Picture your lawn after a week or longer of no mowing. It’s a jungle out there! You hop on your lawnmower, and it’s dead in the water. This frustrating scenario occurs to almost every homeowner at some point in life. Get to know the signs that your lawn tractor battery is dead. The clues will point you in the right direction.
1. Check the Connections
Lawn mower batteries deal with a lot of vibrations. In fact, the vibration can lead to rapid decline in the power source. This fact tends to make any battery a drawback to a mower in the first place, reports Quicken Loans. However, you can overcome this issue by checking the battery on a regular basis.
Lift up the seat on a riding mower to access the lawn mower battery. Give the wires a gentle pull. If any of them are loose from the battery’s terminals, tighten them up as necessary. All electrical systems rely on solid connections or else the electricity cannot reliably flow. In some cases, it’s just a wire issue that solves the power dilemma.
2. Try a Charging Session
Connect your questionable battery to a lawn mower battery charger. Set it for 12 volts, which is the standard in the industry. Most lawn and garden devices have this voltage rating as a way to keep consumers safe from any shock.
Allow the charger to power up the battery for up to eight hours. It should have a full charge by this time. If you notice that it’s still indicating a low status, it’s time to replace the battery. The cells can’t absorb the electrical energy as well as they used to do. Working with the same battery won’t improve the situation.
3. Listen for a Clicking Sound
Starting up your lawnmower can tell you a lot about its health. Grab the pull cord or turn the key in the ignition. If you hear a clicking sound, replacement batteries are probably in your future.
The motor is trying to draw power from the battery, but it’s not receiving enough juice. Proper maintenance on the batterycan prolong its lifespan, but it will decline in time. Swap out the battery and try the power-up sequence again. In most cases, the problem is now solved.
Treat your new battery to regular maintenance now so that it can last for as long as possible. Place it on a trickle charge when you aren’t using the mower over long periods of time, such as over the winter months. You’ll see a marked difference in performance time and lifespan length.
4. Verify the Voltage
You may be questioning the mower’s electrical system, including the use of a lawn mower battery charger. Put your concerns to rest by pulling out a multimeter. Set the device to DC or direct current.
Attach the meter’s probe to the battery’s terminals. Match the positive lead to the red terminal, and connect the negative lead to the black terminal on the battery. Garden tractors usually have around 12 volts on a healthy battery.
Other voltages might arise on your system, such as:
- 12.7 volts
- 11.5 volts
Keep the battery if it reflects 12.7 volts, but replace it at 11.5 volts. Although your battery might have light indicators that denote charging levels, states Consumer Reports, a multimeter will always give you a better indication of battery health.
5. Examine the Water Reservoir
Lawn mower batteries usually have a flooded design where you add water for maintenance purposes. Check your battery by accessing the reservoir. It should be filled to the maximum level. If it’s low on water, that may be your only problem. Fill it and test the mower again.
For any questions about your lawn mower battery, contact Northeast Batterytoday. Our team can troubleshoot any battery. Put your mower back on a productive path with quality batteries from our inventory. Your landscape can shine brightly once again!