i have noticed the new crappy batteries need to be charged just from sitting. Over about 4-6 weeks some of mine will go dead with no draw on them.
CTX sign of a starting issue?
Machine has not been started for about 3 weeks. Went out the other night and "Click". Tried Again, "Click". LED gauges/dash lights showed and were working. Took a peek at terminals and looked clean. Bounced Up and down on the seat (switch), confirmed PTO off and parking brake on. "Click". again Click. Just as I was about to grab my guage to check the battery I decided to crank it a few times quick (3). Did the trick, but seemed like a weaker crank/start than normal. Will see if this turns out to be a bigger or recurring issue. Acted like dirty terminals to me, but if anyone has any suggestions I'm open to possibilities, advice. The mower has been good to me so far, only in need of a blade sharpening. Thanks.
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Battery/ground connections can LOOK good but have a thin oxide layer that insulates.
The clicking is somewhat indicative of that, but a bad solenoid can do that too. (heavy terminals INSIDE the solenoid.
What "gauge" were you going to check the battery with?
A simple volt meter won't do it. 8 penlight batteries will generate 12V, but not come close to cranking the engine.
BTW, IF that has a Briggs OHV engine, valve adjustment is a normal "maintenance" item. Too much lash and the compression release doesn't function.
I don't know how many hours you have on the machine, but if it's approaching 100, it's something you might keep in mind.
The clicking is somewhat indicative of that, but a bad solenoid can do that too. (heavy terminals INSIDE the solenoid.
What "gauge" were you going to check the battery with?
A simple volt meter won't do it. 8 penlight batteries will generate 12V, but not come close to cranking the engine.
BTW, IF that has a Briggs OHV engine, valve adjustment is a normal "maintenance" item. Too much lash and the compression release doesn't function.
I don't know how many hours you have on the machine, but if it's approaching 100, it's something you might keep in mind.
Thank you. I will clean the terminals, not rely on the volt meter and look into valve adjustment for future maintenance on the Briggs OHV engine. Is a valve adjustment something that someone who knows just enough to be dangerous can do?Battery/ground connections can LOOK good but have a thin oxide layer that insulates.
The clicking is somewhat indicative of that, but a bad solenoid can do that too. (heavy terminals INSIDE the solenoid.
What "gauge" were you going to check the battery with?
A simple volt meter won't do it. 8 penlight batteries will generate 12V, but not come close to cranking the engine.
BTW, IF that has a Briggs OHV engine, valve adjustment is a normal "maintenance" item. Too much lash and the compression release doesn't function.
I don't know how many hours you have on the machine, but if it's approaching 100, it's something you might keep in mind.
You can use a volt meter by measuring voltage drop across various connections.
+ lead on the "hot" side and - lead on the other.
Measure voltage when cranking.
IF the connection is good, voltage will read 0, since all the current is going through the connection. IF the connection is bad, the voltage tries to go through the meter and gives a reading.
A battery pretty much has to be charged & load tested for us mere mortals.
Look for Walt Connor on these forums.
I think he goes by Walt 2000???
Email him stating your engine brand & Model# and a request for his valve adjustment instructions.
He'll email back a GOOD set of instructions.
+ lead on the "hot" side and - lead on the other.
Measure voltage when cranking.
IF the connection is good, voltage will read 0, since all the current is going through the connection. IF the connection is bad, the voltage tries to go through the meter and gives a reading.
A battery pretty much has to be charged & load tested for us mere mortals.
Look for Walt Connor on these forums.
I think he goes by Walt 2000???
Email him stating your engine brand & Model# and a request for his valve adjustment instructions.
He'll email back a GOOD set of instructions.
Make sure the bolts that hold the engine to the frame are tight. Loose bolts do the same thing as loose battery connections.
Absolutely no issues the last few weeks of regular use. Appreciate all the insight.
1 - 7 of 7 Posts
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