Tractors, Mowers, Chippers, Trailers, Chainsaws, Generators, Driveway Erosion Control, ETC.

I just replaced the battery in my mower. Close to the end of last season I had to keep using the jump pack to start it. Been using a maintainer every winter since I bought the mower, but the one that came with it was only 230CCA dated Aug '20. It was doomed for failure from the start. Seemed kind of low for a twin Kohler. Got a 300CCA from Tractor Supply and what do you know, it's made by Interstate. So, I know for a fact it will not make it past two years

 

Mower batteries suck now, doesn't matter who makes them

 

The fact it's made by Interstate means it will definitely not last since their quality has gone way downhill

I do like that it has a "go" handle now. Not sure why they didn't start putting those on there before, but it was nice!

 

Mice...

When I got my (non running) 140 someone had gone to the good time & trouble to cut, splice, tape, twist together, wire nut or butt connect every wire on the tractor in addition to trying to put some serpentine belt alternator off ??? on it. Some people shouldn't be allowed to have tools, or machines.

I never thought about a replacement wiring harness, just built my own complete with key switch, starter solenoid, fuse panel and Delcotron 10SI alternator. It is now wired like a GM car.

 

I bought a wiring harness because it came with period correct wire coatings and looks factory. This tractor was bought new in 1970 by a friend of mines dad who holds a special place in my wife's heart. So, that is why it got a nice wiring harness.

 

My wife told me the other day that I can be in idiot sometimes.

I got teared up, she said what is wrong?

I said thank you for giving me permission to be that way sometimes

 

^^^^

If we had that at my old job I would have needed a chiropractor before lunch.

 

I'm right in the middle of that! But still cool that something that old (other than us) is still functional.

Speaking of batteries, I have been experimenting with them for my kayak, e bike, generator, tractor, etc.. So far, I've had little to no trouble with any LiPo batteries, but they also cost a lot. I'm sure they have come down in price now though. But the lower weight, faster charge, higher durability and more power in such a small size....yeah....I'm on board!

 

Hmm, Manufactured Jan 2017 - Shipped March 2018 That seams like a long time to me.



Re Poll: I started using a 2 amp maintainer on my 2018 Kioti last year to extend the battery life. I had to jump it last winter and I didn't think it'd survive another cold winter without some help. It's the original battery, which I've had it since March of 2018, and I'd like to get a few more years out of it. Which so far is working out, I've not had any starting issues in the past year. At 7+ YO, this is the longest I've ever had a 12v battery last.

 

For you're own safety, please step away from the mirror!

 

I shared this at work this morning and one of the young ins laughed. I just looked at him and said let’s just see how your day goes

 

On the subject of battery tenders. Does anyone have suggestions on how to set up a QD plug for tender on a dual battery setup? My Powerstroke came with two crap mismatched batteries, I tried making them last as long as possible with a tender but that only got me a few extra weeks. In December I bought two new AGM batteries from Walmart so it's not a critical issue. I know NOCO makes a dual tender, but that's $100+. I'm wanting to make a QD harness that I can plug into one charger and charge both batteries to keep them as evenly charged as possible with the tender I already have. The batteries are currently still new and have a 4yr warranty. But similarly to the tractor, every vehicle I own gets extended time sitting without going anywhere. It's not uncommon for the truck to sit a week or two between being driven. Given the cost of batteries and that this truck requires two of them I want to make them last as long as possible!

$100 NOCO GENIUS2X2: 4A 2-Bank Smart Battery Charger (2A/Bank) - 6V/12V Automatic Maintainer, Trickle Charger & Desulfator with Overcharge Protection & Temperature Compensation – For Lead-Acid & Lithium

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08F37P7H3
If I have buy another charger, this 5A is probably what I'd get.
https://a.co/d/5zBMCP9

 

My Kioti had an Interstate battery in it when I bought it.... It lasted 6years.

Got an Optima in it now. Was same price as the Interstate.

gave up on battery tenders. They always went bad or I forgot to plug them in.

Nowadays I just start everything once a week all winter & let it run for about 20mins.
That's worked perfect.

 

You’d think they would both charge off one tender since they are wired together anyway, wouldn’t they?

 

That's what I did with most equipment. Couple tenders that pretty much stay plugged in through the winter. NOCO seems to work pretty well.

 

I'm not sure that amps flow evenly from one battery to the other if I only have one battery connected directly to the tender. I do know that you don't want to get one battery charged more than the other. That can cause problems with the batteries charging evenly. In Nov-Dec I was alternating between batteries with alligator clips, but that required popping the hood every time I got home. When I bought the truck I also wasn't starting from a good point because one battery was the wrong size.

 

They should be parallel for capacity only, its a 12v starter and system. you can put it on just one battery.
When there is 4 bats, often two are in series and then parallel with each other. that gets you 24v but double the amp hours
attach to one is fine. they are using dual bats for the extra amp hours.
but…if one is bad…you really need to replace them in pairs. If you have a cheap load tester the separate them to test indivudually.

 

Funny thing about this. My boat has 3 agm batteries (2 for trolling and 1 for general) and they are all in parallel for charging purposes (single charger) that just gets plugged in. When I changed them out it was recommended I change all 3 out at the same time (as kbar stated). I'll have to take a picture of it and see how it's done. I'm no EE major, but these setups are proven imho after years of boat ownership.

 

I just remembered I have a maintainer on a 1949 John Deere tractor. I have a lawn mower battery sitting on the floorboard of the tractor with a pair of wires with small alligator clips going from the one on the tractor to the mower battery. I use the mower battery to power my fuel pump on my diesel tank, when I need it. Never had any problems charging both batteries with the one maintainer.