Can my ATV battery be saved?

[Nick1994]

I have a 2005 Honda Rancher 350 ES 2x4 ATV that I've had since new. The batteries always last about 3-4 years. The battery is probably 3 years old I'd guess. I haven't ridden the ATV a much in the past few years but the first 5 years or so I put close to 3,000 miles on it.

Is there any saving this battery? It's from Walmart. It is bulged out at a point in the battery as if a cell has died. I keep putting it on the charger and it will only charge to 12.4V and then the next day I test it and it is at 12.1V. I topped it off with distilled water and it didn't make a difference. It starts my ATV but cranks pretty slow.

It probably needs replacing but I don't see myself riding the ATV are ally soon so getting a new battery would be a waste. I'm not really interested in buying some new fancy charger or anything like that but I would consider a Harbor a Freight solar panel.

The charger is probably 10-15 years old but works great on other batteries.

Also I always charge it on 12v 2A charge

 

[skyactiv]

You could try the MacGyver battery cable arc trick. At your own risk of course.

 

[raytseng]

Another alternative is to buy a portable Li-Ion jump starter with you and use that when you want to use your ATV.

Then you can also keep that jumper as an emergency pack in your car, so it has some dual purpose.

 

[Bryankkkk]

Hondas ES machines don't like a weak battery and it's not good for your stator to constantly be charging it from nearly dead. I would just replace it and hook a tender to the new one.

 

[toneydoc]

Take it to your local parts store and have them test it. My parts stores are reputable and some times my batteries test out fine.

If you need a new one, get a new one. If you don't use the ATV and do not want to maintain it, then sell it. Just my

 

[CT8]

Buy a new battery and be done with it.

 

[2cool]

Originally Posted By: CT8
Buy a new battery and be done with it.

+1

 

[JHZR2]

Id just buy a new one. When these batteries sit at low state of charge, they sulfate and its tough to reverse it. Even if you do, you'll probably shed some active material, getting a step closer to an internal short.

If I were you, Id buy a new battery when you plan to use it next, and then have a plan with a low amperage smart charger to maintain it.

 

[Nick1994]

Alright I'll replace it. I'll look around to see what the best battery for the money is.

Maybe this is the cause of the electrical issues I've had with it lately, the display isn't working such as the speedometer, odometer, gear selection and clock (all digital display).

It's been an incredible machine, only 3 or 4 times it hasn't started all these years and every time it's been from a dead battery. It hasn't needed a single repair yet.

Actually the only repairs I've done to it are the times I had to bend the racks back together after wrecking it.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[andyd]

My charger is pretty similar to yours. When I charge a dead battery, really dead. Sometimes it won't charge at 2 amps. Like you, I mostly use that. Try a half hour at 10 amps. My sit down mower has a 3 yr old battery from Loews If I think of it, I'll charge it before I start it for the ride to winter storage.

 

[Schmoe]

Spend the money and get a gel battery. Had similar problems on my fuel injected Seadoo. With all those electronics, they will eat a lot of voltage and if it ain't right, the Seadoo is not happy. Get a good trickle charger at Walmart, not that expensive and keep it on the battery when not in use, or take battery out and just leave it on. That way it's ready-freddy when your set to go. If you leave the battery on the machine, disconnect one of the terminals when charging. Those stators do not like reverse charging at all.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

Check in to a CTek charger not just a trickle charger. Some of the models are good for AGM batteries. AGM batteries do not like to be charged the same as regular flooded batteries. They make extra pig tails etc. so you can move the charger.

I saved a couple Optima's using it like in this video Deep discharge Optima they also have a desulfate mode.

You can also pick up a new version tester like the Solar BA9 Battery testing