Mowers are equipped with a battery that charges as the engine runs . If the battery has gone bad, it may not recharge at all, or may lose its charge very quickly. If this is the case, the battery will likely need to be replaced. You can test the voltage a battery is outputting by using a multimeter.
How does a riding mower keep the battery charged?
Most lawn tractors possess one of two types of charging systems to help keep the battery up and running. One type of charging system is the belt-driven alternator , typically mounted on the engine. As the belt turns the alternator, the alternator continually generates power to recharge the battery.
What keeps a battery charged on a riding lawn mower?
Alternators power the small engine while it is running, keeping the battery charged by circulating power back through the system. For the easiest method to check your alternator, simply turn on the headlights to your lawn mower or outdoor power equipment.
What keeps draining my lawn mower battery?
One issue is loose cables where they connect to the battery posts. A loose connection makes a battery work harder, thereby draining it of power more quickly. Cleaning the posts and tightening the connections should renew the battery's ability to hold a charge. A larger problem is a cracked battery case.
How does a Briggs and Stratton charge the battery?
The charging system for the Briggs and Stratton engine begins with the battery, which supplies voltage to the starter. Once the engine runs, the alternator takes over the electrical delivery, supplying voltage to the spark plug and sending extra current to the battery for recharging.
Why does my riding mower not charge the battery?
Is Your Lawn Mower or Small Engine Battery Dead? If your lawn mower battery won't hold a charge, connect it to the charger . If it isn't fully charged within 8 hours, your battery is dead and you'll need to replace it. ... If it holds the charge through testing, you may have an issue with the alternator.
How long do riding mower batteries last?
As a general rule, you can expect the battery in a riding lawn mower to last you for about four years . Once it gets near the end of this lifespan, you'll notice the battery will not be holding its charge for as long as it once did.
Can I use a car battery in a riding lawn mower?
Most riding mowers have 12-volt batteries , too. ... Of course, you need to check to be sure. RAY: If your mower uses a 12-volt battery, use the jumper cables as you would when starting another car.
Will a lawn mower run with a dead battery?
Regardless of the type of lawnmower you have, when the battery dies, you won't be able to operate it . Oftentimes, you can revive a lawnmower battery by charging it for a few hours, otherwise, you'll need to use a multimeter to determine if it's actually dead or some part of the electrical system is faulty.
Can you jump a lawn mower with a car?
You can jump the mower with the battery in your car or with a portable jump-starter, but you can only use your car battery if your mower has a 12-volt battery . ... If your mower has a 6-volt battery, and you don't have a 6-volt jump-starter, your options are to trickle-charge the battery or to buy a new one.
How do I know if my lawn mower battery is 12-volt?
Count the number of plastic caps, if present, and multiply them by two to determine the battery voltage . For example, if there are six caps, it's a 12-volt battery, because 6 times two equals 12.
What size battery does my lawn tractor need?
What size battery does my lawn tractor need? The good news is that most of the batteries that fit modern riding mowers and lawn-tractor type machines are pretty standard: they're going to be 12-volt , and will measure close to 8 inches long, be up to 6 inches wide, and measure roughly 6 or 7 inches tall.
How do I know if my lawn mower battery is bad?
Read the meter. If it has 12.7 DC volts or higher , the battery is good and something else is causing your starting problem. If the voltage reading is lower, the battery is discharged to some degree but may perk up after charging. If it reads 11.5 volts or lower, the battery is most likely sulfated and needs replacing.
How do I know if my lawnmower battery is charging?
You should see a noticeable increase in the overall voltage reading at the battery when the engine is running. Starting and running the engine draws voltage from the battery and, once the engine is running at full throttle, the charging system compensates by sending voltage back to the battery to charge it.
How do you check a lawn mower battery?
Lift the seat on your riding lawn mower to access the battery. Turn on the digital multimeter and switch it to “DC” or “A” to test battery voltage. Set the meter to a value of 13 V for a 12-V battery, which is one value higher than the expected reading.
