23 Aug 2012

What is Electric Trolling Motor Amp Draw ?


    A electric trolling motor's amp draw refers to how much amp (max input electric current) a motor draws at a given speed while being operated. A trolling motor's exact amp draw can be required from POER.

    POER Electric Trolling Motor amp draw figures represent actual on-the-water conditions at different speed level settings (with all of the motor's wiring, LED display and switches in the electrical system while the test measurement is taken.)

    The amp draw reduced when the speed level reduced.

    To approximate how long a certain motor will run on the water, you simply take the battery's amp-hour rating and divide it by the motor amp draw. For example, for a motor that pulls 20 amps at medium speed using a 100 amp-hour battery, the run time would be: 100 AH/ 20 amp draw = 5 hour run time.

What is deep cycle marine battery Amp-Hour Capacity ?

    Deep cycle batteries are rated in amp-hours. It indicates that the total amount of energy delivers at a constant rate of discharge over a period of 20 hours before it reaches a dead voltage. It is amps x hours. If you have a motor that pulls constant 20 amps, and you use it for 30 minutes, then the amp-hours used would be 20 (amps) x0 .5 (hours)=10 AH. A 100 amp-hour, 12V deep cycle battery will run a 10 amp-motor for 10 hours (100 amp-hours /10 amp =10 hours).

    The generally accepted AH rating time period for batteries is the "20 hour rate". This means that it is discharged down to 10.5 volts over a 20 hour period while the total actual amp-hours it supplies is measured. (A 12v deep cycle battery is actually "dead" at 10.5v.When fully charged, it will show 12.6v or more.) Sometimes ratings at the 6 hour rate and 100 hour rate and they are for different applications. The 6-hour rate is often used for industrial batteries. Sometimes the 100 hour rate is given just to make the battery look better than it really is, but it is also useful for figuring battery capacity for long-term backup amp-hour requirements.

Electric Trolling Motor Guide (2)--Common Checks

Besides electric trolling motor maintenance , fishermen and anglers  should  commonly check  following  things , will troubleshoot some problems with your unit :

Check the Connectors & Pins

    Check the motor pins /level lock pins/screws of all connectors, to make sure they have not been bent, broken off or pushed back into the connector plug. 

    If any connector pins have been bent, you may try to straighten them with needle nose pliers. If any pins are broken, replace the entire accessory. There is a risk that while straightening a bent connector pin, it can break. We suggest it must be done by an Authorized POER trolling motor Service Center,or else avoid warranty.

Check the Cables

    Check all accessories and cables for nicks, cuts, or physical damage. Try to repair any nicks in the cable with electrical tape. If any cables have had the internal wires cut or separated, the entire accessory or cable should be replaced. We suggest that use original accessories ( gauge wire ). If the incorrect gauge wire is used, there will be a voltage loss to the trolling motor causing a decrease in power and heating of the wires.