Battery issue

[CT230 Fan]

Well, everything had been going great with my CT230, until I tried to start her up on Saturday. When I turned the key, the tractor made some strange noises and the lights on the dash were dim and flickering. So, I figured the battery must have been run down, so I went to put the charger on it, and popped open the protective cap on the positive terminal and saw that it was completely full of corrosion. I went ahead and hooked up the charger and let it complete the cycle. Same problem when i tried to start it again, so I proceeded to loosen the clamp and it just fell apart on me.

I have a replacement on order, but I can't imagine why the battery would have that much corrosion.

 

[tonydn6]

I only have 35 hours on my CT235 and after reading several threads on the leaking battery acid decided that I didn't want any part of it and replaced it with a Sears Diehard Platinum P-1 - Maintenance free battery. I started to notice corrosion with the original bobcat battery within 10 hours. Since I replaced the battery tray looks like new, no corrosion and so glad I made the change. I would just go ahead and go with a maintenance free battery so you don't have to go through that again. It will put you back about $200, but you shouldn't have that issue come up again.

 

[tcartwri]

Looks like the battery is being overcharged, and the off gasses are getting trapped in the protective cap.

 

[Transit]

Looks like the battery is being overcharged, and the off gasses are getting trapped in the protective cap.

Yes, I would check the charging voltage, it should be between 14.00 to 14. 3 normally. 14.5 to 14.7 will cause gassing and 14.7+ is an overcharge condition.

 

[CT230 Fan]

Not to sound completely ignorant, but how do you check the charging voltage? Check it while the tractor is running? I have never had to manually charge the battery.

 

[SSdoxie]

Not to sound completely ignorant, but how do you check the charging voltage? Check it while the tractor is running? I have never had to manually charge the battery.

Use a voltmeter at the positive & negative posts with engine running about 1/2 throttle, then at full throttle to make sure regualtor is working correctly.

 

[CT230 Fan]

I will check that out as soon I can get the new battery cable in and installed. They said it should be in Wednesday. I hope so, my grass is getting pretty tall.

 

[gumshu]

I only have 35 hours on my CT235 and after reading several threads on the leaking battery acid decided that I didn't want any part of it and replaced it with a Sears Diehard Platinum P-1 - Maintenance free battery. I started to notice corrosion with the original bobcat battery within 10 hours. Since I replaced the battery tray looks like new, no corrosion and so glad I made the change. I would just go ahead and go with a maintenance free battery so you don't have to go through that again. It will put you back about $200, but you shouldn't have that issue come up again.

Yeap. My battery leaked all over the engine compartment and made a huge mess. I went with the Sears Diehard Sealed maintenace free battery
after cleaning up the mess and painting.
A sealed battery is peace of mind.

 

[birddriver]

Thanks for the posting. My CT 230 is 7 months old and has 54 hours on it. I checked the terminals and the positive was corroded. I scraped it and soaked it in baking soda, greased it and put it back on. I don't really want to buy a new battery so soon. I will keep an eye on it and even if your tractor is new I would check this out. I was surprised by the ammount of corrosion that was there.

 

[MoKelly]

I guess I was lucky with this problem. My battery died suddenly about 8months ago. It hadn't leaked or anything ... just died. The dealer replaced with a new battery and all has been well. No leaks or issues.

MoKelly

 

[Lockport]

At 35 hours my battery shows no signs of leakage at all. I am never on anything other than flat ground except when cutting my 180' of frontage culvert. I wonder if my Canadian marketed tractor has a different oem battery manufacturer.

 

[Gittyup]

Don't the dealers choose and install the batteries, meaning that each locale may install a different quality of battery? I'm on year 6, original battery, 460 hours or so, no leaks, starts right up even after long spells of sitting unstarted. I do use a battery tender in the winter because my tractor sees very littel use then.

 

[Lockport]

Don't the dealers choose and install the batteries, meaning that each locale may install a different quality of battery? I'm on year 6, original battery, 460 hours or so, no leaks, starts right up even after long spells of sitting unstarted. I do use a battery tender in the winter because my tractor sees very littel use then.

Is there a brand name on your battery? Today's have Bobcat insignias on them although I doubt Bobcat actually makes batteries. Same as Kubota brand hydro oil in Canada is made by Petro-Can and is a semi sythetic blend of Duran. In the US, Kubota hydro, both UDT and SUDT is made by Valvoline. One is dino and the other s synthetic blend. Canada doesn't have a dino due to the temp. I did notice some moisture on the cap on one side, today.

 

[Gittyup]

I should point out that I have a Kioti. BC may dictate specific batteries for theirs. But, I think Kioti lets the dealers pick the battery. I'll try to see if there are any markings on my battery. I'm sure there are, as I think there has to be in order to meet DoC safety requirements.

 

[NOTV8]

I have a leaking battery too since 100hrs. ago... I was told by my dealer when I mentioned it a while back that it is not included on warranty by Bobcat. I was surprised but nothing you can do. So I just hose it off and pray that it last another day. I just did my 350 hrs. last weekend and so far battery is still good. Although I think I'm on borrowed time since 100hrs ago. When it stop working I will just get another brand of battery.