There are several reasons why an ATV battery keeps running out of charge. It can be a frustrating experience for any rider. Identifying the underlying cause is the first step to finding a lasting solution for the problem.
If your ATV battery keeps draining, it could probably be because of any of the following reasons:
Low Electrolyte Levels in the Battery
If your ATV battery is a lead-acid type, you should check the electrolyte levels. low fluid levels in the battery makes it not to function properly. Such a battery may not take, or hold a charge.
Loose or Corroded Ground Cable Connection
Another possible reason is a loose or damaged main ground cable that goes from the battery to the bike frame. This prevents the charging system from topping off your battery when riding and may even cause small drains of the battery.
Sulfation
Lead-acid ATV batteries are built with a lead and lead oxide plates, both of which are in constant contact with liquid sulfuric acid. As the battery discharges or gets used up, it leaves a buildup of lead sulfate crystals on the plates and dilutes the sulfuric acid. This process is what is known as sulfation, and would normally be reversed when the battery gets charged again. However, for several reasons, the sulfation will harden and build-up on the plates, and won’t be reversed to electrolyte under normal charging.
An alternative solution people give to sulfation is using desulfation kits. Check out this post we did about the efficacy of desulfation kits.
Bad or Old Battery
Of course, you can’t rule out your battery is bad or old as the reason it keeps draining charge. All batteries are bound to die at some point, and depending on use, it can happen faster than you had anticipated. Generally, ATV batteries don’t last as long as car batteries.
Does an ATV Charge Its Own Battery?
An ATV uses a stator or magneto system, located on the inside of the ATV’s engine, to charge its own battery. The stator generates an electric charge continuously anytime the engine is running. Some of the electricity generated is used to power the different electrical components of the bike. What is left is used to charge the battery. A regulator rectifier converts the alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) before it can be used to charge the ATV battery.
How Do I Know If My ATV Battery is Bad?
To know if you have a bad battery, you need to perform a load test. The test will tell you if your battery can hold a high enough voltage level under heavy load, usually 9.6 volts. Preferably, you will need a load-tester to do this test, but you can also do it using a multimeter with a min/max function, though it’s not that accurate.
Here is how you perform a load test:
- Make sure the open-circuit voltage available in your battery is more than 12.4V (at least 75%) before you start the test. To check, put your meter to DC voltage setting and connect the leads to the battery. If you cannot reach above 12.4V by charging, most likely the battery is too sulfated. If you can’t get it to charge above 10.5V, you likely have a bad battery.
- Push the min/max button to start recording the voltage.
- Push the ATV starter. This will draw lots of current from the battery for a short while. It doesn’t matter whether your bike starts or not.
- Turn the bike off, and take a look at the readings. If your lower reading is below 9.6V, the battery is bad. It no longer holds sufficient charge.
Another way is to simply test if it holds a charge. To do that, disconnect both terminals and fully charge it. Then, use a multimeter to measure the voltage. If it still loses its charge after a couple of days, then you likely have a bad battery. If it doesn’t, then your draining problem is likely not the battery itself.
Will an ATV Run Without a Battery?
Yes, Most ATV’s run without a battery. They have a magneto and a pull start. However, it’s not advisable as it can damage the electrical system and other components, especially if the engine is revved a lot. If you are going to use the ATV without a battery, the best thing to do is to leave the old battery connected even though it doesn’t have any charge. This helps avoid a short circuit.
How Do You Fix a Dead ATV Battery?
There are several ways for fixing a dead ATV battery that you can try:
Compression starting
This technique is about tricking the ATV into starting. It involves turning the engine with the help of tires, thus making it easy to start the engine. Once your engine is on, the battery will get charged as you drive the ATV. For this technique, follow these steps:
- Try starting your ATV by turning the key. If your ATV has a run switch, turn it on.
- Use the second gear since the first gear requires a lot of torque to turn the motor.
- Roll your ATV very quickly, keeping the clutch pressed in. Then get on the ATV and let the clutch up.
- Give it some gas to start it quickly and as soon as the engine starts, pull the clutch in so that you don’t start jerking if the engine sputters.
Using Epsom salts to desulfate a battery
If your battery is sulfated because you don’t use it for a long time, you can revive it by removing the residue using Epsom salts. Make sure you put on gloves and safety goggles and follow these steps:
- Remove the seat of your ATV.
- Disconnect the cables from the battery terminals and take the battery out.
- Heat about half a liter of water and add about 8 ounces of Epsom salt in it.
- Let the water and salt mix thoroughly.
- Then take the caps off the battery cells and pour the solution inside the cells.
- Screw the caps back once the cells are full.
- Connect your battery with a charger and completely charge it.
Jump starting with another ATV
For this, you need another ATV with a working battery and jumper cables. Then follow these steps:
- Remove the ATV seat and remove the battery.
- Connect the jumper cables with the ATV which has a good battery.
- Then connect the other sides of the jumper cable with the ATV which has a dead battery.
- Start up the ATV with bad battery once through with the connections. Disconnect the jumper cables, starting with the positive terminals, once it starts up.
Jump Starting with a Car
For this, follow similar steps as those of jumping the dead battery with another ATV. Wear shoes with rubber soles when doing this, and avoid touching the battery terminals.
Check this too: How to Recondition a Car Battery that Won’t hold Charge
Depending on the issue with your ATV battery, these solutions may or may not always work. The ultimate solution for dealing with a faulty battery is to replace it with a new one. It could actually save you the trouble.
How Long Do ATV Batteries Last?
On average, ATV batteries can last 3 to 5 years. It depends on a number of factors like proper charging, climate and accessories among other things. Sealed batteries typically last about twice as long as a conventional lead-acid battery.