123 No Electricity

[jzidle]

So I keep my 123 in the garage and at least monthly, I charge up the battery. I usually flip on the lights for a moment than 2A charge until charged. I went to cut the lawn for the first time and the battery tests over 12v on my analog tester but I have no electricity anywhere, not even dim lights or a click in the ignition. I disconnected and cleaned the battery and connections. Any ideas? Thank you!

[ironman]

ASSUMING your 123 is wired as this drawing from the Tech Library,
and ASSUMING you are confident that your battery is good....
Since you have no headlights and the yellow headlight wire is connected to the same large
post on your starter solenoid that battery cable is on, one would have to ASSUME that battery voltage is not getting to that post.
The cause would likely be dirty connection on that post or a bad battery cable.
Clean that post and all terminals connected to it and check for a solid 12 volts on that post.
If no 12 volts, replace the battery cable or at least the terminals on each end.

[jzidle]

This is awesome! So, I put my reading glasses on and see that the needle is only registering 10V. It shows the same 10V at the post as well. Also, I hear faint electricity noise when the light switch is turned on. The battery is from 01/24. So it is weak. I thought even a weak battery would give dimmer lights. Would you bother with attempting to charge or replace assuming the cold killed a cell or two?
Thank you!!

[ol'George]

Batteries last a lot longer than a year or two, unless it is abused by letting it go dead multiple times.
After you charge the battery back up, then load test it, or have it tested if you don't have a load tester.
If you are having to constantly charge the battery, you need to see why it is
not being charged by your tractor while it is being used.
At 11.9 volts, a battery is considered dead.

[jzidle]

This is all great. I don't use the tractor during the winter. I do charge the battery monthly and then once every two weeks when it's below freezing. I realize that I can only put amps in a battery, not volts. So new battery it is. I'll keep it in a warmer place like the basement for the winters. Thank you all so much for this great info.
Joe

[ol'George]

Charge the battery, it might accept a charge and function properly.
Don't condemn it till you have it load tested.
Just because it is "dead" it does not mean it died like a living thing "dies"

Places that sell batteries usually can load test it in just a minute for free.
Tractor supply, Farm & home stores, Walmart,auto parts stores ,all can test it.

Have you checked to see if the battery needs water added?
Sometimes if one continues to charge the battery without it needing it, it can cause it to deplete the electrolyte.
Sorry if you know all of this as we have no way to know your knowledge.

[jzidle]

There's never a need to apologize. Even things that I know sometimes need a reminder so I appreciate all responses. I'm also forgetful, I almost forgot.

[Oak]

The best thing you can do for a battery when not using it is put one of these on it and let it on there. They sometimes go on sale for about $30 IIRC.

https://www.harborfreight.com/4-amp-...ner-63350.html