Is the battery of your lawn mower getting the right amount of charge? What should you do if your battery is becoming weak and is not receiving the right amount of charge?
If the voltage regulator is allowing the proper amount of power supply it saves your lawnmower from excessive heating. A faulty voltage regulator can damage the battery leading to financial losses. It can also stop your lawnmower from turning on.
As such, testing the voltage regulator is essential to ensure the machine’s durability and for your own safety.
But do you know how to test a voltage regulator on a lawnmower?
The Process of Testing a Voltage Regulator on a Lawnmower
This process is an effortless and straightforward one that will take you a few minutes to complete.
First, take the instruction manual from the manufacturer’s website and go through it to avoid any incidents.
Secondly, ensure you have all the tools you require for the process. Some of the tools you need include:
A Multimeter
You can use the multimeter to read the voltage of the battery. This will help you get a proper idea of the battery’s performance.
You can buy a multimeter from an online store, hardware, automobile, or electrical shop.
The prices can vary depending on the internal functions and its building materials.
Hand Gloves
You will also require electrical insulation gloves since your lawnmower will still run as you test the voltage regulator.
The gloves will protect you from being electrified while testing the voltage regulator.
Steps to Follow While Testing the Voltage Regulator on a Lawn Mower
Prepare the Lawn Mower
You need to ensure the lawnmower is in a position that will enable you to work comfortably.
As such, ensure the lawnmower is on a flat surface to make it effortless for you to access the various parts.
Locate the Battery
After ensuring your lawnmower is in a comfortable position, you should then locate the battery.
Locating the battery is helpful as the voltage regulator is always attached to the battery.
Set the Multimeter
Set your multimeter button to voltage. The mark of voltage on a multimeter is V or ∆V.
If you cannot locate the mark, check your user manual for guidance.
Note that voltage is not measured using ampere or ohms. If you set your multimeter to ohms or ampere, it can damage your battery and your machine.
Connect Cables
When you purchase a multimeter, it comes with two cables: a black cable and a red cable.
There are two nodes marked as + and – on your battery, which represent the positive and negative nodes.
You should connect the red cable on your multimeter to the positive (+) node and the black cable to the negative (-) node. If your battery features a plastic lid on the terminals, you should remove it before connecting the cables.
Check Your Multimeter
When you connect the cables correctly to the battery, check what is happening on your multimeter.
If the multimeter has readings higher than 12 volts, it shows that your battery is performing well. If the reading on the multimeter is less than 12, it shows your battery’s performance is decreasing.
Sometimes, the multimeter may not show any readings. In such instances, you should note that the battery is dead. However, the multimeter may not show any readings if it is not connected properly. Therefore, you should ensure that you have proper cable connections at all times.
Start Your Lawn Mower
Start your lawn mower and check the readings on the display of your lawnmower.
If you find that the readings have increased and are reading 13.8 volts, the battery is charging correctly.
If the reading on display is over 14.5 volts, it means the voltage regulator has some fault. Additionally, readings below 13.8 volts show that your battery is becoming weak, and you should change it as soon as possible.
Supply:
- Voltage Regulator
Tools:
- Screwdriver
Test Voltage Regulator on a Husqvarna Riding Mower
Here is a great video showing how to test the voltage regulator on a Husqvarna tractor.
Final Thoughts
A voltage regulator helps to ensure smooth movement of charge from the starter to the battery. If the regulator is weak, the flow of the charge will be interrupted. You should check the voltage regulator to ensure the proper performance of the battery and to protect it.
Sources:
https://www.lawnmowerforum.com/threads/how-to-test-voltage-regulator-output.56233/
