Is anyone running an AGM battery in their Polaris?

Not a fan of wet cell batteries. May upgrade eventually. How long will the OEM battery last?

 

Got at least 6 years on my maintenance free battery now,but mainly because it's on a battery tender also. Tenders can give added years even to cheap batteries. May get more with a glass mat battery to make up for the higher price,or you may not. Depends on how it's used,what accessories are operated off of it, extreme temperatures one way or the other. Seems like no matter what battery you have,when they give out it seems like it's in the worst possible place for it to happen.

 

Bought an Interstate AGM for my recent new used 1999 Polaris Magnum 500. From what I have read, a tender will be the best device to keep the battery lasting long. Will get one soon but a little confused if a special tender is needed.

Kevin

 

I have a Norco Genius Tender, got it not long after I got my atv. Use it after rides during the warm months, and before rides in the winter time. DO not leave it plugged in constantly.

http://www.geniuschargers.com/G750/features

 

I run a Bikemaster TruGel battery in my Polaris. Kind of expensive for a battery but I like the fact that it doesn't have any acid in it and can be mounted in any position. When I was in the Air Force I was sold on the Optima type batteries after seeing them used in Aerospace Ground Equipment (A.G.E.) in every type of enviroment from the deserts of SouthWest Asia to Iceland and now use them in most of my vehicles.

 

Will,
Question on the tender use. Is there a reason you do not leave plugged in all the time. I thought that is how they were suppose to be used. I was planning to leave mine plugged in but dont want to do any damage to the battery. (it was expensive - $108)
Kevin

 

If you have a "floating" type tender as most of them are you can leave it hooked up permanently.It just charges if low,then maintains the charge. I've had this one for years. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yuasa-Automatic-Battery-Charger-Maintainer-Smart-Shot-Harley-Honda-Motorcycle-/190827392665?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c6e32ee99&vxp=mtrSame thing as the Battery Tender brand and others.http://www.ebay.com/itm/Battery-Tender-Junior-12V-Charger-Motorcycle-RV-Camper-Boat-AGM-Deep-Cycle-Gel-/351006297138?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item51b99b0c32&vxp=mtr

 

I looked at a AGM battery but at $150 it was not worth it when I can get a Walmart EverStart for $65 that will last easily 4 years.

I do not tip my ATV on its side enough to care if it has wet acid and it has routed over flow tube anyways so acid will not spill on anything that's important.

My $65 Walmart everstart just died this year in one of my Ski-Doos after 5 years and that is with no battery tender or removing it in the off season.
Just pull start and go until it was charged again for the season.

Last I heard 12v is 12vs.

 

If you get a gel battery, most normal battery tenders will not work and actually hurt them. I too had a bikemaster trugel for my motorcycle. Never again will I pay that much for a battery that actually produces lower cca's.

Replaced my $130 battery that wouldn't start my bike below 40º with a brand I'd never heard of before. Pirate Battery. They have a website and sell on ebay. Under $45 for a sealed AGM delivered to my door in just a few days. Starts the same bike when it was 24º. Also can use an regular battery tender.

If you're planning on turning you battery upside down or sideways repeatedly, then I would highly recommend the gel battery. If it's just an occasional roll on the side and maybe upside down, save your money and get a sealed AGM.

Also, check the warranty. Trugel was a true 2 year replacement. I did like that. Pirate Battery is 18 months. Some sold at auto parts stores are 1 year, and Sears (who I would not recommend) is only 6 months.

 

I've ran a battery tender on all of my vehicles with a dry cell battery for the last 14 years without any problems. The types of dry cell batteries that I run are both Optima and BikeMaster. Never had a problem starting any of my vehicles with these batteries in below zero temperatures. In this picture you can see a couple of battery tenders scattered around my garage floor.






When I was deployed to Iceland, Saudi Aradia and Afghanistan with my squadron we never had an issues with our A.G.E. or personal vehicles in temperatures from well over 100 degree's to under 0 degree's. The equipment we used was expected to perform without problems with as little maintenance as required and was somewhat abused. I'm not saying a dry cell battery is for everyone it's just what I use in my own personal vehicles and in the equipment that I work with/have worked with in the past.

Every piece of equipment in this hangar has a dry cell battery.