In this article, you will learn about the different types of lawnmower batteries and how you should take care of them. Learning how to help your batteries last as long as possible will save you time and money.

Why A Battery Operated Lawnmower?

Most likely, you have chosen a battery operated lawnmower because you like the idea of not having to put fuel in it. Other reasons that you may like your battery operated lawnmower include less noise and pollution than a gasoline operated lawnmower. An electic lawnmower seemed to be too confining and your yard was less than 1 acre, so you chose the battery operated lawnmower.

Different Types of Batteries

A lawnmower battery is a battery that is rechargeable. These batteries get their power by storing electicity inside of them. They have been on the market for many years and the new advancement of a maintenance free nickel cadmium battery has made them even more popular. The different types of batteries include:

Alkaline batteries: This type of battery is used for smaller capacity uses, including portable electric devices. They are not used as a lawnmower battery.

Lead acid batteries: This kind of battery is used in cars and lawnmowers, but are slowly being replaced by the easier maintenance nickel cadmium battery.

Nickel cadmium batteries: This battery offers low maintenance, which is why it is becoming more popular. It is quickly replacing the lead acid battery.

Lithium and other types: These types of batteries are not being used in lawnmowers due to their expense and the low storage capacity.

Lawnmower Batteries

There are only two types of batteries that are used in lawnmowers. They are the lead acid battery and the nickel cadmium (Ni-Cad) battery. The Ni-Cad battery offers you better performance and they are more environmentally friendly than the lead acid battery. Lead acid batteries cannot be disposed of in your garbage and they must be recycled. If not disposed of correctly, lead poisoning can result, which is very dangerous. There are no dangerous chemicals in a Ni-cad battery that can cause you harm, but they cannot be disposed of in a fire, because the battery may explode.

Care Of Lead Acid Batteries

Learning how to take care of lead acid batteries will help them to last longer and keep you safe.

1. The acid inside of this battery is called hydrochloric acid. You need to make sure that the acid does not spill on your body or your clothes. If there is a spill, it needs to be washed up with a large quantity of water.

2. If the water level needs to be increased, use distilled water and not tap water. Increase the water level until the lead plates are just submerged in electrolyte. Do not add water to the top, because this increases the chance of acid spillage.

3. You will find a small hole at the plug that will give you a place to add water. The hydrogen from the battery also escapes through this hole, so you want to make sure that this hole stays clear.

Care Of Ni-Cad batteries

This kind of battery does not need any regular maintenance. The only thing that you need to keep in mind is that you do not want to charge the battery until it is completely dead. This will help the battery to last longer. It will take around 6 months for the battery to completely discharge and then you can start charging the batteries. This will keep your batteries in tip-top condition for a longer period of time.