How to accommodate a larger battery into a riding tractor lawnmower?

PicoAzores said:

Question: Is it possible to accommodate a larger (physically) battery for Husqvarna GT52XLS tractor lawnmower (or for any other lawn tractor) and how can it be done? Standard battery size: 194x130x160 mm (12V 16Ah) and the larger only available battery (12V 45 Ah) dimensions are: 205x170x188 mm. Or for any lawn tractor that has it's battery "pocket" a bit too small for a larger battery, such as 4 cm too narrow and 1 cm too short, for example as is in my case.

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I had an Odessey battery setting around and it fir my mower and spins it over like crazy. Been in it for a few years now.

EdF said:

The difference between a U1R and a U1 battery is that the +/- terminals are reversed (R stands for reverse). You have to run your battery cables across the battery for proper connection to a U1 battery.

You can find battery trays on the internet. Search for battery trays for a lawn & garden tractor. I find just about everything on the internet.

Study your tractor to see if you can find a place to mount a tray like FredM suggests.

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What is the difference between U1L and U1R battery?
The positive terminal on Group U1L batteries for mowers is located in the upper left corner of the battery, while on the Group U1R batteries, the positive terminal is located on the upper right-hand side.

PicoAzores said:

Congratulations! Your JD model must have extra space under the hood for a larger tray. Mine (GT52XLS) does not. Could you please share photos of the tray that you hand built? And the switch is to turn off the battery life indicator lights?

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I'm a new member to this site. I don't have a clue as to how to send photos. I took the steering wheel and the cover off, removed the existing battery holder, and built a new shelf. I went to Walmart first and found a battery that I knew would fit in the void. The larger battery last longer. The switch is a standard motor boat on/off battery switch. If you don't have room build a bracket on the rear and use longer cables etc. It's worth it to get rid of the small batteries. I don't like the idea of having a battery on the floor between your legs. Batteries have been known to blow up so if you put it on the rear be sure and use a battery box and cover.

PicoAzores said:

Question: Is it possible to accommodate a larger (physically) battery for Husqvarna GT52XLS tractor lawnmower (or for any other lawn tractor) and how can it be done? Standard battery size: 194x130x160 mm (12V 16Ah) and the larger only available battery (12V 45 Ah) dimensions are: 205x170x188 mm. Or for any lawn tractor that has it's battery "pocket" a bit too small for a larger battery, such as 4 cm too narrow and 1 cm too short, for example as is in my case.

Click to expand...

My advice...go with original or close as possible AH battery. I've been down that road. The charging system & battery are matched. I tried higher AH battery thinking it would be better but it's a downhill run. Charging system cannot fully charge battery, so I used a charger. Now for example I have an Economy and a Cub Cadet both with 14hp Kohler and correct battery. They sit for months. Both will fire right up, running 14.4v instead of 12.6v.

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Old fart with dog envy, Is that a wire haired Griffen?

hharrison said:

I'm a new member to this site. I don't have a clue as to how to send photos. I took the steering wheel and the cover off, removed the existing battery holder, and built a new shelf. I went to Walmart first and found a battery that I knew would fit in the void. The larger battery last longer. The switch is a standard motor boat on/off battery switch. If you don't have room build a bracket on the rear and use longer cables etc. It's worth it to get rid of the small batteries. I don't like the idea of having a battery on the floor between your legs. Batteries have been known to blow up so if you put it on the rear be sure and use a battery box and cover.

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I have put car batteries in every riding mower ive had. I have been lucky not to have one with such a confining battery area that nothing larger thab stock will fit. Well, my Kubota B6100 is like that but i got around it by adding a 2nd vattery wired in parallel. 😬

But, among U1s there are some pretty strong batteries available. For example any “12v 35ah” AGM battery you can find is basically a better U1 thats just not called a U1 and they run about $75. Weize and Mighty Max are common brands for those on Amazon. Harbor Freight sells one as a Thunderbolt brand. There is U1T as well but usually anything marked U1T is much more expensive than a “12v 35ah” agm despite being the same thing.