Lawnmower battery care for petrol tractor mower

[MisterBoy]

It seems the battery is flat on my old Countax C300 H tractor mower - again, it was charged quite recently and previously would last all winter without a charge. So I wonder if I need a new one. I don't know anything about mower mechanics and though I guess it's basically a small 12V car battery, I've no idea if they are standardised and I can just buy one anywhere, or need a spec? I've been spoiled that with the car I can enter my Reg and websites know what parts are compatible!

Before splashing out for a battery - Is it safe to use a regular car charger or jump-start kit (like the NOCO) on a battery of this size? For that matter where do you connect the leads, do you put the neutral on the bodywork like a car, or directly on the terminal?

Thanks.

 

[Burnerman]

Your battery will have a code written on it, particularly mentioning the important A/H or Amp Hour rating.
Purchase a similar replacement and the terminals will be in the correct place and also the physical size will be the same.
Look after it by using a smart charger or similar - a car battery charger can be used but only for short time intervals as the current output is too high.
A charge every two weeks during the winter is a good move.
You can connect the charger leads directly to the battery terminals, but your machine is likely to have it's own battery charging point.
A firm such as GHS Ltd will have what you need - both battery and charger.
John

 

[MisterBoy]

Your battery will have a code written on it, particularly mentioning the important A/H or Amp Hour rating.
Purchase a similar replacement and the terminals will be in the correct place and also the physical size will be the same.
Look after it by using a smart charger or similar - a car battery charger can be used but only for short time intervals as the current output is too high.
A charge every two weeks during the winter is a good move.
You can connect the charger leads directly to the battery terminals, but your machine is likely to have it's own battery charging point.
A firm such as GHS Ltd will have what you need - both battery and charger.
John

Thanks for that, I'd like to try recharging before buying another one but a bit of research seems I can get a battery from Halfords, even which is handy.

The mower is far away from any socket and inaccessible by car - any thoughts on using an electric jump-starter? I only discovered the battery was flat when the engine died, and I couldn't try to restart - typical!

 

[Burnerman]

If I am jump starting any small engine like these, I earth the black lead to the chassis somewhere and then flash the red one onto the starter motor terminal......I don't think it's a good idea to say, connect a large car battery directly to the mower battery for any length of time.
Have you considered a 10 or 20W solar charger just to keep the thing happy during winter? Failing that, take the battery off and head for somewhere with a 250v supply.
Any replacement battery you choose will need to be a gel type if the battery isn't located vertically on the machine, hence my ramblings about the correct battery.
Grand machine the C300 - I believe some of them had V twin motors.
John

 

[MisterBoy]

@Burnerman I can't believe I didn't think of just taking the battery out and moving it! Sometimes it's the obvious thing...

But yes this has a nice vertically mounted battery - seems like the Yuasa U1(R) fits the bill.