coffeesnob
Member
You are complicating it. Just disconnect the battery in winter. Put a charge on it when you start the season and change oil and go.
Rider Mower battery question
- Thread starter bt-99
- Start date
So when you store in the fall, you just disconnect it and don't charge it for storage correct? And when you start the season, do you charge it only if mower wont start or do you automatically charge it no matter what? The only reason I ask is because sometimes I disconnect the battery in winter and come spring when I reconnect it, it will start without having to charge it.
bullet bob
Well-Known Member
In the fall, after the last mow, clean the underside of the deck, sharpen & balance the blades, change the oil & filter, blow out the debris in between the fins of your engine, pour a little stabil in the gas & run it for a short bit, and put your battery on a 1 amp battery maintainer. In the spring you should be ready to go.
SeniorCitizen
Lawn Addict
Old men drive um to the mail box every other day and it stays ready to go .
nycredneck
Forum Newbie
I’ll use mine in fall/winter to drag tarps full of leaves to the woods. I never disconnect the battery and if it doesn’t start in spring ( but it usually does) I charge it. Harbor Freight sells an inexpensive trickle maintainer I use on grandma’s car which rarely gets driven.
old yooper
Forum Newbie
I recently bought one of those Topdon digital battery testers, $40+ instead of $400 for a Snap-on. And it seems to be working vary well. I have no regrets about buying or using it. For me it is better than my DMM and heat coil load tester for testing what condition my batteries are in. Yes the Snap-on is better, but not 10 times better. If I need the results from a Snap-on I bring the battery to my local parts store and they do the test for free.
SeniorCitizen
Lawn Addict
Back in the good ole days battery testing was done without equipment .
Test -- If the head lights were bright the battery will crank it .
Test -- If the head lights were bright the battery will crank it .
When new mine held charge, after a couple years I always have to charge it in the spring, but for the most part , the batteries are only good for a 60 day warranty. so a battery per season is likely, mine normally last 3 years,
Gord Baker
Well-Known Member
I suggest you remove both Terminal cables, clean them to bright metal and put it on a 2 amp 12v charge for 12 hours. A dead battery will freeze and be destroyed in the winter. When it starts, let it warm up to operating temp then drain oil, install new filter, check/replace air filter and using the Owners Manual Lubricate as required. Equalize air pressures in tires to spec. Underside of deck should have been fully cleaned in the Fall. Remove and sharpen or have the blades sharpened. No need for razor edge.
If you're replacing the battery, measure it first. 12.6v and it's ready to go. Anything less, charge it. If going to set for a long period, put it on a trickle charger. Easy as that.
If you want it tested at an auto parts store.\, plan on leaving it for a while while they charge and test it. Removing it to a warmer area and keeping a charger on it during the unused months will greatly extend it life. I can easily get 5-6 years out of a Walmart battery doing this. Also, as suggested, turn off the gas supply to the engine then run the carb dry.
Easy as that.
If you want it tested at an auto parts store.\, plan on leaving it for a while while they charge and test it. Removing it to a warmer area and keeping a charger on it during the unused months will greatly extend it life. I can easily get 5-6 years out of a Walmart battery doing this. Also, as suggested, turn off the gas supply to the engine then run the carb dry.
Easy as that.