How are the 500s for starting in sub zero temperatures? Could a guy take one ice fishing out on the big lakes say 2 or 3 miles from shore and not have to worry about them starting after sitting for a few hours in sub-zero weather with an average battery?

 

I haven't had any problems yet. This week has been -5 to -10 in the morning when I start it to plow out. No problems except fuel was starting to gel - little gas line antifreeze cured that.

 

I don't know about the big Cats. I left my 300 sit for about 8 hours the other night at -14. The three year old battery would not crank it over, but it started with the second pull.

 

Thor,

I have a question you might be able to help me out with. My wife wants me to clean the snow off our farm pond with our Cat so she can ice skate on it. How can I tell if the ice is strong enough to hold the Cat with plow & me on it? Last thing I want to do is go for a swim when it's 5 degrees outside!!! It's been pretty cold here for several weeks, not above 25 degrees & lots of days starting out at 0 & only warming up 5 - 10 degrees. I haven't even walked out on the ice yet, just wondering what I should look for when I do?

If anyone else has any hints I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,

Lance

 

5-6" of ice will hold a 4 wheeler up. 12 or more for a car or PU. The only way to be sure is to chop or drill a hole to check the thickness. Here in North central Minnesota we have been driving on the ice for a couple weeks.

 

Steve is right. Six inches of ice will support an atv or a snowmobile.

I was out on Cove Bay at Lake Mille Lacs on 12/9 and we had 13 inches of ice. One guy was driving his GMC Big Dually on it.

 

i think once you learn how to start them in cold weather the cats will start fine,but if flood them and foul the spark plug you might as well put in a new one because if you don't it will start very hard if it starts at all!i learned the hard way.now i always carry a spare plug.it was 18 below zero today and my ac500 started.

 

Do the 500's have an enrichening circuit or a butterfly plate?

Is the carb electrically heated once it starts?

Do they have a primer bulb?

 

For 2001 they have a butterfly choke, this is the first year they have this. They do not have a heated carb, but they do have a primer.

 

are you sure?because the dealer told me that it was an enricher,he's been wrong before.i looked on mine where the choke cable goes it to the carb.and it goes strait in to the side of the carb. with a little boot over the cable.ac2001 manual.