How long does it take to charge a lawnmower? What pros say

Are you seeking the charging time for a lawnmower? Your search ends here. We’ve gathered expert insights to provide the most accurate and reliable information.

How long does it take to charge a lawnmower?

The charging time for a lithium-ion battery in a cordless electric lawnmower is typically 1-2 hours, while lead-acid batteries can take 12+ hours. The charging time depends on the battery type, size, age, and charger. Lithium-ion charges faster than lead acid.

Stay with us as we dive deeper into the world of lawnmower batteries. Learn why some charge faster than others and how to get the most out of your lawnmower battery.

Analyzing Lithium-ion batteries charging times

Lithium-ion batteries are used in lawnmowers mainly. When we talk about a battery’s charging time, there are no general rules; many mechanisms are involved. Lithium-ion batteries are also used in mobile phones, but some get charged up in an hour, and some take 2 hours.

Did you ever wonder why? It depends on the charger, to be more exact, on the voltage and amps level. In highly fundamental terms, the charge and release of a lithium-ion battery are moderately simple to clarify.

• Comparing Charging Times of Different Lawnmowers

When the lithium-particle cell or battery releases, it gives current to an external circuit. While charging, the battery stores the ions; voltage allows the charger’s total current to flow into the battery until the power supply reaches its pre-set voltage.

Different lawnmowers with different battery sizes will have other charging times; some will use fast charging technology, reducing the charging time significantly. Below there are some lawnmowers and their charging times:

Impact of Mower Size on Charging Time

The charging time is different and dependent upon the size of the mower. IOC 81 RC from Weibang takes 12 hours to charge the battery; iOC 81 RC is a heavy-duty lawnmower, and the battery used is almost 15 kg weight with no memory effect.

The battery memory effect reduces the longevity of a rechargeable battery’s charge due to incomplete discharge in previous uses.

The Snapper lawnmower only takes 30 minutes to charge for a quick 25-minute use, the mower is conspicuously lightweight, and the battery size is small, resulting in much lower charging time. There is another type of battery, which was used in some older lawnmower types: Lead Acid batteries.

Lead-Acid battery

Lead-acid batteries are one of the oldest types; the problem is that they cannot go to the whole capacity level once discharged. The charge time is often between 12 and 16 hours for smaller ones and 36–48 hours for large stationary batteries.

With higher charge currents and multi-stage charge methods, the charge time can be reduced to 8–10 hours without a full topping charge. Lead-acid batteries usually take more time to charge compared to other battery systems.

Rex Allen

Lawnmower Expert

I’ve found that the charging time of a lawnmower is influenced by several factors such as the battery capacity, the charger’s output, the age and condition of the battery, and even the temperature.

Precautions for Lithium-Ion battery        

● Current charge

The current level for the Lithium-ion battery should not be high. The high current will affect the battery in negative ways. Even if your battery can charge high current, you should typically use a low current charger for better health and longer battery life.  

● Temperature

The temperature of the place where the battery is placed when it is being charged is essential. Your battery should not be charged when it is placed where the temperature is above 45 degrees.

● Discharge current

Release of current insurance is needed to forestall harm or blast because of short circuits. The specific battery pack will have a breaking point, which should not be surpassed. Considering the battery’s enormous energy, reaching the cutoff point can make the battery catch fire or even explode.

Typically, battery packs have a charge/release of the executives’ hardware to guarantee that the current ability isn’t surpassed. However, in every case, it is best not to over-stress them.

Lead-acid battery charging time

The use of lead acid is reduced in today’s world due to many factors. Taking a longer time to charge is one of them. You cannot fast charge a lawnmower battery, which is rarely used in a modern electric lawnmower.

Lead-acid batteries are usually off-the-shelf 12 Volt 75-100AH AGM or FLA batteries when used in consumer mowers. Multiple batteries are wired together in the mower to give a higher voltage. The batteries are generally replaced as a set.

Lead-acid batteries should not be fully discharged. It is better to start charging at 30% and leave it on the charger until fully charged. Often, the battery will take almost a day to reach its maximum capacity.

Comparing Lithium-Ion and Lead Acid battery

Batteries of an electric mower

The battery is one of the main factors on which the performance of a cordless mower depends. A quality battery will enhance the lawnmower’s performance; some good batteries are commonly used in modern cordless lawnmowers.

How to keep your lawnmower batteries in good health

● Do not Over-charge

Overcharging the battery will reduce its lifespan and decrease its charge-carrying capacity; it may start behaving abnormally if subjected to over-charging frequently. Better chargers have a special mode to deal with this problem. In that case, it is not possible to overcharge.

● Use the correct charger

It is always good to use the original charger to charge the batteries. The duplicate charger may affect the battery because of variations in the voltage and current levels, which the same charger may have.

● Remove the battery and then charge it in an empty room.

Depending on the lawnmower, removing the batteries before charging is not always necessary. Still, if possible, it would be a good idea to do this as lithium-ion batteries can explode, and if that happens, they can damage the mower.

● Always read the instruction manual.

The companies who make batteries know better than all of us; read the instructions and follow them when charging the battery.

Rex Allen

Lawnmower Expert

A common misconception I’ve encountered is the belief that draining a battery completely before recharging it is beneficial. This can shorten the battery’s lifespan.

● Defected battery

If the battery is defective, it will take a long time to charge and less time to discharge, regardless of the type and charger used. In this case, the owner needs to replace it.

The battery of a gas-powered lawnmower

Gas and electric lawnmowers are the rotational kinds that need an engine to turn its sharp edge and cut the grass. An inner burning motor that runs utilizing fuel controls gas lawnmowers. The two-chamber ignition motor runs by consuming a combination of gas and oil.

While a 4-chamber engine consumes fuel to turn its engine. Gas-powered lawnmowers that use electric motors are usually powered by a rechargeable battery that gets charged when the engine runs like a vehicle’s batteries.

The battery type and voltage level depend upon the size of the lawnmower. For heavy-duty lawn tractors, a bigger battery is required. For more information, see your mower user manual. 

Remarks

The charging time is subjective to the charger quality and the type of battery. However, a quality charger and a lithium-ion battery will only take 60 to 90 minutes to charge upon tenfully setting up amps. 

Lead to the decline in battery health, Lead Acid, an old type of battery used for heavy-duty tasks, will take up to eight hours to reach maximum charging capacity. There are more sub-types of lithium-ion batteries, but most work on the basic principle described above.

If the battery is old or damaged, it will take a long time; charging time is moot. A battery is dead when it can no longer hold a charge. One way to check if your battery is dead is by using a multimeter on the battery terminals. If it reads less than 12.7 volts, your battery is dead.

• Identifying a Dead Battery

Another sign that your battery is dead is if you hear a clicking sound when you turn the ignition. This clicking sound is caused by the starter motor trying to start the engine without enough power from the battery. If you suspect your battery is dead, there are five steps to take.

First, put your safety glasses and gloves on. Second, remove any corrosion from the battery’s terminals. Third, try charging the battery. If it doesn’t charge, try jump-starting it. If that doesn’t work, your battery is likely dead and needs to be replaced.

Remember, any battery will eventually fail. The best way to prolong the life of your battery is to maintain it properly. This includes keeping it clean and charged and not exposing it to extreme temperatures.

Rex Allen

Lawnmower Expert

For someone buying their first lawnmower, I would advise them to read the owner’s manual thoroughly, use a quality charger, and follow recommended maintenance procedures to keep the battery in good condition. This advice is based on my 20 years of experience in the field.

• Steps to Ensure Your Battery Lasts as Long as Possible

Lastly, improve the health of your battery by conducting regular maintenance. This includes cleaning the terminals, checking the voltage, and keeping it fully charged. By following these steps, you can ensure that your battery lasts as long as possible.

So, contact your local lawn and garden service center or battery specialist for more information. They can provide the necessary tools and knowledge to maintain your battery correctly. Remember, a well-maintained battery can provide reliable power for your device.

Whether it’s’ a car, boat, lawn, or garden equipment, take the time to learn about your battery and how to care for it. It will pay off in the long run. In the northeast, where temperatures can drop below freezing, keeping your battery fully charged is essential.

• The Importance of a Fully Charged Battery

A fully charged battery can resist freezing temperatures much better than a discharged one. Trickle charging is a method of charging a battery slowly over a long period, such as overnight.

This can be beneficial for batteries that are not used regularly, as it can help maintain the battery’s charge and extend its life. Finally, remember to take a break during your maintenance session. Battery maintenance can be tedious, but it’s’ necessary for the health of your battery.

By taking breaks, you can ensure you’re giving each task the attention it deserves. Remember, Battery health is crucial for your battery’s performance and your system’s overall performance. So, please take the necessary steps to maintain your battery and ensure it’s’ healthy.