Ryobi ZT480ex (RY48ZTR100CAN) vs Mice: Chewed wires repaired, Blades still not turning

[IDarwin]

We were away from home for a month on a road trip. Left the mower plugged in, in the relative safety of the back shed. The field mice got in and took advantage of our absence: built a nest in the space in front of the blade controllers,. While there, they helpfully chewed up the wiring. Result: Mower would move, but the blades, not. And, the blue LED on the "Slow Cut" button didn't light up. Took the front cover off, cleared out the nest. Soldered in a replacement for the green wire (a chunk of which was simply not there), and taped up the wires that had lost insulation but kept continuity. In short, fixing all the visible damage. Now the "Slow Cut" LED lights, but still no cutting. Blade spin freely by hand, so not jammed motors. Any thoughts on how best to proceed? Scrapping the machine would not be considered helpful . Thanks for any useful hints.

 

[MowerMike]

Wow, what a mess ! Well, for starters I’d completely replace those chewed wires. Just because you’ve got continuity doesn’t mean the damaged wires can carry the current load. Disconnect and clean those connectors. Unfortunately, those Ryobi SLA battery riding mowers are known to have many problems with bad electrical connections, switches and batteries, so your problem may lie elsewhere. Good luck.

 

[MParr]

It's a wonder it didn't burn your shed down.

 

[IDarwin]

It's a wonder it didn't burn your shed down.

What some call "involuntary conversion" of assets into insurance payouts.

 

[slomo]

This time of year weather is cooling off. Mice and rats look for a new home. Might bait out your property and clean up areas of piled up junk if you have those.

Obviously missed a wire or ten with the electrical tape job.

For future issues, mowers bounce around all over your yard. Means the wiring harnesses do as well. You might have a wire or five touching slash shorting out and not working proper.

Like the others mentioned, mower companies use the smallest gauge wire to make the circuit work and hopefully not catch on fire. With mice reducing the conductors, just needs some harnesses replaced.

 

[slomo]

It's a wonder it didn't burn your shed down.

Even without mice chewing around. I would be nervous to leave that on a charger unattended.

 

[IDarwin]

This time of year weather is cooling off. Mice and rats look for a new home. Might bait out your property and clean up areas of piled up junk if you have those.

Quite familiar with this, having lived in rural area for decades. Don't use bait as it kills the raptors that eat the mice.

Obviously missed a wire or ten with the electrical tape job.

For future issues, mowers bounce around all over your yard. Means the wiring harnesses do as well. You might have a wire or five touching slash shorting out and not working proper.

Doubtful but I will test again to see if one of them isn't conducting.

Like the others mentioned, mower companies use the smallest gauge wire to make the circuit work and hopefully not catch on fire. With mice reducing the conductors, just needs some harnesses replaced.

These are signal wires that don't carry much current. The patch I put in is thicker gauge not thinner than what it replaced, so no problem with carrying capacity.

Thanks

 

[IDarwin]

Even without mice chewing around. I would be nervous to leave that on a charger unattended.

It's been left charging for 3 or 4 years with no issue. I do check for overheating periodically just to be safe.

 

[IDarwin]

Wow, what a mess ! Well, for starters I’d completely replace those chewed wires. Just because you’ve got continuity doesn’t mean the damaged wires can carry the current load.

I did use larger gauge wire than the original, so no problem with the load. And they're only signal wires, minimal current load. Will replace the worst ones and see.

Disconnect and clean those connectors. Unfortunately, those Ryobi SLA battery riding mowers are known to have many problems with bad electrical connections, switches and batteries, so your problem may lie elsewhere. Good luck.

Good thought. Contact cleaner to the rescue!?

 

[IDarwin]

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions! In the end it was just one of the wires that was more damaged than it looked on my initial assessment. Now it's back on the road, err, the lawn.