How to Pick the Right Lawn Mower Battery For Your Situation
Even if a typical lawn mower battery lasts three or four years, it will eventually corrode or sulfate, resulting in lower power output and the inability to maintain a charge, and the starter solenoid may not even click when it’s time to mow the lawn.
Terminal Position
The terminal position is critical to the battery’s installation and connection to the lawnmower’s electrical system; choose a battery designed to fit the lawnmower in question. Group U1 lawn mower batteries come in two varieties: U1L and U1R.
Cranking Amps
Battery output is measured in CCA (cold-cranking amps), which describes the amount of current the battery can deliver in 30 seconds at 0 degrees F without dropping below 7.2 V. Larger engines are more difficult to turn, so battery output is another important consideration when purchasing a new battery.
How do I know what kind of lawn mower battery I need?
If there are any plastic caps on the battery, count them and multiply by two to get the voltage; for example, if there are six caps, the battery is a 12-volt battery because 6 times two equals 12.
How many CCA do I need for a lawn mower battery?
If this is your question, the answer is straightforward: most modern battery-powered lawn mowers have 12amp engines, which means that 12 amps of current are delivered continuously to drive the engine, which is sufficient for most home users.
Are all lawn tractor batteries the same?
The majority of riding lawn mower batteries are the same size and voltage, so when replacing the battery, you’ll need a 12-volt battery that’s 7″ to 8″ long, 5″ to 6″ wide, and 6″ to 7″ high — the battery doesn’t have to fit snugly in the compartment.
How many cold cranking amps do I need?
A battery should be large enough to allow for reliable cold starting, with at least one Cold Cranking Amp (CCA) for every cubic inch of engine displacement (two for diesels) being the standard recommendation.
Can you put a higher CCA battery in a lawn mower?
Choose a new battery with at least the CCA specified by the lawn mower manufacturer; a battery with a higher CCA will start a smaller engine with no problems, but it will not provide any additional benefits.
How many cold cranking amps do I need for a lawn tractor?
The higher the cold cranking amps (CCA) of a battery, the better it can operate in cold temperatures; CCA ratings for lawn tractor batteries range from 250 to 280. Batteries with higher CCA ratings are more expensive, so consider how much use the lawn tractor will get in cold weather when shopping.
Can you overcharge a lawn mower battery?
The Risks of Overcharging Your Battery Most lawn mowers use lead-acid batteries, which can be damaged if overcharged repeatedly. If the battery is constantly overcharged, it will begin to leak acid internally, causing the battery to swell and crack.
Does a riding mower charge its battery?
The system that recharges the battery in your riding mower includes an alternator and a voltage regulator; if either of these components fails, replacing them can help you restore power to the battery when you next need to use the mower.
Are lawn mower batteries 12V?
Lawn mower batteries are typically 12-volt, and you’ll notice that they’re much smaller and less expensive than car batteries. This is due to the heavier duty starter required for cars versus mowers, so lawn mower batteries often have one-third the CCA of car batteries.
Is higher cranking amps better?
In general, the higher the number for both CCA and RC, the better; however, if you live in a cold climate, the CCA rating should be a major factor in your battery selection; on the other hand, if you live in a hot climate, you won’t need as much CCA.
Is it OK to use a higher CCA battery?
Higher CCA batteries are also larger, and while they will still work in your car, they may not fit in the battery tray. Overall, a higher CCA battery is more reliable and lasts longer, which means you will have to replace it less frequently.
How many cold cranking amps do I need for a 350?
For example, a 350 cubic-inch displacement engine requires a minimum of 350 CCA; for colder climates, increase the CCA by 20%; thus, 350 x 0.2 = 70; thus, 350 70 = 420.