The crisp air, falling leaves, and the smell of pumpkin spice lattes signal the arrival of autumn. But for lawn mower owners, it also means the end of the mowing season. With the cold weather approaching, it’s crucial to prepare your lawn mower for winter storage to ensure it’s ready to tackle your lawn next spring. One of the most important aspects of winterizing your mower is properly storing its battery. A neglected battery can lose its charge, become damaged, and leave you stranded when you need it most.
This article will guide you through the steps of storing your lawn mower battery for winter, ensuring it remains healthy and ready for action when the weather warms up. We’ll cover everything from prepping the battery to choosing the right storage location, helping you safeguard your investment and avoid any spring-time surprises.
Short Overview:
Storing a lawn mower battery for winter involves a few essential steps:
- Charging the battery: Ensure your battery is fully charged before storage.
- Cleaning the battery: Remove any dirt or corrosion from the terminals.
- Disconnecting the battery: Disconnect the battery from the mower.
- Storing in a cool, dry place: Find a safe location away from extreme temperatures and moisture.
Preparing Your Battery for Winter Storage
Before putting your lawn mower battery away for the winter, take these steps to ensure it’s in optimal condition:
1. Charge It Up!
A fully charged battery is crucial for long-term storage. A discharged battery can suffer from sulfation, a process that reduces its capacity and lifespan.
- Use a Battery Charger: Invest in a quality battery charger designed specifically for lawn mower batteries.
- Follow Charging Instructions: Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for charging time and voltage. Overcharging can damage your battery.
- Check Battery Voltage: After charging, check the battery voltage with a multimeter to ensure it’s at full capacity.
2. Clean It Thoroughly
Dirt, dust, and corrosion can hinder the battery’s performance and lead to premature failure. Cleaning the battery terminals is essential.
- Use a Wire Brush: Gently scrub the battery terminals with a wire brush to remove any corrosion or build-up.
- Baking Soda Solution: For stubborn corrosion, you can use a baking soda solution. Mix baking soda with water to form a paste, apply it to the terminals, and let it sit for a few minutes before cleaning with a wire brush.
- Dry Thoroughly: Ensure the terminals are completely dry before proceeding.
3. Disconnect It
Once the battery is charged and cleaned, disconnect it from the lawn mower to prevent any unwanted discharge during storage.
- Locate the Battery Terminals: Identify the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals on the battery.
- Remove the Cables: Carefully disconnect the cables from the battery terminals. Start with the negative cable first, then the positive cable.
Choosing the Right Storage Location
The storage location plays a vital role in maintaining your battery’s health throughout the winter. Here are some factors to consider:
1. Temperature:
Extreme temperatures can harm your battery.
- Avoid Freezing: Freezing temperatures can damage the internal components of the battery. Ensure the storage location is above freezing.
- Avoid Excessive Heat: High temperatures can also shorten the lifespan of your battery. A cool and dry space is ideal.
2. Moisture:
Moisture can lead to corrosion and damage the battery.
- Dry Environment: Choose a location that is dry and well-ventilated.
- Protect from Rain: Keep the battery away from any potential sources of moisture, such as leaks or condensation.
3. Security:
- Safe and Secure: Store the battery in a secure location to prevent theft or accidental damage.
- Out of Reach: Make sure the battery is out of reach of children and pets.
Maintaining Your Battery During Storage
While your battery is in storage, there are a few things you can do to help maintain its health:
1. Periodic Checks:
It’s a good idea to check your battery every few months during winter.
- Visual Inspection: Look for any signs of damage, corrosion, or leaks.
- Voltage Check: Use a multimeter to check the battery voltage. If it’s dropped significantly, recharge the battery.
2. Trickle Charger:
If you have a trickle charger, you can connect it to the battery for a few hours every month to maintain a consistent charge.
Bringing Your Battery Back to Life
When spring arrives and you’re ready to use your lawn mower again, it’s time to bring your battery back to life.
1. Re-Connect the Battery:
Connect the battery cables to the mower in the reverse order you disconnected them. Ensure the positive cable is connected last.
2. Check Battery Voltage:
Use a multimeter to check the battery voltage. If it’s low, charge the battery using a dedicated lawn mower battery charger.
3. Start the Engine:
Start the engine and test the mower to ensure everything is working properly.
Tips for Long-Term Battery Health
- Use a Battery Tender: Consider investing in a battery tender, also known as a smart charger. Battery tenders automatically maintain a full charge and protect against overcharging.
- Avoid Deep Discharges: Try to avoid letting your battery completely discharge, as this can lead to sulfation.
- Replace Batteries Regularly: Even with proper care, all batteries eventually reach the end of their lifespan. Consider replacing your lawn mower battery every 3-5 years.
Conclusion
Storing your lawn mower battery properly for winter is essential for its longevity and ensures a smooth start to your mowing season in the spring. By following these steps, you can protect your investment and enjoy a trouble-free lawn care experience. Remember to charge the battery fully, clean its terminals, disconnect it from the mower, and store it in a cool, dry, and secure location. Periodic checks during winter will help ensure its health. With a little effort, your lawn mower battery will be ready to power your lawn care adventures for many years to come.
FAQs
Q1. Why should I store my lawn mower battery for winter?
Storing your lawn mower battery for winter is crucial because extreme cold temperatures can significantly impact its performance and lifespan. When the temperature drops, the chemical reactions within the battery slow down, reducing its ability to hold a charge. This can lead to a weakened battery that struggles to start the mower in the spring, or even complete failure. Storing the battery properly ensures it stays healthy and ready for action when you need it.
Furthermore, leaving a battery connected to the mower over winter can result in a slow discharge, which weakens the battery. This is known as “parasitic drain” and occurs due to the mower’s electronic components constantly drawing a small amount of power even when switched off. Storing the battery separately prevents this drain and keeps it in optimal condition.
Q2. When is the best time to store my lawn mower battery for winter?
The ideal time to store your lawn mower battery for winter is once you’ve finished using it for the season, typically in late fall or early winter. It’s better to store it earlier rather than later, as the longer you wait, the more likely it is to experience a significant drop in charge due to cold temperatures. Ideally, store it when the temperature starts to consistently fall below freezing.
If you continue to use your mower occasionally throughout the winter, you can store it when you’re done using it for the last time. However, remember to charge the battery before storing it, as it will lose charge over time.
Q3. How do I prepare my lawn mower battery for storage?
Before storing your lawn mower battery, it’s important to prepare it properly to ensure its longevity. First, charge the battery to full capacity using a dedicated battery charger. This ensures it’s stored with maximum power and minimizes the risk of damage from discharge. Next, disconnect the battery terminals to prevent any accidental discharge or electrical issues during storage.
Finally, clean the battery terminals with a wire brush to remove any corrosion or dirt. This improves contact and prevents issues with starting the mower in the spring. Cleaning and charging the battery before storage helps to preserve its life and ensures it’s ready to go when you need it.
Q4. What is the best place to store my lawn mower battery for winter?
The best place to store your lawn mower battery for winter is in a cool, dry place that’s not exposed to extreme temperatures. Ideal storage temperatures range between 40 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid storing it in a garage or shed where temperatures can fluctuate significantly, especially during extreme weather conditions.
A dedicated storage space in your basement or a climate-controlled room is a good option. If you have to store it in a garage, consider placing it in a sealed container with desiccant to absorb moisture and prevent condensation.
Q5. How often should I check my stored lawn mower battery?
While your stored lawn mower battery is not being used, it’s recommended to check its charge level every few months, especially if you’re storing it for an extended period. This ensures it’s not experiencing a slow discharge, which can weaken the battery. Use a battery tester or a multimeter to check the voltage.
If the voltage is low, recharge the battery to full capacity and reconnect it to the mower. Ideally, the battery should be charged to at least 80% of its capacity before storage. This ensures it has enough power to start the mower in the spring and prevents damage from prolonged discharge.
Q6. Can I use a trickle charger for storage?
Using a trickle charger for storing your lawn mower battery is not recommended. While trickle chargers are designed to maintain a battery’s charge, they can sometimes overcharge it, which can shorten its lifespan. Additionally, trickle chargers can create a constant flow of low-level current, which can lead to heat buildup and damage the battery.
Instead, charge the battery to full capacity before storing it and then disconnect it from the charger. This will ensure the battery is at its optimal charge level and prevent any potential issues from overcharging.
Q7. What if my lawn mower battery won’t hold a charge?
If your lawn mower battery refuses to hold a charge, it may be time to replace it. This is a common sign of a battery that has reached the end of its lifespan. Batteries have a limited number of charge cycles, and after a certain number of cycles, they lose their ability to hold a charge effectively.
Before replacing the battery, try charging it using a dedicated battery charger and then testing its voltage. If the voltage is consistently low even after charging, it’s likely that the battery has reached the end of its life and needs to be replaced.