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9929375 R02 - 2016-2019
GENERAL
/
GENERAL 4
Service Manual
© Copyright Polaris Industries Inc.
11.55
BATTERY TESTING
Whenever a service complaint is related to either the
starting or charging systems, the battery should be
checked first.
The following are two tests which can easily be made on
a sealed Maintenance Free battery to determine its
condition: OCV Test and a Load Test.
OPEN CIRCUIT VOLTAGE (OCV) TEST
Battery voltage should be checked with a digital
multitester. Readings of 12.6 volts or less require further
battery testing and charging. See the following chart and
“Load Test”.
NOTICE
Maintenance Free batteries should be kept at a high
state of charge during storage. If the battery is stored or
used at a low state of charge, hard crystal sulfation will
form on the plates, reducing the efficiency and service
life of the battery.
Use a volt/ohm meter to test battery voltage.
STATE OF CHARGE
VOLTAGE
100%
12.8 V and up
75% Charged
12.6 V
50% Charged
12.3 V
25% Charged
12.0 V
0% Charged
11.8 V or less
LOAD TEST
CAUTION
To prevent shock or component damage, remove spark
plug high tension leads and connect securely to engine
ground before proceeding.
A battery may indicate a full charge condition in the OCV
test, but still may not have the storage capacity
necessary to properly function in the electrical system.
For this reason, a battery capacity or load test should be
conducted
whenever
poor
battery
performance
is
encountered.
To perform this test, use a load testing device that has an
adjustable load. Apply a load of three times the ampere-
hour rating. At 14 seconds into the test, check battery
voltage. A good 12V battery will have at least 10.5 volts.
If the reading is low, charge the battery and retest.
CURRENT DRAW - KEY OFF
CAUTION
Do not connect or disconnect the battery cable or
ammeter with the engine running. Damage will occur to
electrical components.
Connect an ammeter in series with the negative battery
cable. Check for current draw with the key off. If the draw
is excessive, loads should be disconnected from the
system one by one until the draw is eliminated. Check
component wiring as well as the component for partial
shorts to ground to eliminate the draw.
Current Draw - Key Off:
Maximum of .01 DCA (10 mA)
BATTERY CHARGING PROCEDURE
If battery voltage is 12.6 Vdc or less, the battery may
need recharging. When using an automatic charger, refer
to the charger manufacturer’s instructions for recharging.
Do not exceed 6 amps when charging the battery.
NOTICE
Charge the battery using an automatic charger that will
not exceed 14.6 Vdc. An automatic charger will signal
when charging is complete.
Allow the battery to stand disconnected for at least 1-2
hours after being properly charged. If the voltage drops
below 12.6 volts, charging was ineffective or the battery
needs to be replaced.
WARNING
An overheated battery could explode, causing severe
injury or death. Always watch charging times carefully.
Stop charging if the battery becomes very warm to the
touch. Allow it to cool before resuming charging.