To to avoid wasting time boosting or troubleshooting your snowmobile battery, it’s important to keep it in top working condition. Here’s what you should know.
Signs Your Battery Isn’t Charging Properly
The first thing you should do if your snowmobile won’t start is to inspect your battery for physical damage. If it’s bulging, or you notice excessive corrosion, broken terminals or discolouration, don’t try to charge it. Your battery is compromised and will need to be replaced.
However, if there’s no physical damage to the battery, you should try to jumpstart it. In a situation where the battery doesn’t reach more than 10.5 volts while charging, or if it registers less than 12.4 volts when fully charged, the battery needs to be replaced. You can continue to safely use your snowmobile, but you’ll need a new battery by the end of the season.
Snowmobile Battery Maintenance Tips
The lifespan of your snowmobile battery will largely depend on how well you maintain it. If regularly maintained, snowmobile batteries can last up to five years. However, if you ignore your battery during the off-season, it may only last you one winter.
Here are two things you can do to ensure you get the most out of your snowmobile battery:
Clean it. Make sure your battery remains in top condition by regularly removing dirt and grime from the terminals. If these components corrode, it can shorten the lifespan of your battery and prevent it from starting. In addition, make sure you keep the connectors and cable ends clean to maintain a strong connection.
Use a trickle or smart charger. One of the main reasons why snowmobile batteries need to be frequently replaced is that they don’t get charged regularly. Since snowmobiles are seasonal vehicles, they often sit idle for months at a time. Eventually, disuse will cause the battery to discharge, which can significantly reduce its lifespan.
At times when you’re not riding your snowmobile, it’s important to use a trickle or smart charger to maintain the battery's charge so it's ready to go when you need it.
Can You Jumpstart a Snowmobile Battery?
If your snowmobile battery is completely dead, the good news is that you can jumpstart it the same way you would a car battery. Since snowmobiles and cars both use 12V batteries, you can use your vehicle to give it a boost. In addition, you may want to consider purchasing a portable boost pack to jumpstart your snowmobile when you’re on the go.
Snowmobile Batteries in The Prairie Provinces
If you’re having battery troubles, the experts at Prairie Battery can help. Our team will quickly find the right solution so you can get back to riding. In addition, we carry several different brands of snowmobile batteries to suit any budget. Contact us today to find out more about our products and services at a location near you.