How to Find a Replacement Battery for your Snowmobile

When the snow starts coming down, the snowmobiles come out. In the northern states of the U.S, throughout Canada and Alaska and many countries in Northern Europe, people rely on their snowmobiles as their primary transport vehicle. For others, it may be for recreation or hunting purposes. Whatever the use, the snowmobile is a valuable asset for many. 

The challenge with snowmobiles and many powersports vehicles, is that they operate in extreme conditions. Temperatures often get extremely cold, often in rough terrain and at high altitudes all of which can impact a battery performance. Poor performance can ultimately lead to difficulty starting which, if in remote and extreme conditions, can be life threatening. 

When it comes time to replace your current battery which is no longer performing at its best, here are a few things to look for. 

1. CCA – all batteries have a measurement for rating performance in cold temperatures called Cold Cranking Amps (CCA). Essentially the higher the number, the greater its ability to start in the cold.
2. Size and Layout – certainly one of the last things you want is for the battery to be getting tossed around so make sure it fits snugly in place. Some may also may be seated in a slight angle so having a battery that can handle that is critical (AGM for example)
3. Compatibility – an incompatible battery will significantly impact a snowmobile’s performance and even in many instances, the snowmobile won’t start at all.

These three options above should give you a good start in your replacement search. A few other things to note.

• Freshness is important so buying a battery straight out of the factory is going to perform better than one sitting on a shelf for months. A popular store like BatteryClerk who has a large turnover of batteries is your best bet.
• Warranties are important so make sure there’s at least 30 days
• Maintaining a charge through the offseason can help extend its left. A trickle charger is a worthwhile investment. 

Whether using your snowmobile for work or pleasure, making sure that it starts every time is crucial, and in some instances, essential. Having a replacement snowmobile battery that is reliable and can handle extreme conditions is a worthwhile investment and gives you one less thing to worry about when you’re braving the conditions.