The battery life of a lawn mower is a major concern for most people wishing to buy a lawn mower. This is understandable as no one wishes to incur unforeseen battery replacement charges along the way. Thus, one would want to know if the battery would be durable.
So, how long does lawn mower battery last? Generally, an electric mower battery may last for around five to six years. However, it is not unheard of to see a battery lasting for just one year or holding up for as long as seven years.
Read this article to learn more about battery lifespan, maintenance tips, and other related issues.
Types of Lawn Mower Batteries
Electric lawn mowers have two kinds of batteries namely the lead acid and the lithium ion battery. Thus, you must first find out which of the two is the right one for your mower. Below are the two batteries discussed in details.
- Lithium Ion Battery
This type of battery is the latest of the two having been invented in the 1980s. They were then manufactured in large quantities for use in such devices as cell phones as well as lawn mowers.
These batteries come with high energy density, low self-discharge and no memory effect. They have unique qualities such as longer life, faster charging, and more energy storage owing to the materials used in the manufacture.
The lithium ion battery produces 4 volts for each cell. There is even a 100-volt battery provision for certain electric lawn mowers. This battery can last for 3-5 years or 500 charging cycles.
- Lead Acid Battery
These were the first rechargeable batteries having been invented in 1859. It has the provision of a stable current for longer not to mention that it is less expensive.
However, you must not exhaust the charge as this affects the cells, and as they will not charge to full capacity ever.
This battery can charge around 200-300 times over a span of three to five years. Nevertheless, it can also run up to 12 years depending on the maintenance.
The good thing about this battery is its ability to keep its chargem3 times longer than the lithium ion one. As a result, it will give consistent voltage with time. It has 2 volts in each cell.
How to Select the Right Battery for Your Lawn Mower
Most of the push mowers are pull-started. However, some push mowers and most riding ones are electric-started. This is made easier with the use of a lawn mower battery. The batter, however, has a lifespan, and at one point, you will have to replace it. thus, you need general knowledge to help you select the right battery for your mower.
Ideally, there are two things to look at namely the terminal position and the cracking amps.
- Terminal Positioning
You may be used to the automatic batteries, which regardless of the make have fixed terminals. However, note that lawn mower batteries differ. Thus, if your red (positive) terminal appears to the left corner, it is recommeneded that you buy a U1L battery.
On the other hand, get a U1R battery if the terminal is located to the right.
This positioning may not be essential for the battery charger, but it is essential when it comes to connecting with the electrical system.
While connecting, you don’t want to tightly stretch the wires simply because you bought the wrong battery. The wires must be relaxed; otherwise, your mower will start developing electrical problems.
- Cranking Amps
The coursing in a mowers battery is crucial in the starting of the engine. Before you buy a battery, ensure to check its cold cranking amp (CCA). Ensure that it is up to par or more than the specifications of your mower. This way, your engine will start immediately with no downtime.
If you buy a battery with a CCA that does not measure up to your mower’s specifications, its working condition will decline faster. It would be better to pay the extra coins for the right CCA.
How to Charge Your Lawn Mower Battery Properly
At least all battery mowers come with their specific chargers and manual for use. There is so much contradictory information out there, as to whether you should let the battery drain completely before recharging it.
For lithium ion batteries, as already mentioned, letting the battery run out completely or overcharge will significantly reduce its lifespan. It is advisable not to let it run too low, and similarly disconnect from the charger once it hits 100%.
However, what’s best is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions because different brands may have differing battery chemistry.
All this is to ensure that you battery will not die sooner.
Dos and Don’ts of Charging Your Lawn Mower Battery
Still on charging your lawn mower battery, observe the following rules:
- Protect the terminals of the battery.
- Use a charger from the original manufacturer
- Don’t charge it in a too cold or too hot environment.
- Charge it away from a damp or wet area
- Don’t place I near heat or fire as it may cause an explosion.
- Do not try to change its original voltage at which it charges.
Why Would the Battery Keep Dying When In Use?
If you notice that the battery keeps dying, you should look at a few things:
- You forgot to turn it off after use- the electrical system of the mower usually run the major components of the mower such as the headlamps and horns as long as the engine is on. If you leave these parts on after you have put the ignition off, the battery will circulate power to them, and without your knowledge, it will be drained. this automatically means there is no enough cranking power to ignite the engine the next time you want to do so. So when not in use, do not leave the key in the on position.
- Corroding of the battery posts- check the battery posts for any white powdered crust. This could be a sign of corrosion, which loosens the cables connecting the battery posts. A loose connection leads to the battery overworking, thereby draining it quickly. Thus, you will notice that the battery keeps dying. You can remedy this by cleaning the posts as well as making the connections tighter.
- The battery could be dying altogether-as mentioned already, the average lifespan of a lawn mower battery is three to five years. As it nears the end this lifespan, the battery may fail to hold charge for long. Thus if you realize that the battery keeps dying, check how long you have used it and make peace with the fact that time has come.
- Check the battery recharging system- ensure the voltage regulator and alternate are in perfect working condition. Also, run your mower at full throttle so that the battery can recharge. Otherwise it will keep dying in between your mowing.
How Can You Manage Your Lawn Mower Battery to Extend Its Battery Life?
You may be wondering whether there is anything to be done to extend the battery life of your lawn mower in between charging intervals. Fortunately, you can do something.
- Store in the right way-for a lithium ion battery, store under the temperature between 50F and 75F. Lead ion batteries may not be as sensitive to temperature changes, but you can store them from 40F to 75F. However, both should be kept fully charged before storing.
- Proper charging– in the case of lead ion batteries, charge it fully and do not drain it completely as it will never charge to 100% again. Lithium ion batteries don’t have this problem, but ensure you charge it fully. Additionally drain it completely to reduce the charging cycles. This will prolong its lifespan.
- Cleaning– always ensure that the wires are not corroded as this will cause frustrations while at work. Use a terminal cleaner or wire brush to get rid of any corrosion. You can also use an anti-corrosion gel to prevent any corrosions of wires
- Uses the right battery- ensure that you are using the right battery for your lawn mower; otherwise if you are using the wrong one, it might not last as long as it is supposed to.
- Tighten the connections-a battery with loose terminal connections will act like a dead one. It will even produce low charge rates. Inspect them regularly and tighten them if loose.
- Indoor storage- a lawn mower battery tends to loose battery life due to electronic drain over a long time in a cold environment. Disconnect the battery from the mower and store it separately indoors. This will decrease the loss of charge. However, when you shall need it, you still have to charge it to full capacity before putting it into use.
- Turn it all the way off- as mentioned before, failure to turn the battery off means that the battery will still be circulating power to other components of the mower. This will eventually drain off the power completely. Double check to ensure that it is switched to the off position, especially if it is going to be out of use over a long time.
Related Questions
How long will an electric mower last after charging?
Most people are unsure of the length of time that these battery-powered mowers can last after recharging. It is a relief to learn that once fully charge, you can mow like half an acre of grass, or at least one hour. Additionally, it can last for up to 5 years or more before it can lose its function.
How many amps is a lawn mower battery? Most lawn mowers using batteries have engines carrying 12 amps. This means they need 12-amp current to keep the engine going and this is enough for the home user.
Can you interchange lawn mower batteries?
Although the majority of lawn mowers fall under the specifications of 12V Group U1 format, there are two distinctions that you need to check out before you can interchange batteries. These include the terminal position and cranking amps. Once you are sure they satisfy the needed requirements, then you can do the interchange and the battery will charge efficiently.
How long can a lawn mower last?
Depending on use and maintenance practices, a lawn mower is meant to last for about 7 to 10 years. However, some manufacturers determine the lifespan by counting the number of hours the mower is used.
See Also: Will Mowing Wet Grass Ruin Lawn Mower
