Given the myriads of ATV batteries in the powersports stores, it might be overwhelming for a novice powersports enthusiast to reach the right battery. So, how to choose your ATV battery that lasts longer and offers stable support in the trails?
To be precise, selecting an ATV battery requires careful consideration of its type, required voltage, size compatibility with your machine model, and CCA rating for optimal performance in any weather condition you may encounter while using your vehicle.
To avoid the slightest mistake, you should dive deep into every point mentioned and more as this component plays a crucial role in making or breaking your day. ATVNotes team has examined nearly all relevant articles across the net, consulted with the experts in the industry, and gathered every bit of information before offering a guide for you.
So, don’t break your leg, choose the ATV battery to make your next journey an amazing one.
Jump To Contents
Crucial Considerations When Choosing Battery for Your ATV
Battery plays a critical rule to start your motor and charge your electrical components in an ATV or any vehicle.
But when the question is of off-road adventure like ATV riding, you must prioritize battery capacity, power, cycle life, CCA, AH rating, and all that make an ATV battery sustain the off-road trails journey and extra power required by the winch. To get the max when you are involved in powersports, the basic features and technological sophistication cannot escape your scrutiny while buying a new ATV battery.
Types of ATV Battery
Knowing in-depth about the Battery types merits attention to pick the right one for your sports. There are three options to choose from.
Flooded
Flooded lead acid batteries are the best if you have basic use. They are the most affordable ATV battery but usually do not last more than 2-3 years. They are not completely sealed like AGM or Lithium batteries, so when recharging, they lose water due to evaporation. You have to add deionized or distilled water from time to time to offset this water loss. Otherwise, the battery will get corroded and deteriorate faster leading to premature expiration.
AGM
AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) batteries are completely packed and maintenance-free. AGM batteries easily absorb electrolytes and hold the liquid correctly because they have layers of glass fibers in-between their lead plates. It is fully spill-proof as it is compactly sealed. Unlike flooded batteries, AGM batteries have a one-way pressure valve that prevents gases from evaporating, so you don’t require adding extra water.
The electrolyte of an AGM battery is kept in status in a series of fiberglass plate separators. That is why AGM batteries are better than flooded batteries. They have a longer life span, slower discharge rates, and faster recharge times than flooded batteries. They are more tolerant to extreme hot and cold temperatures and more resistant to vibrations.
As for price, they have more upfront costs than flooded batteries, but AGM batteries prove to be cheaper in the long run as they are far more durable.
Lithium
Lithium iron phosphate batteries are the Best ATV battery available in the marketplace. They are the lightest, safest, and fastest than any other battery type. They have four times longer life span and charge at least two times faster than others because of their better chemistry. They discharge very slowly and are 55 percent lighter than flooded lead acid batteries. They cost more upfront price. However, they have a much longer life span of around 8-10 years, so you end up saving more money in the long run.
How to Find the Best ATV battery?
Once you have determined the type of battery, you have a long hour of scrutiny left. Now, you have to find the best ATV battery in the type you have favored. For this you have to have in-depth knowledge of battery basics. Don’t worry. If you ensure the following factors in your target battery, it’s done.
Cold Cranking amps (CCA)
CCA rating measures how well your battery will perform in extreme cold weather conditions and is crucial for good cranking ability. While going for batteries meant for off-road sports, this is a critical consideration. Though ATV riding is done mostly in summer and hot climate, it is not unlikely to encounter cold and rough weather at times. Grossly, a battery offering 500 CCA should suffice to jump start your ATV in any adverse weather.
Cycle Life
ATV riding means to beat the beaten track and so robust battery with higher cycle life is crucial. As a consequence, you may need to recharge it more frequently than other lighter vehicle batteries. The more the battery life cycles, the longer the service life and less often you need to replace a battery. The top-end battery offers as long as 3000 battery life cycles.
Battery group size
Choose a battery size that best compliments the physical dimension of the battery box of your vehicle. So, you better know the dimensions of your ATV battery box and go for a battery to house it fitted in that box. If you see it enjoys a little bit of wiggle space after sitting, it’s not a concern. Some vehicles can also accommodate two or more group sizes.
Voltage
Battery voltage plays a crucial role in determining the performance and longevity of your vehicle. The voltage rating of a battery refers to the amount of electrical power that it can deliver to your ATV’s engine. Too little or too much power can damage your vehicle’s electrical system.
If you choose a battery with insufficient voltage, it may not supply enough energy to start the engine, leading to frequent starting problems. Conversely, if you select an overpowered battery, it may overload and damage the electrical components of your ATV. Which is why most ATVs require batteries with a specific voltage range.
It’s common knowledge and the standard for ATV operation is a 12-volt system. But do not get confused when your battery shows up 13 volts or more after fully charged.
AH Rating – Ampere-Hour
This is often overlooked by the novice ATV riders but AH rating refers to the capacity of the battery. It is the amount of electric output from the battery while in use – from fully charged to healthy discharge level- counted as amp per hour increments.
Say, an ATV battery of 6Ah will discharge 6 amperes of current/electricity at continuous and consistent voltage over an hour of duration. So, to go for the max AH rating will keep empowering the vehicle engine with more energy but the standard Amp rating for ATV battery is 10-20 Ah. Reminder, the lead-acid battery amperage drops with time and may not discharge at the same rate to the fag end.
ATV Battery Price/Budget
“You get what you pay for” is the norm while shopping for ATV battery. As per the price range and service life, you can categorize ATV battery into three groups:
Decent Quality at Cheap Price: You can avail an ATV battery at $50 that will not serve for extended period. For durable battery option you have to spend much. But for starters and occasional riders, they are not bad.
Good Quality: If you want to have a battery at reasonable price without compromising quality and durability, it will cost up to $100. They will provide sufficient CCA and AH rating.
Premium Quality at High-end Price: The premium quality batteries manufactured by the trusted ATV battery brands will claim a higher upfront cost but in terms of durability and services – longer period charge holding, CCA, and AH rating – they save a huge lot.
These higher-end exclusive batteries will cost more than $100. Extra durability and good performance are the crucial factors that can be expected only in premium quality batteries.
What You Shouldn’t Overlook in an ATV Battery
Compatibility: Often an overlooked point but if your battery is not compatible with the charging device, even the huge investment in a premium quality battery will go futile. Any battery incompatible with the charging system will cause severe charging issues like unusually shorter or longer charging period.
To be clearer, an ATV battery should have a charger with 1/10th of the battery capacity to charge without issue. A battery charger with lower and higher than the said charging rate will overcharge and undercharge within the designated charging time. Both scenarios are risky and so ensuring the suggested capacity of the charging system with the battery capacity is crucial.
Reserve Capacity: Look at the manual of your vehicle for the original manufacturer’s recommendations for Reserve Capacity (RC). RC powers the vehicle’s electrical system when the alternator fails. It determines how long the battery can supply power without failing below the voltage required to run your ATV. A good reserve capacity for an ATV battery to support powersports vehicles run on off-road trails is 25 amps.
Weight: Weight matters much when there is a race to win. You don’t want extra weight bogs you down while the stake is to go as fast as possible.
Does ATV Battery Need Maintenance and Care?
Proper ATV battery care and maintenance can ensure your vehicle remains reliable on every adventure. A well-maintained battery will extend its lifespan and contribute to better overall performance of your ATV. Investing time in proper care now will save you from potential headaches down the road and prevent the battery from.
Read Also: How to Revive a Dead ATV Battery?
Here are some tips on how to care for and maintain your ATV battery:
- Keep the battery clean and dry. Dirt and grime can build up on the battery terminals and cause corrosion, leading to poor performance or even a dead battery. To clean the terminals, use a wire brush and baking soda solution.
- Check the electrolyte level regularly. Conventional lead-acid batteries require you to check the electrolyte level and add distilled water as needed. AGM batteries are maintenance-free, but you should check the electrolyte level every few months.
- Charge the battery regularly. Even if you don’t use your ATV often, charging the battery every few weeks is a good idea to keep it in good condition.
- Store the battery properly when it’s not in use. When storing your ATV for an extended period, keeping the battery in a cool, dry place is essential. You should also charge the battery every few months to prevent it from discharging.
Here are some additional tips:
- Avoid letting the battery run down entirely.
- Don’t jump-start a battery that is frozen.
- If you’re riding in cold weather, use a battery warmer.
- Replace the battery every 3-5 years or sooner if it shows problems.
Following these tips can help your ATV battery last longer and perform its best.
Frequently Asked Questions-FAQs
What type of battery is best for my ATV?
Like snowmobiles, watercraft, and motorcycles, ATVs also need Powersport batteries. Different types of batteries with different chemistry are available in the market, such as Flooded, AGM, and Lithium-ion phosphate batteries. You can choose the most appropriate one by considering your personal preference.
What Size battery Do I need for My ATV?
The most common size of ATV battery is a 12-volt battery. The actual voltage of a 12-volt battery is usually between 12.6v and 12.8 – and can go all the way to 13.1 volts.
The size of the battery you need will depend on the size and make of your ATV. You can usually find this information in your ATV’s owner’s manual. In general, larger ATVs will require larger batteries.
You should also consider the CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) rating of the battery.
Can I use any battery in my ATV?
No, you cannot use any battery in your ATV. The battery you choose must be the right size, voltage, and CCA rating for your ATV. You can usually find this information in your ATV’s owner’s manual. In addition to the size, voltage, and CCA rating, you should also consider the type of battery.
Here are some of the things that can happen if you use the wrong battery in your ATV:
- The battery may not be able to start your ATV.
- The battery may overheat or explode.
- The battery may damage the electrical system of your ATV.
To avoid these problems, it is important to use the correct battery for your ATV.
How many CCAs should a good ATV battery have?
CCAs (Cold Cranking Amps) measure how well a battery works in cold weather conditions. The more the CCA number, the better it performs in extremely cold conditions. As mentioned earlier, consider at least 500 CCA or above if you are doing your ATV riding in temperatures below zero. If you are not using the battery in cold conditions, consider one with a little low CCA.
If I use a Higher CCA ATV battery, is it better or not?
If you are using the battery in extremely cold weather conditions, then you need a battery with a higher CCA rating. Normally, the higher the number of CCA and RC, the better it is.
What is The Best ATV Battery for You?
Now, you know what to consider when buying an ATV battery. We hope you won’t mind a short recap of the entire process.
First, choose one of the three types that better suits your needs and budget. More CCA and RC batteries are always better to consider. You can also look for your favorite brand and go for brands that produce high-performance batteries to sustain designated load and offer the best after-buying services.
If budget is not an issue, you can invest in Lithium-ion battery by investing a high-end upfront cost. This will save you huge as a well-maintained lithium-ion battery can outlive your ATV and the lightweight and maintenance-free conveniences make it the perfect deal maker.
Conversely if you want to avoid or run short of a huge upfront cost, lead acid batteries are available at the fraction of the Lithium-ion price. Backed by years of service and with significant initial savings in cost, this basic option is unbeatable for starters and occasional off-roaders.
We hope you have got well-covered on how to choose ATV battery and this guide will lead you to the best batteries available in the marketplace.