As a gardener, I clean all my power tools regularly.
After all, I believed that maintenance was the only way to keep my equipment in proper shape until I received a rude awakening. I have a couple of lawn mowers in my garage, and I use both units depending on my cutting needs.
One day while working, my big mower ran out of charge, so I plugged it in, waiting for the unit to power up. However, it took a long time for the battery to reach full capacity, putting me behind all my other chores. Naturally, I expected all lawn mowers to charge slowly.
So, when I noticed that my smaller unit needed power, I set in on charging and went to run a few errands. When I came back, the battery was already full. I had no idea how long it had been charging, but I couldn't let this happen again; overcharging is as harmful as lack of maintenance.
I wanted an answer to the question: how long does it take to charge a lawn mower battery? And, frankly, the results left me astonished. Hi! I'm Stacy Smith, and today I'll be sharing my findings.
How Long Does It Take To Charge A Lawn Mower Battery?
1. Key Factors
It's difficult to mention an exact duration as charging a lawn mower depends upon several factors. I've narrowed down the essential points below, based on which I've provided an estimate.
A) Amperage
Amperage is vital as it dictates the charging speed. The maximum amperage that your lawn mower battery can sustain is 10 Amps. You can go higher, but it might damage the battery.
B) Voltage
It's important to be aware of the battery output. Modern lawn mowers usually have a 12V battery, but if you're using an older unit, it might be a 6V battery. Some products also feature 18V batteries.
There are several options, so it would be best if you chose a charger, having voltage similar to that of your battery.
C) Additional Features
The latest models include fast charging or float mode, determining how quickly the battery will be ready. These features reduce the charging speed while improving longevity and safety.
For instance, my lawn mower has a jump-start setting to revive dead batteries. But most useful is the auto shut-off function, immediately disconnecting the power once fully charged.
Some units also come with built-in timers, allowing you to set the duration for which it will charge. This prevents overcharging, but the battery may still have a low-charge when the timer runs out.
D) Trickle Charging
There are both pros and cons to trickle charging, but first, I must explain how it works. Your lawn mower has a self-discharge rate, countered by the trickle charge current. This prevents the battery level from dropping but also very rarely charges it to its full capacity.
Trickle charging uses only two amperes, so you can understand why it takes so long for the battery to be ready. The downside is that it impacts the lifespan of the model because you need to keep the battery plugged in for a long time.
Batteries that disintegrate early give off toxic fumes and may even catch fire.
- STAY CHARGED: Battery Tender battery chargers and maintainers provide a full charge to your powersport vehicle’s battery before switching to float mode to maintain proper voltage levels for safe, long-term storage
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- STAY CHARGED: Provides a full charge to your powersports vehicle’s battery before switching to float mode to maintain proper voltage levels for safe, long-term storage without overcharging
- EXTEND BATTERY LIFE: Compatible with all 12V lead-acid, flooded, AGM, and gel cell batteries. Complete 4-step charging program (Initialization, Bulk Charge, Float Mode) allows for optimization of battery power, without overcharging. Smarter than a trickle charger.
- INCLUDES: 12V, 1.25 AMP battery charger, fused ring terminal and alligator clip accessory cables, 10-year warranty, and lifetime customer support
2. Average Duration Of Charging
So, how long does it take for the battery to charge? Considering all the factors mentioned above, charging the lawn mower can take anywhere between six hours and a whole day.
Up to 75%, the battery charges fairly quickly, taking three hours to reach this level. After that, the rate drops, and it takes longer to achieve a full charge. At 12V, it takes 18 hours, while trickle charging will take up the entire day or even longer.
3. Charging Procedure
I've spoken about the factors of charging and the duration; now, I'll discuss the correct charging procedure for lawn mower batteries.
A) Locating The Battery
The first step is locating the battery, which is usually present underneath the seat. If the battery is not under the seat, check the owner's manual as the position may vary according to the model.
Look for the positive and negative terminals and remove them slowly.
B) Getting Ready
Charging a lawn mower battery isn't the same as charging your phone. It's essential that you have the proper equipment, including safety goggles and work gloves for protection. I've heard many people being lax with safety, leading to accidents, so don't make the same mistake.
C) Check The Battery
Once you reach the battery, check for signs of damage; if you find that the terminals have worn out or the battery looks slightly bloated, do not attempt to charge it. You need to purchase a new model and dispose of the old one safely.
D) Connecting The Wires
There are different colored wires for each terminal. The red wire is for the positive terminal, which you should connect first, followed by the black wire for the negative terminal.
If you have a lead-acid battery, maintain a safe distance as it tends to produce harmful gases while charging. To dissipate the fumes, don't disconnect the battery immediately after charging. Instead, wait for five minutes before removing the cables - first the negative, and then the positive terminal.
E) Place The Battery Back
Allow the battery to rest for some time before placing it back. Once again, check the terminals and attach the positive terminal first. Also, ensure that the housing is sitting well before replacing the seat by attaching the screws and bolts. Finally, fire up the engine, while making sure that everything works.
Final Words
Do you have all the information regarding charging your lawn mower battery?Â
Well then, I’ll leave you with this tip: regularly check the battery level before starting work. Don’t wait for the charge to drain out; instead, charge it regularly to work smoothly.Â
Till next time, take care, bye!