a Tall model. The 24M100 uses a smaller Group 24 case for boats with Group 24 trays and boxes. Secure it with mounting hardware and trays.

Pro-Guide Trolling Motor Batteries Compared

Battery	Voltage	Capacity / energy	Continuous discharge	Case and height	Charge current (standard / max)	Warranty
24M100	12V (12.8V)	100Ah / 1,280Wh	100A	Group 24	20A / 50A	5-yr free replacement, 10-yr pro-rata
31M180-DP	12V (12.8V)	180Ah / 2,304Wh	180A	Group 31, 8.9 in	10-36A / 90A	3-yr free replacement, 10-yr pro-rata
31M235-DP	12V (12.8V)	235Ah / 3,008Wh	200A	Group 31 Tall, 10.83 in	10-47A / 117.5A	3-yr free replacement, 10-yr pro-rata
24VM90	24V (25.6V)	90Ah / 2,304Wh	90A	Group 31, 8.9 in	10-18A / 45A	5-yr free replacement, 10-yr pro-rata
24VM115	24V (25.6V)	115Ah / 2,944Wh	100A	Group 31 Tall, 10.83 in	10-23A / 57.5A	5-yr free replacement, 10-yr pro-rata
36VM60	36V (38.4V)	60Ah / 2,304Wh	60A	Group 31, 8.9 in	10-12A / 30A	5-yr free replacement, 10-yr pro-rata
36VM75	36V (38.4V)	75Ah / 2,880Wh	75A	Group 31 Tall, 10.83 in	10-15A / 37.5A	5-yr free replacement, 10-yr pro-rata

Every battery in the table is LiFePO4, IP67 rated and good for more than 3,000 cycles at 100% depth of discharge and more than 6,000 at 80%. The 24V, 36V and dual purpose models add built-in heating, Bluetooth monitoring, NMEA 2000 compatibility and a state of charge gauge. The two dual purpose models are also rated at 1,000 CCA (lead-acid equivalent), so they can start an engine as well as run deep cycle loads.

The Best Pick for Your Motor and Boat

36V motors on bass boats and larger boats: 36VM75 or 36VM60

If your compartment has room for a Group 31 Tall case, the 36VM75 is the higher-capacity choice: 75Ah and 2,880Wh with a 75A continuous rating. If height is tight, the 36VM60 puts 60Ah and 2,304Wh into a standard 8.9 in Group 31 case, with a 60A continuous rating. Both replace a three-battery bank with one pack. If you need more energy than one pack holds, see the series and parallel options in our setup guide.

24V motors on mid-size boats: 24VM115 or 24VM90

The 24VM115 stores 2,944Wh with 100A continuous discharge in a Group 31 Tall case. Pick it for long days and heavier boats. The 24VM90 stores 2,304Wh with 90A continuous in a standard-height Group 31 case.

12V motors on kayaks, jon boats and small boats: 24M100

The 24M100 is a 12.8V, 100Ah (1,280Wh) deep cycle battery in a Group 24 case that weighs 23.8 lb. It has a 100A continuous rating and Pro-Boost jump-start recovery. It is currently on pre-order.

12V motors that need more runtime: 31M180-DP or 31M235-DP

If a 12V boat has a Group 31 space and 100Ah is not enough, the 31M180-DP (180Ah, 2,304Wh, 8.9 in tall) and 31M235-DP (235Ah, 3,008Wh, 10.83 in tall) hold far more energy. As dual purpose batteries, they can also start an engine and run electronics.

The Pro-Guide 36VM75 powers a 36V trolling motor from a single Group 31 Tall case, with 2,880Wh of stored energy.

Charging a Lithium Trolling Motor Battery

Use a charger with a LiFePO4 profile matched to the battery's voltage. The charge cut-off is 43.2V for the Pro-Guide 36V models, 28.8V for the 24V models, 14.6V for the 24M100 and 14.4V for the dual purpose models. A lead-acid charging profile is not the right match for lithium.

Charge time is roughly the capacity divided by the charger's output. Within the standard charge range, a full charge from empty takes about 5 to 6 hours for the 36VM60, 5 to 7.5 hours for the 36VM75, 5 to 9 hours for the 24VM90, 5 to 11.5 hours for the 24VM115 and about 5 hours for the 24M100 at 20A. At the maximum continuous charge current, each one charges in about 2 hours. The comparison table above lists each battery's standard and maximum charge current.

Most anglers use an on-board charger. A single 24V or 36V pack needs a charger bank rated for that full voltage with a lithium profile. A series bank of 12V batteries is usually charged one battery per bank on a multi-bank charger. Browse Pro-Guide chargers and lithium-compatible products to match your setup.

Cold Weather, Waterproofing and Warranty

Cold weather and built-in heating

Lithium batteries need care when charging in the cold. The Pro-Guide 24V, 36V and dual purpose models have built-in heating, and their data sheets list a charging range of -4°F to 131°F (-20°C to 55°C) and a discharging range of -4°F to 140°F (-20°C to 60°C). For the 24M100, check the charging temperature range on its product page before charging in cold weather.

IP67 protection

Every battery in this guide is IP67 rated: dust-tight and protected against temporary immersion. Still mount it in a box or secured tray.

Cycle life and warranty

All of these batteries are rated for more than 3,000 cycles at 100% depth of discharge. The 24M100, 24V and 36V models carry a 5-year free replacement and 10-year pro-rata warranty; the dual purpose models carry 3 years free replacement and 10 years pro-rata.

Want a matched system instead of separate parts? Browse Pro-Guide marine power kits.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best lithium battery for a 36V trolling motor?

For most 36V motors, a single 36V-class (38.4V) LiFePO4 battery is the simplest choice. The Pro-Guide 36VM75 stores 75Ah (2,880Wh) with a 75A continuous rating in a Group 31 Tall case. The 36VM60 stores 60Ah (2,304Wh) with a 60A continuous rating in a standard 8.9 in tall Group 31 case.

Is one 36V lithium battery better than three 12V batteries?

It depends on your boat. One 36V pack means fewer cables, one battery to monitor and more compartment space. Three 12.8V 100Ah batteries in series make 38.4V and 100Ah (3,840Wh), which is more energy, but they take up more room. Confirm any battery is approved for series use before wiring it that way.

How long will a 36V lithium battery run a trolling motor?

Divide the amp-hours by the motor's average draw. As an example, the 36VM60 runs about 4 hours at 15A and about 3 hours at 20A. The 36VM75 runs about 5 hours at 15A and about 3.8 hours at 20A. Real runtime depends on speed, wind, current and temperature.

What is the best 24V lithium battery for a trolling motor?

The Pro-Guide 24VM115 stores 115Ah (2,944Wh) with a 100A continuous rating in a Group 31 Tall case. The 24VM90 stores 90Ah (2,304Wh) with a 90A continuous rating in a standard-height Group 31 case.

Will a Group 31 Tall battery fit in my Group 31 box?

It has the same 13.07 x 6.93 in footprint as a standard Group 31, but it is 10.83 in tall instead of 8.9 in. Measure the height and lid clearance in your compartment before ordering.

Do I need a special charger for a lithium trolling motor battery?

Yes. Use a charger with a LiFePO4 profile for the battery's voltage: a 43.2V cut-off for Pro-Guide 36V models, 28.8V for 24V models and 14.6V for the 24M100.

Can I charge a lithium trolling motor battery in cold weather?

The Pro-Guide 24V, 36V and dual purpose models have built-in heating, and their data sheets list a charging range of -4°F to 131°F (-20°C to 55°C).

Are Pro-Guide trolling motor batteries waterproof?

They are IP67 rated: dust-tight and protected against temporary immersion in water. Mount them in a battery box or secured tray.

Power Your Trolling Motor with Pro-Guide

The right lithium trolling motor battery matches your motor's voltage, holds enough watt-hours for your longest day, stays above your motor's maximum draw and fits your compartment. Pro-Guide builds 12V, 24V and 36V LiFePO4 options in Group 24, Group 31 and Group 31 Tall sizes, with IP67 protection and a 10-year warranty.

SHOP THE PRO-GUIDE 36VM75

Running a 12V or 24V motor? Browse every Pro-Guide trolling motor battery or call our team at 1-800-827-3232 for help choosing the right battery.

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