Starting an engine from the mains

[Kes]

Hi,

I'm not sure which forum is suitable for this, possibly Mad Ideas?

Every time I try to start my ride-on mower, and end up cursing whoever put such a puny battery on such a butch machine, I ask the same question.

Why, when the battery on the mower is flat, or runs flat, why is the only option to trickle charge it and wait for many hours? Then you run it flat again and have wait many hours more to recharge it. This is overwhelmingly annoying. Why isn't there a device that you can plug into the mains and connect to the errant battery and whip the thing into use? Something like an arc welder transformer? Mine is rated at 140 amps, I dunno at what voltage though.

I think that the only option is to buy a largish car battery and keep that charged up. That will kick the mower's bum.

Rgds.

 

[Steve]

I believe a mains jump starter is available. alternatively, use jump leads from your car (provided the voltage is the same)

 

[Hitachimad]

A mains starter/charger, providing the system is 12v (or24v - unlikely!)

Of one of them portable jump packs.

There may well be an underlying fault, is the battery okay? Is the charging circuit working?

 

[Kes]

Hi,

The portable jump-start kits have chargeable batteries in a fancy case. I'm just curious why there isn't a device to transform 240v 13a to 12v 150+ amps, just like an arc welder. I guess this just shows the depth of my electrical knowledge once I progress beyond connecting the brown wires together.

Rgds.

 

[davieboy]

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/product.asp?p=010310020&r=2058&g=107

got one of these at the garage. will start just about anything, even 24v scannia trucks!!

possibly a wee bit overkill for a lawnmower though.

 

[Steve]

Hi,

The portable jump-start kits have chargeable batteries in a fancy case. I'm just curious why there isn't a device to transform 240v 13a to 12v 150+ amps, just like an arc welder. I guess this just shows the depth of my electrical knowledge once I progress beyond connecting the brown wires together.

Rgds.

that device would be handy, though i have asked this question on here before, without much luck. 60 amps would be sufficient for my use. I think the restricting factor is the size of the windings on the secondary coil and the circuitry to turn the AC secondary into DC.

 

[keyplayer]

Rapid battery chargers are for emergencies only, not regular use. You don't specify, but assuming you are talking of a petrol driven mower, you obviously have a problem with it. So :-

Does the engine wind over when you try to start it? If it does for any length of time then you should investigate the choke operates correctly first (usually manual on mowers). Spark plug next and ht lead.

If engine doesn't turn over at all then test the battery and charging system. And look for short circuits although this would probably burn some wiring out before too long. I suspect complete renewal of all these components will be cheaper than a fast charger alone, never mind your monthly bill for a new battery. lol.