You asked the questions, here are the answers to the most common ATV battery-related questions.
Are ATV batteries deep cycle?
Deep cycle batteries are specifically designed to deeply discharge to where it has used most of its energy, without being damaged. A conventional battery will begin to degrade and lose some of its capacity if the voltage drops below a certain level; a deep cycle battery will not. At least not to the same extent.
The term was initially used for flooded lead-acid batteries, that had the same shape as an automotive-style starter battery, but with deep cycle capabilities.
More modern deep cycle technologies have arisen in later years, such as deep cycle lithium-ion and GEL batteries.
ATVs typically do not come with a deep cycle battery, but a conventional lead-acid battery or AGM battery. The main reason why ATVs do not come with a deep cycle battery is to keep the price down as deep cycle batteries are more expensive than both conventional lead-acid batteries and AGM batteries.
The problem with using a conventional lead-acid battery or even an AGM battery in an ATV is that they are designed to be starter batteries, but not for deep-cycling. They are capable of delivering a lot of power in a short period, but not for extended periods.
An ATV with power-hungry accessories such as an electric winch will draw more power than the bikes charging system can keep up with, potentially causing the battery voltage to drop to levels where it may damage the battery.
There are various aftermarket alternatives available for those that are willing to spend the cash and are looking to upgrade.
Odyssey Batteries are one of the leading deep cycle battery brands and offer a range of Powersports and ATV batteries.
MightyMaxBattery is another established brand that offers true deep-cycle lithium-ion and GEL batteries as well as lead-acid batteries, which feature what they describe as deep discharge recovery.
Are ATV batteries AGM?
Today, most ATVs come with an AGM (absorbed glass mat) battery or an SLA (sealed lead-acid) battery. SLA batteries are a bit cheaper and are typically used in budget-friendly ATV models.
What is the best battery for an ATV? What kind of battery does an ATV use?
There are various types of ATV batteries available. Some of the most common are:
- Conventional flooded lead-acid (non-sealed)
- SLA – sealed lead-acid
- AGM – absorbed glass mat
- GEL batteries
- Lithium-Ion
Out of the various types available, AGM batteries are considered the best alternative for ATVs. AGM batteries are a lead-acid battery style where instead of using liquid electrolytes, the electrolyte is absorbed into fiberglass pads placed between the battery plates.
Some of the benefits of using an AGM battery in ATVs:
- AGM batteries are sealed without any need to add electrolytes as with a conventional lead-acid battery.
- AGM batteries are considered maintenance free. The only maintenance required is charging whenever the charge is low or when the battery is sitting for long periods and cleaning if the battery poles corrode.
- AGM batteries do not dry out as easily with normal use.
- With regular use, an AGM battery will last longer than an SLA battery.
- AGM batteries typically provide better capacity with a higher Ah-rating compared to a conventional lead-acid battery.
AGM batteries cost a bit more than SLA batteries but less than Lithium-Ion batteries. A lithium-ion battery will outperform AGM batteries in many areas, such as deep cycle capabilities and weight. Still, for the average ATV owner, these benefit does not justify the higher price.
Are ATV batteries 6V or 12V? What voltage are ATV batteries?
Some toy electric ATVs use 6V batteries, but the majority, if not all, ATVs with gasoline engines use 12V starter batteries.
It’s crucial to use the right type of battery. If you put a 12V battery in a 6V toy ATV, it may fry the bike’s electronics, potentially causing it to catch on fire.
Refer to the user manual or have a look at the old battery to learn the right nominal voltage for your specific vehicle.
How many amps is an ATV battery?
Battery capacity is rated in Ah – Amperage Hours. Larger ATVs with larger engines and more electrical accessories generally require batteries with higher Ah ratings.
ATV batteries are typically around 20Ah, ranging from 12Ah to 40Ah.
Are ATV batteries universal? Are all ATV batteries the same?
ATV batteries are not universal, and all ATV batteries are not the same.
- Size: ATV batteries come in a wide range of physical formats. It can not be too big as it will not fit the battery compartment of your ATV. It also can not be too small as the battery fasteners will likely not be able to hold the battery properly in place. A smaller battery will also probably be underpowered for your machine.
- Ah-rating and CCA: Your specific ATV will require a battery with a given Ah-rating and CCA rating for it to be able to power the starter motor of your bike.
- Connectors: Various ATVs use various styles of battery connectors. It would be best if you found a battery that uses the same style as the one on your bike, or you will need to replace the bikes connectors to the corresponding style.
Your user manual will tell you what battery to use. Many battery brands and dealers offer compatibility charts that tell you which of their batteries that are compliable with different ATV models. I like the one at Battery Mart as it is usually up to date and gives you various battery models to choose from in different price ranges.
How much are ATV batteries?
- Conventional lead-acid ATV batteries usually cost $25 to $45
- SLA (sealed lead-acid) ATV batteries usually cost $30 to $55
- AGM (absorbed glass mat) ATV batteries usually cost $80 to $140
- Lithium-Ion ATV batteries usually cost $100 to $400
Are Wallmart ATV batteries any good?
Wallmart offers a range of ATV batteries, often at affordable prices. Like most battery brands, they do not make their batteries themselves but buy them from major battery manufacturers and add their own branding and labels.
The low price can be tempting, but some issues users are reporting might get you to consider other alternatives.
Note that we have not performed any extended testing on the quality of Wallmart batteries. The issues listed below are the essence of various user experiences found on forums and user reviews online.
- Fitment issues: The battery compliance charts are not always correct, leaving you with a battery that does not fit.
- Troublesome connectors: Some users report having problems connecting the connectors properly, using the supplied nuts.
- Inferior internals: The internal metal plates are thinner than on more expensive models. More lightweight plates do not handle sulfation as well as thicker plates. Instead of recovering, they may break apart. Thicker plates also hold up better to the impacts they may get from active ATV riding.
- They do not last as long: Users tell about batteries that go dead and will not take charge after only three months of use. Others were able to get one to two years of service life out of their battery.
All the negative user review does not necessarily mean that all Wallmart batteries are bad. For some, a cheap Wallmart battery is just what they need. If you are lucky, you can score a great deal on a quality battery at a discount price.
But due to the high number of negative reviews, I would generally recommend that you spend the extra money to get a battery from a reputable dealer and a well-known brand, such as Yousa batteries or similar.
How to charge an ATV battery?
We have dedicated an entire post on how to charge an ATV battery properly.
