Riding Mower Batteries

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Riding Mower Batteries

Posted: 8/24/2016 8:41:23 AM EDT

Do you guys remove your battery in the winter and store them where they won't freeze.

I am new to riding mowers and mine went bad, it was only 2.5 years old.

Posted: 8/24/2016 9:08:52 AM EDT

[#1]

As long as it has a good charge, it will not freeze. If you don't plan to maintain the charge, it would be a good idea.

Posted: 8/24/2016 9:51:23 AM EDT

[#2]

A battery tender or trickle charger will also work well and prolong the life of the battery.

Posted: 8/24/2016 10:11:29 AM EDT

[#3]

Thanks guys!!

Posted: 8/24/2016 10:22:05 AM EDT

[#4]

I run a battery tender on it and other batteries that aren't used year round - boat, convertible, etc.

Posted: 8/24/2016 10:34:25 AM EDT

[#5]

Quote History

Quoted:
A battery tender or trickle charger will also work well and prolong the life of the battery.

View Quote

This, a single battery tender is cheap.

I just got done wiring in one of these in my grandpa's deckboat, waterproof dual battery float charger

With one of these in a convenient panel to plug an extension cord.

Posted: 8/25/2016 3:00:19 AM EDT

[#6]

Mower Batterys go flat after 2-3 years. Dunno why, but they just do.
Cheap ones, pricey ones, Interstate, Generic, store brand. Doesn't matter.

I used to pull them, and keep them in the chem shed that is kept above 40F.
Still went flat after 2-3 years.
Tried a maintainer, and they still crapped out after 2-3 years.

Now I just put the maintainer on the battery in the Mower so it wont freeze, and accept 2-3 years.

This last one made it three, but fall is coming, so who knows.

Posted: 8/25/2016 4:10:50 AM EDT

[#7]

Mower batteries are pretty flimsy. Put a real car battery in if you can find one that'll fit. Otherwise, just plan to replace regularly.

Posted: 8/25/2016 3:48:54 PM EDT

[#8]

I asked a similar question on a mower forum and was recommended this Husky from Tractor Supply.

350 CCA versus 225 or whatever crap most mower batteries are.

6 month warranty versus 30 days for most mower batts.

Hope that helps. I haven't yet replaced mine, just did my homework in advance.

Posted: 8/25/2016 3:53:30 PM EDT

[#9]

I've been using the same AGM battery in my ZRT for 3 years. Don't charge it or disconnect it.

Posted: 8/25/2016 4:59:27 PM EDT

[#10]

I will put a Odyssey battery in my JD after the one that's in it is dead.
http://www.odysseybattery.com/design_advantages.aspx

Posted: 8/25/2016 6:17:53 PM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
I will put a Odyssey battery in my JD after the one that's in it is dead.
http://www.odysseybattery.com/design_advantages.aspx

View Quote

Looks like you get double the life expectancy at triple the cost.

Posted: 8/26/2016 3:06:23 AM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:

Looks like you get double the life expectancy at triple the cost.

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View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
I will put a Odyssey battery in my JD after the one that's in it is dead.
http://www.odysseybattery.com/design_advantages.aspx

Looks like you get double the life expectancy at triple the cost.

You can get a PC535 or PC625 battery for around $115 bucks. Its a good product made in the USA. $20-$30 lawn mower / tractor batteries are junk.

They claim it can sit for 2 years before needing a charge, and give it a 3-10 year service life.

Posted: 8/26/2016 10:05:11 AM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:

You can get a PC535 or PC625 battery for around $115 bucks. Its a good product made in the USA. $20-$30 lawn mower / tractor batteries are junk.

They claim it can sit for 2 years before needing a charge, and give it a 3-10 year service life.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
I will put a Odyssey battery in my JD after the one that's in it is dead.
http://www.odysseybattery.com/design_advantages.aspx

Looks like you get double the life expectancy at triple the cost.

You can get a PC535 or PC625 battery for around $115 bucks. Its a good product made in the USA. $20-$30 lawn mower / tractor batteries are junk.

They claim it can sit for 2 years before needing a charge, and give it a 3-10 year service life.

I usually buy Exides, from Tractor Supply. I've had my garden tractor since 1991, and I've probably put 4 batteries in it.

Posted: 8/26/2016 10:58:31 AM EDT

[#14]

Thanks for all the info guys!!

Posted: 8/26/2016 7:45:59 PM EDT

[#15]

I seem to only get a couple of years out of a battery. I start the mower up and let it warm up a couple times each winter and, when I think about it, I put the trickle charger on it for a day to top off the charge. I guess I need to go buy another trickle charger and just leave it hooked up during the winter months. We start mowing, around here, in early to mid April and mow the last time in November, so it doesn't sit more than a few months. I've had my car sit for over two months before, in the winter time, with no issues (fired right up when the doctor gave me permission to drive again).

Posted: 8/26/2016 8:44:05 PM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:
I seem to only get a couple of years out of a battery. I start the mower up and let it warm up a couple times each winter and, when I think about it, I put the trickle charger on it for a day to top off the charge. I guess I need to go buy another trickle charger and just leave it hooked up during the winter months. We start mowing, around here, in early to mid April and mow the last time in November, so it doesn't sit more than a few months. I've had my car sit for over two months before, in the winter time, with no issues (fired right up when the doctor gave me permission to drive again).

View Quote

Get a maintainer, rather than a trickle charger. It charges as needed, rather than until there's no water left in the battery.

Posted: 8/26/2016 10:28:36 PM EDT

[#17]

I guess at 25 bucks for a battery I didn't give it a whole lot of thought or worry if it lasted more than two years. Lawnmower batteries suck and are priced accordingly. You might squeeze a bit more out with a maintainer.

Posted: 8/26/2016 10:38:01 PM EDT

[#18]

my 6 year old Kubota BX has the original OEM battery still in it -- no issues to date.

one thing, generally battery life is very temperature dependent. heat is typically worse than cold.
this is why vehicles with trunk-mounted batteries can end up with really, really long battery lifetimes.

in my AO the yearly temperature swing is roughly 100 degrees so the battery in my BX is not living an easy life.
last week when i was mowing it was right at 95'F, and in the dead of January/February when i am using the BX to move snow it can drop to -5'F.

in the winter i use a Battery Tender, Jr to keep the battery topped.
the rest of the year there are no special measures taken.

ar-jedi

Posted: 8/26/2016 11:00:40 PM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:
I run a battery tender on it and other batteries that aren't used year round - boat, convertible, etc.

View Quote

This is the correct answer buddy!

Posted: 8/26/2016 11:27:42 PM EDT

[#20]

Same one I bought with the ZTR back in 2009 or 10. Park it in the late fall, start it in the spring.

Posted: 8/26/2016 11:39:33 PM EDT

[#21]

I typically get 4-5 years from fleet farm battries

We see temps from -25 to 100. I just drain gas and fog the engune. Battery stays installed, no maintainer. Fires up in spring.

Posted: 8/26/2016 11:47:09 PM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:
Mower Batterys go flat after 2-3 years. Dunno why, but they just do.
Cheap ones, pricey ones, Interstate, Generic, store brand. Doesn't matter.

I used to pull them, and keep them in the chem shed that is kept above 40F.
Still went flat after 2-3 years.
Tried a maintainer, and they still crapped out after 2-3 years.

Now I just put the maintainer on the battery in the Mower so it wont freeze, and accept 2-3 years.

This last one made it three, but fall is coming, so who knows.

View Quote

It's the vibration that gets them

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Riding Mower Batteries

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