Kawasaki Mule Battery ?

[PhilG327]

Does anyone out there use an alternative type of battery in their Mule?

I have an ancient 2500 Mule (Series 620 - 2WD) with a flooded-cell battery #CB16CL-B. My farm is hilly and pastures are bumpy and the battery acid frequently spills onto the frame. As the acid gets lower the output decreases and the Mule is hard to start. Is there a sealed lead acid or AGM battery that can be used as an alternative? Charging is also an issue as my farm is off-grid and hauling it home to charge poses more issues with acid spills. Kawasaki was unable to provide any other options.

Any suggestion is much appreciated !

 

[LouNY]

Any agm that fits the battery box will work. I don't recall the exact size of the one we put in the mules at the farm. It's just an ordinary battery with a hold down.
Part way down this page it gives the actual dimensions of the battery sizes;
Battery Group Sizes and Cross Reference Chart with pictures | BCI, EN, DIN Codes

 

[RjCorazza]

Does anyone out there use an alternative type of battery in their Mule?

I have an ancient 2500 Mule (Series 620 - 2WD) with a flooded-cell battery #CB16CL-B. My farm is hilly and pastures are bumpy and the battery acid frequently spills onto the frame. As the acid gets lower the output decreases and the Mule is hard to start. Is there a sealed lead acid or AGM battery that can be used as an alternative? Charging is also an issue as my farm is off-grid and hauling it home to charge poses more issues with acid spills. Kawasaki was unable to provide any other options.

Any suggestion is much appreciated !

There are numerous CB16CL-B AGM batteries on the market, mostly power sport applications. You could also measure your existing battery and terminal locations / type and match up something locally.
If it fits and you can work with the terminals, there's nothing special about the batteries Kawasaki uses.

 

[shooterdon]

When I replaced the battery on my Mule SX, I measured the opening and bought the biggest battery that would fit. It is a sealed battery. I had no time to fiddle with it.

When it fails, I will buy longer cables and relocate a "real" deep cycle battery to a large area under the seat that is wide open.

You might consider a solar trickle charger to keep the new battery at peak performance.

 

[PhilG327]

Thank you both for the suggestions. Much appreciated.

 

[John_Mc]

I would definitely go with an AGM battery. Leakage is just not an issue with them. If you search for your battery model number on Amazon, you'll find several substitutes show up for that size. (Just make sure they actually list it as a substitute or that this dimensions listed will fit in your space - all of the ones which pop up in the search don't necessarily match.)

I switched the log forwarding trailer I have to one years ago and have had good luck with it. I also switched my Honda Pioneer 520 UTV to an AGM 18 months ago and it's still working well (I do have to keep that one on a battery minder while not in use, since the receiver for wireless winch control is always on, and will drain the battery if the UTV is not used regularly.)

I did have bad luck with a Mighty Max brand battery on the log trailer: the first one lasted 9 months before it would no longer hold a charge. They replaced it under warranty. The second one lasted one year. The Yuasa AGM battery I have on it now cost a good bit more than the Mighty Max, but has been there for 3 years and is still working.

 

[WM75Guy]

I just carried mine into O'Rielly's Auto and matched it up with one in the store. They seem to only last a couple of years, like lawn tractor batteries.

 

[shooterdon]

I just carried mine into O'Rielly's Auto and matched it up with one in the store. They seem to only last a couple of years, like lawn tractor batteries.

I had a $20 Wally World battery on my riding mower for 7 years. I kept it on a Battery Tender and it seemed to make a difference. Or maybe I got lucky?

 

[PhilG327]

Thanks to all for the information. I've used Duracell AGM batteries on both my small solar systems. One system on the barn mostly for lights and one on the cabin for lights, radio and for charging phones and etc. Not had a failure yet and they stay on-line all winter. I will carefully measure the old battery and will have to be careful to get one EXACTLY the same size as space is limited and the wiring has been cut & shortened by previous owners. I've always taken the AGM out of the Mule for winter and kept it on a battery maintainer.

 

[John_Mc]

Thanks to all for the information. I've used Duracell AGM batteries on both my small solar systems. One system on the barn mostly for lights and one on the cabin for lights, radio and for charging phones and etc. Not had a failure yet and they stay on-line all winter. I will carefully measure the old battery and will have to be careful to get one EXACTLY the same size as space is limited and the wiring has been cut & shortened by previous owners. I've always taken the AGM out of the Mule for winter and kept it on a battery maintainer.

Should be no need to take it out, if it's fully charged (which it will be if it's kept on a maintainer.

 

[deserteagle71]

I just carried mine into O'Rielly's Auto and matched it up with one in the store. They seem to only last a couple of years, like lawn tractor batteries.

Put a battery maintainer on it. NOT a trickle charger, a maintainer. I've doubled and in some cases tripled how long my batteries last by doing that. Lots of different brands/manufacturers to choose from. I've had really good luck with these:

https://www.northerntool.com/products/batteryminder-plus-battery-charger-trickle-charger-desulfator-12-volt-1-amp-model-12117tc-167981

But instead of using the battery clamps and having to open the hood to access the battery all my rigs have these installed on the battery and the end sticking out somewhere for easy access:

https://www.northerntool.com/products/batteryminder-quick-connect-disconnect-ring-terminal-assembly-for-battery-charger-trickle-charger-15-amp-model-rta-2415-44103

I own over a dozen of these setups, once I found out how effective they were in prolonging the life of a battery. They are installed on all my rigs - motorcycle, tractors, pickups, etc. And you can find them cheaper than the examples I provided - I know Walmart carries the connecting cables - or you can even make your own.

 

[John_Mc]

Put a battery maintainer on it. NOT a trickle charger, a maintainer. I've doubled and in some cases tripled how long my batteries last by doing that. Lots of different brands/manufacturers to choose from. I've had really good luck with these:

https://www.northerntool.com/products/batteryminder-plus-battery-charger-trickle-charger-desulfator-12-volt-1-amp-model-12117tc-167981

But instead of using the battery clamps and having to open the hood to access the battery all my rigs have these installed on the battery and the end sticking out somewhere for easy access:

https://www.northerntool.com/products/batteryminder-quick-connect-disconnect-ring-terminal-assembly-for-battery-charger-trickle-charger-15-amp-model-rta-2415-44103

I own over a dozen of these setups, once I found out how effective they were in prolonging the life of a battery. They are installed on all my rigs - motorcycle, tractors, pickups, etc. And you can find them cheaper than the examples I provided - I know Walmart carries the connecting cables - or you can even make your own.

The BatteryMINDer model 12117TC is their oldest model. They discontinued sales of it to anyone other than Northern Tool. It's still a solid, smart battery maintainer: I've got one that is around 20 years old and still going strong. They are running a sale now at $25 (regular price $40).

Northern tool used to carry a good bit of the BatteryMINDER product line, but has pared that down to about 2 these days: the 12117TC and its successor the model 1500. (If I were considering the model 1500, I'd probably go for the 1510: usually available for just a few $ more. Electrically identical to the 1500, but with both the ring terminals and the improved battery clamps.)

They do make a number of other models, from low amperage maintainers to user selectable 2/4/8 amp models with selectable charging profiles optimized for a variety of battery types. The one I use on my tractor is the BatteryMINDer 1215C. A little more expensive, but more weather resistant, comes with both ring terminal adapter and higher-end battery clips

 

[kneedeep]

It’s been a while but I was able to alter the battery box and put a larger battery in my Trans Mule. Seems it needed longer automotive cables to connect to the car battery.
All my batteries have maintainers and they do work, especially in cold weather.