My 2001 Sportsman doesn't seem to be charging at idle.
I spent a great deal of time idling while I was using the snow shovel the other day while plowing snow and the longer it idle the dimmer the headlight got. The bike seems to be idling high enough, I actually idled it up a bit from the factory settings. When I would start plowing again the lights would brighten up and the battery would take charge again. Is ther a condition with the charging system to where they need a certain rpm to charge?
Thanks!

 

If you were using a winch to operate the plow on your ATV, then I don't think there is anything wrong. If you have the headlights on, running a winch, and the cooling fan for the radiator, those things represent a large current draw. I don't have the exact specs on your machine, but my guess is that there is little to no charging going on at idle - so you may not have a problem.

On a side note, if you have not checked the water level in your battery, that would be a good idea. Also check / clean the terminals on the battery.

 

well it should be charging at idle...on my 04 it seems to charge what it needs at idle....it was charging at 13.5V the other day at idle....as long as your idling at 1100 rpm +- 100 rpm you should be fine....how do you check the idle rmp with out the diagnostic mode or do you just go by sound??

 

Thanks guys!
I'll put the multi-meter on it tomorrow and check the battery and connections as well.
I guess mainly I was wondering if anyone experienced this same proplem.

 

My 700 does not charge at idle with the headlights on. Just a smidge above idle and it's OK.

 

Stators are similar to alternators, except the out put is dependant on rpm. An alternator uses a field ( basicly an electromagnet), and a stator uses a permanent magnet. A stator wont deliver 14 volts til about 5000 rpm.
Check the idle rpm, and if thats ok, have the battery load tested, is could be on the way out. Also check the electrical connections, at the battery and the grounds. If they are corrorded, that will reduce the voltage.
Voltage on the battery with the key off, and 68 degrees should be about 12.6 volts. At idle, and no electrical load, it should be higher than that, but probably not much.