Can you store a lawn mower battery outside in winter? No, you should never store a lawn mower battery outside in winter as it can freeze, crack, and permanently damage the battery, making it unusable. Proper lawn mower battery storage is key to ensuring your mower starts up smoothly next season. This guide will walk you through the best practices for winterize lawn mower battery so you can prolong battery life winter.
When winter arrives, it’s time to park your trusty lawn mower. But before you tuck it away in the shed or garage, what about its battery? A dead battery can ruin your plans for the first mow of spring. Knowing how to properly store your lawn mower battery for the cold months is essential for its longevity and your mower’s readiness. This in-depth guide covers everything you need to know about battery maintenance for winter, focusing on safe and effective methods to prolong battery life winter and prevent damage.
Image Source: egopowerplus.co.uk
Why Proper Winter Storage Matters
Leaving a lawn mower battery in a cold garage or on the mower itself throughout the winter can lead to several problems:
- Self-Discharge: All batteries naturally lose charge over time. This is called self-discharge. If a battery completely discharges in cold temperatures, the electrolyte can freeze, causing internal damage.
- Freezing: If the battery charge gets too low, the electrolyte inside can freeze. When water freezes, it expands, which can crack the battery casing and damage the internal plates.
- Corrosion: Moisture and temperature fluctuations can accelerate corrosion on battery terminals. This can impede the flow of electricity and make it difficult to charge the battery.
- Reduced Capacity: Repeated deep discharges or extreme temperatures can permanently reduce a battery’s capacity, meaning it won’t hold as much charge as it used to.
By taking a few simple steps, you can safeguard your battery and ensure it’s ready to go when spring rolls around.
Preparing Your Battery for Storage
Before you even think about where to put your battery, there are a few preparatory steps you should take.
1. Fully Charge the Battery
This is perhaps the most crucial step. A fully charged battery is less susceptible to freezing and self-discharge.
- How to Charge: Use the charger that came with your lawn mower or a compatible charger. Ensure it’s designed for your battery type (e.g., lead-acid, AGM).
- Charging Time: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for charging. Overcharging can also damage a battery, so use a charger with an automatic shut-off or a trickle charger.
- Checking the Charge: If you have a multimeter, you can check the battery’s voltage. For a 12-volt lead-acid battery, a full charge is typically around 12.6 volts or higher.
2. Clean the Battery
A clean battery performs better and is less prone to corrosion.
- Terminal Cleaning:
- Disconnect the battery terminals (always disconnect the negative (-) terminal first, then the positive (+)).
- Use a wire brush or a specialized battery terminal cleaner to remove any corrosion or residue from the terminals and cables.
- A mixture of baking soda and water can also be effective for cleaning terminals.
- Rinse with clean water and dry thoroughly.
- Battery Case Cleaning: Wipe down the battery casing with a damp cloth to remove dirt and grime. Ensure no water gets into the vents.
3. Inspect for Damage
Before storing, give your battery a good once-over.
- Cracks or Leaks: Look for any cracks in the casing or signs of electrolyte leakage. If the battery is physically damaged, it’s often best to replace it rather than attempt storage.
- Loose Connections: Check that all connections are secure.
Best Practices for Lawn Mower Battery Storage
The ideal storage conditions can significantly impact your battery’s lifespan.
Where to Store Your Battery
The best place for storing mower battery indoors is a cool, dry place.
- Ideal Location: A basement, an unheated garage (provided it doesn’t get excessively cold), or a workshop are good options.
- Temperature: Aim for a stable temperature between 40°F and 60°F (4°C to 15°C). Avoid extreme temperature fluctuations.
- Moisture: Keep the battery away from damp areas where condensation can form.
How to Store Your Battery
There are a few ways to ensure your battery is stored safely.
- Remove the Battery from the Mower: This is generally the recommended approach. It protects the battery from the mower’s electrical system and makes it easier to monitor and charge.
- Disconnect Cables: Even if the battery stays on the mower, disconnect the cables from the terminals to prevent any slow drain on the battery.
Utilizing a Battery Tender for Winter Storage
A battery tender, also known as a smart charger or float charger, is an excellent tool for maintaining a battery’s charge over long periods.
What is a Battery Tender?
A battery tender is designed to charge a battery and then maintain its charge at an optimal level without overcharging. It monitors the battery’s voltage and delivers a small amount of current only when needed. This is perfect for mower battery charging winter if you plan to leave it connected.
Benefits of Using a Battery Tender
- Prevents Deep Discharge: It ensures the battery never drops to a critically low charge level.
- Maintains Optimal Charge: This prevents sulfation, a process where lead sulfate crystals harden on the battery plates, reducing its capacity.
- Extends Battery Life: By keeping the battery in a healthy state of charge, a tender can significantly prolong battery life winter.
- Convenience: Once connected, it requires no further attention until spring.
How to Use a Battery Tender
- Connect: Attach the tender’s leads to the battery terminals. Ensure the positive (+) lead connects to the positive terminal and the negative (-) lead to the negative terminal.
- Plug In: Plug the tender into a GFCI-protected electrical outlet.
- Monitor Indicators: Most tenders have indicator lights to show charging status or if the battery is fully charged and being maintained.
A battery tender for winter is a worthwhile investment for anyone with a lawn mower or other seasonal equipment.
Special Considerations for Different Mower Types
While the general principles apply to most lawn mower batteries, there are some specific points for different types of mowers.
Riding Mower Battery Storage
Riding mowers often have larger, more powerful batteries, but the storage principles remain the same.
- Battery Tender: For lawn tractor battery storage, a quality battery tender is highly recommended due to the battery’s size and importance for starting.
- Location: If the battery is too large to comfortably bring indoors, ensure the garage or shed has some insulation or temperature regulation if possible. However, storing mower battery indoors in a climate-controlled space is always the best option.
- Maintenance: Clean the terminals thoroughly before storage.
Lawn Tractor Battery Storage
Similar to riding mowers, lawn tractor battery storage requires careful attention.
- Deep Cycle Battery Storage: Many riding and lawn tractors utilize deep cycle battery storage technology, which means they can be discharged and recharged more often than standard starter batteries. However, winter storage still requires maintaining a charge.
- Regular Checks: If not using a battery tender, it’s wise to check the battery’s charge level periodically (e.g., once a month) and recharge if necessary.
Push Mower Battery Care
Even smaller push mowers, especially electric start models, have batteries that need attention.
- Size: These batteries are usually smaller and easier to remove and store indoors.
- Charger: Ensure you use the correct charger for these smaller batteries.
- Storage: A cool, dry shelf in your basement or garage is perfect for lawn mower battery storage of these smaller units.
What About Gel or AGM Batteries?
Many modern lawn mowers use Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) or gel batteries. These are often referred to as “maintenance-free” batteries because they don’t have removable caps for adding water.
AGM Batteries
- Construction: AGM batteries have the electrolyte suspended in a mat of absorbent glass fibers.
- Storage: They are more tolerant of deep discharges and vibrations than traditional flooded lead-acid batteries. However, they still benefit greatly from a battery tender for winter.
- Charging: Use a charger specifically designed for AGM batteries to avoid overcharging and damage.
Gel Batteries
- Construction: Gel batteries have the electrolyte in a gel-like substance.
- Storage: Similar to AGM batteries, gel batteries should be kept charged. They are sensitive to overcharging, so using a compatible charger or tender is crucial.
- Temperature: While more robust than flooded lead-acid batteries, extreme cold can still affect their performance.
When to Consider Replacing Your Battery
Even with the best care, batteries have a lifespan.
- Age: Most lawn mower batteries last 3-5 years.
- Performance: If your mower struggles to start, even after charging, or if the battery repeatedly loses its charge quickly, it might be time for a replacement.
- Visible Damage: As mentioned earlier, cracks or leaks are clear signs the battery needs replacing.
Storing Your Mower with the Battery In-Place (with Caution)
While removing the battery is the preferred method, some people prefer to leave it in the mower. If you choose this route, follow these steps strictly:
- Fully Charge: Ensure the battery is 100% charged before winter.
- Disconnect: Crucially, disconnect both battery terminals (negative first, then positive). Use insulated tools to avoid accidental short circuits.
- Battery Tender: If possible, connect a battery tender for winter directly to the disconnected terminals. This is the only safe way to maintain the charge while the battery is in the mower.
- Location: Store the mower in a sheltered location, ideally indoors, and away from extreme cold or dampness.
Warning: Leaving a battery connected, even if the mower is off, can lead to a slow drain through parasitic loads (e.g., clocks, alarms, memory). This is why disconnecting is vital.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: How often should I check my lawn mower battery during winter storage?
If you are not using a battery tender and have removed the battery from the mower, it’s a good idea to check its charge every 4-6 weeks. Recharge it if the voltage drops significantly. If you are using a battery tender, it will maintain the charge automatically.
Q2: Can I use a regular car battery charger for my lawn mower battery?
It depends on the charger and the battery. Many modern car battery chargers have settings for different battery types and voltages. However, always check the charger’s manual and ensure it’s compatible with your lawn mower battery’s voltage (typically 12V) and type (lead-acid, AGM, etc.). Using an incorrect charger can damage the battery. A dedicated battery tender for winter is usually the safest bet.
Q3: Will leaving my lawn mower battery in a very cold garage damage it?
Yes, if the battery’s charge level is low, extreme cold can cause the electrolyte to freeze and expand, potentially cracking the battery case. Even if it doesn’t freeze, cold temperatures slow down the chemical reactions that hold a charge, so a battery left in a very cold environment will discharge faster.
Q4: What is sulfation, and how does it affect my battery?
Sulfation is a natural process where lead sulfate crystals form on the battery plates when a lead-acid battery is discharged. If a battery is left in a discharged state for too long, especially in cold temperatures, these crystals can harden and become difficult to remove, permanently reducing the battery’s capacity and ability to accept a charge. A battery tender helps prevent sulfation.
Q5: Is it okay to store my lawn mower battery on a concrete floor?
This is an old myth. Modern batteries are sealed and do not “discharge” through concrete. However, concrete floors in garages or sheds can be cold and damp, which is not ideal for battery storage. It’s better to place the battery on a wooden shelf or a plastic crate.
Q6: My lawn mower battery looks swollen. What does this mean?
A swollen battery case usually indicates that the electrolyte inside has frozen and expanded. This is a sign of severe damage, and the battery should be replaced immediately and disposed of properly.
Conclusion
Proper lawn mower battery storage for winter is a simple yet vital task that can save you money and frustration in the long run. By following these steps – fully charging your battery, cleaning it, storing it in a cool, dry place, and ideally using a battery tender for winter – you can significantly prolong battery life winter. Whether you’re dealing with a lawn tractor battery storage challenge or simply want to ensure your push mower is ready for spring, prioritizing battery maintenance for winter is a smart move for any lawn care enthusiast. A little effort now means a much easier start to the next mowing season.