Quick & Easy Way To Test Lawn Tractor Batteries Without Spending A Fortune On Tools!

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  • Опубліковано 12 чер 2024
  • Quick & Easy Way To Test Lawn Tractor Batteries Without Spending A Fortune On Tools!
    Don’t forget to click the 🔔 to turn on Video Notifications for more money saving videos and tips, featuring all the brands like Stihl, Husky, Husqvarna, Honda, Echo, Kohler, Tecumseh, Dolmar, Makita, Poulan, Ariens, Powermore, Briggs and Stratton, Champion, Murray, John Deere, Craftsman, MTD, AYP, etc.
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    I have easy to follow and thorough step by step tutorials "do it yourself" (DIY) videos to help you with your broken lawn and garden equipment including snowblowers and zero turn mowers.
    I do my best to teach you how to easily diagnose problems the fastest, quickest and most efficient way with real repairs beyond just replacing a spark plug. These tips are for both the homeowner and shop owner.
    Whether it be a handheld, two stroke, two cycle engine like a chainsaw, weed eater, weed whacker, string trimmer, grass trimmer, line trimmer, hedge trimmer, strimmer, brush cutter, leaf blower, or four stroke, four cycle units like a lawnmower, wood splitter, lawn tractor, zero turn mower, snowblower, pressure washer, generator or a ride on mower that needs parts installed or replaced, I’m your go-to guy.
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    Due to factors beyond the control of DONYBOY73 “The Small Engine Doctor”, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. DONYBOY73 “The Small Engine Doctor” assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. DONYBOY73 “The Small Engine Doctor” recommends safe practices when working with power tools, hand tools, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of DONYBOY73 “The Small Engine Doctor”, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not DONYBOY73 “The Small Engine Doctor".
    Tengo tutoriales paso a paso fáciles de seguir y completos, videos de "hágalo usted mismo" (DIY) para ayudarlo con su equipo de jardín y césped roto, incluidos quitanieves y cortadoras de giro cero.
    Hago todo lo posible para enseñarle cómo diagnosticar fácilmente problemas de la manera más rápida, rápida y eficiente con reparaciones reales más allá de simplemente reemplazar una bujía. Estos consejos son tanto para el dueño de la casa como para el dueño de la tienda.
    Ya sea un motor manual de dos tiempos y dos ciclos como una motosierra, un desmalezador, un desmalezador, una cortadora de hilo, una cortadora de césped, una cortadora de hilo, una cortadora de setos, una podadora, una desbrozadora, un soplador de hojas o unidades de cuatro tiempos y cuatro ciclos como una cortadora de césped, una cortadora de leña, un tractor cortacésped, una cortadora de césped de giro cero, una sopladora de nieve, una lavadora a presión, un generador o una cortadora de césped que necesita que se instalen o reemplacen piezas, soy su persona indicada.
    #donyboy73 #battery #lawn
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 102

  • @patthesoundguy
    @patthesoundguy Місяць тому +5

    I finally broke down and bought one of those as Princess Auto about 10 to 12 years ago, and I wished I had bought it sooner. Well worth the money

  • @snowball1465
    @snowball1465 Місяць тому +11

    This is great. No more touching my tongue to the positive and negative for me.

    • @Boobtube.
      @Boobtube. Місяць тому

      you must have a long tongue, LOL

    • @tonyrichmond9428
      @tonyrichmond9428 29 днів тому

      Buddy, if you can touch the positive and negative with your tongue, I'm sure you can find a woman to test that battery for you!

  • @jamesc9327
    @jamesc9327 Місяць тому +7

    You know it's going to be an awesome day when Dony puts out a video on UA-cam.
    Thanks, Dony, for another amazing video. This one on a worn out tractor battery.
    I purchased one at Harbor Freight a few years ago, and they certainly save time. 👍👍👍👍👍

  • @Choirboyjr11
    @Choirboyjr11 Місяць тому +3

    I swapped a motorcycle battery for my mower and have had it on for 7 years now. I believe it is a YTX14, but it's AGM and love not replacing it!

  • @Ron-0417
    @Ron-0417 Місяць тому +5

    Harbor Freight has them for $20. I've always called them a toaster tester.

  • @xrisdavid785
    @xrisdavid785 Місяць тому +2

    Happy 50th Don !! Still lookin' young [ish] after all these years !! Thanx for all the knowledge you share !!

  • @regsparkes6507
    @regsparkes6507 Місяць тому +2

    I've used one these testers in my business for years and Dony's right. ( as far as I'm concerned. )

  • @TheLawnmowerLady
    @TheLawnmowerLady Місяць тому +2

    Great tool! Electrical issues can be intimidating for many folks. These tools are easy to use, no complicated and are useful for your car or motorcycle too. Thanks for the video.

    • @georgepruitt637
      @georgepruitt637 Місяць тому

      You can also use it for testing bad gnds and other bad connections.

  • @willf5768
    @willf5768 Місяць тому +3

    Great video Don . My lawn tractor battery seems to last so long I barely remember when I bought it. What I do is remove mine And I live very close to Canada and we have long winters here. I remove my battery on one tractor and one car I have for the winter and keep them on the work bench in the garage out of the way. And put a small charger on them until they are fully charged , some people use a trickle charger and leave it on all winter but I just put the charger on once a month it seems to work just fine.And for me this helps my batteries last many years.

  • @henerker
    @henerker Місяць тому +2

    Donny shows us again how we can do it ourselves and save money! Always such great videos.

  • @steveriggenbach90
    @steveriggenbach90 Місяць тому +3

    I’ve had mine for years. Car , sump pump and mower batteries I’ve used it on. Great tip.

  • @steveb.6267
    @steveb.6267 Місяць тому

    Dony you’re the best small engines teacher on UA-cam. I put a battery tender on all my tractors at least once a month. After I take the tender off I measure the voltage on the battery, after a few days I measure it again and if it drops to 12.5vdc. or less I know the battery is on its way out. With proper care for I usually get around six years to a battery unless it’s defective from the start.
    Thanks again for doing what you do, the younger people need mentors like you.

  • @BearE9090
    @BearE9090 Місяць тому +2

    I bought mine years ago at Princess Auto. They had it on sale for $25.00. Very simple and effective.

  • @gordbaker896
    @gordbaker896 Місяць тому +1

    Thanks Dony. Great tool with multiple uses around the home.

  • @paultennis9414
    @paultennis9414 Місяць тому +1

    This unit is also useful for testing the charging system. Simple but effective.

  • @byronwoolfrey1039
    @byronwoolfrey1039 21 день тому

    Thanks, good video
    And that dawn dish detergent, i keep it in my shop, it cleans grease of your hands just as well as those ducks. Better than hand cleaners

  • @jonnymotoritz4393
    @jonnymotoritz4393 Місяць тому

    I have the exact same Battery tester. As you said, its simple and good. Thank you for all your videos . Never boring. Always informative. Greetings from Austria

  • @deanmoore420
    @deanmoore420 Місяць тому

    Great advice I’ve had one of them testers for a long time. They work great great video.👍

  • @matthewwearsch242
    @matthewwearsch242 Місяць тому +1

    Hell yeah 👍 the good old toaster load tester doesn't lie

  • @davidstark8894
    @davidstark8894 Місяць тому

    Thanks for sharing another great video! I have one of these testers and it has come in very handy.

  • @rightlanehog3151
    @rightlanehog3151 Місяць тому +8

    Don, I would like to know how many people keep their small engine /seasonal equipment batteries charged up in the off season. 🤔

    • @billy2bob63
      @billy2bob63 Місяць тому +3

      I do or at least check the voltage on them 👍💯♥️🇺🇸

    • @ryank5688
      @ryank5688 Місяць тому +2

      At least every 3mo.. So once around Christmas and then again before going back into service. Top-up with distilled water in the fall after initially charging then put on a bit longer. Had a dura-last in seasonal automotive service for 16y.. They don't seem to make them quite that well anymore.

  • @Davidjb37721
    @Davidjb37721 Місяць тому

    Thanks for your input 😅😊

  • @elcheapo5302
    @elcheapo5302 Місяць тому +2

    If you get one, make sure to read the manual. Specifically, temperature correction and which scale to look at loaded vs unloaded. I've had an Associated tester for years. 100% accurate. The electronic ones are, at best, 90% accurate.

  • @rhama8751
    @rhama8751 Місяць тому +2

    I pull my mower battery end of every season and leave it on a trickle charger overwinter in an unheated garage. So far its lasted 9 years so I guess I've been lucky.

  • @gordsmith7708
    @gordsmith7708 Місяць тому

    Great info Donny ! Cheers 🍻

  • @user-oh1hc5vw5o
    @user-oh1hc5vw5o Місяць тому +1

    thanks don

  • @Tterryups
    @Tterryups Місяць тому

    Thanks!

  • @Kyle-bb9zp
    @Kyle-bb9zp Місяць тому

    These are good charger testers I used them working on tractor trailers.

  • @mrclaus859
    @mrclaus859 Місяць тому

    Thanks Dony

  • @liljoeii6091
    @liljoeii6091 Місяць тому

    THANK YOU FOR THE VIDEO

  • @mikespain8655
    @mikespain8655 Місяць тому

    I use that exact same tester every week and it works great.

  • @keithpayne8943
    @keithpayne8943 Місяць тому

    Thanks for the video. Always enjoy rhem

  • @garyclark1135
    @garyclark1135 Місяць тому +18

    You know it's bad because it was only showing 10 volts.

    • @elcheapo5302
      @elcheapo5302 Місяць тому +5

      Yep, no need to even load this one.

    • @RussellBooth1977
      @RussellBooth1977 Місяць тому +2

      I think that Don thought that was the CCA rating of the battery when it's the voltage reading,I'd say that it has a bad cell in it !

  • @tcap7917
    @tcap7917 Місяць тому

    It not only tests a batteries condition but also can do a starter draw and charging test. It's not just for small batteries. Have and still use the same tester from harbor freight over 30 years ago. Only wear is on the clamps.

  • @harrygrimley4352
    @harrygrimley4352 Місяць тому

    Nice job sir

  • @shawnmadan4224
    @shawnmadan4224 Місяць тому +6

    Harbor freight 20.00 dollars

  • @TheTronder007
    @TheTronder007 Місяць тому

    Our Husqvarna Rider (R112C) from 2015 is still on it's original battery, and our lawn tractor (Husqvarna LT151) has a battery from 2017, both are still working well.. We leave them in the machines over the winter season (stored in a dry outhouse) I do give them a charge every few weeks, temperatures during winter here in Trøndelag in Norway can go down to -10 to -20'c and sometimes even a bit lower.

  • @6gatornation
    @6gatornation Місяць тому

    I bought an Odyssey battery in 2015 For $145 still using it today
    In my riding lawnmower
    I never had to charge it even after it sits a few months in the winter
    I am amazed every spring when it starts up bought another one for my Polaris Rzr in 2016
    still going strong also

  • @gerrymcintosh4477
    @gerrymcintosh4477 Місяць тому

    I have a battery tester and use it quite frequently. I find it very useful to have and paid less than 75$ for it. 🇨🇦💝👍🙏

  • @joehead1294
    @joehead1294 Місяць тому

    Yes, those are nice. But the mower is the ultimate tester. And you already have it.

  • @RussellBooth1977
    @RussellBooth1977 Місяць тому

    I bought one of these testers on eBay for $23 AUD including postage and handling from a seller whose located at Sydney in Australia which isn't that far from where I live.
    That reading prior to when you turn the switch on is the voltage reading & I knew that it was already toast when I saw that it read 10 volts when the battery has been charged, it's likely due to a bad cell.
    The instructions in mine tells me to load test it for 10 seconds.
    It has been invaluable for testing my cars battery so it has saved me from returning a good battery to the auto parts store when the starter motor solenoid had a loose connection in my car.
    I would like to get a smaller one to test smaller CCA rated batteries because I have a 270 CCA which shows up as being weak but the specific gravity tests green which is fully charged after it has been charged !

  • @prann100
    @prann100 Місяць тому

    Bought mine on sale last year for $19.99 in Canada

  • @Islandwaterjet
    @Islandwaterjet Місяць тому +1

    No. Get the type of tester that has the rheostat to vary the 'cranking amps' such that you can load the battery to its designed parameters. Also check and adjust the zero on a analogue meter.

  • @partyguarder
    @partyguarder Місяць тому +3

    If the battery has been around a while (as this one is from Feb 2018), it's a good idea to pry off the vent caps and see if there is enough acid solution in the cells, prior to charging. If the plates are not totally submerged, top up with water until they are..and then charge the battery. You might be able to save it.

    • @michaelotoole1807
      @michaelotoole1807 Місяць тому +5

      make Shure you use distilled water.

    • @billy2bob63
      @billy2bob63 Місяць тому +1

      Oh I know that I could Revive that battery to life 👍💯♥️🇺🇸

    • @partyguarder
      @partyguarder Місяць тому +3

      @@michaelotoole1807 If you're using well water then ya...but in the GTA regular tap water works fine, done it for years never had a problem.

  • @Tundra-pw2cu
    @Tundra-pw2cu Місяць тому

    Do you have a link to pick up a tester like yours on Amazon? Thanks, Enjoy you video's

  • @Nonplused
    @Nonplused Місяць тому

    Careful when testing AGM batteries, especially type 27's, you can cook the tester! Mine still works, but it started smoking on the AGM. The load in these testers like the one shown in the video is just a heat coil.

  • @tomschmidt381
    @tomschmidt381 Місяць тому

    I also have one of these old school high current battery load testers. A Harbor Freight one from south of the 49th parallel. Besides our cars I also use it on the smaller SLA batteries on our genie and UPS. Being small batteries even new they test bad but I log the new reading periodically retest. Not rigorous a test but works for me. To maximize life both are on battery maintainers.
    One note of caution. I once had one of our car batteries fail shortly after I did the load test. I assume a failed cell (know what they say). One of the newer high tech impedance testers may have picked up the pending failure but as I do not own one will never know.

  • @illiniwood
    @illiniwood Місяць тому

    If you sell batteries in your shop, one of the best battery testers made is the Auto-Meter sb-5/2. Nothing out there can touch its accuracy and dependability.

  • @bobmcl2406
    @bobmcl2406 Місяць тому

    Watch the flyers. Those load testers come on sale at Princess Auto for $19.99 Cdn. I use mine all the time, and I have helped friends know that a battery was not their problem.

  • @airtow6766
    @airtow6766 Місяць тому +5

    If people weren't so lazy these days and when they store the mower for winter, bring battery inside, and charge it a couple times it would last at least 4 or 5 seasons.

  • @kingphilt
    @kingphilt Місяць тому

    Where do they sell that battery interstate with the handle? Thanks

  • @cal4625
    @cal4625 26 днів тому

    The battery will also last longer if you remove it from the mower over winter, bring it indoors and hook it up to the charger every thirty days or so.

  • @Mechanicturfgear
    @Mechanicturfgear Місяць тому +1

    Top up with distilled water . I trickle charge over night then load test them in the morning . Usually lawn tractor battery 2-3 years is about right . I’ve seen batteries 10 years old but very un common . More common to get a bad new battery . Talk about a diagnostic night mare lol . Which has happened to me at least twice in 20 years

  • @jtb52
    @jtb52 Місяць тому

    Good timing dad's tractor is down. Recharged battery but didn't help...I'll take the battery to the local shop

  • @jeffarp7409
    @jeffarp7409 Місяць тому

    If you will look on your battery it will have a cold cranking amp rating on it. That is what you need to go by on your load tester, thats what the numbers are on the tester and that should be what it should show when you test it. It should be somewhere close to the cca rating on the battery.

  • @10mmsocket32
    @10mmsocket32 Місяць тому

    Alternatively, leave the battery connected to the mower and hook up the tester to the battery. See how far the tester drops in amperage (green/yellow region) while trying to crank the mower.

  • @Wyliedawg
    @Wyliedawg Місяць тому

    Hmmm, I'm only on my 3rd battery in my 2008 Deere X540. I keep the battery stored indoors over winter and on a timer-controller smart charger in the off season. Two to three years only shouldn't happen.

  • @mikegregory7844
    @mikegregory7844 Місяць тому

    My tester doesn’t allow me to put a load on the battery to check it. I just attached the negative and positive and it tells me if the battery is good or not. Do I need another battery tester that will put a load on the battery like your example.

  • @robertford4801
    @robertford4801 28 днів тому

    Interesting but a cheaper multimeter will achieve the same information. Measure off load voltage 12-13v depending on charge state, then crank the starter and observe voltage drop. Shouldn’t drop below 8.4volts on battery terminals worst case scenario. When batteries had each cell lugs exposed years ago you could easily measure the voltage of each cell which should all read the same. Another good test is to charge the battery fully, then discharge at the 10th ampere rating of the battery to see if its capacity is up to spec. I prefer moving coil meters to electronic test meters.

  • @philliphall5198
    @philliphall5198 Місяць тому

    👋

  • @ksw501
    @ksw501 Місяць тому +1

    I’ve seen videos where old/dead batteries can be brought back to life by hooking them up to welders and cranking at high amps. Have you ever tried this and do you recommend this method?

    • @donyboy73
      @donyboy73  Місяць тому +1

      Never tried!

    • @billy2bob63
      @billy2bob63 Місяць тому +1

      It works 👍💯♥️🇺🇸

  • @MrTonyharrell
    @MrTonyharrell Місяць тому +2

    Most auto parts around here will test your battery for free.

  • @rickjljr11
    @rickjljr11 Місяць тому

    1st battery no load voltage = 10.5 ... one dead cell

  • @alserna3439
    @alserna3439 Місяць тому

    I have had my batteries last 10 yrstake them out in winter and leave them on a trickle charger all the time

  • @David-rj7hi
    @David-rj7hi Місяць тому

    I'm stumped can you help me anyone..I have a toro tecumseh 6.5 hp self pace mower it ran great then all sudden it would start but die..so I bought new carb all new..once I put it on I mowed my whole backyard..after that now it's doing the same prime and start runs a minute or two and dies..I even adjusted the float the same..got spark, fuel, new carb any ideas?

    • @donyboy73
      @donyboy73  Місяць тому

      Make sure fuel cap is venting, sometimes i run with cap a little loose to make sure it's venting.

  • @stevem1081
    @stevem1081 23 дні тому

    My tester is included with every vehicle, if you turn the key and it won't start, charge battery, if it still won't start, 99% chance the battery is bad.

  • @chrishayden7016
    @chrishayden7016 22 дні тому

    After getting a battery tester, invest $20 in a battery MAINTAINER. My bad boy battery is seven years old and still tests @ 220 CCAs

  • @harrisonosirrah22
    @harrisonosirrah22 Місяць тому

    Do you check Facebook messages?

    • @donyboy73
      @donyboy73  Місяць тому

      I do miss to see a lot of them.

  • @upsidedowndog1256
    @upsidedowndog1256 Місяць тому +1

    The battery is bad if it won't start the engine. I have the tester myself and a new battery is always the fix. No need to test it.

  • @mikeholubek4419
    @mikeholubek4419 Місяць тому

    Mines >30 yrs old, diff brand but sane principle.

  • @AutismusPrime69
    @AutismusPrime69 Місяць тому

    One day man will make telescopes that can see atoms

    • @donyboy73
      @donyboy73  Місяць тому

      Absolutely!

    • @brucemitchell5637
      @brucemitchell5637 Місяць тому +2

      I get the batteries on my lawn equipment to last MUCH longer than 2-3 years by simply disconnecting them in the fall when I've finished using them and putting them on cheap $20 battery maintainers inside my heated garage for the winter. No problems whatsoever!

    • @ianbutler1983
      @ianbutler1983 Місяць тому

      @@brucemitchell5637 Yes. I put it in the basement and on a maintainer. Mine is 6 years and just fired up my tractor for the season.

  • @life_with_bernie
    @life_with_bernie Місяць тому

    Sir, this video scared the heck out of me and I'll tell you why. Look at the 3:12 mark and notice how close together the handles of that tester are. Notice too that the insulation on those handles doesn't fully cover the ends and that you're less than an inch from getting a lesson in 12vdc arc welding, or worse.
    I say "or worse" because back in the 90s, when I owned my own shop, one of my mechanics had just finished charging a battery and used a cheese grater type load tester, similar to the one you have, to load test the battery. All it took was a slight pull on the cables and the ends of the handles touched in a shower of sparks. Bad enough, but that also ignited the hydrogen gas that had built up while charging and exploded the battery, severely injuring the man with the splattering acid.
    Please, for safety's sake, add some insulation to those clamps and take care that they aren't pointing at each other when testing batteries. I enjoy your channel and would like to see more of your content for many years to come.

  • @williamwilliams7706
    @williamwilliams7706 Місяць тому

    If the sides are swollen or bulged out, don't even bother getting a tester on it. The battery is toast or soon will be.

  • @squirrelcovers6340
    @squirrelcovers6340 23 дні тому

    A volt meter is less than $10

  • @Pontiacdreams
    @Pontiacdreams Місяць тому

    50.00 isn’t cheap for me! The battery is much more.

  • @dandearman2871
    @dandearman2871 Місяць тому

    Most batteries fail way before their time because people fail to properly maintain them.

  • @geyser3445
    @geyser3445 Місяць тому +2

    Cheaper to buy a new battery than buy that tester. But I do enjoy your vids.

    • @sonnyc3826
      @sonnyc3826 Місяць тому +2

      the tester is like 30 bucks so idk where you get your batteries but a battery about that size is 150-200 bucks

    • @billy2bob63
      @billy2bob63 Місяць тому

      ​@@sonnyc3826
      WTF $150 to $200 🙄🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

    • @geyser3445
      @geyser3445 Місяць тому

      @@sonnyc3826 You are way off one the price. A 300 cca battery can be bought for $35 - $60.

  • @jasonburguess
    @jasonburguess Місяць тому

    The first thing anyone should do after buying a lawnmower like these, is replace that crap battery with a normal car battery. Those lawnmower batteries are worthless and always fail. A standard car battery works way better and won't be dead after a month.

  • @dirtroad57chevy49
    @dirtroad57chevy49 Місяць тому

    I know my battery is dead when it don't start.

  • @jamesmantalas6107
    @jamesmantalas6107 Місяць тому

    That type of tester is a direct short when you push to test .