Battery Removal
- Thread starter Calvin42
- Start date
One vote for trickle. I used a trickle charger that has a "float" mode that cuts off the current when it gets above a fixed voltage. Then starts backup when the internal voltage drops as it self discharges. Not all trickle chargers are the same. I had a buddy with the exact same sled as me, I trickled he did not, my battery lasted 5 years and I sold it with the sled, his lasted 3 years and he replaced it. They were both stored in garages.
Another note: alternators will not fully charge a battery, for that you need a battery charger with the absorption charge mode and then a good trickle after, that will allow continuous trickle at the right amount that won't over charge the battery. If you leave the battery at a low charge it will sulfate and can freeze left outdoors. The freezing point of the battery is dependent on the level of charge.
Cinno
Last edited:
Battery
I leave it in the sled connected to a trickle charger harness that I installed. I have four sleds with batteries on trickle charges in my enclosed trailer on shore power.
I leave it in the sled connected to a trickle charger harness that I installed. I have four sleds with batteries on trickle charges in my enclosed trailer on shore power.
Warning about trickle charging in a cold garage
Most people do not realize that charging voltage is a function of temperature. The typical automotive alternator will change voltage as a function of temp but it doesn't have the absorption charge mode so it gets the battery to about 85~90%. A snowmobile does not have temp comp so its a little lower. If you trickle charge with a standard off the self charger they typically do not have temp comp and therefore will not maintain the battery like you think. So the best way is to remove the battery from the sled, bring it indoors and use a good 3 stage (bulk,absorption,trickle) battery charger. To find a charger that is temp compensated search and you will find most RV chargers perform that function.
This is what i do for my summer car that is stored in the winter.
Since we ride the sled in the winter, why would trickle in the winter? no reason but I have a trail sled I rarely use and trickling it in the cold garage is like not doing anything at all.
To be clear if charging your sled in a hot garage /100 deg with an uncompensated charger will over charge the battery.
Cinno
Most people do not realize that charging voltage is a function of temperature. The typical automotive alternator will change voltage as a function of temp but it doesn't have the absorption charge mode so it gets the battery to about 85~90%. A snowmobile does not have temp comp so its a little lower. If you trickle charge with a standard off the self charger they typically do not have temp comp and therefore will not maintain the battery like you think. So the best way is to remove the battery from the sled, bring it indoors and use a good 3 stage (bulk,absorption,trickle) battery charger. To find a charger that is temp compensated search and you will find most RV chargers perform that function.
This is what i do for my summer car that is stored in the winter.
Since we ride the sled in the winter, why would trickle in the winter? no reason but I have a trail sled I rarely use and trickling it in the cold garage is like not doing anything at all.
To be clear if charging your sled in a hot garage /100 deg with an uncompensated charger will over charge the battery.
Cinno
Last edited:
Temp Comp
Glad my charger is temp compensated.
Glad my charger is temp compensated.
1. All batteries will self-discharge as they sit unused.
2. The lower and longer they self-discharge, the harder they are to recover.
3. Alternators are a poor substitute for recovering discharged batteries.
4. Small batteries are harder to recover, are faster to self-discharge, and will have a much shorter life if they are subject to the self-discharge/alternator recovery cycle.
Get a good trickle charger(s) designed for the battery type(s) you have. Use them regularly, including the riding season. You'll be well-rewarded. I don't leave a charger connected continuously in the off season - connect it every 30 days to each battery for a limited time, all on a bench where I can easily check V's with the multi-meter (but I also have at least four on the bench at any time between sleds and bikes).
