In Part 11 we presented several tips for maximizing the charge of the batteries when mowing the lawn for any battery charged mower, not just a solar charged mower like the one we use.
Today, with the fall rapidly approaching we’d like to remind you not to let your batteries stay outside when the temperature drops below freezing.
The manufacturer’s instructions that came with our mower specific said that the batteries will be damaged if they freeze. So, this is the time of the year that I bring our solar panel, solar charging station, and batteries inside. In fact, they are there already.
The Solaris / Epic / Utopia solar charged mower comes with a charging station that you can plug into the wall just like any electric battery charged mower.
So, that is what we are now using.
This charging station, pictured above, looks the same as the charging station used with the solar panel.
The difference is with the light indicator component. With the solar charging station as shown in the picture below, the component has two lights as shown in the picture below: the light on the left indicates the strength of the charge from the batteries while the light on the right indicates the strength of the charge being produced from the sun via the solar panel.
With the charging station that plugs into an electric outlet in the wall, there is only one light which indicates the strength of the charge from the batteries.
So, don’t forget. Bring your solar charging station and batteries inside when the nights in your area have a possibility of experiencing temperatures that hover around freezing or lower. Just make sure that the area inside the house you use to store your mower’s batteries during the winter does itself not have the air temperature dip below freezing.
You’ll be glad you did.
To read about what is new with this line of solar chargeable electric lawn mowers, simply select this link to the article titled New for 2009.
To fine out how our lawn mower from Linamar Consumer Products performed at the start of it’s second year with us, simply select this link to our Solaris, Epic, Utopia Lawn Mower - One Year Later article.
13 responses so far ↓
1 Jim J // Sep 8, 2008 at 12:25 pm
I purchased my 21\” Solaris during a promotion in early Spring. I got $100 off. Its Canadian Made, great quality and I have a 60\” lot by 105\” deep. It can cut it all on one charge, as long as I don\’t let it get too long. If I do, I cut the front one day and the back the next. No worries.
I feel I am doing my part in many ways, Canadian made, no emissions, quieter and lasts long enough without giving up any quality.
2 Dan // Sep 8, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Hi Jim,
Many thanks for stopping by and spending some of your morning with us.
You might want to take a look at the Part 11 article in this series and see if you can add any additional ways in which you extend the battery life during a single mow of the lawn that you can share with us.
Kind Regards,
Dan
3 Total Solar Energy // Oct 9, 2008 at 9:55 am
it’s great to see people using solar power in this way. i only have a back yard so i have no need for this but i’ll get onto people i know who do have a garden
4 Cam Finley // Mar 6, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Dear Dan:
I see at the Solaris website that they have made major changes in their lawn mower and not necessarily good ones in my opinion, particularly front wheel drive instead of rear wheel drive.
I have some small hills on my lawn and front wheel drive would be absolutely useless.
It also appears that the batteries are different so I have emailed the company to find out if they will continue to stock the older style battery.
Anyway, I have a suggestion about the battery cover on the original machine. It is very difficult to put on so I have come up with a solution which seems to work just fine.
I didn’t concern myself about the small connecting bumps on the bottom and concentrated
on the two top connections.
I put a small 1/2 ” metal screw into each of the two round bulges or protrusions (whatever you call it) which are supposed to fit in the corresponding holes on the upper sides of the battery holder. I made a slight small starting hole in the plastic before I put in the screw to prevent splitting.
The extra length going into each hole makes the cover secure and easy to put on and take off.
As I mentioned, it doesn’t matter about the five small bulges matching in the bottom of the cover and the battery holder. This adjustment holds the cover in place.
You might want to let people know about this fairly easy and quick fix to what is almost a perfect lawn mower.
Cheers,
Cam Finley
5 Dan // Mar 6, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Hi Cam,
Thanks for this.
I would say that your detailed explanation of the changes for 2009 are clear and concise.
Thanks for that.
As well, it looks like they now have a battery charge indicator on the handle which would be very useful.
FYI, not all models had the battery cover in 2008. One of those models in 2009 still seems to have rear wheel drive self propelling feature. All 3 seem to have the cover.
Dan
6 shriap // Mar 9, 2009 at 12:04 am
I picked up 21″ model from the Home Depot. They were clearing the last year’s stock at half price. This is a rear wheel single speed drive. I do not understand why Linamar went for the FWD. Maybe, because of the variable speed drive? I am also wondering if home depot will contine to continue to carry batteries for the older models?
7 Dan // Mar 9, 2009 at 12:20 am
Hi Shriap,
Good for you.
I do not k now why either. I’ll contact the company and ask them and advise.
Dan
8 Phil // Mar 9, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Hi everyone, to answer the deck questions… we have changed our decks completely from last year to give customers more options throughout our brands. This is why some are RWD and some FWD. I personally use the SOLARIS front wheel drive version on my lot which has very steep hills and like it much better overall. Yes the RWD is better on hills but I like the maneuverability of the FWD around trees and bushes better… it comes down to personal preference. If you like the RWD drive models better, check out the EPIC or UTOPIA models.
Overall we look forward to a great season in 2009… Keep in mind that whether you have a 08 or 09 model; we use the same High Performance Brushless Motor in all of our mowers!!
9 Dan // Mar 9, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Hi Shriap, Cam, etc.
I have been in contact with Linimar Consumer Products and already have some insights for you. I’ll post them in an article later this week.
Cheers,
Dan
10 shriap // Mar 11, 2009 at 12:13 am
Hi Dan,
I also got in touch with Linamar and yes the batteries for the 2009 model are different from the 2008 model. They say they have the stock for 2008 batteries currently. They also say that eventually when they run out of stock, the option is to install after market batteries. I wonder if the type of batteries that go in 2008 model are available from battery dealers. If not this will certainly require a way to strap new type of batteries to the battery box and making terminal connections. OK for tech savvy people but not for most home owners.
This is a problem for cordless mowers. If manufacturers keep on changing the configuration of batteries from year to year, then consumers will lose confidence in their products.
Dan, I am looking forward to what information did you find from Linamar.
I was at the home depot yesterday and had a chance to see 2009 model. The new model has a safety key and batteries are mounted over the motor. This would have shifted the centre of gravity towards the centre as compared to the previous configuration when batteries were mounted towards the back. Since the centre of gravity has moved to the centre they may have found it easier to drive the front wheels. Front wheels being smaller in size require less torque to drive and hence lesser strain on the motor and the battery.
So there are a few engineering changes in the 2009 model that may increase the acceptability for consumers. But, I must say that the 2008 model may be better if you want to install generic batteries after your current batteries get run down.
11 Dan // Mar 11, 2009 at 12:29 am
Hi Shriap,
I did get a hold of Linamar, and have actually written another article which I sent to them for them to correct any inacturacies.
I have to confess that your comment on different batteries is … well, not to steal any thunder from Thursday’s article … so let’s just say slightly different from your comment above.
Return Thursday and you can see both similarities and differences with your comment.
Dan
12 Tim Hayes // Mar 15, 2009 at 9:54 pm
I am in Ft Worth, Tx trying to purchase the Solaris from my local Home Depot. I am primarily interested in the extended warranty available from HD and the ease of service as the HD is about two miles from my Home. I have Greg Norman Tif grass and will use the lowest cutting level until about June. The ease of setting the blade height is a great feature. I loved the Black & Decker corded model that I used for about 20 years and can’t wait to own and use the Solaris. Thanks for your great articles! I will report on my experiences of acquisition and use in the future. Guess I will own the first one in the Dallas/Ft Worth metroplex. Regards,
Tim
13 Dan // Mar 16, 2009 at 3:48 am
Hi Tim,
I’m glad you found our series of articles regarding our experiences with this product useful.
Yes, please do report back on your experiences.
Also, do note that we are currently having a Home Depot Tool Rental gift card contest right now if that is something that would be of use to you.
Kind Regards,
Dan
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