My Ryobi is doing the same thing, about the same age, like when you turn the key it makes a shorting sound - a click click clicking under the seat. It IS the batteries not being able to supply enough of a supply. I HIGHLY recommend getting LITHIUM ION PHOSPHATE batteries, not $1200 worth of new lead acid ones!

I am about to change mine out, which will require a new charger. HOWEVER, you can do different combos of LIfePo - 4 batteries as long as they equal 48v. @ 24v, 4 @ 12 volt, 1 @ 48v. YOu can get away with 50Ah, 75Ah or 100Ah.

You can even do 30Ah. Here is one company's version of how to swap them out, but you can find cheaper batteries on amazon from China that are good quality.Ryobi Mower Lithium Battery Conversion ~ Epoch Batte...

Make your mower run better than new! #ryobi #battery...just look up Ryobi lifepo4 batttery upgrade or lithium battery swap on youtube, there are a BUNCH of vids.

we are saving up to do this for next summer. It should be as low as $600-$800.

For example: $400~ https://www.aliexpress.u...

for just one 48V 100ah. That is an excellent price, import fees included!

You can get chargers relatively cheap as well, and consider an indicator gauge upgrade to match, the Ryobi one sucks and has very limited info.

There are videos showing how to open and take out the existing ones, how to hook up the new ones in series like the lead acid ones, etc.

It is an easy DIY upgrade and your new batteries will hold a charge all winter long without depleting. Lithium is a huge improvement.

NOTE: The other thing that is important if you have not done so is to change the transmissing fluid in it! It uses plain old automatic trans fluid, but you need to drain it from the bell housing in the rear axle and fill it with new. It needs to be changed but Ryobi wont tell you this because they want you to buy a new one.

Ryobi 480e Rear Axle Fluid Change

Ryobi RM480e / RY48110 Riding Mower Lithium LiFePO4 ...

Ryobi RM480e battery replacement!!!!

RYOBI Ride-On Lawn Mowers – How To Maintain Themis the official Ryobi maintenance videos, good info!

THANK YOU MAX <3 <3 <3 I will show Ken this thread this afternoon! You are a gold mine.

He really is a treasure

maxwell_graf: Thank you for the information and encouragement! After 3.5 years, the only problem I've had was the Start Switch went from intermittently not working to just not working. Followed a simple set of instructions to use the AUX position as the main ON/OFF position and the switch works fine. However, I've got two new, separate problems now.

Just recently the batteries have been running down faster than normal, and I'm sure that's a battery issue. Watched some diagnostic videos on how to check their status - sometimes it's just one bad battery - but I was stunned when I saw how expensive a full battery replacement was. Home Depot sells a $293 approved replacement, but four of those is $1200.

So yeah, I'm looking at the LiFePO4 batteries, even though it feel intimidating. Reddit thread discussing this said it's possible to use the Ryobi charger, but you have to make sure not to overcharge it, and I don't want to burn down the garage, so I will need a new charger.

Here's what I'm considering, for $750... CHINS 48V 100Ah Bluetooth LiFePO4 Battery, Built in 200A BMS, Peak Current 1000A, includes 48V 18A Lithium Charger and Monitor. https://www.amazon.com/....

I figure it's simpler to wire up and easier to strap down one battery. And the Bluetooth monitor should eliminate having to drill out the hole in the instrument cluster to fit a bigger battery monitor. I would just have to figure out how to set up the charging port for the new charger.

Meanwhile, I think the thing cutting out the power might be the seat switch. So I'm going to unplug that and short the plug so it doesn't use that switch (for now). If that lets me mow without interruption, then I'll spend the $13 to get a replacement. If not, then I may be jumping into the battery project right away.

I'd really prefer to keep this running until cold weather, and make it a winter garage project. Our landlord is an electrical engineer, so if I can get him to work with me on it, that would be extremely amazing!