A single 36V lithium battery can replace three 12V AGMs weighing about 180 lb with one battery of 33–75 lb. The most important spec is the BMS rating: Minn Kota QUEST motors pull up to 60 A and the Terrova 112 up to 52 A, so several popular 50A batteries can shut off at full throttle. For most 36V boats, the Ionic 36V 75Ah is our pick.
Our picks
- Best overall: Ionic 36V 75Ah: 80A continuous, 350A peak, Bluetooth, IP65, 11-year warranty, 45.2 lb.
- Best value for full-day runtime: LiTime 36V 100Ah TM Smart: 100A continuous, 61 lb, Bluetooth.
- Lightest that handles a QUEST: Ionic 36V 50Ah: 60A continuous, 36 lb.
- Best for cold climates: Epoch 36V 100Ah Self-Heating: 120A continuous, charges down to -4°F, IP67.
- Most headroom: Millertech 36V 105Ah: 150A continuous.
- Budget, for lighter-draw motors only: Redodo or LiTime 36V 50Ah: 50A continuous, about 33 lb, $340–$400.
36V battery comparison
| Battery | Ah | Weight | Continuous / surge | Cold charging | BT | IP | Warranty | Approx. price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ionic 36V 75Ah | 75 | 45.2 lb | 80 A / 350 A 60s | Charges 32–113°F | Yes | IP65 | 11 yr | $1,000 |
| Ionic 36V 50Ah | 50 | 36 lb | 60 A | No charging below 32°F | Yes | not stated | 11 yr | $800 |
| LiTime 36V 100Ah TM Smart | 100 | 61.1 lb | 100 A / 400 A 10s | Cutoff below 32°F | Yes | IP65 | 5 yr | check price |
| Epoch 36V 100Ah Self-Heating | 100 | 75 lb | 120 A / 200 A 60s | Self-heating, to -4°F | Yes | IP67 | 11 yr | $1,900 |
| Millertech 36V 105Ah | 105 | 68.2 lb | 150 A / 300 A 5s | Low-temp protection | Yes | not stated | see maker | $1,800 |
| Dakota Lithium 36V 60Ah | 60 | 44 lb | 60 A / 180 A 30s | Don't charge below 32°F | not stated | not stated | 11 yr | $1,500–$1,700 |
| Lithium Pros L3167-36 | 67 | 42.9 lb | not stated | not stated | Yes | IP67 | see maker | $1,000–$1,300 |
| LiTime 36V 50Ah TM Smart | 50 | 33.1 lb | 50 A / 250 A 1s | Cutoff below 32°F | Yes | IP65 | 5 yr | $400 |
| Redodo 36V 50Ah Low-Temp | 50 | 32.8 lb | 50 A / 250 A 1s | Cutoff below 32°F | No | IP65 | 5 yr | $340 |
| 3 × Optima D31M AGM | 75 | 179.4 lb | n/a | n/a | No | n/a | 2 yr | $1,200+ set |
Three Optima D31M AGMs in series give about 37Ah of usable capacity at 36V and weigh 179.4 lb. The Ionic 36V 75Ah gives about twice the usable energy at a quarter of the weight.
Check the BMS before anything else
| Motor | Max draw | Batteries with enough continuous rating |
|---|---|---|
| Minn Kota QUEST (Terrova, Ultrex, Ulterra, Riptide) at 36V | 60 A | Ionic 75Ah, LiTime 100Ah, Epoch 100Ah, Millertech 105Ah; Ionic 50Ah and Dakota 60Ah meet 60 A exactly, with no headroom |
| Minn Kota Terrova 112 | 52 A | All of the above |
The 50A batteries (LiTime 50Ah, Redodo 50Ah) list a 60A rating for up to 30 minutes, so they usually cope with brief bursts. But holding Spot-Lock in a strong wind can run a motor near full power for long stretches. If you have a QUEST or Terrova 112, we'd pass on 50A batteries.
How long each size runs a 36V motor
| Battery | QUEST, 30% speed | QUEST, 50% speed | Terrova 112, 50% speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50Ah lithium | ~4.2 hr | ~1.9 hr | ~2.2 hr |
| 60Ah lithium | ~5.1 hr | ~2.3 hr | ~2.7 hr |
| 75Ah lithium | ~6.5 hr | ~2.9 hr | ~3.4 hr |
| 100Ah lithium | ~8.8 hr | ~3.9 hr | ~4.6 hr |
| 3 × 75Ah AGM | — | ~1.1 hr | ~1.3 hr |
These figures assume continuous running. Minn Kota says QUEST runs up to 30% longer than its brushed motors at max speed, which this simple model doesn't capture. Most anglers fish at varied speeds with breaks, so real days stretch further.
Best overall: Ionic 36V 75Ah
The Ionic hits the balance most 36V owners want: 75Ah in a 45.2 lb package, an 80A continuous BMS (350A peak for 60 seconds) that comfortably covers a QUEST, Bluetooth monitoring through the Ionic app, IP65 and an 11-year warranty. It charges only between 32°F and 113°F, so it's best for anglers who don't charge in freezing weather.
Best value for full-day runtime: LiTime 36V 100Ah TM Smart
For long days on a QUEST, 100Ah makes a real difference: about 9 hours at 30% speed versus 6.5 hours for 75Ah. LiTime's 100Ah has a 100A continuous BMS with strong surge ratings (400A for 10 seconds), Bluetooth and IP65. Trade-offs: a 5-year warranty, a large Group 8D case (20.5 × 10.6 inches) and 61 lb. LiTime's page showed several different prices when we checked, so confirm the price at checkout.
Lightest that handles a QUEST: Ionic 36V 50Ah
At 36 lb in a Group 31 footprint, this is the lightest battery here rated 60A continuous, which matches QUEST's max draw. It suits lighter boats, shorter trips, or anglers who rarely run wide open. It has the same 11-year warranty and Bluetooth as the 75Ah.
Best for cold climates: Epoch 36V 100Ah Self-Heating
If you fish early spring, late fall or winter, the Epoch warms its own cells so it can charge down to -4°F. It has a 120A continuous BMS, IP67, Bluetooth and an 11-year warranty. At 75 lb and about $1,900 it's heavy and expensive, but it was the only self-heating 36V 100Ah battery we could verify specs for.
Most headroom: Millertech 36V 105Ah
Millertech's 150A continuous BMS is more than double what a QUEST can pull, so you'll never trip it. You get 105Ah, Bluetooth and low-temperature charge protection at 68.2 lb. The dealer page we checked doesn't state the warranty, so ask before buying.
Budget: Redodo and LiTime 36V 50Ah
These cost a third of premium batteries and weigh about 33 lb. Both have IP65 and low-temperature cutoffs, and LiTime adds Bluetooth. Their 50A continuous BMS is the limit. They're a fit for motors drawing under 50 A, but not our recommendation for QUEST or Terrova 112 owners.
Check Redodo price Check LiTime price
FAQ
Do I need a special charger for a 36V lithium battery?
Yes, you need a 36V charger with a lithium profile. Your old three-bank AGM charger won't charge a single 36V battery correctly.
What size breaker do I need?
Dealers list a 60-amp breaker as recommended for QUEST motors and the Terrova 112, matching their max draw.
Can I add capacity later?
Many 36V lithium batteries can be wired in parallel with an identical battery to double capacity. Check the manufacturer's rules, since some limit how many can be paralleled.
See also: best 12V batteries · best 24V batteries · Minn Kota battery guide
Sources (checked October 13, 2026): Ionic via Mealey Marine: 36V 75Ah, 36V 50Ah; LiTime 36V 100Ah, 36V 50Ah; Redodo; Epoch via Nomadic Supply; Millertech via Mealey Marine; Dakota; Lithium Pros; Optima D31M.