how does a riding lawn mower charge its battery?

Basically, there is a stator under the flywheel that produces AC current and then it is changed to DC and goes to the battery. Here is a site that has a video on how to check one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N9EISHD24w God Luck

John Deere Lawn Mower Battery

Riding Mower Battery

Yes your mower charges the battery but I have found after having a riding mower for 10 years the batteries are good for 1-2 years. Thats bad when they cost $40 at Lowes and up at other places. I read where a guy gets 4-5 years use from using a trickle charger that puts a few amps in at a time and turns it self off when it reaches 12 volts or so. I seen one on line at Lectric Limited which is up by Chicago. It sales for $17.99 but with tax and delivery since I live about 130 miles south of there the cost is $29.79. They are on the Internet and here is the number incase someone cant find them. 708-563-0400

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RE:

how does a riding lawn mower charge its battery?

I have a Dynamark 12hp riding lawn mower that will not charge its battery. I've already changed out the battery for a new one to no avail. What do I do now. I don't see an alternator anywhere. This mower is maybe 7 years old.....Help! I'm getting tired of jumping the mower with my car.

Well on motorcycles and 4 wheelers no mater 2 or 4 stroke its called a stator. Basically every time the motor rotates. A magnet or sometimes magnets pass but a stationary magnet causing voltage. Its usually a half hour job to replace if you have the right tools and a basic craftsman tool set does not. Usually a harmonic balancer puller is required and recommended to do this job and those can be rented and most automotive stores.

If it has a battery it has an alternator to charge it. With the engine running full speed put a voltmeter across the battery teminals. You should get 13-15 volts. If not you have a charging system problem. There also may be a fuse in that circuit between the ignition switch and the starter solenoid. Make sure that all the connections from the battery to the starter including the solenoid are clean and tight. If you can find the diode in the alternator wire to the ignition switch, it should be red, you can check that diode. According to my manual you should get a reading of 3 amps dc on the ignition switch side of the diode with the engine running full.

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You didn't say what the engine is but your mower probably has a flywheel alternator. It is part of the flywheel magneto and is usually pretty dependable. Test the regulator, check all the wiring for opens, and terminals for tightness and cleanliness before you condemn the alternator.

Maybe your lawn mower doesn't charge its own battery, many don't.

You'll need a separate charger for it.