The mower has a briggs I/C 20hp twin II motor . It's battery was dead after sitting all winter . I put in a new battery yeaterday afternoon . I went to start it today and its dead again. Should I be able to read the current drain with a multimeter ? That way I could verify in an instant that it is truly fixed. I would like to read any proceedure that would help me trace it down. Thanks for any help in advance
Sounds like something was using the power if it was flat from not using it in one day. It is also possible that there is a loose connection, check all connections to the battery.
I would do the following in this order. Check all connects and wires, are they loose, corroded, wires frayed, etc. Once you feel everything is in good shape continue. Fully charge the battery. Disconnect the negative battery cable and let sit for a day. If battery is discharged, bad battery, return. If battery is fully charged continue. Disconnect the plug on the back of the key switch and let sit for a day. If the battery is discharged we are going to look for a dead short in a component in the system. If the battery is fully charged, we have a confusing problem. Post back with results. Be sure to include model and serial numbers for both the unit and engine.
First thing I would do is disconnect the battery, and put your meter leads across the positive and negative wires going to the tractor and see what the resistance is. should be close to if not infinity. Something else you can try is fully charge the battery, but leave it disconnected overnight, and then before you try to start the mower, reconnect the battery and see if it will start. If it will start the mower then most likely you have a short. if it is dead without being hooked up, then most likely you have a bad battery.
After you get the cause determined, or problem fixed, you can disconnect the negative wire from the battery, and put the leads of your meter between the wire and the negative terminal of the battery, and the drain from the battery should be in the milliamp range, less than 100 milliamps.
Be aware that if you try the above procedure with a short in the system, the amp draw could very well exceed the capacity of the meter, and damage the meter or worse.
Post back with your finding, and somebody with good knowledge will be able to instruct you further.
