Battery Question

[PhilNH5]

Folks,
I have a Toro 314-H that is 2 years old (sat on dealers lot for a few years - last made in '97 I believe).
Tried to start after the winter. No go. Hooked it up to my generator which has a 12 V battery charger. Waited an hour and tried to start. Still no go. I ran out of time and put everything away.
I will try 2 things this weekend. 1)Voltmeter to see the generators output 2)Jump the tractor from the truck battery.

My question: Why can't I jump from the generator directly? Is the amperage to low? Or is the battery shot?
I will know this weekend after I try the above 2 things. Just thought I would ask here.

Thanks,
Phil

 

[BrokerBob]

Whenever I'm confronted with this situation, it seems as if the problem is a combination of things. First, I would suspect that your battery is "shot". You indicate that the model goes back to 1997 which would infer that the battery is about five years old. Probably at the end of its useful life. Additionally, it would not surprise me if the various connections have oxidized sufficiently to generate enough cumulative resistance to make things that much worse. Before I began checking out the starter motor, solenoid, starter switch, etc., I would put in a fully charged replacement battery and disconnect, clean, and reconnect all of the cables. It will probably do the trick.

 

[Redfisher]

The 12 v charger on your gen. is low amps for charging not for boosting.

 

[PhilNH5]

Thanks for the replies. I have the Toro running now. I cleaned off the battery terminals with baking soda so I could check the votage. It was 12 VDC exactly. Checked the electrolyte level and it was fine. So I jump it from the truck. Started right up. Let it run for an hour to recharge. Started up on it's own this afternoon.
As mentioned above the generator doesn't produce enough to jump - only to charge.
thanks again.

Phil