It’s frustrating to have your lawnmower cable suddenly cut, and you can’t use your mower even though the engine’s perfectly fine.
Obviously, the first option that comes into mind is not replacing the unit but fixing the mower cable.
And, yes, you definitely can fix it – but only if you’re sure that you know how to do it properly.
Haphazardly connecting wires, especially for outdoor machines like lawn mowers, could be a recipe for disastrous irreparable damage for the machine and you.
Outdoor wires have to be wholly waterproof, or else you risk short circuit, wire corrosion, water damage, or worse, electrocution. That’s why simply connecting the cut wire won’t do it.
This method is quick and easy. No hassle involved in fiddling with a power outlet/source.
It is also the cheapest. You can buy crimping kits online for really low prices.
1. Expose some of the wires on both wires you’re connecting with a plier or wire stripper. Make sure to only expose based on the size and sort of connector you have. Take off no more than 1/4 inch of the insulation, to be sure.
2. Insert and align the exposed portion of wire in the cable you want to connect inside the suitable connector of your choice.
3. Crimp right on the exposed wire tightly with the crimping tool. You can also crimp more of the connector, to be sure.
4. Do a tug test on the connected wires. If crimped correctly, they shouldn’t slide off.
5. If using a heat shrink connector, apply heat to shrink and seal your connection. If using a connector that snaps and locks, make sure they’re connected properly.
6. This is optional, but you can wrap the connection again with some electrical tape for an added layer of protection.
Notes:
If you don’t have a crimping tool you can seal the connectors by hammering them. Although, this is not ideal.
If you don’t have a heat gun, you can use a lighter. But, that increases the risk of burning the insulation, so you have to be careful using it.
Soldering is slightly more advanced, but it is the most secure, durable, and efficient wire fusion technique for this power cable repair and any metal wires, in general. However, this could be expensive if you don’t have the materials already available.
1. Expose half an inch to 3/4 inch of your wires with a plier or wire stripper.
2. Slide the heat shrink tube on one of the wires you’re connecting.
3. Fan out the strands of your wire segments and then interweave them together. You can also cross the wires and twist them together.
4. Make sure there are no wire strands sticking out. This could puncture and poke a hole in the heat shrink tube and make it not waterproof.
5. Heat up your solder iron. Then, heat your connected wires with the tip of your heated solder iron. Tap the solder on the heated wire and solder iron tip to melt it into the wire. Slide and scatter the melted solder across the exposed wired
6. Let the solder cool off. Once it does, slide the heat shrink tube to cover the soldered wires and heat it up until it tightly wraps around the wire.
7. This is optional, but you can wrap the connection again with some electrical tape for an added layer of protection.
Notes:
If you don’t have a heat gun, you can use a lighter. But, that increases the risk of burning the insulation, so you have to be careful using it.
You can repair your cut mower cable and even add an extension cable if you know how to.
Make sure to use waterproofing or weatherproofing methods and materials to ensure safety.
Aside from water damage, make sure that the extended cable is safe from tugging and further damage to your electronics.
As with anything that involves electricity which is potentially dangerous, you should only attempt to fix your mower cable on your own if you’re confident that you can make it weatherproof and tug proof.
You can do the options provided above as a temporary fix so you can mow your lawn if you need to.
The best course of action is still getting help from a professional.
