Best Batteries For ATV With Winch | Hunt or Shred

ATVs with winches require more power. The alternator and the battery work together to hoist large loads. What are the best batteries for an ATV with a winch?

Winches require a lot of power. For heavy loads, we recommend installing the Chrome Battery YTX14-BS, or the Odyssey PC535. Both of these batteries offer good CCA ratings and can be used on larger winches. If you are looking for a more pocket friendly option, then there is the Mighty Max YTX14-BS

When working alone, the charging system of your ATV does not have enough power to operate loaded winches. The remaining power is taken from the battery. Selecting the right battery will help you make the most of your winch

According to experts, even small winches, rated at 1500 pounds, can require up to 100 amps of current when drawing a load near its capacity. A 3500-pound winch on the other hand, can require up to 200 Amps. Experienced ATV riders, who operate winches believe that batteries with higher-than-normal CCA and Ampere Hours are required to operate winches effectively.

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ATV with Winch

You will be surprised when the electric winch on your ATV takes a toll on the battery. The battery drains out at alarming rates, and within a few seconds of pulling, you might end up with a dead battery. Even when everything is in the right place, the speed at which your ATV winch draws the juice out of the battery can be quite suspicious.

You plug on a reasonable load, and just after 20-30 seconds of tugging and pulling, your battery does not even start the quad. ATV winches draw a lot of power, much more than what your charging system can provide.

Depending on its size, a winch can draw between 50 – 200 Amps of current from your electrical system. You can run the winch all day with no load as the alternator will take care of the amps. But once your winch is loaded to its capacity, most of the current is drawn from the battery.

Selecting the Battery

Many ATV users rely solely on Ah ratings when selecting a battery. Ideally, a battery with 15 Ah should provide 200A for 4.5 minutes. But with winches, we need to dig a little deeper.

We like to rely more on Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) rating, which is the maximum amps a battery can provide for 30 seconds at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. For example, a 300 CCA-rated battery can supply 300 amps for 30 seconds at 0˚F while not dropping the voltage below 7.2V. The higher the CCA, the bigger the battery.

In addition to CCA, there are many other factors that you need to consider before selecting the best batteries for ATV with winch.

  • The size of the winch - bigger winches draw more power and require bigger batteries
  • Duration of winch – if you want to run the winch longer, you will need a higher capacity battery.
  • Load on the winch – If the winch requires more power, it will drain the battery faster
  • Battery capacity – Ah do matter in the end. You will require at least 12 Ah battery to power a larger winch
  • Outside temperature – Colder temperatures hamper battery performance

You will need to consider all these factors when selecting a battery for your ATV with a winch.

Maximizing Battery Life

Most ATV batteries have a relatively low capacity as they are meant to start the ATV and run a few electricals like lights and horns. So we must make the most of their small capacity. Here are some tips you can use:

  • Make sure the battery is fully charged. If your ATV has been on a break for a while, or if you have been using the battery for longer periods, make sure to charge the battery using an external battery charger.
  • Do not use the winch unnecessarily. For example, if you want to spool out, you can do that manually. This will save the battery for the real tugging and pulling

With that said, here are some of the batteries that we find will suit your winching expeditions well.

Chrome Battery YTX14-BS

The CB YTX14-BS is a bundle of durability and power, which will work perfectly with your ATV's winch. The battery comes with iGel technology, which uses the electrolyte in a gel form instead of the regular acid. This technology makes the battery more efficient and also spill-proof.

The battery also comes with a digital information display, which shows the battery's voltage and the alternator of your ATV. The digital display is coupled with an alarm, which sounds when the battery detects any abnormalities in the electrical system of your ATV. The system even records the date of first use to ensure you get maximum warranty without having to hold on to the paperwork

This battery has tough bridge welding to provide a sturdy and durable casing. The casing is built to absorb shocks and vibrations from your ATV, making it ideal for riders who like to push their ATVs to the limit when it comes to terrain.

The battery is manufactured using the Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) technology, which holds the electrolyte gel in perforated glass mats, making the battery efficient in power and safer for the environment, as it is less prone to spills.

The winches draw a lot of power from the battery and repeated discharging, and charging can affect battery longevity. But this battery has a recharge capacity of 2000 cycles, which makes it ideal for winch use. Adding to the features is the lead-calcium alloy technology, which ensures that the battery remains maintenance-free.

Pros of CB YTX14-BS

  • Easy to Install on ATVs with winch
  • Durable and sturdy construction
  • Highly resistant to shocks and vibrations
  • Low weight; 9.7 pounds
  • High Cold Cranking Amperage at 200A, making it ideal for cold weather

Cons of Optima D35

  • Slightly high self-discharging rate. It cannot be stored away for too long and requires periodic charging

Odyssey PC535

Some batteries offer good cold cranking amperage, and others provide more deep cycle power; the Odyssey PC535 does both efficiently. The battery gives a CCA of up to 200, and it can handle up to 400 charge cycles without any issues.

The battery is designed with lead plates of 99.99% purity. In contrast to the lead alloy, pure lead plates are thinner, and more can be fit into a tight space. With more plates in the battery, it produces more power than other batteries of the same size.

The battery employs AGM technology, which allows the battery to be installed at an angle. The tightly packed plates account for more plate surface area, resulting in the PC535 offering a lot of power for its compact size, making it ideal for use on ATVs with a winch.

The battery has a good cold cranking amperage of 200A and comes with a 2-year replacement warranty. Many ATV users have reported the battery to last between three and ten years.

Irrespective of whether the battery is installed, right side up, at an angle, or on its side, it is extremely resistant to shocks and vibrations. The robust casing makes it durable, and it can withstand extreme temperatures.

Pros of Odyssey PC535

  • High power for compact size thanks to pure lead plates
  • Highly resistant to shocks and vibrations
  • Low weight; 9.7 pounds
  • High Cold Cranking Amperage at 200A, making it ideal for cold weather

Cons of Odyssey PC535

  • Slightly heavy at 12 pounds
  • Pricey

MMG YTX14-BS Lithium Ion

The relatively new Lithium-ion technology on the MMG YTX14-BS battery makes it one of the best options for your ATV with a winch. Don't be fooled by its lightweight, though; it is a powerhouse that lives well by the saying: big things come in small packages. This battery weighs a mere two pounds

Thanks to the Li-Ion technology, the battery has a great deep-cycle life and can handle up to 2000 charge cycles, trampling over conventional lead-acids. The battery also offers nearly double the power of other lead acids of the same size, making it ideal for high-power use.

The battery is tightly sealed and can be used at any angle required. It comes with modular spacers, allowing it to fit all ATVs universally.

There is also a capacity indicator located on the top, which lights up according to the battery's charge. It displays Full, Medium, or Low status using LED lights at the push of a button. This way, you can easily check the battery condition without requiring any extra tools.

The battery offers an amazing 300 cold cranking amperes, which means come hail or storm, it will not let you down in terms of performance.

Pros of MMG YTX14-BS

  • Extremely durable
  • Highly resistant to shocks and vibrations
  • Very lightweight and compact
  • Very low discharge rate. You can store it for a year before it requires to be charged
  • Does not contain any harmful substances like mercury, cadmium, lead, or even acid. It is non-combustible and safe for the environment
  • High Cold Cranking Amperage at 300A, making it ideal for all weather conditions

Cons of MMG YTX14-BS

  • Slightly Pricey

Mighty Max YTX14-BS

The Mighty Max YTX14-BS is an ideal battery for ATVs with winches. It incorporates AGM technology and is effective for high power applications such as high-wattage sound systems, fancy lighting, and winches on ATVs. The battery can be mounted at any angle and fares well against shocks and vibrations.

In terms of performance, this battery does not disappoint. It comes with a spill-proof design and can work well in a broad window of temperature. It has a slow discharge rate and offers a considerably longer service life. The battery incorporates deep-cycle technology, making it a good choice for winch use. The battery has 200 CCA, which makes it ideal for harsh weather.

One of the most outstanding features of this battery is its affordable price. Comparing other batteries in this price bracket, you will get better quality and longevity. It offers good value for your hard-earned money.

The battery also comes with a one year warranty and a 30-day refund policy, which point to the reliability and performance of this battery.

Pros of Mighty Max YTX14-BS

  • Very competitively priced
  • Highly resistant to shocks and vibrations
  • Slow discharge rate
  • High Cold Cranking Amperage at 200A, making it ideal for all weather conditions
  • Spill-proof design

Cons of Mighty Max YTX14-BS

  • Slightly taller than OEM batteries; might require slight modifications to fit properly

Yuasa YTX20L BS

The Yuasa YTX20L BS is a powerful and low-maintenance battery. It offers enough power to start your ATV in cold weather and power the winch on your quad.

In terms of performance, this battery offers 270 cold-cranking amps, which means it can provide power for a much longer duration, even in cold weather. This battery is mostly used on Harley Davidson motorcycles, requiring immense power. The power makes the battery ideal for your ATV and the winch.

The battery uses absorbed glass mat technology and is sealed shut to prevent leaks. The battery tips the scale slightly more than other batteries at fifteen pounds, but it is versatile and tough. It is good at handling shocks and vibrations and can withstand extreme temperatures.

The battery does not come as ready to go. It is shipped empty along with an electrolyte bottle. But once the electrolyte has been added, it can be sealed and does not require the addition of any water afterward.

In terms of price, it is a little bit on the expensive side, due to the high performance.

Pros of Yuasa YTX20L BS

  • High Cold Cranking Amperage at 270A, making it ideal for all weather conditions
  • Shocks and vibration resistant
  • Spill-proof design
  • Advanced lead-calcium plates to maintain a charge longer

Cons of Yuasa YTX20L BS

  • Heavy at 15 pounds
  • Pricey

 

 

 

About THE AUTHOR

Michael

Michael

41 years old. I'm a freelance writer that specializes in informational blog posts. All my articles are detail oriented and well researched. I'm a huge Arizona Cardinals fan!

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