Stupid Battery Questions

[wildncrazyguy]

I searched but really didn't find much on this. So...

1. Do most lawn tractors have an "alternator" or functionally similar device to charge the battery? I've been under the assumption that lawn tractor batteries needed charging every couple of months or so because there is no charging method on them. The battery just slowly ran dead the more and you use it, starter, lights, etc. so charging is in order every couple of months and since it doesn't get used much in the Winter in my case, I would always have to charge before storing and again in the Spring when it's time to go again.

2. Can one actually crank the mower a few times over the Winter, let it run, (How many minutes if so, because the cranking is gonna drain the battery some?) and actually keep the battery in good shape by doing so? Is it only the high end tractors with this charging feature, or is it fairly common on any lawn tractor? I think I read where it's built into the engine. If so, only certain types of engines? Mine is a Briggs and Sratton.

3. If 2 is possible, is this better than an automatic battery charger with the float option? Battery tender's and the likes? I recently did not know that one could overcharge a battery. I thought the battery would take the charge right up to 100%, then the charger was just wasting energy trying to charge it. (I have a manual charger.) Apparently you can overcharge (boil) a battery and make it no good. So, if a battery already has a good charge, you can damage it by trying to fully charge it or in bad cases blow it up. I guess I'm thankful I never had that happen doing what i did. (I would leave my charger on overnight at times trying to give my battery that 100% charge, when it probably already had 95-100% already. Probably cooked lots of batteries before their time unknowingly. Maybe.)

4. Ultimate question really is: What is the best way to keep batteries in lawn tractors healthy? Fully automatic charger on the battery all the time or as much as possible? (For example, park the tractor, hook it up as a rule.) Is every couple of months good enough to top the charge off using a battery tender like charger? Or, just crank the tractor up somewhat frequently during off season times and let it run for a bit to let the "alternator" do it's job? In this case, I would imagine the rule of running the gas out would not be a factor for "storage" as you are technically using the tractor year-round.

I know... Lots of stupid questions. No need to answer them all. Just looking for good direction. My lawn tractor batteries have lasted me about 4-5 years in the past. Is that about average or could I save some money by doing something better?

[360ci]

Almost all tractors have an alternator. Some cases the output is only 10-20amps, just enough to keep the battery charged and run a couple of 12V lights if need be. A lot are belt driven, but there are a few that are shaft driven depending on how the tractor is built. Shaft driven alternators can sometimes be called "built-in" as you mentioned. I took my old garden tractor to an electrical shop, they load tested the alternator because power seemed to be cutting in and out. Turned out I had a bad battery. I used the zero turn frequently when I had it (picked it up free but it had like 4700 hours).

I think Optima, or another company out there should produce a spiral cell battery to better cope with vibration. It was guessed as the cause of the old battery failure.

For private homeowner use, a lawn tractor battery can easily last 4-5 years. Just be sure if you store it over winter that you disconnect, or remove the battery from the unit. Charging it periodically will help of course, but I've never had any problems storing my battery on a shelf, then reinstalling it next season - mower started right up.

If you store the battery and trickle charge it overnight after a couple of months, you shouldn't have to do it again before the next season. If you don't want to remove the battery cables, or the battery altogether from the machine, it's best to start it for a good 10-15minutes every few weeks. This does two things, it helps prevent rust buildup (it would be minimal to none), and it allows the engine to get up to operating temp.

Something else to consider for storage, is if you remove the battery, a good rule of thumb to help starting next season without running the tractor during storage is to remove the spark plug and spray a couple of quick shots of fogging lube into the cylinder. This keeps the cylinder walls moist and prevents rust. Fogging oil is similar to a WD-40, but it has better adhesion properties so it doesn't pool right to the bottom after you spray it.

[Cleve]

In my opinion most Lawn & Garden batteries are almost junk Most that I have had only last a good season. I usually try to buy a premium brand in the hopes it will last longer. I did even call Optima and ask if they could make a smaller battery for use in lawn equipment. No, and they don't plan on it. Seems odd.
I started last year using the trickle chargers that also desulphate(s) a battery. I have one of these on all my small batteries and haven't had to replace one in over a year now. Even the one on my Walker diesel has lasted over 2 years now. Had to replace that one just about every year before doing this. I purchased most of these from Northern Tool and seems like each was around $50 or so. I figure I've already saved on each enough to buy another battery. And most good lawn & garden batteries were around $50 anyway.

[360ci]

In my opinion most Lawn & Garden batteries are almost junk Most that I have had only last a good season. I usually try to buy a premium brand in the hopes it will last longer. I did even call Optima and ask if they could make a smaller battery for use in lawn equipment. No, and they don't plan on it. Seems odd.

Yes, very odd. Small engine market would be a HUGE advantage. I contacted them as well a few years ago and got a similar reply. In Canada at Canadian Tire, most small utility batteries run $58-90 depending on the size and brand; most do come with a two year warranty at least. I've never had any problems with utility batteries dying in one season. This year, that'll change now that I said that!

[kenneth meals]

Most smaller lawn euipment engine use a stator type charging system. Starting a mower/tractor every now and then and letting it run for 10 to 15 minutes will charge it to where it needs to be. A charger with a float charge will shut off when charged to about 12.5 volts then come on usually at 11.5, and doing that will not boil the water out. If it is a constant trickle charge it will not shut off, I've seen some that will constantlly put out 14 to 15 volts.. Main thing is to take a hydrometer and test the specific gravity of the battery. Smaller equipment batteries do have a reputation of being junk, but they aren't. Most of the problems is usually the voltage regulators/recifyers put out more amperage and volts due to thier simplicity. Smaller batteries on lawn equipment get more starting than larger equipment. Smaller lawn euipment batteries get more contanimates in them,dust, grass, pollen, ect.

[Cleve]

I'll clarify my post regards the trickle charger. The ones that I use come from Northern tool.
They are the VDC Electronics BatteryMinder. It is a 1.3V trickle charger, maintainer, desulphator. It is my understanding that these charge the battery to proper voltage and then shift to the desulphator setting. I really believe they work as advertised as I have not lost a battery since using these. These are perfect for attaching to anything stored including larger vehicles.

[rotti1968]

I'll clarify my post regards the trickle charger. The ones that I use come from Northern tool.
They are the VDC Electronics BatteryMinder. It is a 1.3V trickle charger, maintainer, desulphator. It is my understanding that these charge the battery to proper voltage and then shift to the desulphator setting. I really believe they work as advertised as I have not lost a battery since using these. These are perfect for attaching to anything stored including larger vehicles.
Well sell Honda generators, some of them have electric start. One thing that we push to our customers when buying these is a battery tender. there is nothing worse then buying a generator and your power goes out and your battery is dead. these tenders work well, and will without a doubt extend the life of the battery. I know that interstate has very good batteries for lawn and garden use that should last at least 2 to 3 seasons.

[topsites]

1. Yes, there does exist a charging system of sorts but it is not unusual
for these batteries to go dead, also it is possible something isn't working
with that system.

2. Yes, if you start it let it run a good 20-30 minutes on idle, long enough to
let the engine warm up completely.

3. No, running the engine for 20-30 minutes at a time is not better than charging with a charger,
probably the best thing to do would be to get a true trickle charger that you can leave plugged up.

4. Actually, if you simply unhook one of the battery posts it should stay charged.

[dutch1]

Just my two cents. I have a 1987 Grasshopper with an 18HP Kohler Magnum. The original battery, the lawn and garden type which was under the seat, lasted a bit over a year. Grasshopper offered a battery case which accepted an automotive battery that could be mounted on the rear frame behind the fender. I made the change and the unit is on its third automotive battery in 21 years. The lawn and garden batteries just do not seem to last more than two seasons. I don't know what causes the failures in the non-serviceable batteries but 90% of the serviceable batteries that I have seen on home owner equipment are low on fluid--they rarely get checked.

Dutch

[Cleve]

Well sell Honda generators, some of them have electric start. One thing that we push to our customers when buying these is a battery tender. there is nothing worse then buying a generator and your power goes out and your battery is dead. these tenders work well, and will without a doubt extend the life of the battery. I know that interstate has very good batteries for lawn and garden use that should last at least 2 to 3 seasons.

And I happen to own a Honda EX5500w generator. Water cooled at that. Love that machine. Has helped get us through a couple freezes where the power went out for a couple days. And, yes I have a batteryMinder on it at all times.