ATV Batteries Questions

Demonical

Demonical

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Question #1) Anybody else out there sick of those darn small ATV batteries sulphating, losing plates etc, and dying early?


Question #1) Is it possible to stuff a larger 12V battery into your ATV (I've got a 2004 Honda Foreman 450) battery box?


Question #3) What about modifying the battery box, to accommodate a larger battery?
 
I have a 2008 Suzuki King Quad and it's still running on the original battery. Come to think of it I believe last year was the only year I had left a trickle charger on it. Guess I should take a look and see if the quad starts lol!
 
I have a 2004 bombardier outlander 400xt that's still going strong on the original battery.......... never hesitates at all. even in the winter when the bike sites for long periods, it cranks and cranks until it starts...... my 2010 polaris 850 xp is on its third battery and this past winter died again so I put a crappy tire trickle charger on it and have to leave it on or it just won't start in the cold. it's fine right now but I know as soon as it start to get near freezing it won't start even when using it every day......
 
I probably just curst myself writing about the bombardier's battery........ now next time I try it, it probably won't start....... LOL
 
Get an Earth-X. They are lighter, hold more charge, and are more tolerant to cold weather. Its like a cross between a cordless drill battery and a car battery.

I say Earth-X because they have a charge management system built in which is critical to longevity. Other companies may have a charge system by now but Earth-X is for sure good to go.
 
I have a 2000 Suzuki QuadMaster 500cc still on the original battery. Owned the machine since new in 2000 and have never used a trickle charger and sits most of the winter under a tarp outside. I beleive the battery is a Yuasa but I can double check that this week. Looks like their Canadian website has free shipping too.
 
Be sure to read the manual for your battery, my new one said not to leave it on a trickle charger, only hook it up to one overnight if it's low. This makes sense to me since the old battery was a no-name one that came with the bike back in 2009 and it lasted til last fall, and it only died after I mistakenly left it on a charger for a few months.
 
I disconnect the battery for winter storage, remove it from the quad and set it on a wood block. In the spring I put it on a charger for a few hours and it's good to go.
 
check out Odyssey Batteries, they are an AGM (absorbent glass matt) built to military specs. They are a little more expensive but far superior. After replacing my ATV battery annually I bought one of these and it's the 4th yr still going strong.
 
smokeeter said:
check out Odyssey Batteries, they are an AGM (absorbent glass matt) built to military specs. They are a little more expensive but far superior. After replacing my ATV battery annually I bought one of these and it's the 4th yr still going strong.
Click to expand...

Where are these available?


FWIW, my first ATV was an '86 Honda 350, and the original battery in that lasted for a ridiculous long time. Since then, I've gone through an endless number of batteries. All different brands.

None of them seem to last more than a year or 2, and it's making me crazy!

I'd love to modify the battery box and stuff a larger 12V in there. Not saying a car battery, but something in between that and the stock ATV battery.
 
I surmise you're referring to a yard tractor battery style and size?
I use one on my tandem car trailer and the poor battery just sits
out there year after year.
Remarkable the abuse it gets and the odd time in a year it gets hooked up.
 
^ Well I have a Yamaha Rhino, and that battery is kinda what I am talking about. It's in between the regular Honda ATV size, and a car battery. But a lot more cranking amps, reserve life etc...

But the harder part would be how to figure out a way to fit it into the Honda.
 
I pulled the old 450 outta the shed last night, put on the choke, turned on the key, gave it 2 strokes on the primer bulb.

One pull and she was purring as only a Honda engine can...

Also I broke down and bought a new 12V battery from Canadian Tire. I needed that so that my winch would be functional.

I put the battery on the charger last night so it will get a full days charge on it, then I'll put it in the machine and hope that I finally got a decent battery.


^ Btw, I don't think battery maintenance is the issue, I think it's the quality of batteries they are selling these days.
 
Demonical said:
Question #1) Anybody else out there sick of those darn small ATV batteries sulphating, losing plates etc, and dying early?


Question #1) Is it possible to stuff a larger 12V battery into your ATV (I've got a 2004 Honda Foreman 450) battery box?


Question #3) What about modifying the battery box, to accommodate a larger battery?
Click to expand...

As a Liscensed Motorcycle Tech I can tell that you could upgrade your battery to a sealed type (glass mat) Second , you should get a battery tender so when your ATV is not is use just plug it in and it will do the rest. I recommend (battery tender junior) . As for putting a bigger battery in it I'd say don't do it , because it will cause problems and really it's not needed. I've seen battery's last between 5-7 years using the method mentioned above.
Cheers
 
PitBull1973 said:
As a Liscensed Motorcycle Tech I can tell that you could upgrade your battery to a sealed type (glass mat) Second , you should get a battery tender so when your ATV is not is use just plug it in and it will do the rest. I recommend (battery tender junior) . As for putting a bigger battery in it I'd say don't do it , because it will cause problems and really it's not needed. I've seen battery's last between 5-7 years using the method mentioned above.
Cheers
Click to expand...


+1 for the battery tenders after years of battery replacements and keeping the machines inside, I purchased a couple, one for the ATV and one for the Generator , perfect ever since..
 
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