2013 GTR battery maintenance needed or not?

[gtoimpulse]

I recently bought a 2013 GTI SE 130 and 2013 GTR 215 from the same owner. They both have the original batteries. I have been using the battery tender jr to charge/maintain them. I notice the GTR takes forever to get the green light on the charger. I recently added the ring terminals so I can just plug it in instead of using the alligator clips in hopes to get a better connection. I also cleaned the battery terminals really good and slightly sanded them. Do I need to add distilled water to this type of battery?
The skis are two years old, is it time for a new one?
I use the ski every weekend for the past month and no starting problems...yet.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[Coastiejoe]

I bought two new skis in late 2010. I just replaced one battery last week. Other battery is going strong. I pull them in the cold winter months (I recently moved to Florida so I doubt I'll pull them anymore) and stored them without charging. About a month before I'd get ready for summer I'd hook both batteries up to my tender. This has worked for me for 20 yrs now. If you need only a small amount of water, then yes, use distilled water. I always bought a small bottle of battery acid and used it to top off my batteries.

 

[gtoimpulse]

Thanks Coastiejoe. Do you think the slow charge time is normal due to the tender jr not giving alot of juice or is battery dying a slow death? I haven't maintained a battery since the late 80's and this battery looks to be a pain to remove. Do I remove the 6 green plugs to add water or is that where the acid is?

 

[AUJeep]

You could get the battery tested just to make sure it's not on it's way out

 

[gtoimpulse]

Good idea, I am installing a depth finder in a few days, so I will take the battery out to make it easier and have it tested.

 

[AircraftDoc]

If the battery needs replacing, buy a sealed AGM battery. They are more durable. No adding fluids.

But, yes you always need to check the battery after every weekend or outing. The vented battery lose their fluids by the skidoo being ridden - jumping etc.

 

[ski-d00]

The 4tec stock batteries are lasting about 5 years if maintained properly so you should be good for awhile.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Tenders are a MUCH slower charge as compared to a charger in most cases. Most tenders are 1.5 amps or so with some that charge at 2 amps.

This is to prolong the life of the battery.

 

[gtoimpulse]

I just checked the water level for my battery. It looks like it's low. I just am not sure how low it is. How much water do I add? Do I fill up all the way to the top, or just above the cells?I haven't done this in 20 + years, thanks.

 

[Coastiejoe]

If the battery were out, you would see a LOW line and FULL line. Low is at the top of the plates you can see. Full is about 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch above the plates.

At the very least use distilled water. I buy battery acid as it is cheap and ready to go pretty much.

 

[AircraftDoc]

If the plates have seen air for too long they will corrode to the next plate. Short out. Then your battery will need replacing. No coming back.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Most suggest a gel cell battery. I bought one from a local store and it started my ski ONLY twice. It went bad and three 14 codes in the process. So,,, I bought a CanDoo Pro so I could figure things out. Ended up being a junk Gel Cell battery.

No matter what you buy, spend enough money to get a good product. Took me like 3 weeks to get back to normal. Part of which was waiting for the CanDoo Pro.

 

[AircraftDoc]

I agree. Buy good quality. I bought from a independent battery shop after researching the battery. I stayed away from the Autozone-cheap auto parts stores. Spent $120 each. I have two years on one so far and one year on the other ski.
I don't care about a battery exchange warranty.(AutoZone) I don't want to need a reason to exchange the battery.

 

[gtoimpulse]

I filled the battery with distilled water to 3/4" above the plates, hooked it back up to the charger two hours later the green light was on. I also plugged the battery tender jr directly into the wall. Before I had it connected to a multi strip. So I guess the combination of the two things got it back in shape.
I will keep an eye on the water levels and hope to get the season out of the battery.