Can You Overcharge A Lawn Mower Battery? (Find Out Now!)
Batteries are the central source for the electrical power of a lawnmower. Without it, nothing will function. When storing a lawnmower over the winter months, batteries can grow weak.
The typical symptom of a weak or dead battery is the motor may turn a few times but will not start. Sometimes it may click or not turn at all. So the question is when charging, can you overcharge a lawnmower battery.
You can overcharge a lawnmower battery, and it will cause extensive damage to the battery and even the lawnmower itself. Batteries that are overcharged will leak the acid inside the cells. Some have even exploded, which is the worst scenario. Therefore, you should ensure you time the charges right.
What Happens With An Overcharged Lawnmower Battery?
Before we begin discussing this, whether the battery is overcharged or not, always wear gloves. The acid inside the battery can leak out, or there may be residue you cannot see. When it comes in contact with anything, including skin, it will eat through anything.
An overcharged battery will begin to swell up. If you notice the sides expanding, replace the battery immediately. Over time, the battery will crack, and the acid will leak out, eating away everything in its path.
Pressure Causes Heat
With the pressure inside, if heat is a factor, the battery may explode. If this happens, the acid will fly everywhere. Signs to look for are an acidic smell, swelling, leaks, and even the mower’s performance.
A mower with an overcharged battery will not operate properly. The charge will decrease at a faster pace as the internal components decay from the acid overflowing. If the acidic cell bursts over time, the mower will not crank at all.
Is There Overcharge Protection For Lawnmower Batteries?
The United Kingdom and the European Union have strict regulations on battery chargers. The top two reasons are due to safety and the environment. The US has limitations but not as tough.
These limitations allow generic manufacturers to produce cheaper products that are not always reliable. Be sure to get trustworthy brands because others are counterfeit and may not have the three-point safety check. The Electrical Safety Council demands the three-point safety installed on every battery charger made after the 1980s.
Either the battery, the charger, or both will turn off when the limit is reached. Think of it as a breaker switch on an electrical box. When the power surges, the breaker kicks off, sparing the components that are connected.
How Do You Check A New Battery?
- There should be 9.5mm between the plug’s body and the metal pins.
- Look for the CE standards markings somewhere on the charger.
- Warning labels and instructions must be taped on the device or the packaging.
The Time Limit For Charging A Lawnmower Battery
Most battery chargers are a 10 amp charger. Many chargers have a fast pace or a slow pace charge. In reality, it is hard to determine an exact time limit due to so many different factors.
These are some factors. The ballpark figure, which leaves a wide range, takes two to 24 hours to charge. The owner’s manual will always tell you the best.
- Is the battery completely drained?
- What size battery is being charged?
- What is the voltage on the charger?
- What is the switch on, fast or slow pace charging?
- The amp ratings make a difference. Most chargers are ten amps.
Is It Okay To Charge A Lawnmower Battery In Winter?
Any voltage reading from 11.5 volts should have the battery connected to a charger. If you notice you have to charge it every time you start the mower, it’s time to get another battery. The best way to keep a battery charged all winter is by using a trickle charger.
A trickle charger does not use as many volts as a regular charger. It will keep the battery close to 12.5 volts, which is where it needs to remain. The frigid temperatures will drain a battery quickly, so it is best to stay on top of the situation.
Trickle chargers can stay plugged up all winter. Since they charge at a much slower pace, it is safe to keep an eye on it. They are also designed not to overcharge a battery due to its low voltage system.
Batteries Can Freeze
Sometimes you may find the battery may not charge at all after a hard freeze. Check the age of the battery, as it may need to be replaced. Most have an area you can punch the numbers for the dates when it was purchased.
Most batteries will last five to seven years but still, will need recharging periodically. Some reports have stated they only lasted one year, but those would be considered a default battery. Check the warranty information because you may get lucky and not have to pay out of pocket.
Charging Lithium-Ion Batteries
It is critical to understand there is a significant difference between lead-acid batteries and lithium-ion batteries. There are chargers specifically for each, and they must never be switched to charge the other. Most lawnmowers have lead-acid batteries, so it is simply important to know what you have.
Lithium-ion batteries have more safety features than lead-acid batteries. The overcharge protection is built-in to shut off, preventing any damage and overcharging. Newer models are where you will find mowers with lithium-ion batteries.
Prevent A Lawnmower Battery From Overcharging
We’ve seen people who use chargers that don’t cut off set an alarm on their phones to remind them to check the battery’s charging status every 1 to 2 hours. Fortunately, there are a few less time-consuming techniques to avoid overcharging your battery.
Use The Appropriate Charger
The first secret is to charge your lawn mower battery with the proper charger. Simply said, the charger you’re using must be compatible with your battery in terms of AH rating output and voltage.
Aside from that, check sure the charger you’re using has an integrated protection mechanism to avoid overcharging (most modern chargers have this handy feature). Upgrade to a decent compatible charger if you don’t already have one.
Construct A Circuit To Prevent Overcharging
Another option is to design an overcharge protection circuit to use with your present battery charger. Needless to say, you’ll only be able to do this if you’re familiar with electronic circuits.
Make Use Of A Battery Tender
Investing in a battery tender is perhaps the simplest solution. It fully charges your mower’s battery before automatically switching to float mode to maintain the proper voltage levels and avoid overcharging.
Another benefit of a battery tender is that it charges in four stages (Initialization, Bulk Charge, Absorption, and the aforementioned Float Mode), allowing for better battery power management.
Do I Need A Voltage Regulator?
A voltage regulator, as you may know, is incredibly useful for controlling the recharging of lawn mower batteries.
You can examine your lawn mower, however, a voltage regulator is usually installed between the alternator output and the battery input to prevent overcharging.
If the built-in voltage regulator is broken, a lawn mower battery will undoubtedly overcharge. As a result, it’s critical to examine the voltage regulator on a regular basis to ensure it’s in good operating order.
Type Of Lawnmower Charger
Battery chargers that were manufactured before the 1980s did not have a cutoff switch. This made things difficult if it was not timed correctly. Some batteries only need two hours to charge, while others require five to seven hours.
The owner’s manual to the lawnmower or researching the brand-name battery can give accurate information on how long to charge. With newer model battery chargers, a timer, and a cutoff switch, keep things in check. You can set the charger and leave it, even overnight, and it will kick off when the time is up.
Too many injuries have occurred over the years, and batteries have failed due to overcharging. That is why technology took over and found the best way is to add timers to chargers. If the battery is showing charged and the mower does not start, it is time to troubleshoot the problem.
How Does A Charger Work?
Batteries for lawnmowers are labeled for 12-volts. A weak battery is marked at 11.5 volts and below. When a 12-volt battery is fully charged, it keeps at 12.5 volts.
Battery chargers that are on the 12-volt mark are actually pushing at 14 volts. It takes a higher force to move the voltage through the lines to the battery. All batteries are designed to discharge power, so there has to be a little higher voltage to charge accurately.
As you may notice, 14 volts is too much for the battery, but not the charger. You may find some batteries have a cutoff point along with the charger upon reaching 12.5-volts. If both have it, then there is nothing to worry about for overcharging.
Related Questions
Should I charge a lawnmower battery for a brand-new mower?
Yes. Batteries that are on the mowers do not come fully charged for packaging and shipping reasons. It is the best time to give the battery a full charge.
Is it a bad sign if there is corrosion on the battery plates?
Yes, the higher the battery’s temperature, the more oxygen and hydrogen break out of the water’s elements. Corrosion takes place when the event touches metal. If the battery overheats with corrosion on the positive plate, beware of explosions.
How do I cool down a battery quickly?
Use distilled water inside the cells.
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