Selecting the correct battery for your ATV is a significant task. Using a wrong battery for your ATV is going to lead to mechanical problem with the ATV. Using an undersized battery or a battery with a weak charge will make it dificult to start the ATV.
Additionally, the weak charge in the battery will make the ATV starter wear out more fast. Other problems caused by using a battery with a weak charge include placing stress on the charging system for the ATV and leaving the persons on the ATV stranded when the ATV will not start. To prevent these problems, use the chart to find the correct battery capacity and size for the ATV model that you own.
How to Choose the Right Battery for Your ATV
Most ATVs use 12-volt sealed battery that follow the YTX battery format. This battery format uses letters and numbers to convey information about the battery. The letters and numbers tells you about the terminal layout for the battery and the battery capacity.
Additionally, the battery format will tell you if the positive post on the battery is on the left or the right side of the battery case. Use this information to read the chart to find the correct battery sizes for your ATV. The smaller the number for the YTX battery format, the less amp-hour and cold-cranking amps the battery will have.
A larger number mean that the battery will have more amp-hour and cold-cranking amps. The chart lists batteries according to the type of ATV that uses the battery. Youth ATVs that have engines that are under 100 cc will require less power to start than larger ATVs, so use the smallest batteries for these types of ATVs.
Sport ATVs has engines between 250 cc and 450 cc. They will require more battery power than youth ATVs. For midsize utility and large-sized 600 cc to 1000 cc ATVs, the engines will require more power.
Additionally, many of these large-sized ATVs have winches or lights that draw on the battery to power the ATV’s accessories even if the engine is off. Cold-cranking amps, or CCA, show the power that the battery can provide in cold weather. The battery might be able to start the ATV in July when it is warm outside.
However, the same battery might not have enough CCA to start the ATV in January when it is cold outside. The larger the size of the battery, the more CCA the battery will have. This increase is not consistent for each YTX battery size.
Some YTX batteries will have a small increase in CCA for higher YTX sizes and other YTX batteries will have a large increase in CCA for higher YTX sizes. This information can help you decide between two different batteries that will fit into the same battery tray on the ATV. In addition to the information regarding the batterys size and CCA, the chart lists the physical dimensions of the battery.
Make sure that the battery fits into the battery compartment of the ATV. A battery that is too tall or too wide for the battery compartment will not work correct for the ATV. Do not force the battery into the compartment as this can damage the battery or the compartment for the ATV.
The length, width, and height of the batteries increase according to the size of the battery. Use these dimensions to check the size of the battery compartment for your ATV. Additionally, the example models for each battery use these dimensions so that you can also use this information to confirm the size of the battery that your ATV requires.
One of the factors to consider for the battery that you buy is the chemistry of the battery. For many model ATVs, the type of battery to use is the lead-acid battery. For these types of batteries, you will need to check the water level in the battery and make sure that the battery remains in an upright position.
Moddern replacement batteries are usually AGM batteries. AGM batteries dont require maintenance like the lead-acid batteries do. Another type of battery is the lithium battery.
However, the cost of these batteries is higher and they also require a specific charger. The size of the battery, as listed in the YTX code, will be the same for all battery chemistries for a specific ATV model. Therefore, you will need to also consider the chemistry of the battery when you purchase a new battery for your ATV.
When you install a battery into your ATV, make sure that you do not make any mistakes. Always connect the positive battery cable first before connecting the negative battery cable. Connecting the negative battery cable first can lead to the development of a short circuit between the two batteries.
Make sure to charge the new battery before you begin to use the battery for your ATV. This initial charge will help the battery. Do not use a standard automotive battery charger for AGM batteries as the charger can overheat the battery.
Many ATV models requires specific sizes of batteries as listed in the chart. This chart can save you time as you search for the correct battery for your ATV. However, you should also verify that the size of the battery on the ATV that you have now will match the information on the chart.
The battery compartment might vary for different model years of the ATV. Additionally, there are many aftermarket accessories for ATVs that will change the battery requirement for your ATV. You should replace the battery for your ATV if the battery is more than three year old.
Additionally, if your ATV will not start due to the slow cranking of the battery, it is time to replace the battery. If the battery case for your ATV is swollen or bulging, then the battery have failed and you must remove the battery from the ATV as soon as possible. Additionally, to save yourself the difficulty of replacing the battery when the ATV breaks down in the woods, you should also replace the battery before it fails completely.
When the battery for your ATV is set to the correct size and chemistry, the ATV starter and charging systems will work correctly.
