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Help with parasitic

#1

L

louky1150

I have an older x2001 quadloop that I replaced the battery on this year. I am using this on a property where I only mow every three weeks. The new battery discharges completely over a 3 week period and is measuring 0 volts. Mower will start with a jump box and shows 15 volts while charging. The mower will start fine the rest of the day but the battery will be dead again 3 weeks later. I guess I could have gotten a dud battery or I have developed some sort of parasitic draw. Has anyone experienced this or have any troubleshooting tips to share? Thanks!


#2

StarTech

StarTech

A couple options here.

1> Disconnect the fully charged battery and check in three weeks.
2> or better disconnect the battery install an amp meter and check current draw while the ignition switch is off.

Also the model and spec number of the engine will help to look up the charging system but they did come with Kohler 20 hp engine. Most likely a CV20 but the numbers will tell what charging system it used.


#3

S

slomo

Most alternators or charging coils will never properly charge a battery. One crank of the engine and the reserve gets depleted. Sure you might see 15 volts but how many amps? That is where most are deficient.

Put it on a real charger like a Battery Tender brand. That way it's fully topped off when you need it.

Also take the suspect battery to any auto parts store. They will test for free.


#4

H

hlw49

Did you by chance jump the seat switch? If so it will activate the fuel shut off solenoid and kill the battery in that length of time.


#5

A

Auto Doc's

I've caught several seat switches jumped recently, but customers hate to listen to reason. It's just inconvenient to be safe for some people.

I have been using solar sunlight battery maintainers on all of my battery start lawn equipment and tractors for a few years now and it has saved me a lot of money having to replace batteries every 1-2 years.


#6

S

slomo

I've caught several seat switches jumped recently, but customers hate to listen to reason. It's just inconvenient to be safe for some people.
If I were a shop, I would not touch their mower. Annotate the by-pass condition on the ticket and send them packing.


#7

A

Auto Doc's

Hi slomo,

I simply tell the customer I will not work on a machine in a "rigged condition". If they will not accept that, then I cannot help them with their machine problems. Most will have me unrig the bypass so it can be repaired. Everything is recorded on the repair order.

Sadly, much of the time, they don't even realize that a family member a "friend" or a "shade tree" shop has bypassed safety switches without them even knowing it.

Most customers have no idea how or why these safety circuits are designed to operate anyway.


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