Cheap(er) sources of mower batteries?

[ilyaz]

I was given an old Craftsman 24volt electric mower with rechargeable batteries. The batteries are dead, so of course I'll scrap them, but I am trying to figure out what to do with the rest. I would like to have it as a working mower, but BatteriesPlus sell those for like $50 and I need 2 of them, and so far I have not found anything much cheaper. Other than monitoring CL or some similar site for an identical mower with working batteries, do you know of any sources of cheaper batteries? They need to be in working condition, of course, but they don't need to be brand new.

[sawmilleng]

I'm not familiar with the Craftsman lawnmower batteries but I'm assuming they are similar to the batteries in a cordless drill....Ni-Cd or NiMH... You can disassemble the battery and take out all the old individual battery cells. Get replacement cells on eBay--there are hundreds of outfits you can buy replacement cells from for a fraction of the cost of a replacement battery. Solder the cells together in the same way the old cells were arranged, put it back in the battery pack, and there you have it, a new replacement, with brand new batteries at a fraction of what you would pay to Sears.

There are a few cells that are not the standard size of the cells you normally see, like the A, C, D-size batteries that are everywhere. I think the most common one used in drills and the like is called a 2/3 C. They are also easily available on eBay. Measure the ones you have and make sure the replacements are the same size. Make sure you buy replacements that have a solder tab attached. It makes it easier to assemble the battery pack.

If you don't want to do your own soldering, there are outfits that will reload your battery pack with new cells for a reasonable fee. I've seen a few on eBay but I'm sure a Google search will find others.

Hope this helps,
Jon.

[ilyaz]

Jon, thanks for the info. I don't have the old battery in front of me right now, but I think this one would be similar. Can this be taken apart and refitted with new cells?

[southendguy]

That is a sealed lead acid battery. Similar to an automotive battery. Try other, smaller battery stores. I get them from a battery store for less than $20.

[sawmilleng]

Ooops...if the batteries are like those ones then they are not repairable--Southendguy nailed it.

The battery packs I was thinking of for drills and the like have screws holding them together and are easily opened up for repair.

You can look for any 12V lead acid battery that has the same physical size as the ones you are toasting. A quick look on eBay showed lots of 12V 18AH batteries available but not a heck of a lot less than $40 each.

If you have a decent relationship with some scrap dealers in your area who take batteries you could check them out...I've noticed that communications companies and businesses with big IT departments sometimes throw out batteries that still have some life in them. Keep an eye out when you are dropping off scrap and nab a few of the right size when they show up. Its a crap shoot if the batteries are any good but maybe you could work something out with the yard to take them and try them. Otherwise, you'd need a battery load tester with you at the yard.

Good luck!
Jon.

[ozzy214]

That is a easy. Look for ups and apcs from ewaste. Same **** battery. I got 50 right now all charged, ready to go. How many you want? I can t sell the things if my life depended on it.

[Bear]

That is a easy. Look for ups and apcs from ewaste. Same **** battery. I got 50 right now all charged, ready to go. How many you want? I can t sell the things if my life depended on it.

How do you charge those Ozzy, in a regular UPS? Is there a way to test, and separate the good ones from the bad ones?

[ozzy214]

How do you charge those Ozzy, in a regular UPS? Is there a way to test, and separate the good ones from the bad ones?

Regular battery charger on 1 amp trickle charge for a hour or less. Anything higher will over juice the battery and cause it to go boom since they not vented. Basically overheat them. Then use a regular battery load tester for your car and see if it passes.

That is the hillbilly method and works. Or juice them for 10 mins so a apc will recognize them. Then stick them into a apc and the apc should juice them up. After 12 hours, push the battery tester button and see if it passes. Only certain apc models have the load tester feature. Others will beep after a few mins if the battery is defective and cant be charged.

I prefer the car charger and load tester myself. You can also daisy chain using jumpers so you can charge multiple batteries at once. I just wouldnt juice them for more than a hour on a trickle charge. Because as I said, they are not vented and can heat up with a higher charge and explode!