How to Find a Replacement Battery for your Snowmobile

When the snow starts coming down, the snowmobiles come out. In the northern states of the U.S, throughout Canada and Alaska and many countries in Northern Europe, people rely on their snowmobiles as their primary transport vehicle. For others, it may be for recreation or hunting purposes. Whatever the use, the snowmobile is a valuable asset for many. 

Tips for Storing Snowmobiles in Summer Months

To help maximize the lifespan of your snowmobile battery, there are a few things you'll want to do during the summer months.

• Use a Battery Maintainer (Crucial!): This is the most important step. A battery left idle will slowly self-discharge, leading to a condition called sulfation, which shortens its life. Use a high-quality trickle charger or battery tender designed to maintain the charge without overcharging it. Connect it for the entire storage period or at least check and recharge the battery once a month.
• Remove and Store Separately: It is generally recommended to remove the battery from the sled for long-term storage. Store it in a cool, dry location that is away from direct sunlight, moisture, and extreme heat or freezing temperatures. A basement or garage is often ideal.
• Clean and Inspect: Before storing and hooking up the maintainer clean the terminals and connections to remove any dirt or corrosion (white/blue/brown build-up), which can hinder charging and performance. You can use a solution of baking soda and water to clean corrosion.
• Check Voltage: Use a voltmeter to ensure your battery is fully charged (ideally above 12.6 Volts) before putting it into storage. If it's below 12.5V, charge it immediately to prevent the risk of sulfation.

The challenge with snowmobiles and many powersports vehicles, is that they operate in extreme conditions. Temperatures often get extremely cold, often in rough terrain and at high altitudes all of which can impact a battery performance. Poor performance can ultimately lead to difficulty starting which, if in remote and extreme conditions, can be life threatening.

Pre-Winter Snowmobile Checks

We like to follow a few key things when getting snowmobiles batteries ready for action:

1. Know When to Replace It (The "Test, Don't Guess" Rule)

A typical, well-maintained snowmobile battery lasts 3 to 5 years. If your battery is approaching or past this age, consider proactive replacement, especially if you ride in remote areas.

• Test Voltage After Charging: After removing the battery from the tender and letting it rest for an hour, use a multimeter to check the static voltage.
  • 12.6-12.8 Volts: Fully charged (Ready to go).
  • Below 12.4 Volts: Indicates a loss of charge-holding capacity (needs further testing or replacement).
  • Below 10.5 Volts (After Charging) Indicates a dead cell. Replace immediately.
• Physical Inspection: Look closely at the battery case:
  • Replace immediately if you see swelling, cracks, bulges, excessive leaking, or melted terminals. This is a sign of internal damage or short-circuiting and poses a safety risk.

2. Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) Check

CCA is a measure of how much power your battery can deliver at 0°F (-18°C). For snowmobiles, CCA is everything.

• Professional Load Test: The only way to accurately measure the remaining CCA is with a professional battery load tester (often available for free at auto parts stores or dealers). A battery can show high voltage but still fail a load test due to low CCA.
• Your Goal: The measured CCA should be close to or above the rating printed on your battery or listed in your owner's manual. If the CCA is significantly lower, the battery will struggle to turn the engine over when the temperature drops.

3. Cold Weather Strategy

• Final Charge Before Cold: Ensure the battery is at 100% charge before exposing it to deep freezing temperatures. A fully charged battery resists freezing better than a discharged one.

4. Cleaning and Secure Connection

• Clean Terminals: Even if they were cleaned in the spring, wipe down the battery terminals and cable ends with a wire brush or sandpaper to ensure maximum conductivity.
• Secure Connection: Ensure the cables are connected tightly to the terminals, as a loose connection can cause poor starting, prevent proper charging from the stator, and even lead to melting.

Battery Replacement Considerations

When it comes time to replace your current battery which is no longer performing at its best, here are a few things to look for.

1. CCA - all batteries have a measurement for rating performance in cold temperatures called Cold Cranking Amps (CCA). Essentially the higher the number, the greater its ability to start in the cold.
2. Size and Layout - certainly one of the last things you want is for the battery to be getting tossed around so make sure it fits snugly in place. Some may also may be seated in a slight angle so having a battery that can handle that is critical (AGM for example)
3. Compatibility - an incompatible battery will significantly impact a snowmobile's performance and even in many instances, the snowmobile won't start at all.

These three options above should give you a good start in your replacement search. A few other things to note.

• Freshness is important so buying a battery straight out of the factory is going to perform better than one sitting on a shelf for months. A popular store like BatteryClerk who has a large turnover of batteries is your best bet.
• Warranties are important so make sure there's at least 30 days
• Maintaining a charge through the offseason can help extend its left. A trickle charger is a worthwhile investment.

Whether using your snowmobile for work or pleasure, making sure that it starts every time is crucial, and in some instances, essential. Having a replacement snowmobile battery that is reliable and can handle extreme conditions is a worthwhile investment and gives you one less thing to worry about when you're braving the conditions.