How To Test A Voltage Regulator On A Lawn Mower?

Lawn mowers have a lot of parts and in the big picture work very similarly to cars. One of those parts is the voltage regulator. This part is similar to the alternator in a vehicle. The voltage regulator helps make sure the proper amount of charge is going back into the battery while the mower is running.

In this article, we will cover how to test a voltage regulator on a lawn mower to ensure that it is working properly. We will explain the steps involved and also when you might need to test it.

When to test?

Before getting into how to test the voltage regulator, we will briefly explain when you might need to test it. The main reason you would need to test the voltage regulator is if your battery kept dying and you already had the battery tested to make sure it was good.

If you keep ending up with a dead battery but know that it is a good battery, then it is time to test the voltage regulator.

How To Test A Voltage Regulator On A Lawn Mower?

There are a couple of ways to test the voltage regulator, and we will explain both of them. Both ways are similar and do the same thing, so depending on your lawn mowers layout one might be easier to do than the other.

Thru the Battery

The first way to test the voltage regulator is thru the battery. The only tool you will need is a multimeter or voltmeter. Then follow the simple steps below.

1. Locate and attach the positive read cable from the voltmeter to the positive terminal on the battery and then connect the negative or black cable to the negative terminal on the battery
2. Put a light load on the battery. You can do this by partially turning the key, so the headlights are on.
3. Next turn the voltmeter or multimeter on and make sure it is set to volts. It should be giving you a reading of around 12 volts.
4. If it is giving you this reading, then that means the battery is good, and now you can start the mower and advance the tortilla to fast while keeping everything connected.
5. Now check the reading on the voltmeter. It should be reading out higher. The reading should be at least 13 volts.

If the reading did not change, then that means that the voltage regulator isn’t working and needs to be replaced or repaired.

Thru the Voltage Regulator itself

You can also test the battery thru the voltage regulator itself if you can get to it. You can do that also with just a voltmeter or multimeter and by following the following steps.

1. Locate the voltage regulator and attach the positive red cable to the positive terminal on the regulator. Then take the black negative lead and attach it to the negative.
2. Next turn on the voltmeter or multimeter and make sure you have it set to the proper volts for your mower.
3. Next turn on the lights of the mower by turning the key parts. This should give you a reading. If it doesn’t then that means the generator isn’t working.
4. Next, start the mower and see that it gives a reading. The reading it gives should stay constant. If it is providing a reading, then that means the voltage regulator is generating power. If it doesn’t, it means it is bad.
5. With it still running you can press on the generator brushes and see if that can get a reading. If it does it means the brushes are worn out and need to be replaced. If it still doesn’t, then you need a whole new generator.

Conclusion

These are the two main methods for testing your voltage generator on your mower. Both methods are easy to do and can be done fast with just one tool.

All you need is a multimeter or voltmeter and to make sure you follow the steps provided. The key is to make sure you connect the meter right. Make sure the positive is connected to positive and negative to negative. Then start the mower and see if the voltage jumps or you get a reading.

After reading this, you can easily test your mower voltage generator and see if it is working like it is supposed too or if it is the cause of your repetitive dead mower batteries.