Battery tender question?

Rickcin

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2012
Threads
73
Messages
279
I have a 42 CC lawn tractor that I keep in an unseated shed for the winter.
Should the battery be on a tender from now until spring or do I use the tender just three or four weeks before I’m ready to use it again in the spring?
Thanks
 

mechanic mark

Lawn Pro
Joined
Jul 15, 2013
Threads
175
Messages
7,484

Rivets

Lawn Royalty
Joined
Mar 11, 2012
Threads
59
Messages
15,345
If it were me I would remove the battery from the unit and store it in the garage or basement. Rest it on a piece of wood, not concrete, and fully charge it. Then I would recharge it about every two months until I was ready to reinstall it.
 

StarTech

Lawn Royalty
Top Poster Of Month
Joined
Feb 19, 2020
Threads
93
Messages
11,580
Disconnect battery ground cable first & apply Silicone Dielectric Grease to both cables & posts. This will keep weather elements from starting corrosion. Wear Safety Glasses & remove battery caps covering cells, make sure acid levels are 1" below top of each cell & replace caps. Battery tender can stay connected through Winter.
Personally I would recommend using No-OX paste as it is conductive where the dielectric grease is non-conductive. It is the same product electricians use your electrical service boxes prevent bad connections from corrosion and oxidation.

Also the battery or equipment moved to an areas where there is no freezing temps as if the battery electrolyte freezes it will damage the internal plates.
 
Last edited:

slomo

Lawn Pro
Joined
Jul 14, 2019
Threads
78
Messages
5,118
Pull the battery and move it indoors. Leaving it to freeze outside even in a garage will decrease its life. Use a real deal battery tender all winter with zero issues. If you want max life from said battery pay attention here.
 

Hammermechanicman

Lawn Addict
Joined
Jan 10, 2020
Threads
65
Messages
3,839
Fully charged battery freezes around -80 degrees F. Discharged battery around 25 degrees F.
Best case is to bring battery into a place that does not get below freezing and put a float charger on it. If you can't do that and it will be stored where it gets below freezing disconnect the negative and be sure battery is fully charged and put a float charger on it all off season. Storing modern plastic case batteries on a concrete floor will not cause a problem. A battery kept fully charged won't freeze.
 

7394

Lawn Pro
Joined
Sep 5, 2014
Threads
90
Messages
5,104
I put my battery minders w/temperature compensators on, for 1 week, then 1 week off. Mine are inside. But that's what I do.
 

GearHead36

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2023
Threads
14
Messages
232
I'm a big believer in Battery Tenders. Through the Winter, all my mowers with batteries, my ATV, and my convertible are on Battery Tenders 24/7. A Battery Tender won't overcharge. I have much less problems in the Spring when I go to start things.
 
Top