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The short answer. Garmin’s rule for the Kraken is one line: a 24 or 36 Vdc bank that can supply 60 A continuously, behind a 60 A breaker rated 42 VDC or more. Wire is 6 AWG to 10 ft, then 4 or 2 AWG if you want the “optimal” column. Garmin says nothing about battery type except that the gauge is tuned for lead-acid.
What Garmin asks for
| Item | Garmin’s figure |
|---|---|
| Input voltage | 20 to 45 Vdc (a 24 V or 36 V bank) |
| Input current | 60 A continuous |
| Full power | 2160 W at 36 V, 60 A |
| Breaker | 60 A continuous, rated 42 VDC or greater |
| Breaker in heat or on a shared circuit | may go larger, not past 90 A |
| Plug and receptacle (optional) | 60 A or more |
| Pedal | 10 to 45 Vdc, 2 A mini-blade fuse |
The 42 VDC breaker rating is the line people miss. A lot of 60 A marine breakers are rated 24 or 32 VDC. On a 36 V Kraken that’s under spec. Check the voltage stamp, not just the amps. Garmin also wants the breaker off while you connect.
Wire by run length
| Batteries to motor | Minimum | Optimal |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 10 ft | 6 AWG | 6 AWG |
| 10 to 20 ft | 6 AWG | 4 AWG |
| 20 to 30 ft | 6 AWG | 2 AWG |
Single-conductor stranded, 75 C insulation, not bundled, not in conduit. The motor’s own cable is 4 ft. For a run outside the table, the Wire gauge calculator does the drop math.
How much it pulls at each speed
Garmin prints a draw table by speed setting, which Minn Kota and MotorGuide don’t. Three rows, at the test voltages Garmin used (tolerance 5 lbf and 5 A):
| Setting | 24 V bank (25.6 V) | 36 V bank (38.4 V) |
|---|---|---|
| 20 (full) | 90.0 lbf, 58.9 A | 114.7 lbf, 55.9 A |
| 15 | 55.3 lbf, 27.3 A | 59.3 lbf, 19.7 A |
| 10 | 29.7 lbf, 10.8 A | 30.7 lbf, 7.5 A |
Notice the 36 V bank makes more thrust for fewer amps at every setting. If you’re buying new, that’s the argument for 36 V.
Batteries that fit
Garmin gives no battery type, no amp-hour figure and no wiring diagram. So this is our sizing: voltage in Garmin’s window, continuous discharge at 60 A or better.
- 24 V: Pro-Guide 24VM90 24V 90Ah lithium (90 A continuous) or Pro-Guide 24VM115 24V 115Ah lithium (100 A continuous)
- 36 V: Pro-Guide 36VM60 36V 60Ah lithium (60 A continuous, right on Garmin’s number) or Pro-Guide 36VM75 36V 75Ah lithium (75 A continuous)
On lithium, go into Battery Setup on the motor and pick your type, or switch the indicator to show plain voltage. Garmin says the level icon “may be inaccurate” with lithium-ion by default.
Run time at three settings
Same math as the Run time calculator, trolling mode (80% of amp hours over the amps, warm weather). Example only.
| Pack | Setting 20 | Setting 15 | Setting 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24VM90 | 1 h 13 min | 2 h 38 min | 6 h 40 min |
| 24VM115 | 1 h 34 min | 3 h 22 min | 8 h 31 min |
| 36VM60 | 52 min | 2 h 26 min | 6 h 24 min |
| 36VM75 | 1 h 04 min | 3 h 03 min | 8 h 00 min |
Setting 10 is still about 30 lb of thrust. Most days live between the middle and right columns.
Wiring and charging
One pack: red through the breaker to positive, black to negative. Two or three 12 V batteries in series: the steps are in Trolling motor battery: 12V, 24V or 36V, wired right. Garmin doesn’t draw a series layout, so that part is ours.
Garmin’s manual says nothing about charging. Use the pack maker’s numbers: 28.8 V for the Pro-Guide 24 V packs, 43.2 V for 36 V. We don’t yet sell a charger at those voltages, or a 60 A breaker with a 42 VDC rating. Both are on our list.
Stowed for two hours, the Kraken switches itself off.
Quick answers
What breaker does a Garmin Force Kraken need? 60 A continuous, rated 42 VDC or greater. Up to 90 A is allowed in high heat or on a shared circuit.
Does Garmin allow lithium on the Kraken? The manual doesn’t say yes or no. It says the battery gauge is set up for lead-acid and may misread lithium; set the type in Battery Setup.
24 V or 36 V for a Kraken? Both work. 36 V gives 114.7 lbf at full and pulls fewer amps at every setting.
What size wire for a 25 ft run? 6 AWG minimum, 2 AWG optimal, per Garmin.
Sources
- Garmin Force Kraken owner’s manual (Nov 2025), pages 9, 13, 25, 30, 35, 38-41; installation instructions (Jan 2026), pages 1, 3, 6-8, 12
- Garmin manual PDF: https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/GUID-B3BCDA2E-E3B8-4864-840E-DA1DB2C5C670/EN-US/Force_Kraken_Trolling_Motor_OM_EN-US.pdf
- Pro-Guide brochures and product pages
- Trolling motor battery: 12V, 24V or 36V, wired right, Run time calculator, Wire gauge calculator
