Argo Battery

[JohnF]

I was out looking at the ignition switch, there are 5 wires
...
1 wire is power out with the key turned on (If I unplug it, the fuel pump stops and the low oil press light goes out)
...
RD

Does this circuit open when you turn the key to START? If it does then it is the (or at least "an") accessory circuit. And it sounds like the ignition circuit is bad in the keyswitch.

Someone switched ignition to accessory (to keep the key) and added a switch to the brake fan (and there are a few reasons for that).

[Stonewall]

The ignition prong of the switch should provide power in both positions, but since it clearly doesn't; yes the coil needs power when the starter is spinning for it to start correctly and power in the "on" position to run. I personaly like to not use a keyswitch at all and use a toggle switch for the ignition and a momentary switch to turn the starter, however this is not theft proof. (I don't have a thieving problem around here tho.)

[number1cas]

Hey RD

I noticed that my Avenger was not starting in the cold either, and that is what got me thinking about the charge rates. A couple quick checks later and I discovered that in the winter I am using more of my battery than I am putting back in on the ride, so the next weekend when I try to start it at -20 or more, it always needed a boost. I purchased a smart charger (this one optimate3_plus) I got it from my local Yamaha dealer, but should be available most anywhere. I wired it into my storage tent.

So now as soon as I come home from a ride I park the Argo, lift the seat and plug in the charger. I can leave it on forever as it is a smart charger and will not overcharge. Now I go out and crank it over no matter how cold and it starts, no more boosting !!! It sounds like the Avenger has a much larger battery in it than yours though. My battery is the same size as the one in my girlfriends Toyota echo (physical size) and the battery tray will take a bigger one. I think I could fit the battery from my GMC Yukon which I think is pretty much full size!

I am glad the 6 pack worked for ya, sometimes paying more is worth it, even nowadays

[Rock Doctor]

Hey RD
So now as soon as I come home from a ride I park the Argo, lift the seat and plug in the charger. I can leave it on forever as it is a smart charger and will not overcharge. Now I go out and crank it over no matter how cold and it starts, no more boosting !!! It sounds like the Avenger has a much larger battery in it than yours though. My battery is the same size as the one in my girlfriends Toyota echo (physical size) and the battery tray will take a bigger one. I think I could fit the battery from my GMC Yukon which I think is pretty much full size!

I am glad the 6 pack worked for ya, sometimes paying more is worth it, even nowadays

Tks #1cas
New battery is working great, and I'm also thinking about the little trickle chargers idea. I think I will mount one on each of the Argo's, and be able to plug them in any time. Out in the bush, I would just use my little generator if needed.

Anyway, I'm back from that little trip. The only problem I had was with the girls machine. That "Power to the coil" problem came up when it was less than -25degC. I could not get it to fire up. Once I threw a heater under the engine, and warmed her up, it was no problem. The other machine with the new battery had no issues at all, even on the coldest days the engine spun over great.

Videos in progress, and story to come

RD

[dale7637]

RD,
Which battery was it that you went with? I am looking at changing mine out in my conquest, thinking about an optima. Did you go yellow top? Did you leave your stock battery in place and wire them in parallel? Does this machine with the new battery have the alternator setup? Do you run a trolling motor?

[Rock Doctor]

RD,
Which battery was it that you went with? I am looking at changing mine out in my conquest, thinking about an optima. Did you go yellow top? Did you leave your stock battery in place and wire them in parallel? Does this machine with the new battery have the alternator setup? Do you run a trolling motor?

I went with an EXIDE "Orbital". Choices here are limited
It's a Marine Deep Cycle, 935 CCA at .......32deg (32 or 36, in there anyway)
It has a Blue Top, if that makes a difference, and it says "NON SPILABLE" on it.

Removed the old battery, ..........I kind of like the easy access now to lube and grease, but I'm thinking I might put an Air Compressor in the spot where the battery was. I even have a couple really nice little aluminium bottles rated with a working pressure of over 600PSI.

No alternator on this one, and I don't run a trolling motor.....I'm not against the idea, I just don't have one

RD

[dale7637]

Thanks man, I appreciate the info. May look at running mine in parallel with the stock battery, maybe set the deep cycle up as a separate circuit with a shutoff to save my stock battery for starting duty when running the trolling motor. Only trouble I can see is the charging system catching back up. Does anyone have any idea what the kawasaki 620 charging system puts out for charging amperage?
Sorry for the hijack Rd, I guess I should have started a new thread for this, just kinda let my mind run a little wild with all these ideas floating around on this thread. Must be my ADD kicking in.

Oohh look a squirrel!!!!!!!

[Otterguy]

I have a 81 8x8 I/C its supposed to take a 22nf battery. I had to look through all the Optima sizes but I found one that will fit the stock holder (its 3/8 less in width). It's a Optima yellow top D51 and about $170.00

[bigbuck]

I have used the EXIDE ORBITOL marine battery in my polaris ranger for the last 3 years and it worked very well..I powered a winch,heater, radio, and 4 spotlights. I ran a pigtail connector from the battery and plugged into a trickle charger when not in use. this setup has never let me down and I would highly reccomend it..I have since put an EXIDE in my Frontier and the fit was perfect..I placed some thin foam sheets on the sides and it is very snug and stable.





I know that this Exide will be more than I need for running my lights and winch!

[Vortex]

Nice...

I have a cabin all powerer with solar panels, we have light, ventilator and event microwave ovent. I have help build an other system and they even have Satellite TV installed (No comments). So i'm just wondering, i am using a small solar panel in the window of my garage to keep my 4 wheel battery charged. I'm pretty certain that a small solar panel could be a nice add to any setup. They are small and don't cost a lot, i suppose someone could fix one on the vehicule.

Just thinking out loud.

Vortex

[trevorakm1]

I was just looking at tractor supply the other day and came across a small panel for $29.95, 19.5"x6" or so. It's meant to keep the battery charged and was thinking for that price it's cheap to experiment. One review stated he used it to keep his battery charged while using the trolling motor. I'm working it out now where to mount it on and off as needed for my trolling motor. I know my 30lb thrust motor is very light on the battery but want a 50 lb thrust and the combo of the panel might just be the ticket.

[Bazooo guy]

If your solenoid has 2 large terminals and 2 small terminals it could be failing.
When the solenoid is energized it sends power to the coil while the starter is turning.
Replace the solenoid and it should solve the no fire in start position.
Worst thing you can do is crank it over with a low battery.

Check out odyssey batteries.
I installed one last year and it works great at low temps.
ODYSSEY Batteries - Powersports

[srfnson]

Nice...

I have a cabin all powerer with solar panels, we have light, ventilator and event microwave ovent. I have help build an other system and they even have Satellite TV installed (No comments). So i'm just wondering, i am using a small solar panel in the window of my garage to keep my 4 wheel battery charged. I'm pretty certain that a small solar panel could be a nice add to any setup. They are small and don't cost a lot, i suppose someone could fix one on the vehicule.
Vortex

I have a similar setup...cabin with 1kw of solar panels and battery bank. To keep my tractor, atv, and argo batteries charged I use a couple of these panels I got from costco. I mounted them on the garage roof and bought some 12v extension cables to mate with the coleman connectors running them inside. I have 12v accessory plugs on most vehicles so I just plug in the solar charger into the accessory plug. Works really well even went temps hit -30c. Biggest issue is building the roof mount tall enough so snow doesn't accumulate and cover the panels in the winter time.

Good luck...

Paul

[sparkola]

Buy your own High Capacity Capacitors and build your own.

Starting a car with ultracapacitors - YouTube