Modern fishing has long ceased to be a passive waiting for cool in one place, turning into an active search for fish across the reservoir. troll-engineUnlike gasoline counterparts, it runs on electricity, allowing the fisherman to sneak up on prey without scaring it with noise and vibrations.
Many beginners mistakenly believe that it is enough to simply turn off the gas on a conventional outboard motor to catch wiring, but practice shows that gasoline engines do not keep minimum rpms, often stall or create too strong a wave. Electric motor It is free of these disadvantages and provides a stable speed even in calm and in a weak current.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the device, advantages and nuances of electric traction motors, you will understand why this unit becomes a mandatory element of equipment for a serious spinner and how not to make a mistake when buying the first device.
⚠️ Note: The use of an electric motor does not relieve the need to have a functioning main engine (gasoline or electric sufficient power) to safely return to shore in the event of a discharge of the traction battery.
Main purpose and working principle
The main task of such a device is to ensure controlled movement of the craft at low speeds, usually not exceeding 5-7 km / h. Trolling engine It allows you to capture large areas of the pond, baiting along the brows, dumps and other promising places at a constant rate, and this is critical to success in catching a predator, when the rhythm of wiring determines the result.
The principle of operation is based on the conversion of the battery's electrical energy into the mechanical rotation of the propeller. The design is as simple as possible: a DC motor, a shaft, a lower unit and a screw. Control is carried out through a hummel, which can change not only the speed of rotation, but also the angle of inclination of the motor itself, as well as the rotation of the lower unit 360 degrees (or 180 in budget models).
The key advantage is the absence of exhaust gases and minimal noise level. Fish, especially cautious, such as perch or pike, often react to the vibrations of the gasoline engine even at idle turns. Electrical traction creates only a slight murmur of water, which makes the approach to fishing points almost invisible to the inhabitants of the reservoir.
Key specifications when choosing a model
When you buy the first unit, beginners are often lost in technical terms. tractionTraction is the force with which the propeller pushes water, and it is this parameter that determines whether the motor can propel your boat against the wind and current.
The second critical parameter is power voltage. Most models run from 12 volts, but powerful variants can require 24V or even 36V. This means that two or three batteries need to be connected in series. For small PVC boats, the best choice is the classic one. 12-volt systemIt does not require complex connection schemes.
You also have to pay attention to the length of the lower unit. If the motor is too short, the screw will capture air, creating cavitation and losing efficiency. Too long a lower unit will create excess water resistance. Correctly, the screw is buried about 15-20 cm below the water level when driving.
- 🔋 Traction (Thrust): The main characteristic, depending on the weight of the boat and fishing conditions.
- ⚡ Voltage: Determines the type and number of batteries required (12V, 24V, 36V).
- 🌊 The length of the lower unit: Must correspond to the height of the transom or the depth of the installation in the nose.
- 🔄 Management: Manual (tiller) or foot (pedal), as well as the presence of remote control.
⚠️ Warning: When choosing a motor, always round the design thrust upwards. Power reserve is necessary for operation in windy weather and in strong currents when the engine will run at its limit.
To calculate the required thrust, divide the total weight of the boat (with crew and equipment) by 30. The resulting number is the minimum thrust in pounds, but it is better to take a model with a margin of 20-30%.
Calculation of traction and selection of the battery
The right motor-battery bundle is key to successful fishing, and if the engine's traction is relatively clear, the battery capacity has a direct impact on battery life. traction (Deep Cycle), which differ from the starting car batteries ability to give energy to low currents for a long time.
The operating time depends on the speed of the rotor. At maximum speed, any motor will discharge the battery very quickly, so the main trolling mode is 30-50% of the maximum power. battery 100Ah capacity will provide 4-6 hours of continuous running.
It's important to consider that lithium-iron-phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries are becoming the de facto standard for serious anglers, 2-3 times lighter than lead, have more cycle life and are not afraid of deep discharge, but they are much more expensive, and operating at low temperatures requires built-in heating.
Formula for approximate working hours:
Time (hours) = (Capacity of the battery (Ah) × 0.8) / Current consumption of the motor (A)
Below is a table that helps to orient in the choice of thrust depending on the type of boat:
| Type of craft | Full weight (kg) | Recommended traction (lbs) | Voltage (B) |
|---|---|---|---|
| PVC boat (1 man) | 300 | 30 - 40 | 12 |
| PVC boat (2-3 people) | 300 - 600 | 45 - 55 | 12 |
| Metal boat | 600 - 900 | 60 - 80 | 12 / 24 |
| Boat/Keelboat | 900 | 85 | 24 / 36 |
Why can’t you use a car battery?
Car starter batteries (Starters) are designed to give off a huge current for a short time to start the engine. At a deep discharge (more than 20%), their plates collapse and they quickly fail. Deep Cycle traction batteries have a different plate structure, allowing you to discharge up to 80% without sacrificing life.
Methods of installation: transom or nose
The place where the motor is installed is dictated by the design of the boat and the preferences of the angler. Trans installation is the simplest and most common. The motor is attached to a special bracket or directly to the transom of the boat. This is convenient for inflatable boats where you do not want to make unnecessary holes, and allows you to quickly remove the engine if necessary.
The bow mount requires a special bracket (console) in the bow of the boat, which is ideal for controlling the motor with the leg (pedal control), which leaves the angler's hands free to work with the spinning. propeller It is in a clear stream of water, not obscured by the boat hull or the main engine.
For PVC boats with inflatable floor or low pressure bottom (LDPB), the installation of the nose bracket can be difficult, in such cases using removable transom plates or universal mounts that are fixed on cylinders.
☑️ Pre-installing check
Management and additional functions
Modern electric motors come with many features that make life easier for the fisherman. The basic model has a step-by-step switching of speeds (usually 5 forward and 2-3 backwards). More advanced versions offer smooth speed control, which allows you to more accurately match the course for fishing conditions.
One of the most useful functions is anchorage (Anchor Mode) The motor automatically steers, keeping the boat at a point in spite of wind or current, which relieves you of the need to constantly paddle or anchor, which is especially true when fishing at depths or in places with rocky bottoms.
Also worth noting is the presence of a battery indicator on the tiller, which is a critical option that allows you to estimate the energy balance in real time. Some models have a sonar built into the screw, transmitting data about the depth and terrain of the bottom directly to the control display.
⚠️ Warning: When using the motor in salt water, be sure to choose models labeled "Saltwater" They have special corrosion protection for shafts and shafts, without which the engine will fail in one season.
Maintenance and care of the electric motor
The electric motor is a reliable device, but requires minimal maintenance, and after every fishing trip, especially in salty or muddy water, you need to wash the lower unit with fresh water, which will prevent the accumulation of salt and sand in the oil oils and bearings.
Check the condition of the osteoils regularly for water entering the inside of the lower unit. The presence of an emulsion (a mixture of oil and water) in the gearbox signals a leakage violation. You should also periodically lubricate the movable joints and rotating mechanism of the roompell with a special lubricant that does not destroy the rubber seals.
Store the engine in a dry room, preferably in an upright position. The battery also requires care: in winter it must be kept on recharging, avoiding full discharge, especially if we are talking about lead-acid batteries.
Regular flushing with fresh water and checking the osteoils is the main secret of a long service of a trolling engine in any operating conditions.
Can a trolling motor be used as the main one?
Technically, this is possible if the motor is thrust-proof enough to develop the planned speed and the battery capacity is large. However, electric motors are designed to move (up to 10-12 km / h), They are inefficient to use for fast transitions due to high energy consumption and low maximum speed.
How long does the motor last on a single battery?
The operating time depends on the battery capacity and the speed chosen. At maximum thrust, a 100Ah battery engine will last about 2-2.5 hours. At an economical speed (20-30% of power), the operating time can be 6-8 hours or more.
Do I need to register a boat with an electric motor?
According to current GIMS regulations in Russia, boats weighing more than 200 kg (in running order) OR with a motor of more than 8 kW (about 10.8 hp) are subject to registration. Since electric motors usually have a power of 0.5-2 kW, and PVC boats rarely weigh more than 200 kg together with the motor and battery, registration is most often not required. However, the rules may change, and the final decision depends on the water inspector.
What to do if the screw is wound with grass?
Don't try to remove grass on the go by changing the direction of rotation, it can damage the gearbox. Stop the motor, lift the lower unit and clean the screw by hand. For heavily overgrown bodies of water, there are special propellers with increased pitch, less prone to fouling.