It’s generally not recommended to use a standard car battery (starting battery) for a trolling motor. Here’s why:   

• Different Battery Types:
  • Car batteries are “starting” batteries, designed to deliver a large burst of power for a short time to start an engine.  
  • Trolling motors require “deep-cycle” batteries, which are designed to provide a steady, consistent flow of power for extended periods.   
• Discharge and Recharge:
  • Car batteries are not designed for deep discharges. Repeatedly draining a car battery will significantly shorten its lifespan and can cause permanent damage.    Trolling Motor Battery
  • Deep-cycle batteries are built to withstand repeated deep discharges and recharges.  
• Performance:
  • A car battery will likely provide power to your trolling motor, but it will drain quickly, resulting in a short run time.
  • You also risk damaging the car battery.   

Here’s a breakdown:

• Starting Batteries (Car Batteries):
  • Designed for high bursts of power.  
  • Not designed for deep discharges.  
  • Short lifespan when used for trolling motors.
• Deep-Cycle Batteries (Marine Batteries):
  • Designed for sustained power output.  
  • Built to handle deep discharges.  
  • Ideal for trolling motors.  

Therefore:

• While a car battery might technically work in a pinch, it’s not a suitable long-term solution.
• For optimal performance and to protect your battery, invest in a deep-cycle marine battery designed for trolling motors.