EarthX Lithium Battery Cold Start Performance Test

Lithium batteries have many benefits over lead-acid batteries, especially weight and reduced maintenance. But all batteries are affected by the cold. After three years, what do I think of the EarthX Lithium Batteries? How well do they work in the cold? Can you charge them at low temperatures? I decided to do some testing on the coldest weekend of the year so far. One of the batteries has been sitting discharged for 2 winters...did I kill it??
For more info, visit earthxbatteries.com/
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This video is intended as entertainment and represents informal testing with no controls. Always refer to the manufacturers documentation for correct maintenance and use procedures.
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[@andyschad6882]

Installed 2 NOCO Lithium batteries in my sleds this year and one in my UTV (Fall '22). So far, very pleased. However, these batteries have a Battery Maintenance System that causes them to lock out at -4F, which has not presented an issue at this point. If they don't start the sled initially, we just pull the rope to start or use a jump pack. They soon warm up and are good to go the remainder of the day. The price of the NOCO battery is less than the Polaris replacement lead acid battery and comes with a 5 year warranty, so thought we'd give them a try. So far, no regrets. Got tired of replacing Polaris brand batteries every 2-3 years and that includes trickle charger in the off season! We live in Northern WI. Have not been on a trip where sleds did not start in the morning, but have not seen the -4F yet. That said, the lead acid batteries did not work in extremely low temps either, so we invested in a good jump pack. (NOCO) But have not had to use that this season either. So, we have not experienced enough frigid conditions to draw a final conclusion, but like I said, so far we are happy with the performance of these batteries. Be aware, if you do switch to Lithium batteries, they do require a Lithium compatible charger. NOCO makes that too, a brand we have come to trust. We have installed NOCO on-board chargers in our boats, including an Alaskan fishing boat and are also happy with them. We have no affiliation with NOCO, just offering our experience.

[@worshipguitarnow777]

Great video Dave. Hope you get some good riding weather soon.

[@tylernelson1993]

I hope you keep uploading this upcoming season. Bought a 2004 MXZ 600 HO. Your channel helped me out a lot. 10+ years since the last time I snowmobiled last

[@MyOldSled]

Hey thanks for watching. Yes I plan to. Just recovering from covid and a loss in the family. I’lll be back.

[@valhallaawaits6889]

Great video Dave as always, side note...your sense of humor has me chuckling long after watching 😂👍

[@MyOldSled]

Hey thanks. Glad I gave you a laugh.

[@edlonglad3230]

Great video once again... I've had the identical battery ETX36D in my 4 stroke Arctic cat for 5 years and never had issues with it, even in colder temps. The sled sits in an enclosed trailer all summer and I top up the charge each fall. Glad to hear they have a 2nd generation out. I need another for the other sled.

[@MyOldSled]

Good to hear Ed. I have no issues at all with them.

[@scottmcnabb9122]

Nice video we don't talk about the batterys enough . That was good information about how to check for life expectancy . I live in stayner ontario I've had my sled out 4 times crazy weather this year .

[@MyOldSled]

Terrible season

[@carsonbartlett6820]

Great video as always! Bought 2 trail passes and we had one trail that was yellow most of the time over the whole winter. The next green or even yellow trail was 2 hours away. Yesterday at 10 degrees Celsius brought us down to primarily grass and mud. Oh well that's the way it goes.😆

[@MyOldSled]

Thanks Carson, sorry to hear that.

[@snowking55]

Great video Dave! Those are definitely nice batteries, but very pricey. But if they outlast the standard lead acid battery by quite a bit, it may be worth it. The winter in northwest Ohio has stunk big time. Today we reached 66 F. We did get about 3 to 4" that stuck around for about 3 days at one point this winter, so I was able to get 35 miles on my new-to-me sled. I wanted to go up to Michigan this coming week but they just lost most of their snow too. We'll wait and see what the end of February and March bring.

[@MyOldSled]

Thanks! Time will tell, but so far they’re going strong. The main thing is the weight. Sorry about your weather. Bad all round.

[@reidmcnabb818]

I'm two hours south of you Dave, no snow let anywhere trails opened for one weekend and I wasnt available to go for a ride 2023 = the winter that never showed up

[@MyOldSled]

For all of us Reid. I’m getting a few cm now but it’s just mocking me

[@rltkktlr]

Great Information! I do love the lithium battery’s. Little worried about the supply demand issues with all the electric cars and the pitfalls of lithium mining. Time will tell. Northern Minnesota has had a pretty good season. Unfortunately yesterday it rained all day. Hopefully a little snow coming to try and help salvage what’s left. Take care. Great Videos! Bob

[@MyOldSled]

I hope i get something…anything. Ive ridden twice, for like half hour.

[@rltkktlr]

Yes I hope you get out a bit more too! Vintage gathering Saturday always look forward to it!

[@arnoldelliott5695]

Enter into snowtrax contest! Your the man for it!!

[@MyOldSled]

Which contest is that?

[@arnoldelliott5695]

@@MyOldSled It is a contest held by Snowtrax. Check their channel. You are 100% the man for the job!

[@arnoldelliott5695]

this isnt spam or malware, Im a subscriber! and a fan. Cheers, Hope all is well and i look forward to some new content this season.

[@lifeonthefarm7887]

Good video.... we are in Michigan and unless you go to the Upper Peninsula its been a lousy year.

[@MyOldSled]

Thanks. Same for everyone. :(

[@northsidedork_3043]

I had to go to the UP to hit some lake effect snow for my only ride of the season. The lakes around here never even froze solid. It's been such a bad year for snowmobiling.

[@rmitchell1]

I've had a little better winter this year than last year and have been out on the sled a few more times in Northern New York.

[@carterwalker3202]

Hey David, could you please do a video on how to tell when clutches are worn out and how to fix it thanks. By the way love the videos

[@DrSnackCake5]

I’ve been lurking around for a while. It’s coming time to purchase my first sled. I’m going brand new due to pretty much all of the really good used sleds being around the same price as brand new ones where I live in Minnesota. I know you are a huge skidoo fan but I’m looking to get a grand touring or something similar from Polaris. Got any opinions for one over the other?

[@I8U4FUN]

Some Wisconsin trails never opened, and some counties that did open were closing Feb 14th. Winter 2023 just sucks here.

[@MyOldSled]

Sorry, I feel your pain. Season sucked here.

[@JW-cq4ez]

Good video plus One sub.

[@MyOldSled]

Hi JW. thanks for watching!

[@Rikke71]

Hello from Finland. Intresting video. I have a year old ATV whit gel AGM battery. I have allso yamaha 4 stroke sledge whit similar battery. When it gets below - 20c or more here i have issues whit both starting . I just installed hose heater in both so we Will see... Maybe the lithium battery is way to go 🤔. Thanks AGAIN.

[@MyOldSled]

Keeping any battery warmer will help, but I find the cold doesn’t damage a lithium battery the way it can an agm. Thanks for watching!

[@hollymorrow70]

YES my winter has been as cruddy as yours!! LOL ;) ;) ;) ;)

[@MyOldSled]

Sorry to hear that :)

[@icyrc]

would be nice to put a e start on my edge 800 beast to pull start wen cold lucky its got the decomp ports

[@ChrisM-gb1vm]

Hey Dave, Im in Southern Ontario. Just purchased a 2012 MXZ Renegade 800 Etec. Converted to a 146" skid with a 1.6" Cobra Track. It comes stock with the R-Motion Suspension and it is still in-place but just extend to a longer setup. Thoughts on clutching and gearing. Ive done long track conversions in the past on my Yamaha and Polaris sleds. This is my first BRP that's extended. It seems to hook up good, and handling is spot on. I'm more so curious how it'll be at top end. 80 MP/H plus. Any thoughts with clutching / gearing? Thanks!

[@MyOldSled]

Hey you have more experience with long track conversions than me. I would look to a sled with similar track and and see what the differences are in clutching and gearing in the chain-case. Personally, I’d buy a sled with a longer track. Sorry not much help.

[@davidbrennan5]

800 backcountry's with a 146 track run a 23/45 setup, regular renegades run 25/45's. You can run 22/45 with the stock chain and tensioner, this would be good if your playing in powder a lot but you will lose more top end speed. The stock renegade gearing might work better if your staying on the trail a lot, they are already geared down some compared to a short track machine. If you buy a clutch kit for a backcountry it should work well. Maintenance is key on the 800 if you want it to last, run 91 octane fuel and use good oil. I would suggest repacking the outer crank bearings every 3k miles and inspect the seals. I have 11k miles on my 03 mxz 800, I did the top end last year and went through the motor. Warm it up good before you honk on it.

[@qjason508]

Hello I notice that you have tunnel stuffers on your old sled, I would like to know where you got yours if you got them after you bought the sled and how to install them

[@MyOldSled]

Came with the sled. Pretty sure they’re no longer available.

[@qjason508]

@@MyOldSled okay and thanks for the info and great videos

[@MyOldSled]

Thanks for watching Jason

[@richarddeschamps5425]

Where did you get that windshield for your quad? I have a 98 forman 450. Will it fit?

[@MyOldSled]

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I don’t remember. If I can find it I’ll reply.

[@MyOldSled]

I found it online and I think it’s a Honda one but I cannot recall

[@richarddeschamps5425]

@My Old Sled thanks anyway. Btw its -15 with 3 1/2 ' of snow in hornepayne ontario. And i haven't even started my sled this year. Its buried under the snow.

[@farmark457]

😅Good informative video. Having a farm I have lots of batteries and try to use a charger every month cycling from one machine to another. Did 160 KLMs on 1 ride for the year. Is what it is but sure makes it an expensive hobby overall. Thx

[@MyOldSled]

Hope this trend turns around. We had so much snow the first two years i moved up here.

[@upnorthvlogs]

Got nothing to do with the channel but how are the fires? I live in northern Minnesota and we’re smoked out here.

[@MyOldSled]

On behalf of Canada, I apologize. They are far from where I live. It was kind of smoky here a couple of weeks back.

[@ourkid2000]

Absolutely garbage winter here in Nova Scotia. I haven't even taken my sled out of storage yet. We got snow a couple days ago but that was all we've gotten the whole year. About 10cm tops. Rarely below 0 C

[@MyOldSled]

I suspect thats it for the year. We’ll get another few snow falls, but i doubt it will be ridable. Fingers crossed.

[@joels7605]

It DEFINITELY hurts the battery. I had an EarthX and slow charged it at 2 amps a couple times at -20C. Dead dead dead. Ruined forever. That was a young battery, which EarthX then proceeded to deny warranty on. ALL LiFePO4 batteries are damaged when being charged in cold temperatures. It's a limitation of the chemistry. I moved to a Lithium Titanate based battery and haven't had a problem since.

[@MyOldSled]

Like I said, been doing it for three years, no problem. Colder than -20. Both of my batteries are working as good as when I got them, as I show in the video.

[@MyOldSled]

Also I use a charger designed for them, which reduces the charge rate as the internal resistance increases as the temperature drops.