[Voots]

Hey all, I posted a month or so ago about my battery not holding a charge. I wrote it off as I wasn't riding it that often, and in short spurts, not letting the battery get a charge.

Well anyway, that's not the problem. I went for my first long ride today, and about two hours into the ride, we stopped for a break. When we went to go again, you guessed it, dead. So, my battery isn't getting a charge. The battery is good, when I trickle charge it, it's good for about 10-12 starts maybe, then its dead again.

So, where should I look? The fuses are good, and all the connections seem good. Any other ideas before I tote her back to the dealer?

Thanks
Voots

 

[AL Elks]

I had the same problem I bought an aftermarket battery and haven't had a problem since. I know of one individual that changed his battery twice at the dealer and after the 2nd time he got a good one.

On another site I got some excellent advice. Battery's normally come with the acid seperated from the battery. Once you put the acid in the battery let it sit overnight so the acid soaks into everything and then put it on a slow charge.

I only let mine sit for an hour because that's what I was told to do before I read about letting it sit overnight but mind has held up just fine so far.

 

[Voots]

I had the same problem I bought an aftermarket battery and haven't had a problem since. I know of one individual that changed his battery twice at the dealer and after the 2nd time he got a good one.

On another site I got some excellent advice. Battery's normally come with the acid seperated from the battery. Once you put the acid in the battery let it sit overnight so the acid soaks into everything and then put it on a slow charge.

I only let mine sit for an hour because that's what I was told to do before I read about letting it sit overnight but mind has held up just fine so far.
[/b]

Are you sure it's the battery though? It still takes a charge fine. When I got it home, I let it charge at 2 amps for about an hour and it fired right up again. It seems to me that the stator(?) or whatever it is that's supposed to charge the battery isn't doing its job. How would I go about testing to see if I'm getting juice from the stator(?). I have a voltmeter, but what kind of output should I be getting from it? 14 or so like a car, or would it be different?

Thanks
Voots

 

[AL Elks]

Yep, mine was the same way. It would take a charge but it would not hold a charge. Mine would at least charge enought while riding to start it during the day. If I charged it there would be a full charge but if it sat for a week it would be dead. So far So good!

 

[Voots]

Ok, cool. Just wanted to make sure. The dealer should replace it, right? I bought my ltr a little over a month ago. I gotta take it in for the frame recall anyway so we'll see. Thanks for the reply, I'm really getting sick of being stranded in the woods. This things not as easy to push as my dirt bike.

Voots

 

[AL Elks]

Ok, cool. Just wanted to make sure. The dealer should replace it, right? I bought my ltr a little over a month ago. I gotta take it in for the frame recall anyway so we'll see. Thanks for the reply, I'm really getting sick of being stranded in the woods. This things not as easy to push as my dirt bike.

Voots
[/b]

Yep, he should replace it. What I would do is have them put the acid in but don't put it in the quad. Take the battery home and let it sit overnight and then put it on a slow charge for a day or so and then install it. Don't let them put it in the quad and then start it because they may damage the battery if they did not let it soak long enough.

Anyway that's my theory as to what's happening. I learned that from Pappy over at ATVriders.com.

Heck if they will let you just get the new battery, take it home, put in the acid, let it sit overnight and then put it on a slow charge for a day or so. Doing this will make sure the acid soaks into all the plates and when you go to charge it it will not damage the battery.

Hope this helps.

PS You might want to relay this info to your dealer so he does it properly the next time.