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Powersport vehicles are all about having the capability to “get-up-and-go” have fun when and where you want, including in the dirt, mud, water and snow. With the winter months upon us, outdoor enthusiasts are looking forward to hitting the snowy trails on their snowmobiles, All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), snow bikes and other applications. Nothing dampens this excitement more than finding out your powersports vehicle won’t start.
It is helpful to understand proper battery maintenance and how a battery warranty works to avoid missing opportunities to get outdoors while preventing any potential for voiding the warranty. Warranties protect consumers from defects in materials, faulty parts or poor assembly that could cause a product to fail prematurely. In most instances, warranties require nothing from the consumer if the failure occurs within the coverage period and proper usage guidelines were followed.
With lead acid batteries, however, consumers are expected to follow proper battery maintenance to achieve the manufacturer’s life expectancy and maximum performance, as well as maintain the product warranty. A typical battery warranty will express what is covered, the duration of the coverage and what will lead to the voiding of the warranty.
This makes it important for consumers to read and understand the complete warranty and what maintenance is required to ensure that there are no issues with coverage. Most battery warranties will also address consumers’ expectations to maintain the coverage for the specific products they purchased. For example, many lead acid battery manufacturers offer several different groups of batteries, and each category may have unique warranty requirements and recommended maintenance that can vary between the type of vehicle the battery powers. The ODYSSEY® Battery General Product Limited Warranty specifies that ODYSSEY® Extreme Batteries with the “ODS” Prefix have an Applicable Warranty Period of two years for engine start powersports applications. (The warranty is subject to change without notice.)
The product warranty will also define the conditions and failures in which the battery is covered. In addition, the warranty defines what is not covered. The ODYSSEY® Battery General Product Limited Warranty clearly states that it does not cover a battery reaching its expected end of life, which may occur ahead of the expiration of the stated warranty period. A battery can reach its anticipated end of life before the end of the Applicable Warranty Period, depending on the application and the amount of use. This is because batteries can only deliver a fixed number of usable amp-hours over the product’s lifecycle.
Battery warranties also contain the clauses under which a manufacturer has no obligation to honor the warranty. For example, the ODYSSEY® Battery General Product Limited Warranty will not cover things like willful abuse, misuse, physical damage or neglect, just to name a few.
It is crucial to pay attention to the conditions that will result in voiding the warranty coverage. The ODYSSEY® Battery warranty asserts that trickle chargers that do not have a regulated trickle charge voltage between 13.5V and 13.8V (no lower than 13.5V and no higher than 13.8V) will cause early product failure, and that usage of such chargers will void the warranty. Additionally, overcharging, undercharging, charging or installing in reverse polarity, improper maintenance, allowing the battery to be deeply discharged via a parasitic load or mishandling the battery will also void the warranty.
In vehicles that use an alternator, the ODYSSEY® Battery General Product Limited Warranty specifies the alternator must deliver between 14.0V and 14.7V when measured at the battery’s terminals. It is advised that consumers consult the manufacturer’s battery technical manual or owner’s manual for any necessary temperature compensation. ODYSSEY® batteries require an alternator that delivers a regulated charge between 14.0V and 14.7V (no lower than 14.0V and no higher than 14.7V). Alternators that produce a lower or higher charge will cause premature battery failure, and the use of such alternators will void the battery’s warranty.
Not all battery warranties are created equal so it’s important to do your research, that includes carefully reviewing your owner’s manual and directing any care and handling questions to your battery professional.
Virtually maintenance-free ODYSSEY® batteries are a premium power solution that can reliably start your powersports vehicle while handling the growing number of onboard electronic accessories for added convenience and comfort. Backed by an industry-leading warranty, ODYSSEY® batteries feature a three- to 10-year service life and a two-year storage life at 77°F (25°C). They are available in a wide variety of sizes with Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) as high as 2,250.
To follow the latest ODYSSEY® battery news, visit our website at www.odysseybattery.com or connect with us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook by using the hashtag #MYODYSSEY.
ABOUT ENERSYS®
EnerSys, the global leader in stored energy solutions for industrial applications, manufactures and distributes energy systems solutions and motive power batteries, specialty batteries, battery chargers, power equipment, battery accessories and outdoor equipment enclosure solutions to customers worldwide. Energy Systems, which combine enclosures, power conversion, power distribution and energy storage, are used in the telecommunication, broadband and utility industries, uninterruptible power supplies and numerous applications. Motive power batteries and chargers are utilized in electric forklift trucks and other industrial electric powered vehicles requiring stored energy solutions. Specialty batteries are used in aerospace and defense applications, large over-the-road trucks, premium automotive, medical and security systems applications. EnerSys also provides aftermarket and customer support services to its customers in over 100 countries through its sales and manufacturing locations around the world. With the NorthStar acquisition, EnerSys has solidified its position as the market leader for premium Thin Plate Pure Lead batteries, which are sold across all three lines of business. More information regarding EnerSys can be found at www.enersys.com.
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