So as the title states, my 2008 Polaris 800 sportsman will not stay charged. I have put about 4 batteries on this thing since it was bought which doesn't seem right to me. If i put it on the battery tender over night before i go hunting it is fine once i get to the woods. Then by the time i come out around 11 or so it will click when i hit the key and not start. I have had the battery tested and even borrowed a friend of mines battery that we both know is good and it did the same thing. Only option it has is a winch added at the dealer. I unhooked power to the winch and let it sit and had the same results. I also pulled all fuses and checked one by one with my meter to see if anything was pulling current while the quad is off. Only thing was the cluster, which from my understanding pulls a little all the time for memory. I am at a loss. Any help is appreciated and i apologize for the long post.

 

Have you checked to see what voltage the battery shows while the engine is at an idle? Should be somewhere between 14-14.5 volts if the charging system is ok. If it just shows 12 volts or so(battery voltage only) then more than likely a bad regulator in most cases. Even a simple loose wire at the regulator can be the problem. A parasitic draw from the winch is possible,but eliminate any charging problem first from either the regulator or the stator itself. A simple test on the stator wires can rule it out. All the yellows going to the regulator from the stator should show some small resistance between each other with NO yellow wire zeroing(shorting) to ground. If it's not charging,the stator resistance checks out,then again most likely a bad regulator. Item#1 on the parts breakdown.Dirt Cheap Yamaha, Polaris, Suzuki & Kawasaki OEM Parts & Accessories – Cycle Parts Warehouse
Plus several on ebay.New Polaris Regulator Rectifier Ranger Sportsman 4012384 | eBay

 

Thanks for the help. Sorry its taken me so long to answer. I left immediately after that post and was scouting for deer all day at LBL. Itll be tomorrow before i mess around with it after hunting. I will post my findings then and probably ask more questions. Once again, thanks!

 

got a friend w/ a 800 has the same problem. "voltage reg."

 

If you replace your regulator check this place out


This is about $70 compared to $132.00

I just bought one for a 850 and it seems well made.