In article ],
Another John wrote:
Since the mower's been idle all winter, I knew the battery couldn't
*really* be charged; it wouldn't even cough when I tried the starter
before connecting the charger. And so I left it at green, thinking it
would "sort itself out" -- I was in a hurry to get started on my other
tasks.

Assuming a lead acid, and no quiescent drain (unlikely on a lawn mower)
there's no reason why it shouldn't retain most of its charge over winter.
You did charge it before laying it up? Lead acid don't like being left in
a discharged state.

--
*The man who fell into an upholstery machine is fully recovered*

Dave Plowman London SW
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