Cub Cadet RZT-S Zero Electric - Manual (Page 114)

RZT-S Zero
110
Deep cycle batteries
The RZT-S Zero uses deep cycle batteries. Deep cycle batteries look similar to standard automotive lead-acid
batteries, but are of a different construction. Automotive batteries can be thought of as sprinters. They are built for a
heavy current draw for a short period, and to sit on charge for the rest of the time. Deep cycle batteries are like mar-
athon runners. They are under a constant draw for long periods of time, being depleted to around 30 - 40% of their
capacity before they are re-charged. To compensate for these long (deep) discharge cycles, plates inside the bat-
tery’s cells are thicker than a standard battery’s plate.
NOTE: These batteries will not reach full capacity until after the first five to ten charge/discharge cycles.
NOTE: When evaluating the batteries on a RZT-S Zero, they must be tested with the customer’s battery char-
ger to determine if the problem is with the charger or the batteries.
Evaluating the batteries and the charger
The batteries on the RZT-S Zero are AGM deep cycle batteries. Because of this, standard load testing or con-
ductance testing will not fully test them. The inaccessibility also creates an issue for troubleshooting. For these rea-
sons, a special troubleshooting procedure has been developed. This procedure must be followed for evaluating
batteries for warranty.
NOTE: An Authorization is required from Cub Cadet before the batteries can be replaced under warranty. This
requires the technician to fill out a check list prior to calling Cub Cadet for an authorization number. The
check list will help the technician rule out other possibilities before condemning the batteries.
NOTE: The battery charger must be evaluated with the mower for warranty authorization.
NOTE: Run time will diminish as the batteries age.
1. Gather a history from the customer. The run time of the mower is affected by a variety of variables. The more
information the technician gathers, the clearer the picture of what is going on with the mower will be.
1a. Document the height of the grass the customer is cutting.
1b. Document the type of grass being cut.
1c. Document the run time per charge.
1d. Document the time the customer claims it takes to charge the batteries.
NOTE: The amount of material the blades have to cut through will greatly effect the mower run time. The more
material the blades have to cut through (taller grass, thicker grass blades), the shorter the run time will
be.
1e. Document the date the batteries were installed. This date should have been marked on the batteries by
the technician that installed them.
1f. Document how often the batteries are charged. How deeply are they discharged before recharging them.
NOTE: Every time the batteries are plugged into the charger, that is considered a charge cycle. Whether it was
fully charge or deeply discharged when the charger was plugged in.