How to Get the Most Out of Your Lawn Mower Battery

Summer weather means barbecues, pool parties and yes, yard work. As you dust off your battery-powered lawn mower or lawn tractor for the start of a new season, here are a few tips on how to get the most out of your battery’s life.

Keep It Charged and Corrosion-Free

Typically, a lawn and garden battery should last between three and five years. In order to achieve that, however, it’s important to perform regular maintenance. That means keeping the battery charged during the winter months or any other time it will be sitting idle. Storing your lawn mower’s battery in an undercharged state will cause crystals to form on the battery’s plates, lessening its ability to hold a charge.

A reliable charger is vital in prolonging your battery life. The first thing you might be wondering is whether it is possible to overcharge your lawn mower’s battery. Technically, the answer is yes, however, most modern chargers, like the Duracell Ultra 0.8 amp Charger feature built-in protection to prevent overcharging, meaning you can connect your battery any time it’s not in use. This charger can be used on both 6 and 12 volt batteries and is designed to prevent reverse polarity and sparking. We also carry a 1.5 amp version if you need a bit more power. The Duracell Ultra 3.8 amp Charger is a great charging option for batteries that have been poorly maintained. It features a Recovery Mode that enables you to recharge batteries that have dwindled down to an extremely low voltage, or that have become covered by lead sulfate crystals.

You’ll also want to keep your battery free of corrosion. This can be done by cleaning corrosion from the terminals with a wire brush. You can also use an anti-corrosion spray on the terminals to help prevent them from corroding further.

Off-Season Storage

There are a number of simple things you can do during the off-season to lengthen the life of your lawn mower battery. First off, be sure to remove it from the mower during long-term storage. Leaving the battery in for long periods of inactivity can drain the battery down to nothing, making it impossible to start come spring. As mentioned above, be sure to place your battery on a charger to maintain its charge.

Another useful tip is to place the battery in a battery box for safekeeping. A battery box will protect your battery from exterior damage. It also keeps it sealed off from corrosive or flammable materials and collects contaminants in the case of a spill. The NOCO Group U1 Battery box is designed for group U1-size batteries used in most lawn mowers and tractors and includes holes to accommodate charger cables.

How We Can Help

As you start up your mower for the first time, be sure to pay close attention to your battery’s performance. If your battery is failing to hold a charge, that’s a good indication that it’s gone bad. If you are experiencing problems with your battery, stop in to any Batteries Plus Bulbs store today. We offer free battery testing. If it turns out you need a battery replacement, our staff will gladly answer all of your questions and help you find the right lawn & garden battery for your Craftsman, Cub Cadet, John Deere, Toro or dozens of other lawn mower brands. Plus, each of our lawn & garden batteries come with a 6-month warranty.

While you’re in store, be sure to take advantage of our recycling services. Each of our locations serves as a drop-off point for your old lawn and garden batteries, allowing you to dispose of them safely and responsibly.