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Sled, starter or battery - Where to start

JustJoe

VIP Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2023
Messages
31
Age
39
Location
Connecticut
Country
USA
Snowmobile
2008 Yamaha Nytro FX
2008 Nytro FX RTX currently with EarthX ETZ14C battery which was freshly charged about 30 days ago. I recently, about 10 days ago, put it in the sled and it's been stored outside in my trailer since, not on a charger. I went to start it yesterday in ~14*F temps and after priming the fuel pump 3x the starter only cranked once or twice before the console went black and it stopped cranking. It took multiple attempts to start the snowmobile. Today I called EarthX, tested the battery at 13.3v and it still took 5 cranking attempts (ranging from a single crank to multiple cranks sounding normal) to start the sled. They asked I hold the key until the cranking stopped which concerns me (I don't want to damage the starter). EarthX is warranting the battery.

I bring this up because I had an issue with a Yuasa YTX20HL-BS which was new last year that was chalked up to a bad cell. I got the battery on 2/22/24 because my battery which was from 2023 was never charged over the summer and died. The battery was fully charged by the dealer yet needed a jump box the first weekend. Fast forward to this december after intermittent charging during the summer and it showed a float voltage of 12.6. When cranking would show 12.4, 12.4, 6.x... (3 cranks) then flat and then 12.4ish when the key was released. Sled wouldn't start even with a jump box. Bench testing was fine but Yuasa agreed to replace the battery due to the behavior after another YTX20L in a SkiDoo was able to start the sled without issues.

It seems I have a string of bad batteries, or a sled that is hard to start - with the exception of my SkiDoo Yuasa battery. Historically, when I first bought the sled with the Yuasa AGM, I'd cycle the key 3x before a cold start and then crank er up. Now it's a bit of a song and dance (bad AGM and unhappy cold LiFePo4) but once she's running she happily restarts. Any suggestions or thoughts? I really don't want to be 'that guy' pulling a jump box out after dinner. I'm debating having my replacement AGM on the shelf charged and ready to go.

EDIT: Last question - How can I determine if my starter is drawing more than expected? Clamp meter?
 
Last edited:

Lithium batteries don't do well in the cold, no matter if it's made for sleds or not. Found this at HCS that basically mirrors what you're experiencing:


Also heard that Yuasa battery quality has tanked lately. I replaced mine last year with a Yuasa and did not put it on a charger over the summer while it was still in the sled. It needed a charge and it started the sled. However, due to the lack of snow, I only started it on the trailer once and may have gone bad anyway. If I had to replace it, I'd start searching for another brand, maybe even Amazon. I would not go to lithium.
 
I was able to warranty my bad Yuasa battery after buying the earth-x and another yuasa. I'm hoping of the three one is good enough to last.

While talking to earthx they say to turn the key, let it prime and smack it right away. The 2-300 amps going through the battery should internally warm it after a minute to give it the love she needs to crank. So far, so good with that test although the first night up at camp is expected to be sub zero.
 
Seems odd that two completely different types of batteries have failed you, well short of their lifespan. Makes you wonder if maybe your starter is taxing these batteries? My Earth X has started in -30F with no issues whatsoever.
 
Seems odd that two completely different types of batteries have failed you, well short of their lifespan. Makes you wonder if maybe your starter is taxing these batteries? My Earth X has started in -30F with no issues whatsoever.
What's your starting process? EarthX thinks priming the fuel pump 3x is causing it to drain <13v which isn't good. EarthX said to turn the key, let it prime and hit it right away to get the internals warming. Wait a minute and crank again. I have a brand new one i need to charge tonight. And a brand new Yuasa i need to charge tomorrow.

The yuasa was DOA but i agree - i wonder the same. I see a clamp meter at Harbor Freight which can measure 600a DC via a clamp meter. I might give it a shot to see what sort of amperage the starter is pulling.
 
I just turn the key, wait for the priming to stop and then crank to start.
 
My issue very well might have been a low battery at 13.3v and then a 3x fuel pump prime which would draw it down to high 12s low 13s until the cells recovered and warmed.

Do you put it on a charger/tender at night or before you start it?
 
Once a month I’ll charge up the battery but I don’t leave it on a battery tender/maintainer.
 
I'm now 6 hours from home with a no start condition in my trailer. I tried to start it today and it cranked a few times.
Shut the key off and tried again and only get a click from the solenoid.
I tried to jump the solenoid and only got sparks but no starter, though I only bridged the contacts quickly.
Replaced solenoid.
Still click from the solenoid. Sometimes a squeal.
Replaced battery
Still only a click.


Someone give me any good word here. This sucks.
 
If possible verify that the starter is getting power when you hear the click. And if so how many amps.
 


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