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Chapter 13 Preventive Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Battery Service
The battery in a small engine–powered imple-
ment may be either a maintenance-free battery or
a conventional lead-acid battery. Check the manu-
facturer’s service information to determine which
type is being used.
The maintenance-free battery should not be
replaced with a conventional lead-acid battery.
The electrical system is designed exclusively for a
maintenance-free battery and the electrical system
will not work properly with a conventional lead-
acid battery.
Conventional lead-acid batteries need occa-
sional additions of distilled water to keep the elec-
trolyte level above the plates. Fill to the level shown
on the case of the battery. Use a bulb syringe to add
water and do not overfi ll. Maintenance-free batter-
ies do not need to have fl uid added and should not
have the sealed caps removed.
Removing, servicing, charging, or installing
a battery must be done carefully to avoid spilling
any electrolyte.
Batteries produce hydrogen gas, which is very
explosive. Keep batteries away from sparks, fl ame,
etc. Charging and using a battery should be done
in a well-ventilated space. Batteries electrolyte
contains sulfuric acid, which can cause serious
burns to the skin, eyes, or clothing if contact is
made. Always wear eye protection when working
with batteries.
Batteries are secured in a battery box, tray, or
similar device and securely fastened to the imple-
ment. The battery is held in position to resist being
thrown about during operation. A loose battery
would quickly result in a cracked case. This could
cause serious damage to the implement and pos-
sible injury to the user. When servicing the battery,
make sure the battery hold-down is tight and in
good condition.
Corrosion at the battery terminals and cable
connectors is not uncommon. See Figure 13-20.
The corrosion should be cleaned from the termi-
nals. To clean the terminals, proceed as follows:
1. Remove the battery cable from the terminal.
2. Use a solution of baking soda and water
to wash the cable connectors and battery
terminals. (One teaspoon of baking soda to
one cup of water).
3. Use a stiff brush to remove the corrosion from
the cable connectors and battery terminals,
Figure 13-21.
4. Rinse the battery and connectors with clear
water and dry the battery case and terminals
with absorbent cloths, Figure 13-22.
5. Coat the terminals with a waterproof
dielectric grease to prevent further corrosion.
6. Reinstall the battery cables on the battery
terminals. In negative-ground systems, the
positive cable should be connected before the
negative cable.
Charge a battery only when it needs it. Nor-
mally, the alternator driven by the engine keeps
the battery charged. If the battery is old and does
not crank the engine, it should be tested and pos-
sibly replaced with a new one. A battery that
Figure 13-20.
This battery terminal and cable connection is
extremely corroded.
Corroded terminal
Figure 13-21.
A parts brush, old toothbrush, or other stiff-bristle brush
should be used to remove the corrosion from the cable
connectors and battery terminals.