Do you want to learn how long to charge a lawn mower battery?
Like a car battery, a lawnmower battery sometimes runs out of power. It usually happens because the mower remains idle for a while.
Fortunately, a flat battery is not an issue, and with the proper charger, you can continue mowing your lawn with all the power you need.
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How long to charge a lawn mower battery, and how does it work?
The length of time for a lawnmower battery to be fully charged will depend on the battery charger. If it is a top-quality model that can deliver lots of juice, it will take about four to six hours to charge the battery.
A lawnmower battery works the same way a car battery, wherein the power is carried and consumed through the alternator charging unit. Thus, it requires continuous charging, even after usage.
What are the steps in ensuring an effective lawnmower battery charging?
There is another way to charge the lawnmower battery: it is by jumpstarting it with a car battery. Many professionals recommend this method, and it does work.
However, if you do not exercise caution and are inexperienced in the process, it can cause more damage than good. It may result in the release of toxic fumes or even an explosion.
Charging a lawnmower battery is not difficult and straightforward, so here are the steps:
Activating the mower’s parking mode
Before undergoing the charging process, bring the lawnmower to a well-ventilated area with a flat surface so you can work properly.
Your garage or carport might not be a good idea since it is enclosed, and the battery may release toxic fumes during the procedure.
To enable parking mode, press the parking brake.
Unplugging the spark plug in the mower
Another safety precaution is disconnecting the sparkplug wire, so lift the hood and look for it to detach it. Then tape it back with electrical tape so as not to fall back and touch the plug.
You can also inspect the sparkplug if it needs cleaning or replacement.
Selecting the right charger for your mower battery
To make sure the charging procedure is off to a good start, you need to choose the correct charger. The way to do it is based on the voltage of the lawnmower battery.
Many lawnmowers operate on a twelve-volt battery that matches their electrical systems. Some newer mowers run on a six-voltage battery.
Fortunately, most chargers available in the market today can handle various voltages. You only have to alternate between different ranges to choose a voltage compatible with your lawnmower battery.
Here are different kinds of settings on the charger you can choose:
- Fast-charging mode
- Timed charging
- Trickle mode
Experts recommend lawn tractors have a two amp charge rate, which provides a thorough and effective charge.
Understanding first the mower’s specifications
There are different kinds of lawnmowers, and yours belong to a specific group made by a manufacturer, who imposes a set of instructions to increase its lifespan.
These instructions and your mower’s specifications are in its user manual, which you need to comprehend in its entirety before connecting the charger to your mower battery.
It will provide you with all the information you need to aid in the charging process.
Preparing your mower battery for charging
After learning all the necessary information in the manual and getting the right charger, you can begin the charging procedure.
Experts recommend removing the battery from the housing and beginning charging outside, rather than letting it remain in the housing and do it there.
Connecting the charger to the mower battery
At this stage, you will begin the charging process. Connect the charger to your mower battery, and make sure to do first the positive terminals then the negative ones.
It is easy to distinguish the cables since the red one is positive and black is negative. And make sure that they are held steadfastly to the battery terminals before continuing to the next step.
Connecting the charger to the wall socket
After ensuring that the charger wires are positioned correctly, set the charge rate as instructed on the user manual. Once done, plug the charger into an electrical socket.
As mentioned, with the correct charger, it will take four to six hours for the charging to finish. Most chargers have the warning to tell you the charging is almost done.
It is a good idea to set a timer for the duration of the charging so that it would not be overcharged.
Turn off the charger once charging is over
After reaching the four to six-hour mark, your mower battery should be fully charged.
There are smart chargers available you can get that switches off automatically once charging is over.
If you are only using a regular charger, once you see the warning light to indicate it is charged, switch it off yourself. Then unplug it from the electrical outlet on the wall.
If your charger does not have an on/off switch, unplug it directly.
Let the battery rest before disconnecting the charger
When you were charging the battery, gasses gathered around it and might cause damage to it.
Since this will happen, you should let the battery rest for a few minutes after charging before disconnecting it from the charger. This way, the gasses will disperse and avoid harm.
After a few minutes and you are sure the gasses have disappeared, you can remove the cables from the battery, and the negative one goes first, then the positive.
Once the charger has been removed completely, you can now return the battery to the housing. Once securely positioned, attach the positive terminal first, then the negative one next.
What are some of the reasons why a lawn mower battery keeps on draining?
Some mower parts are still on
The mower’s electrical system provides power to some of its components, like the headlamps and horns, while it is still running.
Once the engine stops running but the ignition is still on, these parts are still on since they are powered by the battery.
Leaving it on for a long time without switching the ignition off will drain the battery, so make sure to switch it off.
Corrosion on the battery terminals
If you see a whitish chalk-like residue around the battery terminals, it means trouble, but it does not mean it is dead.
It might mean that there is a loose connection in the terminals, which makes the batteries operate harder and drains them quicker.
You have to clean the terminals, remove the whitish residue and tighten the cables. It will renew the capability of the battery is holding a charge.
It might also mean that the battery case is cracked. Gas from the battery will leak through the cracks. And reacts to the metal battery terminals and causes corrosion.
When this happens, you need to replace the battery case.
Dying mower battery
A typical lawnmower battery has a lifespan of about four years. As it nears the end of its life, it does not hold a charge for long.
In this state, a slight power decrease will cause issues to start the engine.
A mower battery can hold a charge for three to four weeks when not in use, and an old battery not used for one week will likely fail. And when this happens, you will have to replace it with a new one.
Failure of the battery recharging system
There are crucial components in the electrical system of a lawnmower, like the voltage regulator or alternator. If this fails, the battery will lose its juice immediately and soon die.
When this happens, you have to replace them and the mower can run at full throttle.
Does knowing about how long to charge the battery useful to you?
If you are a responsible homeowner constantly looking for ways to beautify your home, all of this is practicable information.
The battery is responsible for providing electrical power to your lawnmower. It needs to have enough juice to keep the electricity flowing. Keeping it fully charged will ensure in cutting perfectly-trimmed grass.
