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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 434
 
Location: Brooksville, Fl | My generator has a battery that is separate from the house batteries and purely is meant to crank the generator. Anyone have a recommendation of a good, long lasting battery for this purpose? Perhaps a battery tender recommendation as well. Also, why would they have put a deep cycle battery in it if that's what it appears to do? We replaced the original with another deep cycle battery but it was only a 12 month battery (due to that was what was available at the time that would fit and we needed it now) at month 13 it would, of course, no longer crank the generator. Thanks very much!
Edited by randemtam 2012-11-24 2:56 PM
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 Veteran
Posts: 259
Location: Topeka Ks | I used an Optima battery for my genset. It is gel and maintenace free. You should have a battery isolator between the house charge circuit and the genset battery. The isolator allows the genset battery to charge with the shore power but not discharge when the when running off the house batteries. If you don't then it may explain why your experancing short life. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 385
Location: high desert, CA. | I COULD BE WRONG, BUT I THINK DEEP CYCLE BATTERIES ARE MEANT TO DISCHARGE FULLY, AND RECHARGE FULLY. IF YOU ONLY USE THEM TO START AN ENGINE, AND THEN THE ALTERNATOR JUST RECHARGES, IT MAY NOT RECHARGE, AND THE CYCLES OF DISCHARGE/RECHARGE ARE REDUCED. FOR AN ENGINE STARTER BATTERY, I WOULD PUT AN AUTOMOTIVE TYPE IN, AND USE THE DEEP CYCLE TYPE ONLY IF YOU PLAN ON DISCHARGING IT A LOT. ALSO IF A BATTERY JUST SITS AND IS NOT CYCLED, IT may TAKE A "MEMORY" AND SULFATE A LOT, LEADING TO FAILURE. |
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Expert
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Location: Rocky Mount N.C. | I use these U-1 AGM batteries for Mobility scooters, golf cart starting batteries, Exmark mower starting battery, generators, ATV, etc... AGM battery is a no splill sealed unit that doesn't have to be refilled with water/electrolite.... http://www.batterymart.com/p-12v-35ah-sealed-lead-acid-battery-group-u1.html |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 317
Location: Barnesville, Ga. | Are you sure your genset will charge your battery? |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 434
Location: Brooksville, Fl | Thanks for all of the replies! Tom-Tom, I'm not sure of anything at this point. My only issue is with the battery that starts the generator. The house batteries charge just fine on shore power or generator power. I just want to get the correct battery for this purpose. I need to contact Onan, as they were the ones who installed it, to get the details but there's a lot of knowledge on this list so I thought I'd start here. I'll definitely look into the batteries recommended so far. |
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Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA | You do not need a deep cycle battery to start your generator. That type is constructed with heavier plates, that prevent warping under the extreme heating during long and heavy loads. A start cycle has a short burst of many amps, that quickly dissipates when the motor is running. Lead acid batteries do not develop a memory as ni cads do. They will loose their storage capacity, if the plates warp and short out, effectively ruining the battery. Any automotive lead acid, wet cell battery that fits in the allocated space, will suffice as your starting battery. Purchase the best series, and it will usually include at least a three year replacement and six or seven year pro rated warranty. Most generators recharge the starting battery, and it's usually isolated from the powered circuit so as not to be a powering source. A float maintenance charger can easily be added to maintain the battery during off seasons. This will greatly increase its longevity. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 317
Location: Barnesville, Ga. | My 4000 watt onan doesn't have the provisions for charging a seperate battery. It starts off the house batteries and charges them thru the inverter. I have thought about rewiring and mounting a 3rd battery at the genset, but then realized it wouldn't get recharged. Now I just keep a set of battery cables long enough to jumpstart the horse trailer off the truck batteries. Once the genset is running the inverter takes over and charges the batteries. That is a worst case senario but it works for me. So far I am on my first set of replacement batteries and my trailer is an early 08 model. Got to the point I would have to fire up the genset to let the hydraulic jacks and slide out out, and decided it was time to replace the original batteries. Have you thought about a solar charger to keep the genset battery topped off?
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Battery recommendation for generator
