Do Snowmobiles Have Batteries: (Buyers Guide)

Snowmobile and many car batteries typically produce 12 volts, but that doesn’t mean all 12 v batteries are interchangeable. If your sled uses battery power, it’s best to check your new battery for compatibility with your model before buying for a correct fit.

Do snowmobiles have batteries? I’ll teach you all about this vital power source so you can locate, validate and change your sled’s batteries.

Modern snowmobiles come with a sealed 12-volt lead-acid YUASA power sport battery. Although lithium-ion batteries exist for snowmobiles, they aren’t usually what you get on stock models. You can’t run your sled without a battery because the stored energy inside is how you turn on the ignition and run your electrical systems.

Is There A Battery In A Snowmobile

There is a battery in every snowmobile, except the type made to run off a pull-start-only ignition system.

Until our solar technology or another alternate source becomes viable for powering a snowmobile, we need those batteries to provide a spark that ignites the motor.

If your sled’s battery dies, you can jumpstart it from another snowmobile or a car since both use 12-volt batteries.

A running snowmobile will recharge your battery as you ride.

Snowgoer had this to say about charging your battery, “The voltage must be slightly higher than that of the battery to be able to charge the battery. The magnetos on most snowmobile engines mount charging coils to power the ignition systems, and lighting coils to power all other electrical devices…”

Do All Snowmobiles Use The Same Kind Of Battery

All snowmobiles can use the same kind of battery, but it doesn’t mean they all do.

Some older models use the non-electric start, pulling a cord to start the engine just as you would on a lawn mower.

You can modify these for an electric start, but if they don’t have it already, you may not find a battery inside. Most modern snowmobiles do use batteries.

Although all sled batteries are 12 volts, there are significant differences between brands and types of batteries you can use.

For example, choose a sealed AGM or OEM battery or opt for lithium-ion. Some batteries take longer to install.

The time it takes to change your battery, its performance, and its longevity all vary based on what you choose to use.

Stock batteries are typically sealed OEMs, but upgrading to a better one can give you added years of use before you need a replacement.

Maintenance is also a factor in battery life. There are maintenance-free batteries, but most require some upkeep.

If you don’t occasionally pull everything out and ensure that you dust, check for corrosion, and remove any debris, your battery won’t last very long.

Does My Snowmobile Need A Battery

Although it can technically run without one, your snowmobile does need a battery.

The battery in your sled is meant to store energy and provide a spark to turn on the whole machine.

The initial charge to run the entire thing comes from your battery to an induction coil that sends power to your spark plugs.

Other electrical systems, surprisingly, may not need the battery while your snowmobile is running.

Your alternator uses magnets and a coil of copper wire to generate and direct electrical energy.

This is the part that charges the battery while your sled is turned on and also runs power to accessories like lights and heated grips.

Running your snowmobile without a functional battery can cause damage to the electrical system.

Unless it is an emergency, I strongly recommend you only run your sled when it has a functioning battery inside.

Where Is The Battery Located On A Snowmobile

Your snowmobile battery should be located in plain sight under the hood.

On older model snowmobiles with hoods, you can lift easily, you should see the squarish body of your battery on either the right side of the open engine compartment.

Unfortunately, sometimes the Air Box partially covers the battery compartment because of design quirks, and not all batteries are in the same spot.

Depending on the model, some Polaris batteries are on the right-hand side of the sled’s body.

Since this brand can be challenging to get inside, I recommend checking out this video from Polaris Snowmobiles to see how to locate and remove a battery on models Pro-RMK 155, 163, and 174 3.0 Track with 600, 800, and 850 engines.

They walk you through opening up the machine step by step.

How Long Does A Snowmobile Battery Last

Not all snowmobile batteries are built the same. However, you can generally rely on a new battery for at least 2 to 5 years.

Lower-quality components in cheaper batteries tend to wear out faster. They also tend to have more problems, so upgrading your battery to a reliable brand with excellent working life expectancy and reliable warranties is worth it.

If you don’t use your battery regularly, it can die on you. Running the engine keeps your snowmobile battery charged, so letting it sit too long is never a good idea.

You only need to run the engine for about 15 minutes to get a full charge.

Snowmobile How reminds everyone that you should turn your sled on more often than you might expect. ” You might not think that a few months in the garage can cause many problems, but ideally, you should start the engine once a week, even during the warmer months.”

How To Install Snowmobile Battery

Installing a snowmobile battery is the sort of DIY most sled owners can handle easily. You don’t need special tools; only one part might be in the way.

Disconnecting and reconnecting batteries is simple because they are typically color-coded and clearly labeled.

Follow the steps below to install your snowmobile battery in just a few minutes.

• Turn off your snowmobile and remove the keys. You don’t want to deal with any accidentally live components.

• Pop the hood and locate the old or missing battery.

• Verify your replacement battery by checking to see if it is compatible with your machine.

• (Optional as needed) remove the Air Box to gain access to the battery compartment.

• Remove the black wire. This one is negative and used for grounding and should be safely placed so the exposed end doesn’t touch anything, especially the metal components of your sled. Please do not remove the red wire first.

• Once your black wire is carefully out of the way, you can remove the red wire. Keep in mind that these two wires should never touch tips. Place your red wire safely away from the black wire to ensure no discharge arcs between them.

• Your newly disconnected battery should come out of its housing relatively easily. Never apply excessive pressure; you could damage the used battery or even make it impossible to seat the new one. Instead, check for debris or other obstructions and gently remove whatever is in the way.

• A properly fitting new battery should slot into the previous position with little to no trouble.

• Now you connect things in reverse order. Start with the red wire, then the black, and only put the Air Box back (if necessary) after everything else is done.

• You should be able to close the hood and start your snowmobile now. It’s a good idea to test it out briefly, even if you don’t plan to go for a ride right away.

Pro Tip: Always clean and inspect your battery compartment and the surrounding area before placing a fresh battery inside. Doing this helps ensure the new battery works correctly and contributes to the overall maintenance of your sled.

Best Snowmobile Battery

Last update on 2024-04-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Amazon’s Weize YTX20L-BS High-Performance Power Sports Sealed AGM Battery is the best snowmobile battery.

This easy-to-install, maintenance-free battery will provide all the power you need. At just 12.78 pounds, these small yet powerful batteries won’t weigh you down.

John Cleveland says, “The battery came with full power ready to use. Easy install. Looks like a quality battery. To new to talk about longevity. Has plenty of power to start my four-stroke turbo snowmobile on a cold day.”

Vikingsfan1 added, “I ordered two of these for my two snowmobiles, and they came fully charged bolt on and go! Two cost less than one from a local battery place…”

The Weize Store has excellent customer service. They offer 30-day returns and 1-year limited warranties.

You can have a YTX20L-BS delivered to your door quickly by clicking right here.

Helpful Tips To Know About Snowmobile Batteries

All snowmobiles use batteries to turn on, even those with pull-start cords that can technically bypass the ignition.

Using a voltmeter, you can check the power of a battery you suspect of low voltage.

Here are more helpful tips to know about snowmobile batteries.

• It’s not always visually apparent when you need a new snowmobile battery. However, it’s critical to pay attention anytime you can see something wrong. A dirty battery can be cleaned, but you need a new battery immediately if there are cracks, corrosion, or leaks.

• When the battery dies on your snowmobile, you may be able to get it going again with a pull-start if you have an EFI-type engine. However, running without proper battery power is not recommended for long as it can damage electrical systems. Always replace or recharge your dead snowmobile batteries as soon as possible.

• Jump starting a snowmobile from another snowmobile is borrowing some of the charge off of that machine’s battery. Afterward, you should always run both sleds for about 15 minutes to ensure both batteries are fully recharged and ready to go.

• Snowmobile batteries work best when they’re putting out 12.8 volts; by the time they drop to 12.2 v, they are likely to start having problems.

Final Thoughts

Snowmobiles have batteries because they need the stored energy to help start the motor. Your ignition system needs a spark, and that takes power.

You can sometimes pull-start a snowmobile engine without a battery, but you’ll still need to jumpstart or replace the dead battery immediately to avoid damage to your system.

Batteries are essential to the safe and regular operation of most modern snowmobiles.