Minn Kota is a trademark of its owner. Amp Hour Supply isn’t affiliated with Minn Kota.
The short answer. The Instinct QUEST is the saltwater auto-stow motor in Minn Kota’s QUEST line: 24 V or 36 V, 60 A max draw, a 60 A breaker rated for the bank’s voltage, 6 AWG for extensions to 10 ft. Minn Kota calls the QUEST motors “optimized for use with LiFePO4”. One lithium pack at the right voltage with a 60 A continuous rating is the easy build.
An auto-stow motor needs a bank that holds up
The motor lifts and lowers itself. When the bank sags, that’s the first thing to go. The Instinct manual’s troubleshooting page lists it plainly: “Low battery voltage will cause an error”, “Check circuit protection devices”, “Ensure the battery is charged”. So before you blame the motor, check the breaker and the pack.
Lithium helps here because it holds voltage until it’s nearly empty, which is the reason Minn Kota gives for the QUEST line being tuned to it.
Minn Kota’s numbers
| 24 V | 36 V | |
|---|---|---|
| Thrust | 90 | 115 |
| Max amp draw | 60 A | 60 A |
| Breaker | 60 A, 24 VDC minimum | 60 A, 36 VDC minimum |
| 5 / 10 / 15 / 20 / 25 ft | 6 / 6 / 4 / 4 / 2 AWG | 6 / 6 / 6 / 6 / 4 AWG |
The table assumes 3% voltage drop, 105 C wire and at most two conductors bundled. The motor comes with 8 AWG leads, and the parts list carries a splicer for 6 to 10 AWG, which tells you Minn Kota expects you to extend them. Over 25 ft the manual wants a marine technician. The breaker Minn Kota names is its MKR-27 (1865115); we don’t have a 60 A breaker in the store yet.
Which pack
Minn Kota gives lead-acid sizes (Group 24 to 31, 70 to 125 Ah) and no lithium figure. US rule for lithium: Coast Guard regulations and ABYC standards, E-13 named. Our fit test is voltage plus a continuous discharge rating at or above 60 A.
24 V bank: – Pro-Guide 24VM90 24V 90Ah lithium, 90 A continuous – Pro-Guide 24VM115 24V 115Ah lithium, 100 A continuous
36 V bank: – Pro-Guide 36VM60 36V 60Ah lithium, 60 A continuous (equal to the max draw) – Pro-Guide 36VM75 36V 75Ah lithium, 75 A continuous
Go 36 V if you’re choosing fresh: that’s where the full 115 thrust lives. Minn Kota publishes no per-speed amp curve for QUEST, so we can’t tell you how the two banks compare at half throttle.
Example run times
From the Run time calculator, trolling mode: 80% of the amp hours divided by the amps, 25 C. Example only.
| Pack | At 60 A | At 30 A |
|---|---|---|
| 24VM90 | 1 h 12 min | 2 h 24 min |
| 24VM115 | 1 h 32 min | 3 h 04 min |
| 36VM60 | 48 min | 1 h 36 min |
| 36VM75 | 1 h 00 min | 2 h 00 min |
Salt care, from the manual
- “The entire motor should be rinsed with freshwater” after use.
- Stow it so the steering housing drains.
- Keep the terminals clean; the manual says fine sandpaper or emery cloth.
- No anode is named for this motor.
Our own add: give the lugs the same rinse and dry them before you reconnect.
Wiring and warranty rules
Single pack: positive through the breaker, negative to the motor. Two or three 12 V batteries in series: Trolling motor battery: 12V, 24V or 36V, wired right has the steps.
Minn Kota’s warranty wall, in short: no alternator or DC charger that joins the trolling negatives to the crank battery’s negative (it “can damage” the motor and void the warranty); an exclusive battery system for the motor; sonar and radios elsewhere; any accessory negative on the Low Side battery only.
Charging
Charge Pro-Guide packs to their own voltage, 28.8 V (24 V) or 43.2 V (36 V), with the motor unplugged. We don’t list a 24 V or 36 V lithium charger yet. Minn Kota’s lithium note: charge right before you go. The motor powers itself down after 90 minutes stowed.
Quick answers
Is the Riptide Instinct QUEST lithium compatible? Minn Kota says the QUEST series is optimized for LiFePO4. For US boats, the battery should meet Coast Guard regulations and ABYC E-13.
What breaker does the Instinct QUEST need? 60 A manual reset, rated at least 24 VDC or 36 VDC to match the bank. Minn Kota’s MKR-27.
My Instinct throws a low-voltage error. What first? The manual’s own list: check the breaker or fuse, make sure the battery is charged. Then check voltage at the motor leads for a drop in the wire.
How do I look after it in salt? Rinse the entire motor with freshwater, stow it so the steering housing drains, keep the terminals clean (sandpaper or emery cloth, per the manual).
Sources
- Minn Kota Riptide Instinct QUEST owner’s manual 2207133ra (2026), pages 6, 17-22, 46-47, 69-70, 74-79
- Minn Kota Riptide Instinct QUEST product page: https://minnkota.johnsonoutdoors.com/us/shop/saltwater-trolling-motors/riptide-instinct-quest
- Pro-Guide brochures and product pages
- Trolling motor battery: 12V, 24V or 36V, wired right, Run time calculator, Wire gauge calculator
