Battery - Fit ZX6 and Artic Cat Sled?

[Jerico]

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So my battery cooked last summer, and it was late enough in the season that I didn't replace it thinking I would this season.

Cut to this year, and I have 3 snowmobiles and only 2 working batteries. But its so late in the year, and we use the 3rd sled so little that I don't want to buy a new sled battery. Doing a boys weekend and going to need all 3 sleds though.

Think I could get a battery to fit in my 07 ZZR600 and a 94 Artic Cat Panther 2 up? I can't measure the Cat batteries as they are at the cottage, but how much of a difference in there in these batteries? All roughly the same size?

 

[Jerico]

Update... Went out to Royal's site and of course the batteries are not the same. But the upgraded battery for the sled also fits some other bikes. I am thinking I just buy the bike battery and make it fit the sled (since its the one less used, and also has the most room to adjust size.

Any one have any thoughts?

 

[AF4iK]

I know nothing about snowmobiles but as long as the bike battery isn't larger than the sled's battery I don't see why it wouldn't work. I suppose the cold cranking amps on a bike battery might not be suited for a snowmobile but you can always jump start it with a booster pack or another vehicle. Just make sure to secure the smaller battery to the tray before riding off.

 

[ABCarr]

Look into some of the LiFePO4 batteries from Full Spectrum, Ballistic, Shorai, etc. A bit more costly, but same or better cold cranking power, much smaller size and weight. I would bet that an 8-cell might do the trick for both sled and bike. Not necessarily the best batteries for cold weather use, but would likely work in a pinch.

 

[JohnnyP636]

So my battery cooked last summer, and it was late enough in the season that I didn't replace it thinking I would this season.

Cut to this year, and I have 3 snowmobiles and only 2 working batteries. But its so late in the year, and we use the 3rd sled so little that I don't want to buy a new sled battery. Doing a boys weekend and going to need all 3 sleds though.

Think I could get a battery to fit in my 07 ZZR600 and a 94 Artic Cat Panther 2 up? I can't measure the Cat batteries as they are at the cottage, but how much of a difference in there in these batteries? All roughly the same size?

What size engine does the sled have
Usually battery size is related to engine size, larger CC engines require a larger battery to turn it over...For example most 600CC bikes use a YTZ10BS or equivalent, but a 1000 uses a 12

 

[Jerico]

Panthers of this vintage (we have a 93 and 2 94's) are air cooled 440 Suzuki engines. The ZX6 is a 599. I am thinking this is a good solution just for the weekend, but my dream of using my rec vehicles batteries summer and winter probably won't work. I figure I can stuff it into the sled for the 12 hours we will probably run over Sat and Sun.

 

[Jerico]

Look into some of the LiFePO4 batteries from Full Spectrum, Ballistic, Shorai, etc. A bit more costly, but same or better cold cranking power, much smaller size and weight. I would bet that an 8-cell might do the trick for both sled and bike. Not necessarily the best batteries for cold weather use, but would likely work in a pinch.

I don't think you can use a battery tender product on those batteries though, can you? If they do have a longer life with less discharge, I'll buy 3 of them and put them in all the sleds this weekend.

Also, Cdn source?

 

[ABCarr]

I don't think you can use a battery tender product on those batteries though, can you? If they do have a longer life with less discharge, I'll buy 3 of them and put them in all the sleds this weekend.

No, you shouldn't use a normal lead-acid type battery tender. In general, batteries with this chemistry lose very little charge when sitting unused. They shouldn't be used with normal chargers....the manufacturers normally sell different chargers for use with their batteries. One thing to note is that cold-weather starting with LiFePO4 can cause people to doubt their ability....it may take several cranks to start while the battery warms up internally, but they generally do just fine from -20C to +70C.

Canadian source for Ballistic: http://www1.petes-superbike.com/

 

[Jerico]

Well, you have convinced me to try it with my bike, so no harm in getting a good one for it and trying it in the sled. If it doesn't work, I'll go buy a NiCad for the sled. No harm, no foul. Cdn source?

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