Riding a lawn mower depends on battery power to keep the engine running.A drained battery can stop you in your tracks if you forget to shut off the ignition or break out your mower after a long winter.You can use a working car battery to replenish it.If you want a slower, more gradual fix, you could use a battery charger.If you take all possible precautions, you can get your lawn mower running again in no time.
Step 1: The mower should be moved onto a level surface.
You can move around the mower in a spot with plenty of room.Roll the mower onto the pavement.Don't be near moving vehicles.Pick a spot near an electrical outlet if you are using a battery charging device.It is best to use a charger inside your garage.
Step 2: Work gloves and safety glasses are needed.
A good pair of work gloves are rubber-coated or mechanic's gloves.The gloves can help keep you out of harms way.You should wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from sparks from the battery.There is a chance that metal jewelry could come into contact with the battery cables.When working with batteries, wear the protective gear all the time.For additional protection, wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and closed-toe shoes.
Step 3: The battery is in the compartment.
The battery is either under the hood or the seat on a lawn mower.Push the seat up toward the lawnmower to check it.Pull the hood open if the battery is not in the compartment.There is a lever that can be used to open the hood.If you can't figure out how to open the battery compartment, check your owner's manual.The manual can be used for more specific instructions.You won't have to look very hard if you own a push mower.It is either under the cover on the engine compartment or next to it in a separate slot.
Step 4: If you want to charge the mower, shut off the engine.
Make sure the ignition is off.Follow the instructions in the owner's manual to start the mower.Turn the ignition lever to the left on a riding mower.Pull the blade control lever on the steering wheel.The ignition needs to be off in order to protect the battery.It is easy to forget that the mower suddenly roared to life when the ignition was left on.
Step 5: If the battery terminals look bad, you can clean them with a wire brush.
The battery is white or green.It is unpleasant, but it is also acidic, so put on rubber gloves and safety glasses.Then, mix 1 cup of warm water with 14.40 g of baking soda.The battery should be scrubbed off so it's safe to use.You will not have to clean the battery if you don't see any rust.When the battery hasn't been used in a while or after it has lost its charge, it's a good idea to check it at least twice a year.If the battery has acid leaking out of it, it is better to replace it.If your battery is no longer a good choice for your mower, it could be a sign that it's time to replace it.A battery can no longer work if it is damaged.If the mower doesn't start, you need to test it again.Try to charge it if it doesn't.
Step 6: If the battery is 12V or 6V, you should check it.
There is a sticker on the side of the battery that has the voltage printed on it.It doesn't hurt to make sure your mower has 12V batteries.A 12V car battery can be used to jump-start a 6V battery.The battery will suffer permanent damage if it is not stopped from overheating.The lawn mower made before 1980 could use a 6V.You can use a 6V battery charge to power the batteries.The mower's engine needs a certain amount of power to operate.The battery and the charger should have the same rating.If they both have the same voltage, jumpstart it with another battery.
Step 7: Shut off the engine when you park your car near the lawn mower.
Pull the car up so you can see the engine compartment.The car needs to be stable on the ground.You should be able to stretch jumper cables from the lawn mower to the car.The car will not roll away if you engage the parking brake.It only works on 12V batteries.Push lawnmowers use 12V batteries.It is easy to jump start a riding lawnmower, but it may be difficult for some push lawnmowers due to the placement of the battery.The terminals are hard to reach.Remove the battery and connect it to a power source.
Step 8: You can open the hood of your car.
The hood release lever is on your car.There is a lever on the driver's side of the car.There is a grill on the front end of the car.Press the lever until you hear the hood pop, then raise it to keep it open.Check the owner's manual if you don't know how to open the hood.It varies from car to car.Some have push buttons, while others have levers you have to pull.Before opening the hood, make sure the engine is cold.You can park it if you turn it on.If you drove it recently, give it 30 minutes to cool down.
Step 9: The mower and car terminal are connected by a red jumper cable.
One set of red and black clamps is used for each battery in a jumper cable.Take the end of the red cable from the mower battery.There are metal terminals on top of the battery.Attach the cable to the terminal on the car's battery.If you have an electric vehicle, make sure the charging station is not plugged into the wall.If you connect the first one to the battery, make sure it doesn't touch any other metal.It can cause permanent damage to the battery.
Step 10: Attach the black jumper cable to the negative battery terminal of your car.
The terminal is on the car.Make sure the clamp doesn't hit the positive terminal by hooking it to it.Check that the terminal is secured and the metal components are out of the way.Don't use the opposite end of the jumper cable yet.It increases the risk of an explosion if you connect both ends of the black jumper cable.It is one of the most common mistakes people make.
Step 11: There is a bare piece of metal.
Any accidents with the battery can be prevented by using the last black clamp.There are fuel tanks and batteries in both vehicles.There is a hitch on the back of the mower.It can be connected to a part of the car's frame, such as an exposed bolt near the engine.The electric current could potentially ignite gasses around the battery, so it's very important that you attach the clamps with caution.You can avoid an explosion if you take your time.
Step 12: To charge the mower, start the car's engine.
Put the start key in the ignition as you climb into the driver's seat.To start the motor, use it.Keep the mower turned off.When starting your car, make sure that the mower is off so that you don't overload the battery.
Step 13: To start the engine, turn on the mower.
While you walk over to the mower, leave the car running.Don't hit the jumper cables.The engine rumbles back to life once you turn the mower's ignition switch.If you want to fully charge the battery, leave it connected to the car battery for at least 5 minutes.There will be sparks when you first start the engines.It will not damage the batteries.Shut off both vehicles if you see a lot of sparks and they don't stop right away.Turn off both vehicles if the mower doesn't start.For instance, make sure the jumper cables are connected and that the mower has plenty of gas.
Step 14: The jumper cables should be disconnected in reverse order.
The first thing that comes to mind is the grounding clamps.Set it aside in a place where it won't come into contact with any other metal.The black part of the car's battery needs to be removed.Next, take the red one out of the car and put it on the mower's battery.For up to 30 minutes, drive your mower around to make sure its battery is charged.Before removing the cables, you don't have to shut off either vehicle.Leave the lawn mower running so the battery can keep charging.The clamps can cause a short if they are connected to a battery.They can touch metal surfaces again once they have been disconnected.The mower has a battery that will charge when you use it.It's a good idea to hook it up to a battery charge after.
Step 15: The lawn mower's battery has a 10-amp charge.
Similar to how batteries come in a wide range of sizes, there are many different types of chargers for them.The 10-amp version isn't strong enough for a lawn mower battery.Make sure the charger matches the battery's voltage.If you have a 6V battery on your mower, you will need a charger.Amps are used to measure the strength of an electrical current.A strong current can destroy your battery.An automatic shut-off feature is what you should get if you can.It will help protect your battery if you forget to turn it off.
Step 16: The mower has a positive battery terminal.
The battery has metal terminals on top.There is a red cap on one of these terminals.Give the terminal a shake to make sure it's firmly in place.The batteries should be unplugged while the cables are attached.If you want to protect your battery and reduce the risk of electrical shock, double-check that the charging cable is attached to the correct terminal.
Step 17: Attach the black cable to the negative battery terminal.
Next to the positive terminal will be the negative terminal.It will have a black cap or a sign.When you walk away from it, make sure it is secured onto the terminal.An auto-start feature means that batteries won't work until you secure the clamps.If you come into contact with a metal object, you will not end up with sparks or a short.
Step 18: Leave the charger in the wall for one hour.
Electricity will flow to the lawn mower once the battery is plugged in.It takes a while to charge, so be patient.You can leave the lawn mower running.You might have to charge the battery for more than an hour if you use a low-amp setting.Check the display for a light or a meter.There is an automatic shut-off feature for some chargers.When the battery is full, there will be a light on the screen of the charger.
Step 19: Before starting the mower, you need to remove the charger.
Plug the power cord into the wall outlet first.Remove the black cable from the battery.The red clamp needs to be removed.If the lawn mower doesn't work again after the charging cables are gone, you can start it.As soon as the battery finishes charging, remove the charger.The battery could be damaged by the charger.Store it in a dry place until you need it again.The charger can't be damaged by the clamps.Bring your mower to a repair shop for an in-depth inspection if you suspect it has more problems than a dead battery.