From what I understand, the Polaris Sportsman does not recharge the battery when running, it simply maintains it.

Now for those of us who ride our quads a lot less than we want to, what do ya'll recommend for a maintenance charge?

I have a charger that will charge at 12 or 6 volts. I donot think it is a trickle charger.

Is there a recommended charger that I can use to insure a full battery?

I HAVE gone out and broke down do to a bad battery. (sucks)
and I just put a brand new one in.

thanks

 

Thats Odd I left my key on over night and drained the battery dead(trail light stays on). I pull started the ATV and let it idle for 5 min and it started on its own with a push of the button. Volt meter reads 13.5 when at idle and 14.5 at 4000rpm so yes polaris charges fine.

 

I was told by the dealer that it don't charge it maintains.

I went out one time and it started fine all day, as soon as I hit the trails it went dead.

the last time I tried to ride, dead! I pull started it and it idled fine until I tried to drive it to load it up, DEAD.

so I bought a new battery......

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>the last time I tried to ride, dead! I pull started it and it idled fine until I tried to drive it to load it up, DEAD.</end quote></div>

You mean you pull started it and it would idle but the motor would die if you tried to move?

I hear the newer modles from 2004.5 and up with a EMC need a heathy battery just for the ATV to run at all.

Unlike the older models. I rode for a mouth with a stone dead worn out battery using the pull start before finally getting a new battery and using the electric start again.

 

I have expressed similar concerns in a previous post, I have on 08 700x2 - like it, but the thing does not come with a pull start backup, and the battery is really in a difficult spot. i was advised to get a battery tender, has a quick connect that you just keep attached to the battery at all times, and just plug it in when you're not using the machine, and it keeps the battery up, shuts off automatically when it is fully charged. i haven't done it yet, but seems like the way to go on these machines. I also know they make solar pwered ones, I'm not sure they work as well as the battery tender, though. just my two bits worth.

 

Here is my experience with batteries:
I purchase a good battery (yuasa) if possible....
I do not purchase maintenance free batteries because they do not vent heat...
(Decreasing the Life of the battery)
Add the acid..
Place the battery in a pail of water...
hook to a trickle charger for 4-6 hours...
(The pail of water disapates the heat from charging)
Let the battery stand uncovered and off the charger for 1/2 - 1 hour...
Put the acid port plugs in..
Put it in the wheeler making sure to hook up the overflow tube...
Hook it up to the machine with a Battery Tender if possible...
(I ride every other weekend so the battery needs to be maintained)

Hope this helps!

 

I've had batteries get so low they barely started the quad and after I rode it was charged up. If they don't charge the battery then it's something new that they've changed. They always charged the battery before.

 

thanks jumbo, when the battery goes low, when turning the key the started just goes Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

but when charged up it starts real nice.

 

Are you saying when the battery is low it pisses all over itself?

 

Your best bet is to buy a battery tender...it maintains a full battery and wont' overcharge it...you can permantly mount the leads on yoru battery, then you just plug your atv in when you're not using it. You also might want to disconnect your ground if you know you won't be using it for a while, that way you won't drain your battery at all.