This pertains to both our atv's and snowmobiles.

I have had electrical problems for the past two years and have come to the conclusion that most of it is my own fault. What I have found out is our batteries for Atv's and Snowmobiles are pretty much the same exact ones. Generally maintenance free or (MF). Maintenance of our snowmobile batteries during off season will give greater longevity to our units.

MY problems seem to come at the same time for year, which is when my atv sits idle for weeks at a time. My new
Expedition v800 has the same battery as my Griz700.

During these inactive sits, the mf battery tends to sulfate creating a barrier that can resist any charging.
If there is too much sulfate on the plates going out for a longer ride will only discharge the battery more. The weak
charging system cannot break through the sulfate covering the plates. I recently purchased a small battery charger that can desulfate a battery. It can remain hooked up continually while the atv sits, and maintain the battery to optimum. It is a pretty slick rig, costing less than $60 dollars and beats replacing batteries every few years.

To actually desulfate a battery it must be unhooked from the atv or snowmobile system. Otherwise the charger will
maintain the battery without removal any from the unit.

If someone is interested or has similar problems as me here is the website TecMate North America

www.tecmate.com

I have been preaching about these for years, I have an Optimate III and have been using a few over the past 8yrs or so. Slap it on any battery - especially the maintenance-free ones - for a couple of times during the off-season and the sucker will pretty much last forever.

Far better than replacing the battery every few years. Mine is the Optimate 3 also. I am quite impressed with it.

Mine is a Battery tender Jr. (.750 Ma.) do you guys know if these can be rigged w/ a jumper to maintain 2 batteries @ once?

Trying to recall my most basic circuits training... if you were to split the feed from the charger, you would essentially be creating a parallel circuit which would maintain the voltage required for charge, but the charger's trickle charge amperage would be halved, wouldn't it?

Yeah your prolly right i'll do 'em one at a time & not compromise the investment. Thanx Gene.