Battery Life on 06 Machines

[venture2]

Hi,
I have an 06 venture and vector. Batteries are working fine right now and have been charged accordingly during storage with a float mode trickle charger but not the battery-mate that is recommended on the site. I'm just wondering if there is any consenus around average life expectancy of the stock batteries. I'd rather just bite the bullet and buy new ones now if I'm pushing the limits rather than get stuck somewhere. Also was told that the stock batteries are a gel type that are supposed to be better than wet cell. Any feedback is appreciated.
Thanks
Venture2

 

[kyzer]

Mine is an 07 and is toast...Had to replace this year......

 

[jsjk-4-stroke]

my wifes 05 vector went out last year it would still start the sled but slower , changed it so she won,t have any problems.. get your load tested...

 

[dab102999]

I think it is time...and i think they are agm...not true gell.

 

[Vectornut]

I find that the battery life is about 5 years with proper periodic charging. I wonder if we arn't stressing out our alternators trying to save money on battery purchases.

 

[Dara]

06 Rage
battery has never been connected to any type of charger.

Last year the first ride it was 10 below F and I almost had to boost it but it finally caught just as my buddy was getting the cables out. It was fine for the rest of the year.
This year it started just fine but I told the guy I sold it to that it had the original battery.
He is planning on a lot of back lake fishing so I think he changed it out. I know I would have if I was going to do that.

 

[Turtle]

Original battery on my '06 Nytro yet ... 6 seasons and 10k miles. Still cranks like a charm. All I have done is put it on a battery tender over the summer. But being it's age, I did purchase some small jumper cables to carry around in the trunk this year. I don't plan on replacing it until it really dies.

 

[radianguy]

I think with proper care(battery tender in the off season) these batteries will last a long time. I have an 03 YZF 600R that I just replaced the battery on last summer, but that was my own fault I got lazy last year and didn't take it out of the bike and charge in the off season.

 

[thrasher]

Mine slowly died after 3 years, replaced it with a dry cell Odyssey battery. Doesn't need to be trickle charged in the off season, supposed to be good for 2 years without charging. Hasn't let me down yet, and I do zero battery maintenance.

 

[venture2]

Thanks for all the feedback; looks like my batteries should be replaced if I don't want to take any risk. I do understand how the life expectancy of batteries will vary from my years with cars; so with the snowmobile I'm in the yellow zone I guess--might die-- could easily last a while longer. I guess a lot depends on where I ride & who I'm with if I want to push the limit. I do carry jumpers on my machines as someone mentioned but I usually ride during the week, alone, when there isn't a lot of traffic coming by, so could be waiting awhile if it failed. Time to start shopping . From what I read, it does appear that the "AGM" (absorbed glass matt) type batteries work the best for our needs, over the gel type. They supposedly hold a charge longer while in storage and give higher power output. But hey- - the way things are going with the lack of snow in western NY, I may not be useing the battery too much this year.
Donc

 

[Bradford]

06 Nytro with 10K miles and I just replaced my battery. It still started the sled fine but if it was left outside over night on a cold night, it would crank over slower than usual. I replaced it just to be safe.

Boosting your sled is kinda like riding a moped... it's all good unless your friends see ya doing it

 

[Roger]

07 RS Venture, and I'm on 3rd battery. Luckily my last one was 364 days old. 1 more day under warranty!!!