Recommend an ATV battery

Thanks for all the advice. I think I will replace my charger when I replace the battery. Noco seems to be mentioned a lot, so maybe I will pay the extra and get one. But what brands of batteries have you had luck with?
I admit that I haven't used the ATV much since I put the new battery in, but I believe the battery was fully charged, and I put the charger on it every couple of months. I guess if my charger wasn't working properly, that could explain things. I will also try to check the charging system on the ATV itself.

I believe it's a magnacharge in my welding machine, it's been in there since 2012 and not treated kindly. Even been run dead a couple times due to a charging issue a couple years ago. That's the best example I have from an aftermarket battery.

before you replace your charger, check your battery with a volt meter. Then hook up the charger and test again while charging. Once charged, let it sit and test the battery again.
While charging, your battery should be getting around 14.5volts. Once charged and allowed to sit for an hour, your battery should be around 12.7v. Let the battery just sit on the bench for a week and test again, should still be around 12.7. If its lower the battery is toast.
Then leave it in the ATV hooked up and test again in a week. If its significantly lower, you have a draw in the ATV that is killing the battery. If not perhaps your ATV isn't charging.

So, test the battery voltage, then start the ATV, and test again, should again be getting around 14.5v while the ATV is running. Probably a bit lower at idle, but will increase as you increase RPM's. Either way if its higher voltage while its running then its charging.

A cheap volt meter can save you a lot of money and verify stuff is working. One of the handiest tools going if your own anything with batteries.

I had to search for a proper replacement battery for my ATV and ended up at CTC and two years later all is fine. Having the right battery size as per mfg's recommendation is a must do . I could have had other batteries that would fit but they weren't big enough as in amp hour ratings. Never drain any battery dead as it will mess up ( sulphate I think is the term ? ) the plates inside and you will end up with a dead cell which means a pooched battery. A new fully charged battery should show a voltage of approx. 14.7 after that it's a long downhill slide to replacement time. They do have a life span but 5 years should be the minimum and after that you are on borrowed time. As for storing ? Charge until FULL and check on them once a month over the winter. I still store mine by placing wood or a rubber mat underneath them and should you be able to top off the water (electrolyte) inside them use only distilled or deionized water !

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by longpointer

A new fully charged battery should show a voltage of approx. 14.7

---

I believe you meant 12.7. If your getting 14.7 from a battery that is not currently charging you have other issues.

Attachment 44187

Voltage alone is not a good indicator of battery health. Just reading the voltage with no load does not give you an indication of good battery health. At minimum to check a battery, check voltage while cranking the engine to ensure it can handle a load without dropping significantly below 12 volts

ODYSSEY Battery a bit expense but i have my in my artic cat from 2009 and still going it is a gel filled battery

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by thunderbolt

Voltage alone is not a good indicator of battery health. Just reading the voltage with no load does not give you an indication of good battery health. At minimum to check a battery, check voltage while cranking the engine to ensure it can handle a load without dropping significantly below 12 volts

---

Good advice. A damaged battery can show a good no-load voltage, but when placed under load voltage drops because of a bad cell. I've also replaced regulators on machines because of under charging or over charging. A dead battery isn't necessarily caused by a defective battery.

Battery Load Tester

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/m...-0113003p.html

https://www.princessauto.com/en/100a...t/PA0008494031

I had one of the larger ones from above, they draw far too much current from the small ATV battery. Picked this one up for doing smaller batteries, they have adjustable input. https://www.princessauto.com/en/12v-...t/PA0009067968