Snowmobile Batteries

Traveling through deep snow, you want to be sure that your sled’s battery is in good working order to start your vehicle each time it’s needed. Due to seasonal use and extreme operating conditions snowmobile batteries are exposed to, they require regular maintenance and more frequent replacements than the batteries for other powersports applications. That’s why if you notice poor engine starting or headlight dimming, don’t try your luck hoping you will be able to start your sled the next time. A timely replacement of a poor battery will prevent you from appearing somewhere in the middle of the trail or in the midst of the forest unable to start your snowmobile.

Subfreezing temperatures adversely affect not only the service life of your snowmobile battery but also its cranking power. The performance of your sled battery reduces in direct proportion to the temperature, and this can happen even with a brand-new battery. With that in mind, snowmobile batteries are designed and manufactured to have high cranking power and capacity to ensure a successful start each and every time the driver turns the ignition key. That’s why when purchasing a new replacement battery for your snowmobile, choose the one with the highest CCA rating (a measure of the power the battery produces to start your sled).

All snowmobile batteries can be divided into two major groups: full-maintenance and maintenance-free batteries. The first one includes conventional (acid filled) batteries with removable caps. Such batteries feature metal plates inside the housing that form cells and are filled with electrolyte. The level of electrolyte must be checked on a regular basis and maintained at the proper level. In the event it goes below the level of the Min mark on the battery due to a leak or evaporation caused by improper operation of your charging system, it may lead to a short circuit or premature failure of the battery.

Maintenance-free batteries come in various designs and are made implementing different modern technologies. This group of batteries includes wet cell batteries that do not have removable caps and feature vents instead of them. Gel cell batteries and AGM (absorbed glass mat) batteries are also included in this group. Both of them are non-spillable and better resist vibration compared to conventional batteries. The main difference is the materials that are used to separate the plates inside the housing. As their name says, gel batteries are filled with a special liquid that has the consistency and look of petroleum jelly, while AGM ones use sponge-like glass mat separators to absorb electrolyte.

When summing up what type of battery it’s better to choose, then you may select just about any battery we’ve discussed given that it meets the requirements and specifications of your snowmobile. When speaking about the most effective battery for your sled, then you may opt for an AGM one. This battery provides the finest cranking power and offers excellent resistance to vibration and subzero temperatures. All batteries are crafted to offer high dependability and long-lasting value. The one thing to be kept in mind is that if you choose a full-maintenance battery, regular checks are supposed to be done for its long-lasting, hassle-free performance.