Ferris 810cc 26HP Vanguard Battery Constantly Dying?

[Hexa Fox]

Hey guys,

I have a Ferris IS 2100z with the above engine. To try to keep this as short as possible a few years ago I replaced the factory battery that came with my Ferris. The original battery was seven or eight years old so I just figured it was the battery. Turned out the cable from the regulator to the battery had just broken off. Replaced the cable and I have had nothing but trouble since. For about the last three seasons or so I have went through about four or maybe five batteries. It died on me today and I had to drive home and get my mobile charger and return to jump the Ferris. I came home today ready to slam my head against the wall. I would also like to think I have a decent understanding of charging systems as well. My dealer said the batteries that came with my unit are different from the factory and he could not tell me who truly manufactured it.

1.) I have checked the batteries multiple times, they read at a little over 14v.
2.) I have placed a cinder block in the seat, engaged the PTO, batteries still hold in at a little over 14v.
3.) I have tried every kind of battery.

I have tried two more expensive batteries one from NAPA and one from a local highly rated shop called Battery Mart. I think those two lasted the longest but I was lucky if they lasted the entire season. Right now I have a cheap Wal*Mart lawn and garden battery on it that I put on it new this season. Started out really strong, now needs jumped from time to time and is now killing the mower while mowing.

My Ferris does not have any type of electronic accessories that could be causing problems either. It does not even have lights. However, it did just occur to me that my ignition switch is starting to get a little loose and janky. After I start the mower I can pull the key out of it while it is in the on position. Then when I want to stop it I place the key back into it and turn it back to the off position. I try to make certain that when I turn it off the switch is all the way off so it isn't draining the battery. For the record, I have been having trouble with batteries before I had trouble with the ignition switch. I am thinking right now my premature failure could be because it is a cheaper Wal*Mart battery but I am sick of going through batteries like this on this unit.

Any advice or feedback would be greatly appreciated. I would also really like it if you guys could tell me what batteries you are running in this size and if you have had luck with them? Please also let me know if you opted for the 'upgrade' of said battery. I know that a lot of the Auto Parts stores have several options of batteries to choose from, even in this size.

 

[oldnslo]

what voltage do you see when engine is running at 3/4 to full throttle? What you are describing almost sounds like voltage regulator could be starting to fail and over charging the battery causing them to fail prematurely.

 

[Hexa Fox]

what voltage do you see when engine is running at 3/4 to full throttle? What you are describing almost sounds like voltage regulator could be starting to fail and over charging the battery causing them to fail prematurely.

The same. We had a little break from mowing and the mower sat for a couple weeks. I would say that has been a couple months. I had to jump it and that is when I checked the voltage. I cannot remember exactly what it was but I remember being happy with it. I will need to check again but at full throttle I know it was showing near or more than 14v.

When the wire broke from the regulator to the battery I remember calling my dealer before investigating at all and he did tell me the regulators on these engines are known to cause problems and need to be replaced. The unit is now 10+ years old. I have never suspected the regulator but that is just me.

 

[Cycledude]

Walmart batteries are excellent ! I had one that lasted 18 years in my 8N ford tractor, obviously I replaced it with another Walmart battery about 6 years ago.

 

[nyone]

"As short as possible" then types out a novel. Lol

If you have 13v when running your charging system is good and I suspect you have a draw.

 

[Hexa Fox]

Walmart batteries are excellent ! I had one that lasted 18 years in my 8N ford tractor, obviously I replaced it with another Walmart battery about 6 years ago.

The Ford 8N takes a larger capacity battery though correct? I find the quality with them hit or miss. I have one in a Camry that has lasted four or five years now. I put one in a Pontiac Firebird that I was working on that is a different sized battery and it was dead in a little over a year. The Firebird was also running so it isn't like it was sitting. I am very surprised that the smaller cheap group size from Wal*Mart is working for the Camry though.

 

[LittleBill21]

if the battery is over 14v its not dying.

what exactly is happening for you to think its dead?

when you disconnect the battery what is the voltage? do you have a load tester?

 

[WranglerX]

Sounds like a parasitic load ... IF you disconnect a terminal on battery and put a voltmeter on disconnected terminal and battery post and get a reading meaning you have a parasitic load draining battery..... Could be from slight load leaking through from charging circuit..... Simple solution may be just install battery disconnect switch and move on....

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[Hexa Fox]

if the battery is over 14v its not dying.

what exactly is happening for you to think its dead?

when you disconnect the battery what is the voltage? do you have a load tester?

No load tester, always thought about buying one but never pulled the trigger. To be honest, I have no clue what is going on. The only thing I have to go on is that the mower completely shut off the day I made the post while mowing and had to be jumped to get it started. I had been mowing for about three hours when it shut off as well, so it had plenty of time to charge the battery or you know, die before being able to mow that long.

Sounds like a parasitic load ... IF you disconnect a terminal on battery and put a voltmeter on disconnected terminal and battery post and get a reading meaning you have a parasitic load draining battery..... Could be from slight load leaking through from charging circuit..... Simple solution may be just install battery disconnect switch and move on....

Battery Switches

Explore Del City's selection of battery switches from top brands like Blue Sea Systems and Hella. Perfect for automotive, marine, and recreational vehicles, with reliable ignition and power control.

www.delcity.net

Yeah I thought about this, also thought about installing a push button starter and toggle shut off. I'm just not sure how comfortable I feel going through with something like that. It may have something to do with my aging ignition switch. I do remember a loud clicking sound the other day when I was trying to get it restarted which made me think it could have been a safety switch or something. I made certain everything was in order as well, as in the PTO was disengaged and the parking brake was on.

So another bit of information is I needed to mow my own grass and a neighbors grass today so I mowed with it for probably close to another 2-3 hours and had zero problems with it today. I figured it I had an issue with it which was likely I would be close enough to take care of it.

 

[tomplum]

Voltage regulators are almost always wired hot. Meaning not switched. The VR is suppose to shut down the path. If you unplug your VR after you shut it down, and no more draw, there's your issue.