Battery Info

[EddieWalker]

I've never used a Load Tester before, but I've seen them use it at NAPA when bringing a battery in. They always have something like this.

Amazon.com

Is there an advantage to the digital ones? I'm sort of leaning towards something like the Schumacher that I post the link to. I also see that there is a Neiko that looks indentical to the Schumacher, but for about $15 less.

Amazon.com

 

[Hay Dude]

That's very similar to what I used to have, but ran over. And what I'm looking to buy now. I'm just trying to decide on what one is the best one to buy. I have 4 tractors, a Mule and two riding mowers. There is always a battery issue of some kind here!!!

Look on FBM for a used one, too. I got mine 15 years ago for $75.

 

[EddieWalker]

Do the big battery chargers have load testers on them?

 

[John_Mc]

That's very similar to what I used to have, but ran over. And what I'm looking to buy now. I'm just trying to decide on what one is the best one to buy. I have 4 tractors, a Mule and two riding mowers. There is always a battery issue of some kind here!!!

You do NOT want to use a high amperage charger on a small ATV or motorcycle sized battery (as is probably in your Mule). Those typically like to be charged at a rate of about 1 or 2 amps.

Not sure what the max charge rate your riding mower batteries can take, but worth checking before you hook them up to a big beast.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Speaking of battery issues, yesterday I found one that puzzles me.

These batteries have been flawless for about two years, always maintaining a good charge for months. Don't know if it's related, but recently decided to be nice to them and add some water. They didn't need much, some cells none.

Also in the process of rebuilding the power control box for this vehicle, basically a solenoid that provides power when the battery switch is turned on, and one that sends power to the starter's solenoid when activated.

With all systems seemingly good to go, the starter acted like the batteries were low. The voltage was still up there, but when load testing them the upper left and lower right one failed completely. Never had anything like that happen before.

The upper right one is positive in this 24 V system, and the lower left is negative. What I don't understand is why those two, first and last in the chain, are dead while the other two tests perfectly. Yes, stuff happens, but in this case, how?

Put them on a solar charger and with desulfation on the two bad ones. It'll be interesting to see if the specific gravity is still as bad as it was yesterday.

 

[LittleBill21]

Do the big battery chargers have load testers on them?

no

 

[Too many Kubotas]

I've never used a Load Tester before, but I've seen them use it at NAPA when bringing a battery in. They always have something like this.

That's the kind I use. It works.

Also, I do have a larger wheeled charger, but use that one maybe every five years or so. Despite taking care of 80+ batteries there's rarely a need for it. Frankly, I keep forgetting that I have it.

That's partially because bringing a battery back to life is best done with a low charge (1-2 A) over a longer time. In a shop where it's just a matter of getting a customer out the door asap, that's obviously not a concern.

 

[grsthegreat]

Yo do NOT want to use a high amperage charger on a small ATV or motorcycle sized battery (as is probably in your Mule). Those typically like to be charged at a rate of about 1 or 2 amps.

Not sure what the max charge rate your riding mower batteries can take, but worth checking before you hook them up to a big beast.

The mule uses a car battery, buy the statement of amp charger is correct

 

[EddieWalker]

Yo do NOT want to use a high amperage charger on a small ATV or motorcycle sized battery (as is probably in your Mule). Those typically like to be charged at a rate of about 1 or 2 amps.

Not sure what the max charge rate your riding mower batteries can take, but worth checking before you hook them up to a big beast.

I have trickle chargers on the mowers. They are smaller models for lawn mowers. I used one of them on the battery for my tractor for two weeks before putting it in, but it doesn't seem to have worked.

 

[WM75Guy]

I bought this one at Harbor Freight in Tyler.