Is My Lawn Mower Battery Dead?

Is My Lawn Mower Battery DeadWe’ve all been there before, and we know what it’s like to ponder “Is my lawn mower battery dead?”. Perhaps winter is coming to a close, and it’s time to mow your lawn again; perhaps you’ve been busy, and you just haven’t had time to take the thing out of the garage and get ‘er done; or, perhaps you’re borrowing your neighbor’s decades-old mower.

Regardless of the beginning, the ending is always the same. You go to start the engine, but all you hear is a dismal click; of course, one of your first thoughts is, “My lawn mower battery is dead.”

Yet, you’re not quite sure. After all, it could be the engine itself, it could be another part of the electrical system, or it could be some unknown factor. This raises the question, “Is my lawn mower battery dead?” Our team at Battery Depot wrote this article to help you determine that.

What You’ll Need to Troubleshoot Lawn Mower Battery 

Here’s a quick overview of a few simple tools you’ll need to figure out if your lawn mower battery is dead:

  • Battery charger for a 12-volt battery
  • Multimeter
  • Distilled water
  • Flathead screwdriver
  • Wrench

How to Check if Your Lawn Mower Battery Is Dead Steps:

Finally, we’ve arrived at what you’ve been waiting for. Here are six quick steps that you can follow to answer that crucial question: “Is my lawn mower battery really dead?”

  1. If the engine doesn’t crank, cranks too slowly, or makes a clicking sound, it might be completely dead.
  2. Remove the key and locate the battery. Make sure that the cables are tightly fastened to the battery (use the wrench).
  3. If your battery is of the wet-cell variety, make sure that the water level is up to the appropriate mark (refill with distilled water, if necessary).
  4. Test the battery’s voltage with the multimeter. If it’s over 12.7 DC volts, it’s probably fine; if it’s under 11.5 volts, it’s probably dead. Abide by the manufacturer’s directions for this step!
  5. Connect your battery to the proper charger. Let it charge for the correct amount of time.
  6. If the battery doesn’t charge up within eight hours, and you’ve completed all the other steps outlined above, then your battery is probably dead. Go out and buy a replacement, ASAP!

Dos & Don’ts of Lawn Mower Batteries

Here are a few tips and warnings: what to do and what not to do, as plainly as possible.Is My Lawn Mower Battery Dead

Tips: While storing your lawn mower battery, you should keep it at a full charge. Otherwise, if you store it without a charge for a long period, it’ll undergo sulfation, which could render it completely useless.

Warnings: Never refill the battery with tap water, as the minerals can damage it. You should also always follow the instructions that are outlined in the manufacturer’s handbook, down to the letter.

Lawn Mower Battery Replacements Online

If you have determined that your lawn mower battery is dead through the troubleshooting steps above, you will need to find an affordable lawn mower battery replacement. Luckily, BatteryDepot.com offers a huge selection of lawn mower batteries online. Browse our selection of lawn mower batteries and get your battery shipped fast, so you can get back to taking care of your lawn.

If you have any additional questions about lawn mower batteries, we’re the experts. Contact us today!