Rhino eats batteries

2LZ · 02-08-2020, 05:50 PM

I don't know about anyone else but my Rhino really chews through batteries. Seems annually.

I did put a bunch of lights and a winch on it and I thought something was up there. I disconnected the winch, no difference. I disconnected all the accessory lighting, still won't hold a charge. First I figured it was the typical junk stock battery. I've tried a Walmart (Everstart) battery, an off-brand battery. Same result.....and yes, I'm following factory initial soak time and first charge instructions with the correct amp charger.

I don't ride it a lot and I thought maybe the cold was getting to it but my other rolling stock seems to be ok, most of the time. I guess I'll have check for amp draw.

Any "shoot from the hip" guesses?

franque · 02-08-2020, 06:26 PM

Check the charging system. If it's charging at too high a voltage, that'll cook the battery. How long does it sit between uses, and is it kept on a tender?

JSTOH · 02-09-2020, 01:12 AM

My Rhino battery is losing juice quick but my Bull battery stays strong. There is definitely something up with the system. I was going to swap batteries to see what unfolds. I also have extra lights and a winch but they don't stay on. I'll check charging voltage tomorrow.

Mudflap · 02-09-2020, 02:03 AM

Still have the original battery in mine after 3 years. Charging voltage is pretty constant at 14.8. I have a volt meter installed so I can monitor.

2LZ · 02-09-2020, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by franque

Check the charging system. If it's charging at too high a voltage, that'll cook the battery. How long does it sit between uses, and is it kept on a tender?

I checked it last year, it was running about 14.6, through the rpm range. I'll recheck it.

The current battery was on a good tender on and off, over time. I put it on my smart charger overnight last week. The next day, it fired right up on the charger. I disconnected it and the cranking amps vanished. Time for my annual battery but I need to figure this out.

I don't ride it most of the winter but it gets decent use dragging a cart around between March and October.

One more question: What's the largest battery anyone is running? The battery box appears it will hold a larger battery than the stock "9".

2LZ · 02-09-2020, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSTOH

I was going to swap batteries to see what unfolds. I also have extra lights and a winch but they don't stay on. I'll check charging voltage tomorrow.

Looking forward to the results of your battery swap and info.

dragonbusa · 02-09-2020, 05:05 PM

Get one of those cheap battery tenders, they work wonders. I've used them for years on my motorcycles lawnmowers and on the quad.

Darth Racer · 02-09-2020, 06:23 PM

I had an issue with mine when I got it... turned out the winch was draining the battery... was waiting for the signal from the wireless remote.

Nowadays I have my battery installed in the trunk on the back rack.. stuffed inside a cheapo Harbor Freight ammo box with a quick disconnect plug. My battery is never in the weather and when I get home it comes inside.

Also using the Harbor Freight generator battery. Lasted two + seasons now.

JSTOH · 02-10-2020, 03:07 AM

My apologies, I was doing damage assessment from a wind storm today and got home from camp after dark. My Rhino battery just came off charge this am. If true to its past behavior, I should have a hard time starting tomorrow in the cold and will have to use my jump pack to give it the proper amps for quick starting.

franque · 02-10-2020, 10:09 AM

Just a wild guess, but I'd check if you're getting AC voltage bleeding through the regulator. I'm not saying it's definitely happening, but it could be that the RR is faulty, and batteries don't like AC voltage.

02-08-2020, 05:50 PM	#1
2LZ Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Volcano, Ca Posts: 7,080	Rhino eats batteries I don't know about anyone else but my Rhino really chews through batteries. Seems annually. I did put a bunch of lights and a winch on it and I thought something was up there. I disconnected the winch, no difference. I disconnected all the accessory lighting, still won't hold a charge. First I figured it was the typical junk stock battery. I've tried a Walmart (Everstart) battery, an off-brand battery. Same result.....and yes, I'm following factory initial soak time and first charge instructions with the correct amp charger. I don't ride it a lot and I thought maybe the cold was getting to it but my other rolling stock seems to be ok, most of the time. I guess I'll have check for amp draw. Any "shoot from the hip" guesses? __________________ "Light a fire for a man, and you heat him for a day. Light a man on fire, and you heat him for the rest of his life." 2007 Suzuki DRZ400S (SM convert) 2009 Q Link XP 200 1967 BSA B25 250cc Starfire 2022 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 2023 Royal Enfield Scram 411 1948 Royal Enfield Model G 350
	1

02-08-2020, 06:26 PM	#2
franque Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Marseille, France -> Conakry, Guinea Posts: 1,481	Check the charging system. If it's charging at too high a voltage, that'll cook the battery. How long does it sit between uses, and is it kept on a tender?
	0

02-09-2020, 01:12 AM	#3
JSTOH Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Western WA, Puget Sound Posts: 21	My Rhino battery is losing juice quick but my Bull battery stays strong. There is definitely something up with the system. I was going to swap batteries to see what unfolds. I also have extra lights and a winch but they don't stay on. I'll check charging voltage tomorrow.
	0

02-09-2020, 02:03 AM	#4
Mudflap Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 1,870	Still have the original battery in mine after 3 years. Charging voltage is pretty constant at 14.8. I have a volt meter installed so I can monitor.
	1

02-09-2020, 05:05 PM	#7
dragonbusa Join Date: Dec 2019 Posts: 28	Get one of those cheap battery tenders, they work wonders. I've used them for years on my motorcycles lawnmowers and on the quad.
	0

02-09-2020, 06:23 PM	#8
Darth Racer Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: MD Posts: 558	I had an issue with mine when I got it... turned out the winch was draining the battery... was waiting for the signal from the wireless remote. Nowadays I have my battery installed in the trunk on the back rack.. stuffed inside a cheapo Harbor Freight ammo box with a quick disconnect plug. My battery is never in the weather and when I get home it comes inside. Also using the Harbor Freight generator battery. Lasted two + seasons now.
	1

02-10-2020, 03:07 AM	#9
JSTOH Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Western WA, Puget Sound Posts: 21	My apologies, I was doing damage assessment from a wind storm today and got home from camp after dark. My Rhino battery just came off charge this am. If true to its past behavior, I should have a hard time starting tomorrow in the cold and will have to use my jump pack to give it the proper amps for quick starting.
	0

02-10-2020, 10:09 AM	#10
franque Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Marseille, France -> Conakry, Guinea Posts: 1,481	Just a wild guess, but I'd check if you're getting AC voltage bleeding through the regulator. I'm not saying it's definitely happening, but it could be that the RR is faulty, and batteries don't like AC voltage.
	0