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The short answer. Four tiller motors, one page. Transom 45 and 55 run on a single 12 V battery (50 A and 60 A breakers), the 80 on 24 V and the 112 on 36 V (60 A each). The Riptide Transom manuals don’t mention lithium at all; their battery line is 12 V deep-cycle lead-acid, 105 Ah or more. A lithium pack works electrically, but any lithium claim is the battery maker’s, not Minn Kota’s.
What the manual says about batteries
“The motor will operate with any lead acid, deep cycle marine 12 volt battery/batteries. For best results, use a deep cycle, marine battery with at least a 105 amp-hour rating.” Then a line lead-acid owners should take to heart: failing to recharge within 12 to 24 hours “is the leading cause of premature battery failure”. Use a multi-stage charger. The troubleshooting page still says “Check battery water level”, which tells you what battery the writers had in mind.
Lithium isn’t in these manuals. Not allowed, not barred, not mentioned.
Breaker and wire: two tables
The 2018 Transom manuals print Minn Kota’s 5% table. Minn Kota’s current help-center table for the same thrusts allows 3% drop and comes out heavier. Both below; wire to the heavier one and you satisfy both.
| Motor | Volts | Max draw | Breaker | Manual (5%), 5 to 25 ft | Help center (3%), 5 to 25 ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 lb | 12 | 42 A | 50 A, 12 VDC | 10 / 8 / 6 / 4 / 4 | 8 / 6 / 4 / 2 / 2 |
| 55 lb | 12 | 50 A | 60 A, 12 VDC | 8 / 6 / 4 / 4 / 2 | 8 / 4 / 2 / 2 / 1 |
| 80 lb | 24 | 56 A | 60 A, 24 VDC | 8 / 8 / 8 / 6 / 6 | 8 / 6 / 6 / 4 / 2 |
| 112 lb | 36 | 52 A | 60 A, 36 VDC | 8 / 8 / 8 / 8 / 8 | 8 / 8 / 8 / 6 / 4 |
AWG, batteries to the motor leads. A transom motor usually sits a few feet from the battery, so most Riptide Transom owners never leave the first column. Minn Kota’s 60 A breaker is the MKR-19. No breaker in our store yet.
Batteries that fit (our sizing)
Voltage matches, and the pack’s continuous discharge rating covers the max draw.
- Transom 45 and 55 (12 V): Pro-Guide 24M100 12V 100Ah Group 24 lithium, 100 A continuous. Charger: Victron Blue Smart IP22 12/30, lithium profile, Pro-Guide’s 14.6 V.
- Transom 80 (24 V): Pro-Guide 24VM90 24V 90Ah lithium or Pro-Guide 24VM115 24V 115Ah lithium, or two 12 V in series.
- Transom 112 (36 V): Pro-Guide 36VM60 36V 60Ah lithium or Pro-Guide 36VM75 36V 75Ah lithium, or three 12 V in series.
Only the 80 and 112 manuals carry the series diagrams. Ours are in Trolling motor battery: 12V, 24V or 36V, wired right. We don’t list a 24 V or 36 V charger yet.
Run time (example)
Run time calculator math in trolling mode: 80% of the amp hours divided by amps, warm day.
| Motor | Pack | At max draw | At half |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45 (42 A) | 24M100 | 1 h 54 min | 3 h 49 min |
| 55 (50 A) | 24M100 | 1 h 36 min | 3 h 12 min |
| 80 (56 A) | 24VM90 | 1 h 17 min | 2 h 34 min |
| 80 (56 A) | 24VM115 | 1 h 39 min | 3 h 17 min |
| 112 (52 A) | 36VM60 | 55 min | 1 h 51 min |
| 112 (52 A) | 36VM75 | 1 h 09 min | 2 h 18 min |
Tiller motors get run at full speed more than bow mounts do. Budget nearer the left column if that’s you.
Salt care, anodes, terminals
After every use: rinse the entire motor with freshwater, then wipe it with a cloth dampened with an aqueous silicone spray. Don’t spray water into the head vents. The 45 and 55 parts lists show a zinc anode (2198400); the 80 lists an anode prop nut. The terminal advice (fine sandpaper or emery cloth) is marked for flooded lead-acid only; on a lithium pack, rinse, dry and keep the lugs tight.
The rules that carry the warranty
- No alternator or DC charger that ties the trolling-battery negative to the crank battery’s negative. Minn Kota says that “can damage” the motor’s electrics and void the warranty.
- An exclusive battery for the motor. For fish-finder interference, the manual says run the depth finder from the starting battery.
- Disconnect the motor while charging.
- Water in the lower unit: damage not covered.
Quick answers
Does the Riptide Transom work with lithium? The Transom manuals don’t mention lithium. They ask for 12 V deep-cycle lead-acid, 105 Ah or more. A lithium pack at the right voltage will run it; the approval is the pack maker’s.
What breaker for a Riptide Transom 55? 60 A, manual reset, rated 12 VDC. The 45 takes 50 A; the 80 and 112 take 60 A at 24 and 36 VDC.
How many batteries for a Transom 112? Three 12 V in series, or one 36 V pack.
Why does my fish finder buzz when the motor runs? Minn Kota’s answer: power the depth finder from the starting battery, not the trolling battery.
Sources
- Minn Kota Riptide Transom 45, 55, 80 and 112 owner’s manuals (2018), pages 4-5, 9-13, 17, 19, 23-26, 54
- Minn Kota Riptide Transom product page: https://minnkota.johnsonoutdoors.com/us/shop/saltwater-trolling-motors/riptide-transom
- Minn Kota help-center wire table (via our fit table): https://minnkota-help.johnsonoutdoors.com/hc/en-us/articles/24943541720471-Trolling-Motor-Amp-Draw-Circuit-Breakers-Fuses-and-Extending-the-Battery-Leads
- 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
