Watch the video above for a practical demonstration of a 36V trolling motor battery solution using Revolution Power lithium batteries.
36V Trolling Motors: The Battery Challenge
Modern 36V trolling motors — including popular models from Minn Kota and MotorGuide — are powerful and efficient. But they present a battery challenge: most boats are wired for 12V, so running a 36V motor traditionally requires three 12V lead-acid batteries wired in series.
The problem with three AGM batteries?
- Weight — three 100Ah AGMs weigh around 75kg
- Usable capacity — only 50% of rated capacity is safely usable
- Charging complexity — three separate batteries need balanced charging
- Lifespan — 500 cycles at 50% depth of discharge
The Lithium Alternative
There are two ways to achieve 36V with Revolution Power batteries:
Option 1: Three 12V Lithium Batteries in Series
Wire three Revolution Power 12V batteries in series. This is the most common approach and gives you a true 36V system.
- Each 12V battery contributes one-third of the system voltage
- Works with any standard 36V charger
- Can use different Ah ratings based on your runtime requirements
Option 2: One Revolution Power 36V CAN Bus Battery
Our 36V 150Ah CAN Bus battery is purpose-built for this application. It communicates with compatible Victron chargers via CAN Bus for intelligent charging and state of charge reporting.
This is the cleaner installation with fewer connections, but requires a 36V-compatible charger.
Runtime Comparison: Lead-Acid vs Lithium
For a typical 36V/80lb thrust trolling motor drawing ~45A at full power:
| Battery Type | Capacity | Usable | Runtime at 50% throttle | |---|---|---|---| | 3x AGM 100Ah | 300Ah total | 150Ah | ~4–5 hours | | 3x RP Li 100Ah | 300Ah total | 285Ah | ~8–9 hours | | 1x RP 36V 150Ah | 150Ah | 142Ah | ~5–6 hours |
The lithium advantage compounds over time: at 3,000+ cycles versus ~500 for AGM, the lithium batteries last 6× longer.
Weight Savings on the Water
Three Revolution Power 12V 100Ah batteries weigh approximately 27kg combined versus ~75kg for equivalent AGM batteries. That's 48kg removed from the bow — which directly affects:
- Hull trim at rest and under way
- Fuel economy on the run
- Trailer tongue weight
For competitive bass anglers, removing 48kg from the bow can meaningfully change handling and allow better optimisation of livewell and tackle positioning.
Charging Your 36V Lithium System
For a series-connected 36V system, use a 36V-compatible lithium charger. Victron's Skylla-i range supports 36V LiFePO4 with correct charge profiles.
Important: do not use a standard lead-acid 36V charger on lithium batteries without confirming LiFePO4 compatibility. The absorption and float voltages are different.
Questions about setting up a 36V trolling motor system? Contact our team — we'll spec the right battery and charger combination for your motor and runtime requirements.