Is my battery "dead"? - Page 2 - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

**kccats** · 12-04-2012, 06:43 AM

Depending on which way your termanals face they make lawn mower battery either way!

meburdick · 12-04-2012, 06:51 PM

Well, one attempt failed. I bought the 14L (instead of the 14A) and it fits fine. The problem is that the terminals are on the wrong side. Ugh - didn't even think to look in the store.

The 14A is $14 more... WTF? I looked in Wally World for lawnmower batteries and they didn't have them (per se). I'm gonna try Tractor Supply and see what they have. This is ridiculous.

Kemo · 12-04-2012, 06:55 PM

Batteries plus should have it.

meburdick · 12-04-2012, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kemo

Batteries plus should have it.

Closest store is an hour's drive away and their prices suck.

Phaze · 12-05-2012, 11:15 AM

I replaced my daughters last year with one from Wally's. I believe I used one of their powersports, motorcycle/atv etc.......

meburdick · 12-05-2012, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phaze

I replaced my daughters last year with one from Wally's. I believe I used one of their powersports, motorcycle/atv etc.......

Yep. That's an option. The one with the correctly-oriented terminals is $53 while the one with the terminals reversed is $40. That's a ridiculous cost difference because the terminals are on opposite sides.

Phaze · 12-05-2012, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meburdick

Yep. That's an option. The one with the correctly-oriented terminals is $53 while the one with the terminals reversed is $40. That's a ridiculous cost difference because the terminals are on opposite sides.

I agree, if that's the only difference. But, will $13 make or break you. Probably not since you own a sled anyway. I understand the principle aspect. But, sometimes we just suck it up, buy the proper equipment and forget about it...... Heck, you'll burn up $13 in gas and maybe then some looking for the "cheaper deal".

meburdick · 12-05-2012, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phaze

I agree if that's the only difference. But, will $13 make or break you. Probably not if you own a sled anyway. I understand the principle aspect. But, sometimes we just suck it up, buy the proper equipment and forget about it...... Heck, you'll burn up $13 in gas and maybe then some looking for the "cheaper deal".

I'm value-driven, not cost-driven. So, I do appreciate and subscribe to your viewpoint on this. I picked up the battery that I did because I happened to be in NH on business (no sales tax, was buying other stuff) and was literally driving by the store on my way home.

It irks me to no end that the reason that my battery is as costly as it is is solely because its use is 'restricted' to products like my sled. It's considered a "specialty" item as a result, and demands a premium price. Otherwise, there is absolutely no justification for the cost.

What *concerns* me about all of this is the fact that the previous owner said that on [what is now] my sled and another identical machine, battery replacement was required every year. If that continues moving forward, then I would be better suited to extend the positive terminal wire and use the cheaper batteries. I can not currently comment on whether or not I could extend the life of this battery solely through the use of a maintainer.

Phaze · 12-05-2012, 12:52 PM

If it were me, I would want to know why battery replacement was "required" each year. Does the owners manual state that? I could be wrong, but doubt it does. Unless the manufacturer is covering their butt. If it's personal preference, that's one thing.......

ps. I hear you loud and clear on that "specialty" item crap....

Old Man · 12-05-2012, 01:00 PM

With care and maintenance, most lead acid batteries are good for 5 to 10 years depending on the quality of the battery. I farmed for a lot years and literally had about 25 batteries to take care of and maintain on the farm in various pieces of equipment. Two things I learned: 1 - Maintenance pays off. 2 - When you purchase a battery, you get what you pay for. The cheaper the battery , the shorter the life span.

meburdick · 12-05-2012, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phaze

If it were me, I would want to know why battery replacement was "required" each year. Does the owners manual state that? I could be wrong, but doubt it does. Unless the manufacturer is covering their butt. If it's personal preference, that's one thing.......

ps. I hear you loud and clear on that "specialty" item crap....

The requirement was because it went dead. So, a new, usable one, was "required". So, neither manufacturer mandated nor personal preference... Necessity.

Phaze · 12-05-2012, 01:17 PM

Quote:

the previous owner said that on [what is now] my sled and another identical machine, battery replacement was required every year.

I guess I was commenting on the above statement. They were going dead every year?

meburdick · 12-05-2012, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phaze

I guess I was commenting on the above statement. They were going dead every year?

Yes. And, it has essentially happened again. I didn't really get any use out of the E/S last season (and it still had the previous season's battery in it). With this year looking like I'll be able to leave my yard, I want it functional.

Old Man · 12-05-2012, 01:26 PM

If you want a good reliable battery, buy one made by Yuasa and maintain it well. It will give you years of trouble free service.

Phaze · 12-05-2012, 01:27 PM

Something isn't right. Even a cheapo battery will last more than a year.....

meburdick · 12-05-2012, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Man

If you want a good reliable battery, buy one made by Yuasa and maintain it well. It will give you years of trouble free service.

I could buy one on Amazon, but it doesn't come with the acid? What the heck?!@?!

I'll just buy it at Wally World. It's basically the same cost, I get it now, it has the acid, and it might actually be made by Yuasa anyhow (based on the model numbers being used).

meburdick · 12-05-2012, 02:22 PM

So, it turns out that I can get the YB14A-A2 battery through Sears.com for $43.50. Comes with the acid in the box, needing to be activated. Comes out to about $47 with tax and I don't have to go anywhere to get it. There's no core charge, either, but that also means that I don't have an easy way to dispose of the old, dead battery.

I might tinker with it to see if I can get it to desulfate.

**kccats** · 12-05-2012, 02:47 PM

Just one more reason I dont bother with the Sled batteries! I pull the mower battery from the rider and set it in the sled! The lack of use will kill the battery! Tractor Supply will have the mower battery for about $25! Farm and Fleet had them on sale for $16!

meburdick · 12-05-2012, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kccats

Just one more reason I dont bother with the Sled batteries! I pull the mower battery from the rider and set it in the sled! The lack of use will kill the battery! Tractor Supply will have the mower battery for about $25! Farm and Fleet had them on sale for $16!

Do you have a product name, number, etc to look for? The places that I've been looking at batteries seem to not have "Lawnmower" batteries - it's all "Powersports" stuff.