Do Gas Snow Blowers Have A Battery?

Some gas powered snowblowers have a battery and some don’t. If a snowblower has an electric push-button start, then it may have a battery to provide power to the starter. These types of snowblower engines work similarly to a car. When you push the start button, electricity from the battery powers the starter motor which cranks the engine. Without a charged battery, the starter doesn’t have it’s own power so the engine won’t start. If a snowblower has a pull-chain start, it doesn’t have a battery. Pull to start motors don’t have a starter motor because pulling the cord is what cranks the engine. These engines are simpler and more reliable because they don’t require a battery or starter motor but they’re harder to crank.

Some small gas-powered electric start snowblowers don’t have a battery. Instead, they plug into a standard outlet with an extension cord when you start them.

When shopping for a new snowblower, you should consider the pros and cons of an electric start vs a pull cord. Electric start snowblowers are easier to start, especially in cold weather, because a starter motor can crank with more force than you can create by pulling a cord. However, they require a charged battery and a starter. If the battery is low or the starter breaks, you can’t start the snowblower.

Pull start snowblowers are harder to start because you have to pull the cord manually. This is especially true in freezing cold weather or when the engine is poorly maintained. But they’re reliable engines that have less moving parts and don’t require a battery.

For small snowblowers, I prefer the pull start. But for larger, more power engines, an electric start is the better option because it’s very hard to crank a large engine by hand.

Electric Start Vs Pull To Start Snowblowers?

There are a few benefits to buying a snowblower with a push-button electric start. They’re easier to crank because the starter motor outputs more power than you can muster by hand. This is a huge benefit in really cold Winters when snowblowers are hardest to start. They also require much less physical excursion because all you do is push a button. However, there are a few drawbacks to consider.

Electric start snowblowers have a starter motor and a battery to worry about. They operate more like a traditional car engine and won’t start unless the battery is charged and the starter is working properly. In general, more moving parts means a less reliable machine. If the starter breaks, or the battery is low, you won’t be able to start the snowblower.

Snowblowers that are pull-to-start are more reliable because they don’t have a starter or battery. However, they require more work to start and are harder to crank. Especially in cold weather.

I use both types of snowblowers for work. Electric start is better for larger engines because they’re very hard to crank by hand. But pull-to-start is better for smaller snowblowers because of how reliable they are.

A great in between option are small gas-powered snowblowers with an electric start. They don’t have a battery, but get electricity by plugging into a standard outlet with an extension cord when you start them.

If you’re like me and do snow removal for a living, you need both large and small machines. But if you’re a homeowner with a driveway to clear, buy a machine that’s sized right for the amount of snow you need to remove. Battery powered electric start is definitely more convenient and easier on your body, but make sure to keep that battery charged when Winter comes.

Do You Have To Charge The Battery On A Gas Powered Snow Blower?

Yes. A gas powered snowblower with a battery has a push-button start and a starter motor. The battery provides power to the starter which cranks the engine when you push the start button or turn the key. If the battery isn’t charged, the start motor won’t be able to crank the engine because it needs power to do so.

If the battery on a gas-powered snowblower isn’t charged, you won’t be able to start the motor. Like a car, you’ll either have to charge the battery or jump-start the engine to get the snowblower running.

Keep in mind that snow blowers do not come with a battery charger. Unless you’re starting your all the time, which keeps the battery charged, I recommend buying a small charger so that the battery is fully charged when you need the snowblower.

Can You Buy Replacement Batteries For A Gas-Powered Snowblower?

Yes, gas-powered snowblowers with an electric start use a standard 12V battery. The size of the battery will vary based on the size of the engine. There are a variety of manufacturers that make 12V batteries, but none are specifically made for snowblowers. Make sure when buying a replacement battery, that it’s the correct size and power output for your engines starter. Personally, I use Diehard batteries in all of my electric start snowblowers because they’re very reliable in cold weather.

How Many Times Can You Start A Gas-Powered Snowblower On A Single Battery Charge?

Gas-powered snowblowers with an electric start and battery also have a small alternator. The alternator keeps the battery charged as the engine runs. So you can start your snowblower as many times as you need as long as you keep the battery charged by running the engine. The only time you’ll have issues starting the snowblower is when you let the battery drain low. This is very common in off-seasons when the snowblower isn’t running. But if you live in a cold climate and use the snowblower regularly, the battery will stay charged.

If you live in a seasonal area that only uses a snowblower a few times per year, I recommend buying a small battery charger. Snowblower batteries are fairly small and mine typically drain in a few months when not is use.

Should You Disconnect The Snowblower Battery When Not In Use?

You don’t have to disconnect the snowblower battery when its not in use. However, it can be helpful if your storing a snowblower for long periods of time.

When a battery is connected and not being used, it will drain electricity faster than when it’s disconnected. I only use my snowblowers 3 months out of the year so when I Winterize them, I also remove the batteries.

But if you live in a cold climate and use your snowblower year round, I wouldn’t disconnect the battery after each use.

How Does Electric Start On A Snow Blower Work?

Gas-powered snowblowers with an electric start have a small starter motor just like a car or truck. When you push the start button, the starter motor cranks the engine. This is much easier and more powerful then cranking the engine yourself by pulling a cord.

Starter motors run on electricity, so if your snowblower is gas-powered and electric start, it either has a battery or needs to be plugged in when you start it.

If your snowblower has a battery, it’s kept charged by a small alternator that creates electricity when the engine runs.
If your snowblower doesn’t have a battery, you must plug it into an outlet with an extension cord every time you start it.

Electric start snowblowers are easier to cold start because they produce a lot more power than you can by manually pulling a cord. It’s a very simple process, but a little more complicated than just pressing a button.

Here’s how to do it:

Push the choke to the wide open position.
Push the speed lever to fast. On some models there’s a symbol of a rabbit for fast and a turtle for slow.
Prime the engine.
Plug the snowblower into a standard outlet if your model needs to be.
Insert the key and turn it to start if required.
Press the start button.
Once the engine starts, adjust the choke and speed and unplug the mower if applicable.

If you have trouble starting your snowblower, try spraying a little starter fluid into the air intake. A quick 2 second burst before you cold start the engine will help crank it.

Click Here to see Gumout Starter Fluid on Amazon

The Best Starter Fluid For A Snowblower

The best starter fluid for a gas engine snowblower is made by Gumout. It’s easy to use, very effective and highly flammable. I use it to help start some of my older snowblowers for the first cold start of the season. A few short bursts into the air intake is always enough to crank them up in the coldest Winters.

To use it, hold the can upright and about 12 inches (20 centimeters) away from the intake. Then spray in short 2 second bursts directly into the intake. Make sure the choke is wide open. Stray the engine. If it doesn’t start the first time, repeat the process. Use the electrical start vs the pull chain if your engine has the option. But if not, make sure to pull hard and fast.

If your snowblower engine needs priming, prime it once before using starter fluid.

For gasoline engines.
Works in all weather conditions including extreme cold or humid weather.
Lubricates upper cylinders.
Inhibits corrosion.

I like Gumout because it also lubricates the upper engine cylinders and inhibits corrosion in addition to helping the engine turn over. This is a big help because I use my snowblowers for work every season and need them to last.

You can buy Gumout Starter Fluid on Amazon for about $10 a can. I’ve been using the same can for over 5 years so for me, it’s definitely worth the money.

Can You Add An Electric Start To A Gas-Powered Snowblower?

It’s possible to convert a pull-cord manual start snowblower to an electric start if you have the right engine. Not all engines can do it. Check with the manufacturer to find out for sure. Some engines are produced just as pull-start so they can’t be converted. But some are made both pull-start and electric push-button so there are starters that fit the engine.

In order to install an electric start on your gas-powered snowblower you need a starter that fits the engine. If your motor is designed to be used as both a manual start and an electric start, there should be a starter that fits the engine’s flywheel.

If you can find a starter that fits your engine, you then need all the appropriate mounts to bolt the hardware to your snowblower engine. And you need the electrical components to power the starter.

If you have the know-how and skill to do small engine work like this, and the right type of motor, it can save you some money. However, if you don’t and have to hire a mechanic to do the conversion, it’ll be cheaper to buy a new engine with electric start built in from the factory.

You should also be aware that a conversion like this would likely void your snowblower’s engine warranty. So I wouldn’t try it on a newer engine.

How Do You Know If The Battery Isn’t Working On An Electric Start Gas-Powered Snowblower?

There’s an easy way to tell if the battery on your snowblower isn’t working properly. When you push the start button, the plug should spark and the engine should try to crank. Even if it doesn’t actually start up, the engine should still try to turn over.

If you press the button and nothing happens, the battery isn’t working or is dead.
If you press the button and you hear a clicking sound, the battery is very low on power.

Once you know you’ve got a battery issue, troubleshoot the problem to find out what the cause is. Start by testing the battery with a multimeter. If the battery has enough power to crank the engine, then the problem is somewhere else. You can also test the battery power on some chargers.

If the battery is charged but the engine does nothing when you hit the start button, it could be a wire, the starter, the solenoid, the plug, the ignition key or the starter button. Test each component with your multimeter to make sure power is flowing like it should.

Look for simple things first like a loose wire or bad connection and then move on to more complicated problems like a damage solenoid or starter.

If you know how to use a multimeter, you can trace and isolate the electrical problem to its source and fix it.

Can You Replace A Damaged Electric Start On A Gas-Powered Snowblower DIY?

Yes, a damaged electrical start system on a gas-powered snowblower can be replaced. The typical system consists of a push-button start, a keyed ignition, a battery or plug inlet and a starter. Each of these parts can be removed and replaced with a new part. If your snowblower is fairly new, the ignition system will be covered by warranty for a set period of time. However, if you’re out of warranty, you’ll have to buy new parts from the manufacturer or a dealer.

Will A Gas Snowblower With A Battery Work Without Gas?

No. A gas-powered snowblower will only run on gas, not electric. The battery only provides enough power for the starter to crank the engine. Once the engine starts, electricity is produced by a small alternator which recharges the battery and powers the spark plugs. Gas-powered snowblowers don’t have an electric motor so they can’t run without gas.

Are There Hybrid Gas & Battery Powered Snowblowers?

No. Unlike cars and trucks, there are no hybrid gas & electric powered snowblowers. You must either buy a gas-powered or electric-powered model. At the moment, gas powered snowblowers are much stronger than electric models. If you want a larger 2 and 3 stage snowblower, your only option is a gas-powered engine. However, small electric engines and batteries are getting better every year so this is almost certain to change soon.

What’s More Durable, An Electric Start Vs Pull-Cord Gas-Powered Snowblower?

Pull cord gas-powered snowblowers are more durable than electric start models. The engines are smaller, produce less power and have less moving parts. They’re also a simpler design which makes them more reliable in cold Winters.

Electric push-button start gas snowblowers are typically larger, more powerful and more complicated. They have a battery or plug in port which powers the starter motor and a start button. These extra components along with a larger, more powerful engine makes them less reliable and less durable. More parts and more power means more things that can go wrong and/or break down.

However, the benefit of using an electric start snowblower is how easy they are to start. When properly maintained, the starter motor creates a lot more power than you can generate by pulling a cord. This makes cold starts easier to do even in the coldest weather.

In terms of overall durability of parts and build quality, it makes no difference if the snowblower is a push-button start or pull-cord. Buy a high quality brand and your snowblower will be more durable and reliable than a cheaper model.

Do All Gas-Powered Snowblowers Have A Battery?

No. Gas-powered snowblowers come in 2 basic designs, pull-cord and electric push-button. Pull-cord snowblowers do not have a battery or starter and crank when you pull their cord. But some push-button gas-powered snowblowers do.

Electric push-button snowblowers come in two designs, battery powered and plug-in.

Battery powered push-button snowblowers have a battery which provides power to the starter when you push the start button. They work just like a standard car engine.Without a charged battery, you can;t start the snowblower.
Plug-in gas-powered snowblowers do not have a battery, so you must plug them into a wall outlet with an extension cord every time you start them.

Battery powered gas-powered snowblowers are more versatile because you can start them wherever you are as long as the battery is charged. This is essential for businesses like mine that do snow removal in Winter.

Plug-in snowblowers can be more convenient for homeowners who only use their snowblower at home because you don’t have to worry about the battery going dead. However, you must have power to start them up which can be a problem in a bad storm if you lose electricity.

Summary: Do Gas Snow Blowers Have A Battery?

Some small gas-powered electric start snowblowers don’t have a battery. Instead, they plug into a standard outlet with an extension cord when you start them.

For small snowblowers, I prefer the pull start. But for larger, more power engines, an electric start is the better option because it’s very hard to crank a large engine by hand.

If you have any questions or comments about snowblowers, email any time.