If you are an ATV rider, you know how important it is to have the best charging method for your battery. Whether before or after use, you will need to charge your battery with a charger that can provide enough power to keep it running at all times. It is also vital to take precautions while charging your battery and you have to know about how to charge an atv battery . In addition, you need to charge it in an appropriate place to prevent any accidents.
The following article will discuss the precautions, locations, and steps to ensure your battery charges properly. We will also discuss answers to some of your frequent questions on the topic. You are welcome to read on and join the conversation.
What Precautions can we take before and when charging our ATV battery
Video Credit: Ryan Urlacher
Read the instruction manual carefully
Before you begin charging your ATV, it would be best to read your instruction manual carefully. It will have some vital information on what to do and not do when charging your battery. You would also want to make sure you follow all safety precautions, including grounding yourself before touching the charger or cord. Reading the manual from beginning to end will also help you understand your battery and its charger better.
Practice safe lifting processes
When putting your ATV on a charger, it is essential to be gentle and not lift the vehicle yourself. You want to make sure someone else is helping out or that you take your time lifting it for safety purposes. Inappropriate lifting techniques can lead to severe injuries.
Ensure you charge the correct battery
If your ATV is not designed for 12-volt batteries, it would be best to check what type of voltage and amperage output works with its design before attempting a charge. When in doubt, consult an expert or owner’s manual as soon as possible. It is better to be safe than sorry as you do not want to risk causing damages to your battery or ATV.
Put metals away from the batteries
When you are charging your ATV, it is best to keep any metal away from the battery. It includes tools or any other items near them as this could cause a spark and damage to both the vehicle and charger. You also need to keep off cigarettes or anything that could cause a spark resulting in a fire.
Wear protective gear
When working with a charger, it is good practice to wear protective gear. It includes gloves and safety glasses to keep you safe and protected from any sparks that might come out of the charger. Otherwise, you risk getting an injury in case something goes wrong.
Do not overcharge
Charging an ATV battery too much can cause damage to it. Therefore, you need to be sure that you are using your charger correctly. You would want to avoid charging for longer than necessary because this could lead to overheating or shortening the life of your battery. Overcharging is one of the leading causes of AV battery damages.
Tighten vent caps
One thing to do when charging your battery is to make sure you tighten the vent caps. You can quickly check if they are loose by trying to shake them a little bit. If they feel wobbly, it might be time for you to take them off and tighten them correctly, so there is no issue with gas escaping from the ATV itself.
Choose an appropriate environment to charge the ATV battery
Choosing the perfect place to charge your ATV is vital. You would not want to select an environment that is too hot or cold. It also helps if you charge it in a well-ventilated area, so the battery does not overheat and shortens its life span.
Places to charge your ATV
The place you choose to charge your ATV is something you want to be considerate when selecting. You do not wish to charge it in an enclosed area where the gas could become hazardous. It is also essential to make sure that your cord can reach all areas of the vehicle, so there are no issues with its placement when charging it out on land or outside locations. There are three most suitable locations that you should consider. They include:
- Home charging
- Workplace and
- Public charging
Home charging
You can plug a charger in your home outlet to charge your ATV. It is one of the easiest and most convenient ways to do it. You can hook up your cord and leave it there until you need to use your ATV again. It is best to use a convenient and effective charger to ensure the best results.
Workplace charging
You can also charge your ATV at the workplace if you work somewhere where you can plug in your vehicle and leave it there until you need it next. It is essential to have enough time on your hands so that the battery does not overheat or short out while plugged into an outlet for an extended period.
Public charging
You can also charge your battery with an outlet at public locations. It would be best for those on vacation or drive their ATV to different places throughout the year. It is possible not to access it when you need it in a hurry, but this method will ensure that your battery is charged.
7 most appropriate steps to charge your ATV Battery
You can either charge your battery using a manual or external charger. The manual charger uses a way whose current emission is not adequate for regular use. It has to be connected directly to the battery and should only be used when there are no other options. On the other hand, external chargers can provide enough power without worrying about anything else except charging your ATV correctly. They deliver consistent power to your battery and are the best option for an ATV rider.
To charge the battery, you will need a compatible charger for your battery, like the one that comes with your ATV, and a good connection. You will also need rubber gloves and eyewear to keep your eyes safe.
The following steps will help you to charge your ATV battery efficiently.
Choose the best charging location
You need to charge your ATV in a place that has a free circulation of air. It is also essential to ensure that the site does not have sources of heat, light, or sparks. These factors can be dangerous when charging a battery. Your garage is one of the best locations to charge your vehicle. Just make sure you remove as much clutter as possible and keep the space as clear as possible. That way, you can guarantee you are using the safest charging method available.
Check the battery for any damages
It is vital to check for any damages to the battery. Damages can be hazardous and cause several problems with your battery. You will need to check the battery for any cracks or swelling of the plastic cover, rust on terminals, and loose connections at all ends. When you are satisfied that there is no damage present, you can move to the next step.
Determine the compatibility of the ATV battery and the charger
Before you start using the charger, it is vital to check for compatibility. You should use a compatible external ATV battery charger and not just any that fits into your vehicle’s cigarette lighter charging port. There are different batteries that ATVs or UTVs use. Check for the number of amps your battery needs and if it has a voltage requirement.
The best way to ensure compatibility is by checking with the user manual included when you purchased your ATV or UTV. For example, FLA battery chargers are the most common batteries used in ATVs. But the vehicle can have lithium-ion or dry cell batteries, among others. Therefore, you need to determine the best charger for your battery to ensure it chargers fully. ATV battery chargers are usually rated in amp-hours or AH. You can check the battery charger specifications for compatibility details.
Connect the charging wires to the battery
Once you have determined that your charger is compatible, then it’s time to connect them. Most chargers will come with red and black wires, which need to be connected according to polarity. If there are any other colors on your charger’s wire, make sure they do not touch or cause a short circuit when you turn on the charger. Connect the red cable to the positive terminal of your battery and black to the negative. While connecting, ensure that you keep rubber gloves on for safety purposes.
Choose the best charging mode
You can use either the slow or fast charge mode, depending on your needs. The most common charging speeds are amp-hours, milliamps per hour (mph), and watts. The Slow Charger Mode uses a lower current than the Fast Charge Mode, which means it will take longer to charge your battery fully. It is not the most efficient mode, but it is gentle on your battery and makes sure that you do not damage its cells. In general, you should use a Slow Charge Mode unless your ATV or UTV is new and has been used for less than six months.
Begin charging your battery
After you have connected your charger, it is time to switch it on and begin charging. Your ATV or UTV will serve as a power source for the battery during this process which means that the battery should not be left unattended. Use rubber gloves throughout the charging process, including disconnecting them when done with a charger.
Once the charging process has started, leave it to complete. If you use a Slow Charge Mode, wait for four hours before switching off the charger. In the case of Fast Charger Modes, allow your ATV or UTV to remain connected with its power source turned on for a maximum of two hours. It is essential to monitor the battery as it charges so that you can switch the charger off when it is fully charged. Then disconnect the charger and place the battery back in your ATV or UTV.
Re-check your battery before using it
After you have allowed enough time for charging, disconnect all wires and re-check your ATV or UTV’s battery performance. Ensure there are no loose connections at all ends. When you are satisfied that there is no damage, you can then use the ATV or UTV.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following are answers to some of your frequently asked questions.
Can you charge an ATV battery with a car battery charger?
No, you cannot charge an ATV battery with a car battery charger. They are different batteries, and the charger will not work well on the ATV battery. You need to use a charger that is compatible with your ATV or UTV battery. That way, you can ensure that your battery is charged safely.
What setting should I charge my ATV battery?
There are two typical charging speeds for ATV batteries, the slow charge speed, and the fast charge speed. The Slow Charge charges at a lower current, which means it will take longer to charge the battery fully. However, it is also safer for your ATV or UTV cells as it does not potentially damage them. The Fast Charge speed charges at higher currents that effectively charge batteries quickly but can potentially damage cell structures if used for too long.
How do you charge a 110cc ATV battery?
You can charge the 110cc ATV battery by either the slow or fast charge mode. It requires at least four hours using the slow way and two hours to use the fast charger mode. You should monitor it as it charges, switching off after approximately six hours. Once done charging, disconnect all wires and re-check your ATV or UTV’s battery performance before using it again.
How long should I charge my ATV battery?
If you use a slow charge mode, wait for four hours before switching off the charger. In the case of fast chargers, allow your ATV or UTV to remain connected with its power source turned on for up to two hours only if it’s new and has not been used in six months or less. You should constantly monitor the battery as it charges so that you can switch off the charger when it is fully charged. Some chargers have an alarm to indicate when the battery is charged. It eliminates the risk of your battery overcharging.
Can you overcharge an ATV battery?
If you leave the ATV or UTV connected and unattended with its power source turned on, there is a risk of overcharging. You should monitor your charging process so that you can switch off the charger after use. Your battery manual will help you to understand how long it takes your battery to charge. Some batteries take longer than others.
How many volts should the ATV battery have?
A fully charged ATV or UTV battery should have 12 volts. If it’s less than this, you will need to recharge it. It is best to ensure that the battery attains maximum charge before using it to avoid problems while riding your ATV.
