Safe Battery Acid Containment and Mower Battery Vendors

[dressagetraks]

My gift lawn tractor has stopped working. Now the thing WAS a freebie, and age is unknown (definitely not new), but it was working well. Just refused to start after an enforced sit of a few weeks.

So my first thought was the battery was dead. Wondering if they can be recharged, I hunted around and found said battery under the seat. I believe it’s safe to say that’s at least part of if not all of the problem. The battery is heavily corroded and looks like it came over with the pilgrims. I poured a Coke on it to zap the corrosion and then managed with difficulty to get the wires unhooked. Wire ends look good, but the screws and nuts holding them on the battery were rusted badly.

I then realized when I lifted the battery out of its caddy that it is leaking. Ack! Okay, this battery is officially toast. My questions are:

1. What is best to put a leaking battery in for the moment? Walmart sacks? Double Walmart sacks? Something else? How vigorous is battery acid?

2. Who sells lawn tractor batteries? I’m going to be near a Walmart tomorrow between aide shifts if they do. I won’t be anywhere near the lawn tractor workplace, so if I have to go to a specialty lawn place, that will forward the errand to the weekend.

3. Will whoever sells me a new battery take the old one, like with cars? Not sure how to safely dispose of it myself.

[airhorse]

Put it in a 5 gallon bucket if it will fit.

Walmart should have a replacement and should take the old one also.

[Over_the_Hill]

Yes, remember to take the old one. Here in Florida you are charged a fee (re-coring?) when you buy a new battery. When you have the old one that fee is returned immediately… saving you $12.

[gumtree]

“How vigorous is battery acid?”

Well, if you get some on your hands and wipe it off on your jeans/shirt you won’t notice anything. But there will be holes in them after they are washed.
So, do not wipe you hands on any clothing that you value.

Batteries can and do “sweat”. The “water” evaporates leaving dried acid powder. This stuff is even more potent and will eat through clothing also during the wash cycle.

As Over the Hill said take it with you when replacing. The sales person will know what size and type to replace it with. Plus you won’t get hit with a core charge fee. I put them in a plastic storage bin before setting in my car. Easier to carry and keep from getting “stuff” on my clothing/hands. Or put in plastic bag, like a garbage can liner or leaf bag quality.

[ReSomething]

It’s Sulfuric Acid, so no, do NOT spill it on anything you value, double do not get it on your skin and in your eyes. Flush with lots of clear water.

[TC3200]

I put baking soda wet paste on battery acid for a while to neutralize it, then I clean it off. Lowes, home depot, tractor supply, and lots of other places sell mower batteries. You need to know mower motor HP and whether its a left or a right hand positive terminal.