MotorGuide X3 70 lb freshwater hand control (24 V, 50" shaft, 5 forward/2 reverse)
shop.motorguide.com/products/motors/freshwater/x3.html
The MotorGuide X3 70 lb freshwater hand control (24 V, 50" shaft, 5 forward/2 reverse) is a trolling motor with 70 lb, a 24 V system, a peak draw of 42 A, a nominal voltage of 24 and a 24 pack.
Last updated: 30 October 2026
What we found
- Battery models are matched as running it across several brands, by setting each maker's published figures against the other — neither names the pairing, 5 of them needing more than one pack in series.
- 12 V deep cycle marine batteries.
- Sonar must not run off the trolling motor battery.
- Published as 24 V · 42 A · 70 lb.
- Specifications are published for it, each with its source.
At a glance
That is a peak, not a continuous rating. The maker publishes no continuous draw for this — see below for what they say about it — so a pack sized on the figure above is sized for the worst moment rather than for the load it will hold.
The maker’s own installation requirements: 50-amp (good) or 60-amp (best) manual reset circuit breaker, 10-gauge included, not extended beyond 1.8 m (6 ft); 8-gauge beyond that. A battery that meets the draw does not make the wiring optional.
What this device draws
- Steering
- Twist/Handle Extendable
- System voltage
- 24 V
- Max amp draw
- 42 A at 24 V
- Max thrust
- 70 lb
- Continuous draw
- A maximum; no continuous rating is published
- Speed control
- 5 Forward/2 Reverse
- Propeller fitted
- 3bl Machete
“5 Forward/2 Reverse Twist/Handle Extendable 3bl Machete”
Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/product-catalog/MotorGuide_Catalog_3-1-23_WEB.pdf
“X3-70FW 50" 940200250 70 LB 50" 42 24”
Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/product-catalog/MotorGuide_Catalog_3-1-23_WEB.pdf
“X3-70FW 50" 940200250 70 LB 50" 42 24”
Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/product-catalog/MotorGuide_Catalog_3-1-23_WEB.pdf
“X3-70FW 50" 940200250 70 LB 50" 42 24”
Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/product-catalog/MotorGuide_Catalog_3-1-23_WEB.pdf
“Boat Type Bass Boat, Jon Boat Control Method Hand Max Thrust 70 LB Product Type Bow Mount Shaft Length 50" Steering Hand Volts 24 Water Type Freshwater”
Source: shop.motorguide.com/products/940200250.html
“MODEL PART NUMBER PROP 65 PEAK THRUST SHAFT LENGTH MAX AMP DRAW VOLTAGE”
Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/product-catalog/MotorGuide_Catalog_3-1-23_WEB.pdf
“5 Forward/2 Reverse Twist/Handle Extendable 3bl Machete”
Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/product-catalog/MotorGuide_Catalog_3-1-23_WEB.pdf
“5 Forward/2 Reverse Twist/Handle Extendable 3bl Machete”
Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/product-catalog/MotorGuide_Catalog_3-1-23_WEB.pdf
What battery it needs
- Battery type the maker recommends
- 12 V deep cycle marine batteries
- Circuit breaker it requires
- 50 A (good) or 60 A (best), manual reset
- What the maker says about capacity
- reserve capacity rating will provide longer run times
- How close the breaker must be
- Within 1.8 m (6 ft) of the batteries
- Cable supplied, and how far it may run
- 10-gauge as supplied; 8 mm² (8-gauge) for longer runs
- Whether the engine battery may be used
- Not the engine battery
- What must not share this battery
- Sonar must not run off the trolling motor battery
“Use 12-volt, deep cycle marine batteries. The number of batteries required varies according to the model of your trolling motor. Refer to Battery Connection.”
Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/owners-manuals/X3 Owners Manual - 2017.pdf
“Recommended MotorGuide Accessory Description 8-gauge battery cable and terminals with 50-amp manual reset circuit breaker 50-amp manual reset circuit breaker 60-amp manual reset circuit breaker”
Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/owners-manuals/X3 Owners Manual - 2017.pdf
“As a general rule, deep cycle batteries with a higher amp-hour rating or reserve capacity rating will provide longer run times and better performance.”
Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/owners-manuals/X3 Owners Manual - 2017.pdf
“Install a manual reset circuit breaker in line with the trolling motor positive leads within 1.8 m (6 ft) of the batteries. These can be purchased from your local MotorGuide retailer or from www.motorguide.com.”
Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/owners-manuals/X3 Owners Manual - 2017.pdf
“Do not extend the included 10-gauge battery cables more than 1.8 m (6 ft) for a total of 3 m (10 ft). If longer battery cables are required, MotorGuide offers accessory 8 mm² (8-gauge) battery cables.”
Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/owners-manuals/X3 Owners Manual - 2017.pdf
“Do not use the main engine battery to power the trolling motor. Route the trolling motor wires on the opposite side of the boat from other boat wiring.”
Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/owners-manuals/X3 Owners Manual - 2017.pdf
“Do not power any depth sounders or fish finders from the trolling motor battery. Connecting electronic equipment to the trolling motor batteries can cause electrical interference. Any depth sounders or fish finders must be powered from the engine starting or accessory battery.”
Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/owners-manuals/X3 Owners Manual - 2017.pdf
Battery and charging
- Voltage, as stated
- 24
- Voltage
- 24
“X3-70FW 50" 940200250 70 LB 50" 42 24 5 Forward/2 Reverse Twist/Handle Extendable”
Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/product-catalog/MotorGuide_Catalog_3-1-23_WEB.pdf
Row from the maker’s page: “Volts” | “24”
Source: shop.motorguide.com/products/940200250.html
Size and fit
- Shaft length
- 50"
- How it mounts
- Bow Mount
- Water it is built for
- Freshwater
- How it is controlled
- Hand tiller
- Boats the maker lists it for
- Bass Boat, Jon Boat
“X3-70FW 50" 940200250 70 LB 50" 42 24”
Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/product-catalog/MotorGuide_Catalog_3-1-23_WEB.pdf
“Boat Type Bass Boat, Jon Boat Control Method Hand Max Thrust 70 LB Product Type Bow Mount Shaft Length 50" Steering Hand Volts 24 Water Type Freshwater”
Source: shop.motorguide.com/products/940200250.html
“Boat Type Bass Boat, Jon Boat Control Method Hand Max Thrust 70 LB Product Type Bow Mount Shaft Length 50" Steering Hand Volts 24 Water Type Freshwater”
Source: shop.motorguide.com/products/940200250.html
“FRESHWATER–HAND-OPERATED X3-70FW 50" 940200250 70 LB 50" 42 24”
Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/product-catalog/MotorGuide_Catalog_3-1-23_WEB.pdf
Row from the maker’s page: “Control Method” | “Hand”
Source: shop.motorguide.com/products/940200250.html
Row from the maker’s page: “Boat Type” | “Bass Boat, Jon Boat”
Source: shop.motorguide.com/products/940200250.html
Identity
- Manufacturer's product code
- 940200250
“X3-70FW 50" 940200250 70 LB 50" 42 24”
Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/product-catalog/MotorGuide_Catalog_3-1-23_WEB.pdf
Batteries documented to run this
The figures below line up. Neither manufacturer states that this pack runs this device — that is our reading of what each of them published separately, not a claim by either of them or a test by us. Even where every stated figure agrees, these can still decide it:
- The device’s published draw is usually a peak, not the load it holds — the two numbers are not the same kind of quantity
- A maker’s amp-hour minimum and their reserve-capacity minimum can give different answers about the same battery
- Conditions attached to the chemistry, such as a speed limit for running on lithium
- Whether the pack may be wired in series at all, where the device needs 24 or 36 volts
- The charger, which both makers put conditions on and neither supplies
- Case size, hold-down and terminal type — fitting the space is not being secured in it
Worth confirming with the device's manufacturer or a dealer before buying.
“This product is suitable for 12V trolling motors up to 70lb thrust; 2*identical batteries in series for 24V trolling motors up to 100lb thrust; 3*identical batteries in series for 36V trolling motors up to 120lb thrust.”
Only within LiTime's ceiling of 100 lb of thrust for a 24 volt motor on two packs in series, and this motor's 70 lb is within it — check yours before buying.
Only within Redodo's ceiling of 100 lb of thrust for a 24 volt motor on two packs in series, and this motor's 70 lb is within it — check yours before buying.
The packs must be identical to each other — the maker's rule says so, and mixing capacities or ages in series is how one cell group ends up carrying the bank.
- LiTime 12V 100Ah TMFigures comparedView battery: LiTime 12V 100Ah TM →
Two of these, identical to each other, wired in series for 24 V.
“This product is suitable for 12V trolling motors up to 70 lb thrust; 2*identical batteries in series for 24V trolling motors up to 100 lb thrust; 3*identical batteries in series for 36V trolling motors up to 120 lb thrust.”
LiTime 12.8V 100Ah Trolling Motor Battery — Product ManualManufacturer documentLiTime
Source: cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0667/7220/5788/files/LiTime_12.8V_100Ah_Trolling_Motor_Battery_-_User_Manual.pdf
Retrieved September 11, 2026
Two of these, identical to each other, wired in series for 24 V.
LiTime 12.8V 100Ah Trolling Motor Smart Battery — User ManualManufacturer documentLiTime
Source: cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0667/7220/5788/files/LiTime_12.8V_100Ah_Trolling_Motor_Smart_Battery_-_User_Manual.pdf
Retrieved September 11, 2026
- LiTime 12V 50Ah TMFigures comparedView battery: LiTime 12V 50Ah TM →
Two of these, identical to each other, wired in series for 24 V.
LiTime 12V 50Ah TM — Product ManualManufacturer documentLiTime
Source: cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0667/7220/5788/files/LiTime_12V_50Ah_Trolling_Motor_Smart_Battery_-_User_Manual.pdf
Retrieved September 11, 2026
- LiTime 24V 50Ah TMFigures comparedView battery: LiTime 24V 50Ah TM →
One of these, on its own, at 24 V.
“This product is suitable for 24V trolling motors up to 100lb thrust.”
Only within LiTime's ceiling of 100 lb of thrust for a 24 volt motor, and this motor's 70 lb is within it — check yours before buying.
LiTime 24V 50Ah TM — Product ManualManufacturer documentLiTime
Source: cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0667/7220/5788/files/LiTime_25.6V_50Ah_Trolling_Motor_Smart_Battery_-_User_Manual_197536fd-f7f1-4c53-b23d-8e5eecb4dcd8.pdf
Retrieved September 11, 2026
- Redodo 12V 100Ah Group31 BluetoothFigures comparedView battery: Redodo 12V 100Ah Group31 Bluetooth →
Two of these, identical to each other, wired in series for 24 V.
“One 12V 100Ah Smart Bluetooth Marine for Trolling Motor battery is suitable for 12V trolling motors up to 70 lbs thrust; 2*identical batteries in series for 24V trolling motors up to 100 lbs thrust; 3*identical batteries in series for 36V trolling motors up to 120 lbs thrust.”
Redodo 12V 100Ah Group 31 Bluetooth Battery — Product ManualManufacturer documentRedodo
Source: cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0561/7641/0714/files/Redodo_12V_100Ah_Group31_Bluetooth_Battery.pdf?v=1756804417
Retrieved September 12, 2026
Two of these, identical to each other, wired in series for 24 V.
“One 12V 100Ah LOW-TEMP battery is suitable for 12V trolling motors up to 70 lbs thrust; 2*identical batteries in series for 24V trolling motors up to 100 lbs thrust; 3*identical batteries in series for 36V trolling motors up to 120 lbs thrust.”
Redodo 12V 100Ah Low-Temp Trolling Motor Battery — Product ManualManufacturer documentRedodo
Source: cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0561/7641/0714/files/Redodo_12V_100Ah_low_temp_lithium_trolling_motor_battery_product_manual.pdf?v=1715855487
Retrieved September 12, 2026
Sources
- Archived document
Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/owners-manuals/X3 Owners Manual - 2017.pdf
Retrieved September 13, 2026
- X3 Freshwater 70lb 50" Hand ControlArchived document
Source: shop.motorguide.com/products/940200250.html
Retrieved September 13, 2026
- Archived document
Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/product-catalog/MotorGuide_Catalog_3-1-23_WEB.pdf
Retrieved September 13, 2026