QuestionQUESTION: I have a Husqvarna LTH130. I have had a dead battery for a while and have been jumping it to start it. No problem as long as there is a car close by. The starter seemed to be having some trouble, so I went down to the bone yard and pulled a "new" starter for it. Worked fabulously. I decided to bite the bullet and buy a battery for it. I got home from work, swapped out the battery, and it started up like new. I went in and ate dinner. Afterwards I went out into the garage and noticed a slight haze. A brief investigation indicated the source of the haze was the flaming lawn tractor. A few shots with a fire extinguisher and the fire was out. Several questions:
1. Any thoughts as to the cause of the fire? The battery was the source of the fire. I must have caught it fairly quickly after it started because there was not significant damage to the mower, just some melted insulation as the fire burned down the battery cables. I stripped the mower down to the chassis and could find no evidence of a short or arc.
2. I removed the battery and sent it back to the manufacturer to get their opinion. I then shoved the mildly charred beast down the drive way (before the autopsy above). Carefully separating the battery cables, I jumped the mower off my car and it started fine. When I disconnected the jumper cables the engine died. Should it have?
3. I replaced all the burned wiring and reassembled the beast. I have the same results as above. Jumps fine, but dies when the jumper cables are removed. Is a battery required for the mower to continue running? I have a dead one I put in, just in case. I am hesitant to buy another new one at this time, because my fire extinguisher is a bit low. BTW, I disconnected the battery once I was done fiddling with it for the reasons mentioned above.
I would appreciate any help.
Richard
ANSWER: Hello Richard:
A Battery is Required if the Engine has a Carburetor Solenoid. The First Problem is Jumping the Mower with the Vehicle. If the Vehicles Engine was Running when you Jumped the Mower, then the Stator or Voltage Regulator was Damaged and Could have Caused the Short that Started the Fire. Was the Battery Installed Correctly (I have to Ask)? You can View the Husqvarna Model List at this Site Addy, http://www.partstree.com/parts/ and Click on the Husqvarna Logo. Now Enter the Model Numbers in the Search Box on the Left and Click Go. Now Select the Model of the Equipment you Wish to View. The Breakdown for this Unit Does Not Include the Engine Model Numbers. Send me the Model and Type or Spec Numbers Off the Engine, Please. With these I can Locate the Proper Manual and Better Assist you. The Model Numbers May be Stamped Into the Blower Housing (metal engine cover) Above the Spark Plug. Was Most of the Fire Damage in the Battery Area or the Engine Area? Thanks.
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: I was careful to install the battery correctly. I am guessing I should check the stator to see if it is shorted to ground. The engine information is:
Family: SKHU1G2RB
Model: CV15S
Spec: 41587
Thanks for your help.
Richard
ANSWER: Hello Again Richard:
Sorry for the Delay. I wanted to Check with Kohler, Husqvarna and Electrolux Outdoor Products before I Answered you. If the Wiring Harness Did Not have a Short in it and the Battery was Connected Properly, then the Stator and Regulator May Require Replacing. After Discussing this with Technicians from the OEM's, I am Fairly Certain that they are Going to be the Cause of the Fire. Let me Know the Results of the Stator and Regulator Test, Please. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: I didn't answer your question from before "Was Most of the Fire Damage in the Battery Area or the Engine Area?" The damage was confined to the battery area. The seat got burned, the battery bucket melted, and so was the insulation on the battery cables. The fire seemed to originate at the battery and burn down.
Tests:
I checked the secondary on the coil. Its resistance was 13,900 ohms, which is within the acceptable range in the manual (7,900 to 18,400). The resistance across the stator leads is 0.3 ohms. The resistance from each stator lead to ground is infinity. With the engine running, I checked the voltage across the staor leads and got 40 volts, so it seems that the regulator is ok. Let me know what you think.
Richard
AnswerHello Again Richard:
From your Description it Sounds like the Positive Post of the Battery Somehow Grounded to the Frame and Shorted. Check the Battery Carrier and The Seat (areas where the Seat is Near the Positive Battery Terminal) for a Place that Looks Like a Spot Wield. Check the Battery Leads for the Same. You Should be Able to See a Burn on the Metal from where the Battery/Battery Cable was Grounded and the Heat Originated from. The Only Other Cause is the Battery to have a Cell that Grounded to Another Cell in the Battery (this is Caused by a Bad Plate in the Battery being Loose and it Falls to Connect the 2 Cells Together. When this Happens, the Battery Heats Up the Cables and Terminals Until the Heat Ignites the Wire Insulation or Battery Top Even. It is Rare for a Battery to do this But I have Seen it Several Times in the Past 35 Years. If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
