Standby generator battery
Thread Starter
|
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,795
Likes: 47
Standby generator battery
have a whole house Generac 17,000 watt propane generator.
The battery is size 26r. Maximum cca that I’ve ever found is in the 550cca range.
Generator has a built in trickle charger (which has failed once and killed a few batteries). Also have a heat pad under the battery and around the oil filter that kicks on under 35 degrees.
We get below zero temps in the winter.
My question - any reason not to put a higher cca 12 volt car battery in the generator if it physically fits?
The battery is size 26r. Maximum cca that I’ve ever found is in the 550cca range.
Generator has a built in trickle charger (which has failed once and killed a few batteries). Also have a heat pad under the battery and around the oil filter that kicks on under 35 degrees.
We get below zero temps in the winter.
My question - any reason not to put a higher cca 12 volt car battery in the generator if it physically fits?
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,450
Likes: 5,520
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
i run group 65 diesel batteries in everything, including my generators and welders. never had any problems on over 18 years of using one battery for everything.
it actually makes things easier, when going for a new battery, i just tell them i need a battery for a ford diesel pickup. .
it actually makes things easier, when going for a new battery, i just tell them i need a battery for a ford diesel pickup. .
Thread Starter
|
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,795
Likes: 47
i run group 65 diesel batteries in everything, including my generators and welders. never had any problems on over 18 years of using one battery for everything.
it actually makes things easier, when going for a new battery, i just tell them i need a battery for a ford diesel pickup. .
it actually makes things easier, when going for a new battery, i just tell them i need a battery for a ford diesel pickup. .
from what i could find, I couldn’t see a reason not to, but I’m no electrician. I use the 65’s in all my Fords; the generator has a 26a. I’ll make the switch.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
As a practical matter it won't matter a whit what battery is installed, if the charging or maintenance system is defective. That needs to be fixed. Did they replace it under warranty? What is the float voltage?
I wouldn't try to outhink the engineering, use a battery that meets the CCA requirements for the application. There's more to battery selection than just CCAs.
I wouldn't try to outhink the engineering, use a battery that meets the CCA requirements for the application. There's more to battery selection than just CCAs.
Thread Starter
|
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,795
Likes: 47
As a practical matter it won't matter a whit what battery is installed, if the charging or maintenance system is defective. That needs to be fixed. Did they replace it under warranty? What is the float voltage?
I wouldn't try to outhink the engineering, use a battery that meets the CCA requirements for the application. There's more to battery selection than just CCAs.
I wouldn't try to outhink the engineering, use a battery that meets the CCA requirements for the application. There's more to battery selection than just CCAs.
No idea what the float voltage figure is. I have it serviced annually by a Generac certified dealer, and they seem to do a pretty thorough job. They’re the ones that found the trickle charger issue.
My thoughts re: the battery was just to bump up the cca if using a larger physical size wasn’t an issue, mainly due to the cold winter temps.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,450
Likes: 5,520
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
my old miller bluestar welder/genset came with a U-35 lawn mower battery.
the miller bobcat came with a group 27.
the group 65 diesel batteries are a whole lot bigger and work much better.
plus if one dies, all i have to do is pop the hood on one of the 9 cars or trucks an swap the dead battery for a charged one.
the miller bobcat came with a group 27.
the group 65 diesel batteries are a whole lot bigger and work much better.
plus if one dies, all i have to do is pop the hood on one of the 9 cars or trucks an swap the dead battery for a charged one.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,476
Likes: 224
From: Frequently frozen MN
Going bigger shouldn't be a problem. I imagine that the only reason that Generac used what they did was that it fit and was reasonably cheap. Not sure how hard it is to start something like that, but I would think that 550cca should be fine.
Only possible issue I can see with going bigger is if the trickle charger is the only means of recharging the battery after startup. Then if startup took a long time for some odd reason, the trickle charger would have to work harder to get the battery back to full. Shouldn't matter unless it's a crappy charger. But if it has some kind of high capacity charging system while it runs, then that shouldn't be an issue either.
Plus, if a bigger battery had a hard time starting it, the spec battery probably would fail to start it.
Just rambling -- I guess the original is probably fine, but a higher capacity unit should be 'finer'.
Have you had to use it often?
hj
Only possible issue I can see with going bigger is if the trickle charger is the only means of recharging the battery after startup. Then if startup took a long time for some odd reason, the trickle charger would have to work harder to get the battery back to full. Shouldn't matter unless it's a crappy charger. But if it has some kind of high capacity charging system while it runs, then that shouldn't be an issue either.
Plus, if a bigger battery had a hard time starting it, the spec battery probably would fail to start it.
Just rambling -- I guess the original is probably fine, but a higher capacity unit should be 'finer'.
Have you had to use it often?
hj
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,795
Likes: 47
Going bigger shouldn't be a problem. I imagine that the only reason that Generac used what they did was that it fit and was reasonably cheap. Not sure how hard it is to start something like that, but I would think that 550cca should be fine.
Only possible issue I can see with going bigger is if the trickle charger is the only means of recharging the battery after startup. Then if startup took a long time for some odd reason, the trickle charger would have to work harder to get the battery back to full. Shouldn't matter unless it's a crappy charger. But if it has some kind of high capacity charging system while it runs, then that shouldn't be an issue either.
Plus, if a bigger battery had a hard time starting it, the spec battery probably would fail to start it.
Just rambling -- I guess the original is probably fine, but a higher capacity unit should be 'finer'.
Have you had to use it often?
hj
Only possible issue I can see with going bigger is if the trickle charger is the only means of recharging the battery after startup. Then if startup took a long time for some odd reason, the trickle charger would have to work harder to get the battery back to full. Shouldn't matter unless it's a crappy charger. But if it has some kind of high capacity charging system while it runs, then that shouldn't be an issue either.
Plus, if a bigger battery had a hard time starting it, the spec battery probably would fail to start it.
Just rambling -- I guess the original is probably fine, but a higher capacity unit should be 'finer'.
Have you had to use it often?
hj
Haven’t had to use it often. Power has actually gone out more in the summer than the winter, but not often snd not for long
I have it mainly because I’m in the country (no public water, gas), so if the power goes out, I’m stuck with a large shed for a house. About 20 years ago we had a storm come through that knocked out power for about a week. Was in a different house at the time though. Just want to be prepared.
The generator does exercise automatically for ten minutes every week. Had the valves adjusted last year because it would take two separate cranks to start. Otherwise, the existing 26a size batteries have done just fine other than when the trickle charger died and actually started draining them.
The larger cca battery is really just a “peace of mind” thing for my brain in that I would know that I have a battery with even better cranking power in it.
The battery cost isn’t that much different between the 26a and 65 sizes, so that’s not really an issue.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Battery maintenance is critical in an item like that. I would monitor the charge "curve" with a voltmeter after the battery runs down a bit. Some chargers don't do as good a job as they should. As always, any loose or even slightly corroded cables or connections will cause trouble.
It may be best to use a dedicated full size external battery charger periodically, maybe every couple months and give it a thorough charge overnight. I have a few different "smart" chargers and maintainers, and have come to the conclusion that nothing really replaces a good old fashioned "dumb" charger. Monitor the end current going into a battery and you'll know when it's charged.
The maintainers or float chargers are great at what they do, but they don't always cook a battery long enough to get them fully and completely charged.
It may be best to use a dedicated full size external battery charger periodically, maybe every couple months and give it a thorough charge overnight. I have a few different "smart" chargers and maintainers, and have come to the conclusion that nothing really replaces a good old fashioned "dumb" charger. Monitor the end current going into a battery and you'll know when it's charged.
The maintainers or float chargers are great at what they do, but they don't always cook a battery long enough to get them fully and completely charged.
Thread Starter
|
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,795
Likes: 47
The generator battery does hold a charge ok, as I do check it with a multimeter every once and awhile. It’s good until the trickle charger goes bad, I guess. Wiring is all corrosion free. The generator still looks clean and new, even though it’s about 12 years old.
What got me thinking about using an auto battery with higher cca’s (or even ca’s) is because I put Northstar AGM batteries in my trucks last year, and I was impressed at how strong they were (are) at start up. I replace my truck batteries every three years, usually with Motorcrafts, and I’ve never had a new Motorcraft be as powerful as the Northstar.
What got me thinking about using an auto battery with higher cca’s (or even ca’s) is because I put Northstar AGM batteries in my trucks last year, and I was impressed at how strong they were (are) at start up. I replace my truck batteries every three years, usually with Motorcrafts, and I’ve never had a new Motorcraft be as powerful as the Northstar.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,568
Likes: 55
The generator battery does hold a charge ok, as I do check it with a multimeter every once and awhile. It’s good until the trickle charger goes bad, I guess. Wiring is all corrosion free. The generator still looks clean and new, even though it’s about 12 years old.
What got me thinking about using an auto battery with higher cca’s (or even ca’s) is because I put Northstar AGM batteries in my trucks last year, and I was impressed at how strong they were (are) at start up. I replace my truck batteries every three years, usually with Motorcrafts, and I’ve never had a new Motorcraft be as powerful as the Northstar.
What got me thinking about using an auto battery with higher cca’s (or even ca’s) is because I put Northstar AGM batteries in my trucks last year, and I was impressed at how strong they were (are) at start up. I replace my truck batteries every three years, usually with Motorcrafts, and I’ve never had a new Motorcraft be as powerful as the Northstar.
How old are the Northstar's and how have they held up?
Thread Starter
|
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,795
Likes: 47
They’re both just about a year old. One is in a dedicated plow truck (2006 F350 5.4l) and the other is in my daily driver (2011 F350 6.2l). Both are still going strong. I’ll have a better comparison in two more years, as I usually swap them out after three years as that’s just about when the charge starts declining.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Torklift Sheryl
Vendor Specials, Discounts, Product Announcements & Group Buys
0
May 18, 2018 12:47 PM
RockAuto
Vendor Specials, Discounts, Product Announcements & Group Buys
0
Jan 15, 2018 11:47 AM
killerklown
General NON-Automotive Conversation
22
Nov 6, 2004 07:36 PM