Maintain your lawn mower to keep your lawn looking great and ready for any outdoor activity. Lawn mower batteries can become drained and fail completely, just like automotive batteries. It’s not exactly convenient to drive your lawn mower to your local auto parts store to enjoy free battery testing and replacement services, so find out how to safely perform these tasks at home.
How To Test Your Lawn Mower Battery
The most obvious sign that there’s an issue with your lawn mower battery is that it won’t start the engine. Depending on the level of charge in the battery, you may need to recharge or replace your battery.
What is a lawn mower battery? These tiny components, often tucked away under the lawn mower seat, are essential to powering the starter of your mower. Most are lead-acid batteries, just like standard automotive batteries, that provide 12-volt DC power to the starter.
Use a multimeter or battery tester to determine the current charge of your lawn mower battery. A reading under 12 volts usually means your battery has reached the end of its life. Other signs include cracks, large amounts of corrosion or more than 4 years of use.
How To Properly Change Your Lawn Mower Battery
Don’t handle your lawn mower battery without proper safety gear. Corrosion and any leaking acid can cause burns, and improper handling could result in electrocution. It’s best to wear safety gloves and glasses when working around a battery.
Learn how to charge a lawn mower battery and consider attempting this before replacing your battery. Start the replacement process by parking your mower on flat ground in a well-lit area. If the battery is under the hood of your lawn mower, then wait until the engine has cooled before handling any components under the hood.
Find the negative battery terminal and cable. This is usually black or gray, and is often marked with a negative symbol. Use an adjustable wrench or screwdriver to carefully loosen the clamp on the battery terminal and fully remove the negative cable before touching the postive cable.
Remove the positive cable next, making sure the two cables don’t touch. Look for a battery bracket or cover and remove it before attempting to lift the battery out.
Leave it standing up as much as possible. Older or damaged batteries may leak if stored on their side. These lawn mower components contain harmful chemicals and lead plates, so take them to a local recycling center or an auto parts store for safe disposal.
How To Order a New Battery Online
Skip the trip to an auto parts store by ordering a new lawn mower battery online. Whether you order online or head to your favorite parts store, you can find a wide range of lawn mower battery brands and sizes. Choose the same size as the original battery and compare brands to find the best warranty and price.
Prepare to fire up your mower and maintain your lawn. Learn more about lawn mower maintenance tips to get the most out of your lawn care project.
