Match the battery bank to your Minn Kota's voltage first: one battery for 12V motors, two for 24V, three for 36V, or a single lithium battery at that voltage. Then size the amp-hours to how long you fish. For a full day, most anglers need 100Ah lithium per position at minimum, and more on QUEST motors.
Battery setup by Minn Kota model
| Motor | Voltage | Max draw | Batteries | Min. lithium BMS | Runtime at 50%, 100Ah lithium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endura Max 55 | 12V | 50 A | 1 × 12V | 60 A | ~4.8 hr |
| Kayak Terrova | 12V | not published | 1 × 12V lithium, 100Ah+ | 60 A | see note |
| PowerDrive 70 | 24V | 42 A | 2 × 12V or 1 × 24V | 50 A | ~5.7 hr |
| Terrova 80 | 24V | 56 A | 2 × 12V or 1 × 24V | 70 A | ~4.2 hr |
| Terrova 112 | 36V | 52 A | 3 × 12V or 1 × 36V | 60 A | ~4.6 hr |
| Terrova / Ultrex / Ulterra QUEST | 24V or 36V | 60 A | 2–3 × 12V or 1 × 24V/36V | 70 A | ~3.9 hr |
| Riptide Terrova / Instinct QUEST | 24V or 36V | 60 A | 2–3 × 12V or 1 × 24V/36V | 70 A | ~3.9 hr |
Runtime is continuous running at a 50% speed setting with 100Ah lithium batteries (each 12V position, or a single battery of that voltage), from our runtime model. With 100Ah AGM batteries, expect roughly 40% of these figures, because AGM should only be drained to about half. Minn Kota recommends at least 100Ah of lithium for the Kayak Terrova. Its draw is similar to other 55 lb, 12V motors, so expect results close to the Endura's.
How much capacity for a full day?
Few anglers run the motor nonstop, but GPS anchoring in wind comes close. Here's the lithium capacity per battery position needed for 8 hours of continuous running at 50% speed:
| Motor | Lithium needed per position | AGM equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| PowerDrive 70 (24V) | ~140 Ah | ~280 Ah |
| Endura Max 55 (12V) | ~165 Ah | ~330 Ah |
| Terrova 112 (36V) | ~170 Ah | ~345 Ah |
| Terrova 80 (24V) | ~185 Ah | ~370 Ah |
| QUEST 90/115 | ~200 Ah | ~395 Ah |
Real fishing is mostly at lower speeds with breaks, so a 100–120Ah lithium bank covers a typical day for most anglers. Plug in your own speed and hours in the calculator.
Lithium or AGM for a Minn Kota?
Minn Kota motors work with flooded lead-acid, AGM and LiFePO4 lithium batteries. Lithium is the better choice for most anglers: you get about 90% of the rated capacity instead of 50%, it weighs about a third as much, and voltage stays steady so the motor keeps its punch late in the day. AGM still works if you fish occasionally or need to keep cost down.
Dealers list a minimum of 50Ah for single 24V or 36V lithium batteries on Terrova models. That's a floor, not a recommendation for all-day fishing.
Wiring rules that matter
- Breaker: use a 60-amp breaker on Terrova 112 and all QUEST models, and size it to the motor on others per Minn Kota's chart.
- Don't mix: batteries in series must be the same chemistry, capacity and age.
- BMS rating: a lithium battery whose BMS is rated below your motor's max draw will shut off at full throttle.
- Charger: lithium needs a charger with a lithium profile. Multi-bank onboard chargers are easiest for 24V and 36V.
- Single 36V lithium: one 36V battery replaces three 12V batteries and their jumpers, which can save well over 100 lb compared with three AGM batteries.
Batteries we recommend
For 12V and 24V-in-series setups, our picks in the best trolling motor batteries cover lithium and AGM options. For QUEST and Terrova 112 owners running 36V, a single 36V lithium battery like the Ionic 36V 75Ah is the simplest setup. Size up to 100Ah or more if you fish long days.
Dakota Lithium 12V 100Ah Ionic 36V 75Ah
FAQ
How long will a Minn Kota run on one battery?
A 55 lb, 12V motor runs roughly 4–5 hours at half speed on a 100Ah lithium battery, and about 2 hours on a 100Ah AGM. At slow speeds you can get 10 hours or more.
Can I run a 24V Terrova on one battery?
Only a single 24V battery, typically lithium. Two 12V batteries must be wired in series.
Do QUEST motors drain batteries faster?
At full throttle, QUEST can draw up to 60 amps, a little more than brushed models. Minn Kota says QUEST runs up to 30% longer than its 24V brushed motors at max speed, because it delivers more thrust per amp.
Sources: max draw and battery requirements from dealer listings at TrollingMotors.net (Terrova QUEST, Terrova 80, Terrova 112, Riptide Terrova QUEST), Mealey Marine (PowerDrive 70), Freeport Marine (Endura Max 55); Wired2Fish (Kayak Terrova). Runtime from our runtime calculator. Checked October 2026.