Problem with new battery in my Tiger Cub

[Mad Mackie]

Recently bought a new battery at Tractor Supply, the 420 CA/350 CCA one and installed it in my Tiger Cub.
Today I cleaned the deck, sharpened the blades and mowed my lawn. As I was blowing off the dust, I raised up the seat and noticed that both battery terminals had been contacting the underside of the seat mount, this is not a good situation. I have the old battery as it is in my GT, the same TSC battery. I pulled both out and set them next to each other and discovered two things. The case of the new battery is 1/8" taller and the lead terminals are 1/4" taller than the old battery. This increased the overall height of the new battery too much. I added two spacers under the seat mount where is sits on the support, added spacers to the battery box bolts which allowed it to sit a little lower and removed the rubber pad from the bottom of the battery box. I also replaced the red plastic insulator on the positive terminal.
I checked the fuses and the running battery voltage, all is OK.
I put a piece of a cardboard box above the battery terminals, put the seat back down and back up again. I now have about 1/8"-3/16" clearance which isn't great, but OK. I might remove the seat and mount and bend the hinges down some which will raise up the front of the seat mount and allow more clearance above the battery.
FedEx just delivered my order of Oregon G3 Gator blades, I like these blades.:laughing::biggrin::smile:

 

[mechanic mark]

Good post Mad Mackie!

 

[Mad Mackie]

Original battery was a maintenance free Deka, no one around here sells them. These TSC batteries are also maintenance free which I prefer as they don't spew out electrolyte. Evidently the manufacturer which is Exide, has made some changes in these batteries. I prefer the higher amp hour batteries, but I may have to measure them in the future. No problem with them in my GT as there is a lot of space above the battery.
Was just looking at the situation in the machine and cutting off the bottom of the battery box and welding it back on with extensions may be the way to go. Getting the battery box out involves removing other things however.
The negative terminal touching metal is no biggie, however, the positive terminal touching metal is a biggie!!!!

 

[BlazNT]

Liquid Black tape it comes in different colors. Get red and black and put on battery terminals. Plasti Dip is also a good option. I would also get a grinder with a flapper wheel and grind down the lead post to the correct size. Do this outside with a mask and no kids down wind.

 

[Mad Mackie]

Just went to my local Tractor Supply Co. and compared the heights of the 420CA and 350CA batteries, the 350CA battery is shorter. If I recall, the original battery was a 350CA Deka. Installing a 350CA battery would resolve this problem and I may do this. I prefer to reinstall the rubber pad under the battery and put back in place the rubber piece that was under the battery hold down plate.
Check out the pics
Notice the burn spot under the seat where the positive terminal was touching.
I added the aluminum strips to gain a little more battery terminal clearance.

 

[Carscw]

I also use the tractor supply 420cca
Only time it was to tall was on a old rally mower. I put a rubber mat over it.
I ran one in my 85 ramcharger for a year.

 

[Mad Mackie]

Hi troops,
I decided to keep the 420 CA battery, but it is still contacting the seat support. I'm going to mark the center of the contact area and with a hole saw cut two holes in the seat support to allow clearance above both battery terminals.
I like these TSC batteries and I will replace the 4 year old battery in my Hustler X-ONE with one soon, no clearance problems.
Note that I have three ground cables attached to the neg terminal on the battery. Before I repowered, I had installed the 2nd cable connected to the machine frame. When I repowered I added a 3rd ground cable which connects directly to the engine separate from the engine mount bolt. I will leave all 3 ground cables connected although the 2nd cable could be removed.

 

[Mad Mackie]

Hi troops,
Here is my fix for the tall battery. Bored two 1 1/4" holes in the plate support above the battery terminals with a hole saw. As the hole saw moved and bent the pilot drill, I used a die grinder and bit to enlarge the hole for the positive terminal, red cap.