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The short answer. One 12 V battery for the Riptide Terrova 55, two in series (or one 24 V pack) for the 80, three (or one 36 V pack) for the 112. The 2026 manual’s table: 50 A breaker on the 55, 60 A on the other two. Minn Kota says these motors “can run on Lithium-Ion” but are “specifically designed” for lead-acid, and that prolonged speeds over 85% on lithium “could cause permanent damage to the motor”.
Table B, from the 2026 Riptide Terrova manual
| Run length | Riptide Terrova 55 (12 V, 50 A peak, 50 A breaker) | Riptide Terrova 80 (24 V, 56 A, 60 A breaker) | Riptide Terrova 112 (36 V, 52 A, 60 A breaker) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft | 8 AWG | 8 AWG | 8 AWG |
| 10 ft | 4 AWG | 6 AWG | 8 AWG |
| 15 ft | 2 AWG | 6 AWG | 8 AWG |
| 20 ft | 2 AWG | 4 AWG | 6 AWG |
| 25 ft | 1 AWG | 2 AWG | 4 AWG |
Breaker voltage ratings follow the bank: 12, 24 and 36 VDC.
This is the 3% drop table, heavier than the 5% one in Minn Kota’s older saltwater manuals. Use this one. Leads from the factory are 10 AWG; the table counts from the batteries to those leads. The 112 has a factory wire-extension part listed; the 55’s extension is the surprise, 1 AWG at 25 ft, because 50 A at 12 V is a lot of current for a long run.
Lithium, in Minn Kota’s words
“Minn Kota trolling motors can run on Lithium-Ion batteries. However, they are specifically designed to run on traditional lead-acid batteries.” Lithium holds its voltage up, so “running a Minn Kota trolling motor at speeds higher than 85% for a prolonged period could cause permanent damage to the motor.”
Our reading: lithium works, keep the long pulls under 85%. The manual gives no lithium amp-hour size. Its only size is lead-acid, 105 Ah or more.
Packs by motor (our fit, not Minn Kota’s)
Voltage matches, continuous discharge covers the max draw.
| Riptide Terrova | Bank | One-pack option | Continuous rating | Hours at peak, then at half (example) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 | 12 V, one battery | Pro-Guide 24M100 12V 100Ah Group 24 lithium | 100 A | 1 h 36 min, 3 h 12 min |
| 80 | 24 V | Pro-Guide 24VM90 24V 90Ah lithium | 90 A | 1 h 17 min, 2 h 34 min |
| 80 | 24 V | Pro-Guide 24VM115 24V 115Ah lithium | 100 A | 1 h 39 min, 3 h 17 min |
| 112 | 36 V | Pro-Guide 36VM60 36V 60Ah lithium | 60 A | 55 min, 1 h 51 min |
| 112 | 36 V | Pro-Guide 36VM75 36V 75Ah lithium | 75 A | 1 h 09 min, 2 h 18 min |
The 55 is the one we can also charge from the shelf today: Victron Blue Smart IP22 12/30 on its lithium setting, at Pro-Guide’s 14.6 V. Prefer 12 V batteries in series on the 80 or 112? Two or three 24M100s work, charged one at a time on that same 12 V charger.
All the Pro-Guide Alpha packs carry an IP67 case rating. Salt still finds terminals; see below.
Salt care that touches the wiring
From the maintenance page: – Rinse with freshwater, then wipe down with an aqueous-based silicone spray. – Don’t spray water into the vents. – Keep the terminals corrosion free (the manual marks that line flooded lead-acid only).
The warranty page also says running the motor with water in the lower unit causes damage that isn’t covered. No anode is named for the Riptide Terrova.
The meter
The push-to-test meter on the mount shows four lights full, three good, two low, one recharge, and only reads right with the motor off. No lights means no battery connection, or a wrong one, so it doubles as a polarity check after a rewire. The manual doesn’t say how it behaves on lithium, so read the pack’s own gauge for state of charge.
About those hours
The last column above is a worked example from the Run time calculator in trolling mode: amp hours times 80% usable, divided by the motor’s peak amps and then by half of them, at 25 C. Minn Kota prints no hours and no amps-per-speed figure. With the 85% ceiling the manual puts on lithium, the second number is the more honest one.
Hooking up
Series steps for 12 V batteries, breaker at the last positive: Trolling motor battery: 12V, 24V or 36V, wired right. Minn Kota’s rules that carry warranty weight: no alternator or DC charger tying the trolling negative to the crank negative, nothing but the motor on the trolling bank (sonar and radios elsewhere), accessory negatives on the Low Side battery only, motor unplugged while charging. Minn Kota’s breaker is the MKR-19 (60 A); we have no breaker in the store yet, nor a 24 V or 36 V lithium charger. Pro-Guide’s 24 V packs charge to 28.8 V, the 36 V to 43.2 V.
Quick answers
What breaker does a Riptide Terrova 55 need? 50 A, manual reset, rated 12 VDC, per the 2026 manual’s table. The 80 and 112 need 60 A.
Can a Riptide Terrova run on lithium? Per the 2026 manual: yes, it “can run on Lithium-Ion”, but it is “specifically designed” for lead-acid, and prolonged running over 85% speed “could cause permanent damage to the motor”.
Which wire for a Riptide Terrova 112 at 20 ft? 6 AWG. At 25 ft, 4 AWG.
Does the push-to-test meter read a lithium pack? The manual only says the lights are right with the motor off; lithium isn’t covered. Trust the pack’s own gauge.
Sources
- Minn Kota Riptide Terrova owner’s manual 2327168ra (2026), pages 5, 20-24, 28, 30, 35, 39, 42-54
- Minn Kota Riptide Terrova product page: https://minnkota.johnsonoutdoors.com/us/shop/saltwater-trolling-motors/riptide-terrova
- Pro-Guide brochures and product pages; Victron Blue Smart IP22 manual (our product page)
- Trolling motor battery: 12V, 24V or 36V, wired right, Run time calculator, Wire gauge calculator
