Battery question

300jk · Nov 6, 2016

So today I went to start my 300 which I haven't run in probably 3 weeks. It started and stalled. When I went to restart it cranked slow so I put my battery charger on it set at 10 amp charge. I then went to cut the lawn. I just went back to tractor to start it and the battery was leaking out of one of the top covers/vents. I have never noticed this before. Battery says group 24f-60 on it. Charger is supposed to be automatic. Just wondering why the leakage. Haven't added any water to battery. Charger was on approx. 2 hrs. I converted tractor to 12 v. 8 years ago with 10si. Alternator. Thanks.

Steve@Advance · Nov 6, 2016

Sounds like a bad cell.

A bad cell will commonly boil when being charged or under load.

You can check it with a hydrometer (if the caps come off) or have it load tested.

300jk · Nov 6, 2016

If it does have a bad cell it won't fully charge correct ? Reason I ask is I started tractor and it the amp gauge showed it was charging and after a few minutes it showed little to nothing on the gauge and stopped leaking.

old · Nov 6, 2016

One bad cell can be a bad battery but since it was 6 volt at one time can still be enough to start it but not work well for a long time as in may get by a few times but sooner or later leave you sitting out in the field. I would if you have it check battery volts when not running and then with it running. Should have around 12.5 volts not running and around 13-14 volts running. Any less then 12.3 volts not running says battery needs charge or is bad. But also a cell that is low on water can boil and cause the same things to happen

Geo-TH,In · Nov 6, 2016

300jk,
Take the guess work out and get a tester or take it to NAPA. I used to use a hydrometer but with sealed batteries I bought a battery conductivity tester.

I had to use it a few days ago. It told me I had a bad cell.

Before I bought a batteryminder 12248 some of my smart chargers would over charge my batteries. My batteryminder has yet to cook a battery even a battery with a bad cell.

geo
battery testor

Geo-TH,In · Nov 6, 2016

300jk,
Take the guess work out and get a tester or take it to NAPA. I used to use a hydrometer but with sealed batteries I bought a battery conductivity tester.

I had to use it a few days ago. It told me I had a bad cell.

Before I bought a batteryminder 12248 some of my smart chargers would over charge my batteries. My batteryminder has yet to cook a battery even a battery with a bad cell.

geo
battery tester

300jk · Nov 6, 2016

I will pull battery tonight and take it to work and test it. it's been good and never fully discharged but is old. Tractor has always started good besides this. Guess could be time for a new batt. Thanks.

jacksun65 · Nov 6, 2016

I have a friend who just put two new batteries out of four in his truck, started it up and smelled burning paint one of the batteries he didn't change was burning. Burnt the paint off the outside of the metal battery box. Good thing it wasn't a plastic one.

BushogPapa · Nov 6, 2016

One agravating thing about the "Maintenance Free" batteries is an INTERMITENT Cell failure..it may test Fine and let you down 30 minutes later..

Battery question

300jk

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Steve@Advance

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300jk

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old

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Geo-TH,In

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Geo-TH,In

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300jk

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jacksun65

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BushogPapa

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