Only 2 years on 12v mower battery ?
#1
05-06-15, 06:48 AM
Only 2 years on 12v mower battery ?
Well, it's been 2 years and AGAIN the 12v mower battery needs replacing. Is this par for the course or should I buy from some other store? Any recommended ones? I pull it out in the fall, store it indoors for the winter, and replace it in the spring.
#3
05-06-15, 07:17 AM
I'm getting 6 or 7 years out of mine (regular serviceable 12 volt) . . . . but keep watch on the electrolyte level and add distilled water before the plates are exposed, and I do put a trickle charge on them once or twice during the winter.
And I don't bother bringing them indoors . . . . despite our getting temps down around -48°F during January and February here in Vermont; but that is when I'm reminded to put the trickle charge to them for a few hours.
And I don't bother bringing them indoors . . . . despite our getting temps down around -48°F during January and February here in Vermont; but that is when I'm reminded to put the trickle charge to them for a few hours.
#4
05-06-15, 07:23 AM
Member
Vermont, I'm surprised the water does not freeze and burst the casing at such low temps. I take mine out and store it in garage but I forget to trickle charge it. I get about 3 to 4 years out of mine. I suggest a better battery (cost will = quality).
#5
05-06-15, 07:31 AM
I don't know what the freezing point of sulphuric acid is off hand, but it must be quite low; otherwise our car batteries would be dying on us every winter.
I keep my distilled water indoors, where we mostly use it to feed the steam iron.
I keep my distilled water indoors, where we mostly use it to feed the steam iron.
#7
05-06-15, 08:52 AM
Group Moderator
A fully charged battery has a lower freezing point than a discharged one so keeping it charged is a good defense.
Try a different brand battery as I get about 6 years in my equipment from PWC, tractors, mowers and generators. They can go bad though. I just had a 16 month old battery die. After going to all the trouble to rule out an electrical problem it turned out to be a bad battery.
Try a different brand battery as I get about 6 years in my equipment from PWC, tractors, mowers and generators. They can go bad though. I just had a 16 month old battery die. After going to all the trouble to rule out an electrical problem it turned out to be a bad battery.
#8
05-06-15, 09:50 AM
guess i just need to pencil in a few charge cycles for the winter... found a battery with a bit higher cranking amps so that may help. I'm still going to bring it inside... and one guy told me to NEVER store the battery on concrete, which i don't anyway.
#9
05-06-15, 10:00 AM
Forum Topic Moderator
The batteries I get the best service out of are the U13 batteries at Advance auto parts. They are over 400 cranking amps and I get sometimes 5 years out of them with no special attention, no adding water, and no charging devices used. The little 180 and 240 cranking amp batteries usually last about 2 years.
#10
05-06-15, 11:06 AM
Member
That bit about never storing on concrete is an old one and is nothing but a myth (with a grain of truth from way back). When car batteries use to be encased in hard rubber it was possible for the rubber to crack and acid to leak and make contact with the ground and therefore create path for current to flow. Today's batter is are virtually leak proof and will not loose charge if stored on concrete on any other surface. I however do store them astride on two 2 x 4's only to keep moisture from accumulating underneath.
Look it up on Snopes.com for the total story and history.
Look it up on Snopes.com for the total story and history.
#12
05-07-15, 05:30 AM
I just checked my records on one of my two riders and my last battery lasted from 2006 right through to 2014 (8 years) in the summer, when it lost the ability to hold a charge more than 12 hours . . . . I wish I still hand the brand name (Part Number 21-1075); but it was one of those translucent white plastic bases (where you can see the electrolyte level) with the black tops and yellow caps to add water.
By the way, adding too much water will also raise the freezing point AND lower the boiling point of the electrolyte . . . . neither of which is good.
By the way, adding too much water will also raise the freezing point AND lower the boiling point of the electrolyte . . . . neither of which is good.
Last edited by Vermont; 05-07-15 at 05:50 AM. Reason: Added Part #
