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Hello Members,

I'm a new member to this forum and was hoping for a solution to a problem I'm having with my mower. A little background on my mower...I own a Black & Decker CMM1000. First and foremost, I *love* it. Secondly, my father purchased it for himself in approximately 2000 and I inherited it after he passed away in 2006 (part of the reason I love this mower as it's a tangible connection to my father, who I was very close to). I am simply an average homeowner with an average yard and my (Dad's) CMM1000 has been steady and outstanding workhorse for the past 16 years total and the last 10 years in my hands. Despite all the reported issues, recalls, and fixes surrounding this model mower, I have never had a single problem with it in all the years we've owned it. It has worked perfectly.

Fast forward to 2 mo. ago when I went out to mow my front lawn and discovered that the batteries in the mower had finally expired and would no longer hold a charge (I've always left the charger plugged in between mowings and have never had any issues in the 10 years that I've had it). After gathering information and reading a number of postings on the web, I decided to purchase a set of 22 mAh replacement batteries from one of the online websites selling replacement batteries for this mower and swap them out myself as it looked to be a simple, straight forward job. Apart from a less expensive alternative to purchasing a new mower (and probably not as good...), it was a way to extend the life of this great mower and also allow me to keep a very sentimental connection to my Dad. Unfortunately, there's been a hitch in this grand plan. As a matter of record and background, the mower was working perfectly, both charging and running, prior to the original batteries going flat. After I received the new batteries, I *carefully* installed them, reassembled the mower, and plugged in the charger to charge overnight (red charge light came on when plugged in as per normal), with the intent of mowing my lawn the following day. When I came out the following day to use the mower, I found the charge light green (as if fully charged like it would normally indicate), BUT the meter was still deep in the red as if the batteries had never been charged. I thought perhaps that the meter had failed somehow (again, despite everything working perfectly prior to replacing the batteries) so I unplugged the charger, slotted in the plastic safety key and attempted to start it. Predictably, no luck. In my state of confusion, I removed the safety key and plugged the charger back in. Again, the meter was bottomed out in the red on the meter and the red charge light came on, so I left it plugged in and decided to monitor it throughout the day. Surprisingly, I came out a half hour later to check on it and the charge light had turned green again as if fully charged, but the meter was still bottomed out in the red and the batteries were still had no charge on them. So, here is my dilemma, I'd *really* like to keep this mower, partially because of it's sentimentality, but also because it has been an *outstanding* mower. However, I'm at a loss to explain why it's no longer working after carefully installing new batteries intended as direct replacements. Beyond the fact that I really can't afford to purchase a new replacement mower right now (and for the previously mentioned reasons, really don't want to), I haven't seen any new cordless mowers currently made that would be as good or better than my CMM1000. I've also already invested $100 in the new batteries and $25 dollars in a new blade for the mower that I'd *really* like to see work. I've been borrowing my neighbor's gas powered mower for the last 2 mo. and, apart from my personal feelings about how the gas mower is impacting the environment, would like to stop imposing on my neighbor and (hopefully) resolve the current issue with my CMM1000. Can anyone, hopefully, offer an answer to my problem, given current circumstances and investment? I would be most grateful to the LawnWorld community for any solutions. Thank you.

Get a new charger. Go to the place you bought the batteries and ask them what battery charger they would recommend.

Welcome to the forum!

:welcome:

I'm going to move your thread over to the Black & Decker section in case you need more advice.

BlazNT said:

Get a new charger. Go to the place you bought the batteries and ask them what battery charger they would recommend.

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Hi, Chuck. Thank you for the response. However, the charger is the original B&D one that came with it and has a proprietary plug on it. Do they make appropriate capacity aftermarket chargers with that plug end on them? I really don't want to have to get into snipping plug ends off and modifying/wiring into another charger as I don't even remotely have enough time to get that involved in it. Plus, with no guarantee that it would work (especially if I had to modify it), I couldn't return it at that point if it didn't. Your thoughts?

Catherine said:

Welcome to the forum!

:welcome:

I'm going to move your thread over to the Black & Decker section in case you need more advice.

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Thank you, Catherine. :biggrin:

A couple of min you can make you own adapter by going to auto parts store and picking up wire connector. Deturman what pluges are inside the lawn mower charger port it will normally be one of the 2 I will put pictures up. get some left over wire and creat your own jumper wires. Connect when needed to charge.

You will end up with something like this. You will need 2.

BlazNT said:

You will end up with something like this. You will need 2.

View attachment 28425

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Thank you for the input, Chuck. I'll look into a different charger, but before that, do you think the problem is the original charger itself or possibly the charge circuit in the mower getting confused by the upgraded 22 mAh capacity batteries (the originals were 17 mAh)? It would surprise me if this were the case as all the other postings I've read around the web seemed to imply that the upgraded 22 mAh batteries were a direct swap out with no charging issues once replaced. I just don't want to keep pouring money into my mower if, when all is said and done, is going to end up costing me as much as simply purchasing a new cordless mower. I'd much prefer to try and specifically identify what the problem is and fix it rather than throwing potential ideas (and money) at it until I figure it out. It would just seem kind of silly. Know what I mean? Still, I thank you *very* much for trying to help me out. Let me know what you think. Much appreciated. :smile:

No I think you lost your batteries because the charger was dead.
From what I have read the charger acts like its fine even when it stops working.

BlazNT said:

No I think you lost your batteries because the charger was dead.
From what I have read the charger acts like its fine even when it stops working.

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That IS weird. I've haven't read any posts mentioning the charger being an issue. When I plug in my charger the LED indicators work fine, both the red one indicating that it's charging and the green one indicating that it's charged, just no charge on the new batteries at all. Hmm, now I'm REALLY confused. Just don't want to buy a new charger unless I know that's *really* the problem. Will have to ponder this a bit more and do some more detective work with multimeter. Thanks, Chuck.

This is not the only place I read about stuff. In the process of finding things for people on here I come across info on the stuff I'm looking up. I read and learn a lot of stuff from lots of sites. I don't normally post stuff from other sites but it is all easy to find. Just have to search.

The charger is no longer available new. I couldn't even find a good used one on eBay. If the charger is broken, you will have to modify another charger to work with the mower.

It would just take little longer to charge a 22Ah battery instead of the original 17Ah (read Ampere Hour for Ah, not mAH. It is a measure for the battery capacity - how much energy a battery can store/deliver).
So if the charger works, the batteries should be charged. If they aren't, it could be the charger itself that is at fault (assuming that the batteries that you just purchased are OK). As per this forum, this is rare but can happen. Any electronic part in the charger circuitry can fail over time. There is no know circuit diagram for the charger, it is sad that B&D does not release it, that would be so helpful in debugging.
There were many very interesting discussions on the CMM1000 managed by Mark Widmer on this forum, but there are becoming rarer in recent times since these CMM1000 are slowly going to mowers' heaven. Just wish somebody would still manufacture a 24V mower that is as sturdy as the CMM1000, instead of going to more expensive 36V or 48V models, and making the battery replacement prohibitive.

howie832g said:

It would just take little longer to charge a 22Ah battery instead of the original 17Ah (read Ampere Hour for Ah, not mAH. It is a measure for the battery capacity - how much energy a battery can store/deliver).
So if the charger works, the batteries should be charged. If they aren't, it could be the charger itself that is at fault (assuming that the batteries that you just purchased are OK). As per this forum, this is rare but can happen. Any electronic part in the charger circuitry can fail over time. There is no know circuit diagram for the charger, it is sad that B&D does not release it, that would be so helpful in debugging.
There were many very interesting discussions on the CMM1000 managed by Mark Widmer on this forum, but there are becoming rarer in recent times since these CMM1000 are slowly going to mowers' heaven. Just wish somebody would still manufacture a 24V mower that is as sturdy as the CMM1000, instead of going to more expensive 36V or 48V models, and making the battery replacement prohibitive.

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Thanks for the reply, howie832g. And thanks for the correction on the Ah notation. Was putting mAh simply out of habit in dealing consumer electronics. Yeesh! Anyway, after doing a voltage check on the charger output (works fine), it appears that indeed the charge circuit in the mower itself is kaput. :frown::frown: This is VERY disappointing, but I don't have the time or the motivation to take it down to that level to try and solve the problem, especially if there's no circuit diagram for the charge electronics. Sadly, it appears I'll have to throw in the towel and give my CMM1000 (and one of the last connections to my Dad) a fond RIP. Heck, maybe he'll mow a few lawns with it wherever he is! LOL! :wink:

Sooo, in wrapping up this saga, can anyone offer suggestions on a replacement mower that will equal or exceed the performance of my CMM1000 in mowing ability, load capacity (wet or long grass/weeds, etc.), durability, long term reliability (like my AWESOME CMM1000...16+ years with NO issues!!), and run time? I'd appreciate any and all input and your thoughts why re: any recommendations. Given that I'm a B & D fan, I'm leaning towards the CM2040 or the SPCM1936, but I am open to other manufacturers/designs. Thoughts from the collective??

Also, does anyone out there need a brand new pair of SigmasTek SP12-22HR (12V22AH/NB terminals) replacement SLA batteries (see pic) ? I just purchased the pair about a month ago. I paid $100 for the pair total with shipping from ReplacementUPSbattery.com. I'd be willing to part with them for $20 each, plus whatever the shipping cost would be to whoever would like them. They are brand new and have never been charged (by default, as a result of the aforementioned charge circuit failure in my CMM1000).

Thanks to *everyone* for all their input and suggestions up to this point. It's been very helpful. :biggrin::biggrin:

BlazNT said:

No I think you lost your batteries because the charger was dead.
From what I have read the charger acts like its fine even when it stops working.

Click to expand...

You're telling him to get another charger and put the right tips on the wires so it can be plugged into the CMM1000? Would any 24v charger work? If you can substitute another charger, since the B&D charger #242901 is no longer available, why not just cut off the B&D male plug (it's got three leads, plus a shape, half round and half square, around each lead, that makes it the only one that will fit in the female port on the mower) from the failed charger and patch it onto the replacement charger?

Hello,

Be SUPER careful in battery selection as NiCad, NiMH and LiPo batteries require different chargers. I've seen battery packs in R/C airplanes explode when charged wrong, they will also catch fire if charged wrong too. LiPo's I believe are the most unstable and some R/C guys have resorted to charging them in fire proof containers (usually an old crock pot).

We've all seen news footage of cell phones bursting into flame in a guys pants and laptops catching fire in airline overhead storage compartments.

People have burned their houses down charging lawnmower batteries in their garage,,,be safe.

Changing the voltage of the battery pack or altering a charger in any way, is a recipe for disaster, IMO.

Regards

Jeff

jp1961 said:

Hello,

Be SUPER ...

Changing the voltage of the battery pack or altering a charger in any way, is a recipe for disaster, IMO.

Regards

Jeff

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I mow lawns for my landlord. I reported my online research results and he's already decided to buy a new mower. I assume he would look at things your way. Thank you very much. The one thing that had given me pause is taping up the previous, also died charger, I forget how that became necessary, and realizing there was a lot of circuitry inside it.

I would imagine that, by now, lancisti has either fixed the issue or gotten a new mower.

Mark

lancisti said:

Thanks for the reply, howie832g. And thanks for the correction on the Ah notation. Was putting mAh simply out of habit in dealing consumer electronics. Yeesh! Anyway, after doing a voltage check on the charger output (works fine), it appears that indeed the charge circuit in the mower itself is kaput. :frown::frown: This is VERY disappointing, but I don't have the time or the motivation to take it down to that level to try and solve the problem, especially if there's no circuit diagram for the charge electronics. Sadly, it appears I'll have to throw in the towel and give my CMM1000 (and one of the last connections to my Dad) a fond RIP. Heck, maybe he'll mow a few lawns with it wherever he is! LOL! ?

Sooo, in wrapping up this saga, can anyone offer suggestions on a replacement mower that will equal or exceed the performance of my CMM1000 in mowing ability, load capacity (wet or long grass/weeds, etc.), durability, long term reliability (like my AWESOME CMM1000...16+ years with NO issues!!), and run time? I'd appreciate any and all input and your thoughts why re: any recommendations. Given that I'm a B & D fan, I'm leaning towards the CM2040 or the SPCM1936, but I am open to other manufacturers/designs. Thoughts from the collective??

Also, does anyone out there need a brand new pair of SigmasTek SP12-22HR (12V22AH/NB terminals) replacement SLA batteries (see pic) View attachment 28470? I just purchased the pair about a month ago. I paid $100 for the pair total with shipping from ReplacementUPSbattery.com. I'd be willing to part with them for $20 each, plus whatever the shipping cost would be to whoever would like them. They are brand new and have never been charged (by default, as a result of the aforementioned charge circuit failure in my CMM1000).

Thanks to *everyone* for all their input and suggestions up to this point. It's been very helpful. :biggrin::biggrin:

Click to expand...

Wondering if everyone with a CMM1000 didn't take advantage of the last recall? From my understanding, the last recall converted all CMM1000 into CMM1200 units?