Input wanted on Driftboat Electric Motor Install

D

Draketake

Steelhead
Forum Supporter
Hey all,

Full disclosure, Im not the smartest kid in the class. I was hoping to learn from you kind folks. How do I go about installing/using a50 HP, Minnkota Trolling motor, onto my driftboat, for use on the Lakes?

Do you recommend installing a circuit breaker between the battery and the motor? If so, anyone have ideas on how to mount the breaker or should I just let it sit at rest, on the floor of the boat? I dont want to drill into the boat if I can avoid such. Any pictures on how you do it?

Second question - How do you protect/isolate/secure your battery, in your driftboat? I rtink I am going to get the Bimart Group 27, Deep Cycle, RV/Marine Battery which has 100 amp hours. Its bulky and heavy. Should I just put it into a battery box, and let it sit on the bottom of the boat?

Lastly - Whilst transporting the trolling motor attached to the transom, do you folks recommend tying/securing it down, in order to keep it from bouncing around and also from maybe disengaging from the tilt lever? Im pretty sure its a yes answer but thought Id ask.

My plan is to transport the battery and the electric motor, most likely, not hooked up to the boat. I figure this would avoid damage to both. I would then load the battery and the motor, at the launch site.

Ideas/Input and any photos explaining concepts, would be much appreciated.

Thank you and have a good weekend.

Bob
 
you meant 50#, not 50 hp..but sure would like one
no need for a circuit breaker, just run it straight to the battery box.
when transporting the motor, loosen the height adjustment collar, slide the motor up, then release the tilt leve rand tilt the motor inside the boat horizontal with just the prop hub hanging out and re-tighten the collar.
Always tighten the clamp handles before pulling the boat and entering the river.
 
Thanks @SurfnFish for the input.

Yes I meant 50 lb thrust. As I said..Im not the brightest bulb.

Im hoping to run into you out on our local waters this season.

Be safe all.

Bob
 
Save yourself so much effort while making everything easier: go lithium for the battery. Will weigh half as much, and have twice the usable capacity. You can probably use a 50-60 amp hr battery and go just as far, or further.
 
I would get a 100ah LiFePo4 battery and an appropriate charger for it. They are half the weight and you get to use all of the amp hours. Lead acid batteries should only be discharged to 50% - so you can only use 50 of the 100 amp hours.
 
_WW_ said:
I would get a 100ah LiFePo4 battery and an appropriate charger for it. They are half the weight and you get to use all of the amp hours. Lead acid batteries should only be discharged to 50% - so you can only use 50 of the 100 amp hours.
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Probably one of the best purchases I have made for my pontoon boat , this upcoming season will be my third with the 100ah LiFePo4 . The portability was the main reason for me ,those AGM's just got too heavy . A little bit of investment ,but well worth it ,as said the portability , and time on the water .

IMO when purchasing an electric motor , the extra cost for a variable speed model is well worth it . I found the 5 speeds just didn't give me the speed I wanted at times when trolling , If the motor is used to get from point A-B then the 5 speeds would be fine .
 
Thanks you guys. I very much appreciate the help.

Lithium would be the way to go and I may do that later. In these uncertain times, I just cant justify that price. Also quite honestly, I have always loved rowing a boat, any boat. My motor would mostly, not always, but mostly be used only as a backup, to fatigue.

Have a great weekend.

Bob
 
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I put a 30lb thrust motor on my 14 ft Sportspal canoe many years ago. It was something that I did not know I needed until I installed it. I am fine with paddling, but the motor gets me fishing much faster. I have a deep cycle battery that I bought at Walmart about 6 years ago. It is still working fine (at least it was last fall). I bring it inside in the winter and top up the charge every few months. I believe that the cost was less than $ 60, but suspect they are more now. It's hard to imagine that going Lithium would be worth the extra cost.
 
Draketake said:
Hey @kmudgn,

So Bimarts' AGM battery that Im looking at is 114.00. The Life Pod 4, Lithiums' are about 90 - 100 dollars more on Amazon.
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That is $90-$100 well spent. And prices are coming down all the time, shop carefully. Read all the reviews you can, research the crap out of it and make the right decision. Lead acid batteries are the equivalent of wooden spoke wheels on an automobile, the technology has been around for over 150 years now. LA has had a good run but now only have limited use as lithium and now LiFePO4 have relegated them to the dust bin of history. And if you are one of us that is getting older each year, the idea of a battery that weighs half as much and lasts twice as long has some real appeal. Don't risk a hernia lugging around an antique.
 
What's the price comparison for 50 ah lithium versus 100 ah lead? Same range, and especially if you only need it occasionally, you don't need as many as you think. Plus lithium last twice as long, so you lose money buying lead batteries now.

Nobody ever goes back to lead after running lithium.
 
Good idea @Tallguy,

The Life Pod 4 Lithium 50 amp hour is almost the same price as the Bimart Battery I am looking at. I got excited until they recommend not running anything higher than a 30 lb thrust motor on that particular Lithium battery. Ive got a 50 lb thrust motor. Drag,

Thanks for the input though.
 
Drake, if you are going to be fishing the west side of Oregon, like west of, say, Nyssa, and you think you will leave your trailered boat unattended for more than 60 seconds it might be wisest to keep the motor and battery out of sight inside your tow vehicle when you aren't actually on the water. Your ownership will likely last longer that way.
 
 
Question— is it advisable to power both a Garmin Stryker fish finder, and a 50-lb thrust trolling motor off the same 100-AH 12V LiFePo4 battery?
 
Have you confirmed the shaft length is long enough for a drifter? Hopefully it is longer than the basic model.

I am switching over to Li batteries as many others suggested. $155 each for 100AH mini. I already had Noco chargers so that equipment is compatible. I only get about two hrs trolling on my big boat with bimart battery. Three hrs on my little 14' aluminum. I'm expecting much improvement. Plus I plan to get 24v system once I sell the small boat.
 
I'd be cautious with the inexpensive Chinese made Lithium's, many are the reports of their causing fires and explosions due to inferior construction, which is why they are cheap.
On the lakes my 50# MK using two lightweight 35A AGM wheelchair batteries strung together will push me for a couple of miles and usually around have 60% left when I put the charger on end of day. Weize is selling these 2 for
$135 with free delivery, any standard car charger will spin them up. Be glad to talk you through the set-up, Bob, if you want to message me, very simple.
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