Hi, I have an 05 Sportsman 400 with about 900 miles on it and notice when I'm plowing the driveway and it idles down that the gauge cluster lights will flash on and off with a battery symbol flashing as well. But as soon as I give it some gas it goes away. The machine idles at around 1400 rpm, which I didn't think was too low and it doesn't sound like it is going to quit. Is this normal or something to be concerned about? Thanks

 

It sounds like you are running your battery down from using the winch. Try to keep the RPMs up as much as possible and keep your accesories off, like lights and hand and thumbwarmers if you have them. And not a bad idea to trickle charge the battery when you're done

 

I bet Scrammytodd has got it, winches eat up alot of battery capacity!

 

hes 100% right. the winch is strickly ran off the battery and the bikes charging sysytem isnt designed to keep up the heavy pace of plowing w/ the winch. you either need to run the atv for long period of time to recharge or put a charger on it.

 

Jeeze if I keep this up, someday I might be as smart as Sten. LOL No I think I got a long ways to go

 

Thanks Guys! One more question for you guys. Can I put it on trickle charge with the battery still connected or should I take the battery right out?

 

No you can charge it with the battery still in, just keep the amperage down