How to Add a Second Battery to My Polaris Ranger
by James Stevens
Polaris manufactures vehicles such as the Polaris Ranger and Defense in addition to motorcycles, snowmobiles and other all-terrain vehicles. Second batteries are a great way to power auxiliary equipment in your Ranger such as winches, so you don’t draw energy from the main battery. You can buy second battery kits from many outlets costing between $100 and $200, excluding the battery, but most Rangers have built-in battery isolator boxes that can be wired for a second battery. If you have moderate automotive DIY skills, save money and add a second battery to your Polaris Ranger yourself.
Step 1
Get three battery cables from an electrical or aftermarket car part store so you can add a second battery to your Polaris Ranger. Two cables need to have metal clamps that are suitable to connect to battery terminals on one end and have metal eyelets on the other end. The third cable needs to have metal eyelets on each end.
Step 2
Open the hood of your Polaris Ranger. Disconnect the two battery cables from the existing battery using a wrench. The red cable splits into two; one goes to the ignition system and the other to the alternator.
Step 3
Follow the cable that goes to the Polaris’s alternator. It’s connected to the alternator terminal pole by a nut. Remove the nut using a wrench then slide the metal eyelet on the end of the red cable off the terminal pole.
Step 4
Connect the end of the cable you removed from the alternator to the isolator box terminal labeled "1". Remove the connector from the box using a wrench. Place the eyelet over the terminal and replace the nut, then tighten.
Step 5
Connect one end of the new cable that has eyelets on each end to the central terminal, usually labeled “A”, on the isolator box. Remove the nut from the terminal as before then place the eyelet over the terminal pole. Replace the nut and tighten.
Step 6
Connect the opposite end of the same cable to the same alternator terminal you removed the cable from earlier. Put the eyelet on the end of the cable over the terminal then replace the nut and tighten.
Step 7
Use one of the two remaining new cables and attach the end that has an eyelet onto the terminal labeled "3" on the isolator box using the same method. Connect the opposite end to the positive terminal of the second battery labeled “+” using a wrench.
Step 8
Use the last cable and connect the end that has an eyelet on the end to a metal part of the Polaris Ranger. It’s simplest to connect it to the same place as the opposite end of the black battery cable you removed from the existing battery. Loosen and remove the bolt. Insert the eyelet over the bolt so you have two eyelets on the thread of the bolt. Replace the bolt and tighten the nut.
Step 9
Reconnect the original red cable you removed from the existing battery onto the positive terminal of the original battery. The terminal is labeled “+.”
Step 10
Connect the opposite end of the cable you connected to the metal part of the Polaris to the negative terminal of the second battery using a wrench. The battery terminal is labeled “-.”
Step 11
Reconnect the original black battery cable to the negative terminal of the existing battery using a wrench. The opposite end is connected to the metal part of the car. You have a second battery fitted to your Polaris Ranger. Use the switch on the isolator box to change battery usage.
References
Things You'll Need
- Wrench
- Three battery cables
Writer Bio
James Stevens has been writing articles for market research companies in the U.K. since 1990. He has written various country profiles for inclusion in comprehensive market reports including Vision One Research and Investzoom Market Research. Stevens holds a General Certificate of Education from Chelmsford College of Further Education.
