Polaris 500 Battery Installation -- is there a trick to this

DrRod · Sep 25, 2018

Its time to replace the battery in my 2005 Polaris 500. The battery is up under the rear fender and looks difficult to extract. Other forums have discussed this and most say remove the fender. So I wanted to see if any of you have a trick for swapping out the battery more easily?

Thanks

Hiptfarms · Sep 25, 2018

I changed out the battery in my 08 ranger 500 4x4. There didn't appear to be any trick as I recall. I did switch to a smaller agm battery but I didn't have any trouble taking the old one out. If you do have to take off the side fender under the seat, it's no big deal. Good luck.

DrRod · Sep 25, 2018

Well, we released the tie-down and found that the battery can be tipped over and extracted below the fender and past the rear wheel. There was enough slack in the battery cables to allow the battery to lean way out and unscrew the terminals rather easily. So thanks for checking my thread but I think this was a case of borrowing trouble -- just wasn't worth the worry once we got into it.

George2615 · Sep 26, 2018

A little late but here's how I do it. I don't use my Polaris 500 ATV in winter and store it in an enclosed trailer. I removed the battery from my 500 and keep it in the garage where it won't freeze. 1st, the seat comes off then the rubber hold down strap. Then the hard part was getting the black plastic battery top cover off. Once that is off I could unscrew the cable connections from the top with a 10MM socket and Phillips screwdriver. Last was to tip the battery out and remove from under the fender. I also wrapped blue tape around the several cables and marked them plus or minus for which terminal they go to.

DrRod · Sep 26, 2018

Thanks for the response. I suspect there are some differences over the years and models. Mine doesn't have a plastic battery top cover so that is not an issue. But the fender blocks access to the cable connections so you have to get done on the ground and tip the battery out in order to get a screwdriver in there. Its all doable once you set your mind to it but its a challenge nonetheless. Thanks again.