Jump starting an under-seat battery?

[Ohioguy]

I don't seem to be able to get to the end of this thread?
Router problems...Curt

 

[Mad_mat222]

I just permanently wire up a fused heavy wire/cable to the battery. Mine runs out onto the deck but put it where ever you want. I have a 50amp Anderson plug on the end. All my battery chargers have 50amp plugs on them. I can plug straight. Also use it to plug my sprayer in when needed.

 

[crazy charlie]

I made the mistake of jumping the little battery and it exploded the moment I turned the key.I was in the garage so it sounded like a shotgun.I would NOT recommend jumping that little battery.I was so shocked,I had no idea what had just happened.Do yourself a favor and get a new battery.I got one at Wallyworld for about $25.Charlie

 

[robertschemenauer]

One of my mowers has the battery under the seat and has a safety switch that requires the seat to be down and depressed before it will start. With someone in the seat I can't see any way that a set of jumper cables would fit under there without running the very real risk of grounding the + cable. How does someone jump start a mower with the battery under the seat?Jumper direct to the solinoid or battery under the hood.

 

[Rivets]

Boy, has this thread taken a left turn, OP said he got his answer in post #7. Don’t know how we got on charging or jump starting a unit.

 

[Old_Paint]

Boy, has this thread taken a left turn, OP said he got his answer in post #7. Don’t know how we got on charging or jump starting a unit.

Because the OP was this?

One of my mowers has the battery under the seat and has a safety switch that requires the seat to be down and depressed before it will start. With someone in the seat I can't see any way that a set of jumper cables would fit under there without running the very real risk of grounding the + cable. How does someone jump start a mower with the battery under the seat?

Bottom line, if @Elkins45 feels that the battery is suspect, then it's pretty easy to snatch it out and take it to a local auto parts store to test it. They can verify that it will or won't charge up, and load test it to make sure it isn't failing internally. Most do this for free in anticipation of selling a battery.

BUT, what I would do, depending on the age of the mower, is go ahead and replace the starting relay (solenoid), and go through and clean/tighten every electrical connection on the mower that has a screw terminal, especially the larger conductors which are barely sized large enough to deliver the current to the starter. Clean connections make for a happier starter and battery. Face it, the electrical system is a maintenance item that everyone takes for granted because it doesn't have to be done often. But, it MUST be done. Just make sure to disconnect the battery before attempting any electrical service on the machine. Lift the negative (ground) cable first, then there's no risk of sparks while disconnecting the positive (Hot) cable. Reconnect them in reverse order.

Using a jumper to bypass safeties is not a bad thing if the purpose is to find out what the bad safety is or to be able to start the machine for troubleshooting purposes. HOWEVER, bypassing the safety to get the grass cut IS typically a bad idea and may just demonstrate Darwin's theory of selectivity. You do you, but I would not operate one without the safeties in place. By doing things like removing belts can let you test all you want with jumpers in relative safety from mechanical mishap. The mower can't move if the transmission or blades are mechanically disconnected. But every switch on the bugger can be tested for function, and it isn't a bad idea to do this every couple years if you like a safe machine. It's exactly what I do. That experience comes from 47 years as a field service electrical engineer in heavy industry. Do you think I haven't jumped a thing or two? But I do recommend some familiarity with the risks and knowing how to use test equipment without endangering oneself.