How to Initially Charge an ATV Battery

When you purchase a new battery for your ATV, you should give it an initial -- or activation -- charge before you install it and begin using it with your vehicle. The initial charge should take place immediately after the electrolyte -- or acid -- is added to the battery; it helps to preserve the strength of the battery by allowing the newly-added electrolyte to thoroughly penetrate the cells under a light electrical charge. You should only perform this initial charge with a low-voltage "smart" trickle charger that is specially designed for ATV batteries.

Things You'll Need

  • Rubber gloves
  • Face mask
  • 24-inch-long 18-gauge (minimum) battery cable
  • 1.5- to 3-amp trickle battery charger for lead-acid batteries
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Instructions

    • 1

      Fill the battery with electrolyte according to manufacturer's instructions (if the dealer does not do this for you.) Wear rubber gloves and full eye and face protection when dealing with electrolyte and when charging the battery.

    • 2

      Set your battery and charger on a flat surface. Position the charger as far from the battery as you can while still allowing room to connect its clips to your battery terminals.

    • 3

      Attach a 24-inch or longer, 18-AWG (American Wire Gauge) or thicker battery cable to the negative (-) terminal of your lead-acid battery.

    • 4

      Connect the clip of the red positive (+) battery-charger cable to the positive (+) terminal of your battery.

    • 5

      Position the free end of the battery cable that you attached in Step 2 as far from the battery as possible. Stand as far from the battery as you can and face away from the battery. Clamp the black negative (-) battery-charger cable clip onto the metal part of the free exposed end of the cable while you are facing away from it.

    • 6

      Plug the charger's AC power cord into a wall outlet without using an extension cord. Turn the charger on.

    • 7

      Wait a few seconds for an indicator light to illuminate and make sure that no trouble light or alarm comes on. In the event that trouble is indicated, turn the charger off and unplug it before disconnecting the negative clip and then the positive clip. Return the battery to your dealer in the event of a trouble signal from the charger, as this indicates a defective battery.

    • 8

      Allow the battery to charge for eight to ten hours or until an indicator light or sound signals that the charge is complete.

    • 9

      Turn your charger off and unplug it. Disconnect the negative clip and then the positive clip while facing away from the battery. Remove the battery cable from the negative terminal.

    • 10

      Wait a half-hour or so for the battery to cool down before you install it in your ATV. Start your ATV to make sure that the battery works; return the battery to the dealer if it does not.