One of the things that really irritate me, is the noise and the smell of a gasoline lawn mower.
The tranquility of a beautiful place is always destroyed when a gasoline lawn mower is turned on.
It's incredible how much pollution and noise one small contraption like that can generate.
Very very annoying.
So it was not a choice when I bought my electric lawn mower.
For many years I used a wired version, but admittedly, is not really "user friendly".
You need to drag the cable that always entangle itself somewhere.
Because of that, and the fact that I will NEVER buy a gasoline lawn mower, 4 years ago I bought a battery operated lawn mower.
Let me state that I'm not advertising or sponsoring anything, but this is what I choose 4 years ago, a Craftsman 48V cordless lawn mower.
Reading the reviews of the brand/model I bought, I noticed that many people complained about the quality.
Well, I have to say that I am amazed by the fact that for 4 years, I had NOT a single problem !
No gasoline to buy, no oil, no maintenance at all. Just pick it up when I had to mow the lawn and put it under charge after.
And most importantly, not pollution and excessive noise ! For me but also for neighbors.
Not a single problem.
Until recently.
It was an expected problem actually. The batteries died.
I repeat, I'm amazed they lasted for 4 years !
It was time to put the little beast in maintenance.
The machine is very very simple and well designed, the only problem was removing the protective cap to access to the batteries and motor.
When finally I was able to open it, I was able to see the batteries.
Let me say that they were HOT ! Very HOT. Even the cover was hot.
Probably few more days and they could catch fire. So I was lucky to catch them on time.
Why I decided finally to check them out ? Well, because really the machine was not working anymore.
I knew the battery were worn out for quite a time, probably for about a year.
But the machine was still working, for less time than when was new, but still enough to have the work done.
This time it was totally dead.
Here what I found when I opened the lawn mower.
Seeing the batteries, I was able to trace down some spare parts, so I ordered 4 new flame retardant Apex batteries compatible with the NPX-35TFR.
Very important !! When buying spare parts, BE ALWAYS SURE to have an identical equivalent or better.
A flame retardant battery is not an option here. Non flame retardant batteries probably can easily catch fire!
I removed the old ones, and replaced them with the new ones.
Even if they were not fully charged, there was enough juice to have a small run.
The machine turned back like new !
Actually almost.
Now it seems to have developed a overheating problem.
The machine is running for a 2-3 minutes before the protection cut off the power to the motor.
At this time is necessary to troubleshoot the machine.
The machine is very simple.
There are 3 components:
The batteries now are new, so the problem can be located in the control box/wiring or the motor.
Because I felt the control box hot at touch, I decided to took it apart, but I did not found any problem.
The heat simply was the over current through the switch and fuse.
Actually the control box is very simple. There is a mechanical bipolar switch and a 20A trip fuse.
The control box opened
The main switch
The main switch opened, like new
The 20A fuse
The third component to examine, is the motor.
The tranquility of a beautiful place is always destroyed when a gasoline lawn mower is turned on.
It's incredible how much pollution and noise one small contraption like that can generate.
Very very annoying.
So it was not a choice when I bought my electric lawn mower.
For many years I used a wired version, but admittedly, is not really "user friendly".
You need to drag the cable that always entangle itself somewhere.
Because of that, and the fact that I will NEVER buy a gasoline lawn mower, 4 years ago I bought a battery operated lawn mower.
Let me state that I'm not advertising or sponsoring anything, but this is what I choose 4 years ago, a Craftsman 48V cordless lawn mower.
Reading the reviews of the brand/model I bought, I noticed that many people complained about the quality.
Well, I have to say that I am amazed by the fact that for 4 years, I had NOT a single problem !
No gasoline to buy, no oil, no maintenance at all. Just pick it up when I had to mow the lawn and put it under charge after.
And most importantly, not pollution and excessive noise ! For me but also for neighbors.
Not a single problem.
Until recently.
It was an expected problem actually. The batteries died.
I repeat, I'm amazed they lasted for 4 years !
It was time to put the little beast in maintenance.
The machine is very very simple and well designed, the only problem was removing the protective cap to access to the batteries and motor.
When finally I was able to open it, I was able to see the batteries.
Let me say that they were HOT ! Very HOT. Even the cover was hot.
Probably few more days and they could catch fire. So I was lucky to catch them on time.
Why I decided finally to check them out ? Well, because really the machine was not working anymore.
I knew the battery were worn out for quite a time, probably for about a year.
But the machine was still working, for less time than when was new, but still enough to have the work done.
This time it was totally dead.
Here what I found when I opened the lawn mower.
Seeing the batteries, I was able to trace down some spare parts, so I ordered 4 new flame retardant Apex batteries compatible with the NPX-35TFR.
Very important !! When buying spare parts, BE ALWAYS SURE to have an identical equivalent or better.
A flame retardant battery is not an option here. Non flame retardant batteries probably can easily catch fire!
I removed the old ones, and replaced them with the new ones.
Even if they were not fully charged, there was enough juice to have a small run.
The machine turned back like new !
Actually almost.
Now it seems to have developed a overheating problem.
The machine is running for a 2-3 minutes before the protection cut off the power to the motor.
At this time is necessary to troubleshoot the machine.
Troubleshooting the beast
Symptoms
- the first time the machine is turned ON, it runs for at least 2-3 minutes.
After that time of "work" (cutting grass) the protection intervene. - it needs at least 2-3 minutes to cool down before the protection can be reset
- after that it can work for other 1-2 minutes ("cutting grass") before the protection goes off again
- the protection box is very warm
- running the motor without load (not cutting grass) it last little bit longer but in the end the protection goes off
- the motor is "cold" at touch, is not overheated
Investigation
The machine is very simple.
There are 3 components:
- The batteries
- The control box/wiring
- The motor
Batteries
The batteries now are new, so the problem can be located in the control box/wiring or the motor.
Control box/wiring
Because I felt the control box hot at touch, I decided to took it apart, but I did not found any problem.
The heat simply was the over current through the switch and fuse.
Actually the control box is very simple. There is a mechanical bipolar switch and a 20A trip fuse.
I didn't find any visible damage and the fuse seems OK.
The control box opened
The main switch
The main switch opened, like new
The 20A fuse
Thus the most probable reason of the problem is that the motor when under load, uses more than 20A !
Since it does the same also without the load, but using more time before the problem shows up, something must be wrong with the motor itself.
This also can explain why the original batteries were so worn out and melted.
Probably the problem is going on for long time. The old batteries were simply unable to provide more than 20A so the fuse never tripped.
Now with new batteries the fuse can trip because they can provide more than 20A.
This also can explain why the original batteries were so worn out and melted.
Probably the problem is going on for long time. The old batteries were simply unable to provide more than 20A so the fuse never tripped.
Now with new batteries the fuse can trip because they can provide more than 20A.
Motor
The third component to examine, is the motor.
Possible causes of the problem:
- dirt/dust in the motor
- axes support damaged
Only taking apart the motor can say something.
To remove the motor is necessary to remove all the cabling and the battery holder.
At this point is possible to remove the motor unscrewing the 4 bolt.
The motor
The motor is a 48V 15A Johnson Electric, model 724_04025.
Taking apart the motor didn't show any particular problem or damage or dust.
It is a brush motor and the two carbon contacts are almost new, making a good contact.
The bearing rings are sealed and rotate with no particular problem.
At this point the next step is to put it together the lawn mower, sharp and balance the blade and then do some measurement to see how much current actually the motor is drawing during the normal use.
After putting together the lawn mower, I connected a clamp amperometer to the main cable coming out from the batteries and started to do some measurements.
Here some some results (approximated):
Maybe someone is curious to know what I do with the old batteries, especially with batteries like the ones I removed from the lawn mower.
Well, are years I use a recycling service company for the batteries : Battery Solution
I usually buy a "iRecycle kit" for household.
The last one I bought was the "bucket", big enough to hold my battery need for almost an year.
Of course now I have to order a new iRecycle kit since the bucket is full :)
I can not stress enough the NEED to recycle batteries instead than trash them away !
From the button batteries to the sealed batteries, it is IMPORTANT to recycle them.
Don't throw them away !
Thanks
Looking for information about my lawn mower I found also things like:
To remove the motor is necessary to remove all the cabling and the battery holder.
Then the blade and fan needs to be removed
At this point is possible to remove the motor unscrewing the 4 bolt.
The motor
Of course is a good occasion to wash the body, up and down.
The motor is a 48V 15A Johnson Electric, model 724_04025.
Taking apart the motor didn't show any particular problem or damage or dust.
It is a brush motor and the two carbon contacts are almost new, making a good contact.
The bearing rings are sealed and rotate with no particular problem.
At this point the next step is to put it together the lawn mower, sharp and balance the blade and then do some measurement to see how much current actually the motor is drawing during the normal use.
Testing
After putting together the lawn mower, I connected a clamp amperometer to the main cable coming out from the batteries and started to do some measurements.
How I measured the current. Removed the protective dome and connected a clamp Amperometer (40 A range) to the main positive cable.
The Amperometer is set for DC current of course.Here some some results (approximated):
- Motor without fan and blade : 1.6 A
- Motor with fan and blade (original) - no load : 7 A
- Motor with fan and blade - mild cutting : 8 - 9 A
- Motor with fan and blade - heavy cutting (thick grass) : 13-15 A
- Motor with fan and blade - heavy cutting (thick grass) peak : 19 A
During the tests the fuse tripped many times and all the times the maximum current measured was less than 15 A but prolonged.
I made the assumption the fuse is defective.
I made the assumption the fuse is defective.
I bypassed the fuse and continued to cut grass measuring the current. Almost all the time the current never went over 15 A.
After the work I checked the temperature of the motor and the batteries.
Just little bit warm. Of course the batteries were depleted.
After the work I checked the temperature of the motor and the batteries.
Just little bit warm. Of course the batteries were depleted.
Final considerations
The empiric tests showed the possible cause of the problem in the fuse.
The nominal current of the motor is 15 A and in normal mild cut was below that value (8-9 A).
The fuse started to trip after few minutes with a drawing of 12-13 A, once bypassed the fuse, the motor didn't show any overheating as well as the batteries.
Another possible cause of the problem is the blade.
I never checked it before, now tearing down the machine and putting it back together, I noticed to have much less vibrations.
So it is possible the blade was not well attached in the past, causing more vibrations and thus more current.
I ordered a new blade and I need to find a new 20A protection fuse and this should solve the problem since I don't want to buy the entire control just because the fuse (it is an option at least).
I never checked it before, now tearing down the machine and putting it back together, I noticed to have much less vibrations.
So it is possible the blade was not well attached in the past, causing more vibrations and thus more current.
I ordered a new blade and I need to find a new 20A protection fuse and this should solve the problem since I don't want to buy the entire control just because the fuse (it is an option at least).
Updates
- I received a new blade and a the original tie for the batteries.
With the new blade the vibrations are almost disappeared, and it seems the machine behave better.
I was able to have the entire front yard mowed with 3/4 charge of the battery, basically like when it was new.
I ordered a new 20A fuse and I plan to add an Amper meter just for fun. - August 2022
Well, after I think more than 12 years of life my poor lawn mower died.
The motor broke in two pieces because one of the screw holding it together snapped, going directly in the motor.
Plus all the plastic parts are falling apart !|
So is time to buy a new one this time, makes no sense to repair a such extensive damage this time.
I already found another Craftman model that I hope will last as this one :)
RIP brave little lawn mower :)
A note about batteries recycling
Well, are years I use a recycling service company for the batteries : Battery Solution
I usually buy a "iRecycle kit" for household.
The last one I bought was the "bucket", big enough to hold my battery need for almost an year.
Of course now I have to order a new iRecycle kit since the bucket is full :)
I can not stress enough the NEED to recycle batteries instead than trash them away !
From the button batteries to the sealed batteries, it is IMPORTANT to recycle them.
Don't throw them away !
Thanks
I too need the 20 Amp circuit breaker but your link to gcscomponents above does not work. Any suggestions on where I can obtain an equivalent fuse. I too have enjoyed my 48V lawnmower. Bruce
ReplyDeleteHi Bruce, yes thanks you for the link problem notification. It seems some DNS failed.
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't have any specific alternative resource for that. I know Sears can sell you the entire control box but with a price much higher than the 6$ of the fuse.
Alternatives :
- bypass the fuse but somehow monitor the current
- substitute the fuse with a traditional one
- find a similar one and mechanical adapt it to the control box
- design you own electronic fuse (having time would be fun to do)
- redesign the entire control box
OK .. joking :)
Just let say that is not a stupid fuse build in China to stop me to use my lawnmower :)
Yeah I totally agree that gasoline lawn mower produce lots of noise and smell while working. So I never prefer purchasing gasoline lawn mowers. Now I am looking to purchase an electric Lawn Mower and I am going to the Lawn Mower Sales Marietta store.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with this. Thanks for posting a nice post! Lawn Mower Repair Roswell
ReplyDeleteA couple of notes and comments.
ReplyDeleteThose batteries are sealed lead acid type, which means that you can take them to an auto parts place and they will (maybe have to) recycle them. You won't get a core for them, but for free you can recycle them.
Also I would recommend using an automotive fuse instead of buying the expensive circuit breaker. For a couple of reasons. Fuses always work, they don't "age" and become inaccurate or cranky, and they don't loose their ability to properly protect your circuit/device. They are fail safe whereas circuit breakers have a life that they are good for. There are many a circuit breakers that either fail to early (best possible outcome) or fail to fail and have been know to cause overloading and fires. Fuses on the other hand, blow at their tolerance levels every time.
Based on your pictures I took my mower apart and simply bypassed the circuit breaker. As shown in your 1st picture there is already a fuse in the battery housing. The green wire can be moved to the lever switch where the manufacturer attached a short black jumper. Thanks for posting!!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteWell, amazingly 3 more years went by and I had to replace again the batteries.
ReplyDeleteNot all the batteries went bad this time and surely they were in way best shape than the old ones :)
Still they would not retain the charge.
I found a bad connector between two batteries and probably that helped to stress the batteries too much and thus reduce their life.
Anyway, I did buy 4 similar batteries (actually same brand) costing less than the last time and the mower is back to life again.
But I think I will look soon for a new mower, it start to have some wear and rust on the body and I hope technology improved a bit making new mower more efficient.
I'll see ... for this year I'm quite sure the old one will run the season :)
Stefano, thanks for posting the inside of your mower. I have this same model and have been unable to get the cover off after fighting it for a considerable amount of time. Was there any trick to getting the cover off?
ReplyDeleteYeah it was very tricky to open the thing !
DeleteI should have take pictures, in the end I used brute force and broken the plastic holders :)
I'm sure it existed a correct way to open it, I didn't find it.
I opened it in the wrong way :)
Have found your post very useful. I have had this mower for several years and the batteries will no longer hold enough charge to get my lawn in one charge cycle. I find it very wasteful to replace the whole thing, especially since it has been exceptionally maintained. Do you think it would be possible to re-wire this thing somehow to just run off an extension cord?
ReplyDeleteWell, I always start with the assumption that EVERYTHING is possible :) but I'm not sure is worth the effort.
DeleteWired lawn mower use electric motors designed to work with 110V, this one expects 48V, so you would need to build a power supply from 110 to 48V with at least 15-18A, feasible but not trivial with that current. At that point better to substitute the motor in order to don't have to deal with a power supply. But finding a motor with the same mechanical characteristics .. mmmm good luck.
In the end probably it cost less to buy a wired lawn mower ... or just replace the batteries on yours :)
Good luck
Hello. Thank you for this post.
ReplyDeleteI also have one of these 48V Craftsman lawnmowers since it wasn’t working and previous owner didn’t want to mess with it. I figured it was just the batteries had gone bad. After wrestling off the shround, I measured 48V across the batteries with my multimeter. I next checked the fuse near the batteries, the bipolar switch, and circuit breaker and all seemed well.
I checked right at the motor brushes and measured 48V there. I’m not too experienced with motors so I followed an online write-up to check the commutator. 180° test, adjacent bar test, and commutator bar-to-ground test. I didn’t measure anything out of the ordinary though. The brushes still have a lot of life on them and the rotor spins freely. I’m a little lost and don’t feel like spending $90 for a used motor off of ebay.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
Well, I would try to connect the motor directly to a reliable 48V source first, bypassing the mower wiring and doing so measure the current.
ReplyDeleteIf the motor spin then the problem can be related to the batteries (don't trust only the voltage measurement) or the wiring.
Only one step at a time :)
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great article. Thank you for writing this. I am going to use this information to do a gasoline to Electric conversion. do you remember the model number of your Mower? And what was the horsepower rating? Or how did they Market/Sell the power?
ReplyDeleteHow do you get the mower blade off? I tried with some plyers, vice grips, and a pipe wrench and nothing. I started stripping it because the nut is plastic so I stopped. Is there a specific key I need for removing the blade? thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your write up on this, I have the same mower and it works great still, minus blowing out the fuse and replacing the batteries. I found this page super helpful in repairing my mower. Thank you!
ReplyDelete