# Using 40 Volt Lawnmower Batteries for Emergency Lighting and Other Electrical Uses? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 9, 2022, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-40-volt-lawnmower-batteries-for-emergency-lighting-and-other-electrical-uses/965909 "2022-06-09T05:14:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2022, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-40-volt-lawnmower-batteries-for-emergency-lighting-and-other-electrical-uses/965909/1 "2022-06-09T05:14:48Z")
I recently purchased a Hart (Walmart) electric lawnmower powered by 40 volt, 6 AH batteries. It has occurred to me that I could use these batteries for electric lighting and other electrical uses like running a laptop when the power goes out. Any thoughts on how to do this? ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2022, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-40-volt-lawnmower-batteries-for-emergency-lighting-and-other-electrical-uses/965909/2 "2022-06-09T05:34:01Z")
It’s theoretically possible. All you need is an inverter that is compatible with your batteries. I know they make inverters for other brand 40 volt batteries. I don’t know if anyone makes one for HART. I didn’t see one in a quick google search. I do see inverters for other brands. I don’t know if HART batteries are compatible with these other brands. You have to match up the voltage as well as the physical layout and electrical connections of the batteries. You can’t just use any old 40 volt battery. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2022, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-40-volt-lawnmower-batteries-for-emergency-lighting-and-other-electrical-uses/965909/3 "2022-06-10T20:43:43Z")
You can sometimes find quirky adapters like this on eBay. Here’s one: > **[Adapter for Hart 40V battery batteries 12 gauge power output lithium li-ion ...](https://www.ebay.com/itm/144147123253?hash=item218fd68c35:g:xy8AAOSwjWlhEU1-&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA4BY6n8rgBD6iBRnk%2FnaiqruGqSVMbL3avN30v%2BUhnMI7rDKDqeE1ljJ%2F65ive5ev2475pYX5O71waZYA%2BX6E%2FfOC4KILbBiyVtbLqigQ29UOZbxvb7s7K%2BDrKWxEEATWDoOWp614xY%2BRbu20WGezfmKxkvcEWjnF2AHPiHGMgD8%2BR2mFrRsdJjM%2Bz2O3TSM%2FYYNt8gmXTutkiqNYVXk%2BTTixl2Ew%2F6UfknuHmqFdbb%2BGkvdbvKIAXHUkn81skbkjKwOxppeyFunTLp%2FRBeZpk5j8ZKzZDea7t0lVQgI2TxrV%7Ctkp%3ABFBMpKme9alg)** > > Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Adapter for Hart 40V battery batteries 12 gauge power output lithium li-ion at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products! If you can use the 40V DC directly, that’s all you need. Otherwise, you need an inverter. As **ECG** said, it seems that inverters for other brands exist, but for Hart it’s only their 20V models. You could combine the adapter above with a different brand, if you’re even moderately handy with a soldering iron. For example, the battery connection for this model could be easily snipped off and replaced with the one above: > **[Amazon.com : Greenworks 40V 300W Cordless Power Inverter, Sine Wave Inverter...](https://www.amazon.com/Greenworks-IV40A00-Battery-Accessory/dp/B01MZACMQ1)** > > Amazon.com : Greenworks 40V 300W Cordless Power Inverter, Sine Wave Inverter with 2 USB Ports and AC Port, IV40A00 : Patio, Lawn & Garden ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2022, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-40-volt-lawnmower-batteries-for-emergency-lighting-and-other-electrical-uses/965909/4 "2022-06-12T01:50:52Z")
12v DC equipment is not uncommon — couldn’t you use a voltage regulator to step down the voltage and use that? Brian ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2022, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-40-volt-lawnmower-batteries-for-emergency-lighting-and-other-electrical-uses/965909/5 "2022-06-12T02:19:15Z")
Mrs. L is a big gardening type. We have lots of Ryobi stuff. I notice they offer some different things that our batteries could power. [For 18v](https://www.google.com/search?q=ryobi+18v+tools&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS798US798&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjwjbfy66b4AhUvmWoFHSmvCLUQ_AUoAnoECAEQBA&biw=1366&bih=657&dpr=1) they have lights, a fan, a bluetooth speaker… Here’s a [40V inverter](https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-40V-300-Watt-Power-Inverter-Tool-Only-RYi300BG/308736685?g_store=&source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&&mtc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D28I-028_032_PORTABLE-NA-NA-NA-SMART-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-SMART_SHP&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D28I-028_032_PORTABLE-NA-NA-NA-SMART-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-SMART_SHP-71700000080837630-58700006820161822-92700070320894396&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8PTgkuym-AIVt21vBB2SogCSEAQYByABEgINqfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds). So I’d look at what your manufacturer offers. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2022, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-40-volt-lawnmower-batteries-for-emergency-lighting-and-other-electrical-uses/965909/6 "2022-06-12T16:54:57Z")
My 40V G-Max battery for my greenworks tools has a usb port. It’s a 6.0 Ah battery so pretty good sized. There are a lot of devices these days that run off usb power. I fugure i can keep my devices charged during a hurricane