I bought a new battery for my Stiga lanw tractor as the orininal died. It burst into life, and off I went. I’ve been using it a lot for leaf collection, moving logs and rubbish, and now cutting the grass. I have not put it on charge…mistake? This morning it tried but wouldn’t start. I put it on charge for about 1/2 hour and tried it, worked a treat so I finished cutting the grass, and put it back on charge on my smallish bosch charger, which seems to be working properly, it is still charging after 5 hours! The battery is a 12 volt 20 ah and is suitable also for bikes. Should I put it back on charge after use? A grass cut is I 1/2 hours.
I tend to keep all lead acid batteries on trickle charge. Cars, motorbikes, etc. It does no harm and keeps them in tip top condition. I use these chargers, they “look after” the battery.
CTEK MXS 5.0, Chargeur De Batterie 12V 5A, Compensation De Température Intégrée, Chargeur De Batterie Voiture Et Moto, Chargeur De Batterie Intelligent Avec Mode De Reconditionnement Et Option AGM
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I charged mine recently for 24 hours and it suggested it was still charging.
I did find this time that with the charger plugged into the port (not clips) and the battery was dead that the mower would start as if the mower was started by the charger.
At this time of year with one cut per week 1 and half hours of mowing should be enough to keep the battery topped up.
It is most likely the alternator is either not charging or a loose connector, the only way to know is to check the voltage with a meter going into the battery while running.
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don’t know how to do that, oh dear…
the battery is new…however, if I give it a charge before I use it, it will go…perhaps the charger is faulty? it’s lights are correct, 12v pic of little motor bike, and the chzrging light on and off. shouls i let it go all night?
Roughly where are you based, Kate? There may be someone from SF nearby who can use a multimeter. If you’re near Montmorillon in 86 I could certainly help out.
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Oh miles away…the 47 near Agen!
I think I’d better take a look at the intelligent one, it must be brighter than me!
My goodness life is exciting in the Lot et Garonne! Just looked at my mower, charger said full. It roared into life and I’ve taken it for a twirl round the parc. Stopped, started fine. Put on the charger, of course it says it’s charging, I’ll see what it suggests before bedtime…and try tomorrow morning. I suppose I let it drain right down. The tractor is so so useful, but arn’t these thing hell when they don’t work properly. Thanks to Griffin and John Sully for their advice. Eggs all round!
I use a charger with a “float” function that keeps the battery topped up without damaging it. Put it on for 24h (plus a little bit extra by the time I got back from work). Worked like a charm.
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We have a Stihl battery driven mower - just brilliant. If I want to use it lots I need to do an early morning cut. It runs down after about 45-50 minutes. I put it back on charge and can get another cut on full charge by mid afternoon
…or have a second battery.
Having said that my Stihl strimmer & chain saw can do more work than me on a full charge.
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If you have to put the battery charger on after running it either the alternator isn’t working or there is a loose connection, the alternator should fully charge the battery when running.
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Why not get it serviced? It reads like you have a ride on?
It could probably do with some general care. Probably 150’ish plus parts if its just a basic service.
If you start guessing on parts it’ll cost you more in the long run.
It’s been serviced. All my own fault, I let the battery run down. Hopefully you all will hear no more about it!