One of the most important parts of your generator is its battery. Without it, the machine cannot provide power, yet it is a part that frequently causes malfunction. Learn about the powerhouse of your generator and how to take care of your own generator battery replacement.
What Does Your Generator Battery Do?
The Generac battery in your generator is crucial to starting your system and keeping it running. The generator’s battery supplies power to the engine starter so that your generator can create electricity. For standby Generac generators, the Generac battery also helps power the generator’s control panel and other smaller functions. Understanding your generator and how it works is essential in powering your home or business safely and effectively.
Types of Batteries for Generators
There are three different types of Generac batteries that your generator may use, each with pros and cons:
- Flooded Lead-Acid (conventional)
- Sealed Lead-Acid (maintenance-free)
- Lithium-Ion
The most used batteries for generators are standard flooded lead-acid batteries, also known as wet lead-acid or conventional batteries. These are typically the most cost-effective but require specific maintenance when it comes to generator battery replacements.
Sealed lead-acid or maintenance-free batteries for generators require no maintenance in comparison to a conventional battery but may not operate at levels as high as a conventional battery. A sealed lead-acid battery may also run at higher costs than a conventional generator battery.
Lithium-ion batteries aren’t used as frequently as they tend to have a higher cost than other options, but they are lower maintenance and positively affect long-term savings on your generator battery replacements.
Generator Battery Voltage and Capacity
Batteries for generators come in different voltage and capacity levels. The voltage level or electrical power of your Generac battery depends on the purpose and model of the system it is supporting. Most residential and commercial generators use 12V batteries.
The capacity of your generator battery indicates how much charge your battery can hold. This level is typically anywhere from 50 Ah to 150 Ah, depending on the power needs of the generator.
To find what type of generator replacement battery you need, find your generator’s serial number and consult your generator manual.
Generac Battery Maintenance
Practicing proper maintenance of your Generac battery can extend its lifespan and improve its effectiveness. Whenever handling a battery, ensure it is disconnected before conducting any maintenance.
When dealing with a flooded lead-acid battery, it is important to regularly check the water level and refill with distilled water if necessary. Cleaning the battery terminals and keeping them free of corrosion is also crucial to their efficient operation.
Regularly ensure that your negative battery cable, which connects from the battery to the engine, is in good working order. It is also important that your Generac battery is fully charged, used, and tested regularly to keep it in operation.
How to Charge Your Generator’s Battery
Most standby generators today have an automatic charger that keeps the battery of your generator charged even when it is not in use. Generac batteries of home standby generators charge their batteries by connecting to the power grid of the house as the generator runs.
If your generator battery has died, or if you do not have an automatically charged battery, you can charge the battery of your generator with a manual charger. Make sure to ensure that the external battery charger is compatible with your battery’s voltage and type. If your battery charger is not working, it is important to do a generator battery replacement or look into getting replacement charger parts.
Be careful to avoid overcharging, which can damage the battery. To prevent overcharging, you can use a charger with an automatic shut-off feature.
What Drains Your Generator Battery?
There are several reasons why your Generac battery may be draining and dying, and preventing these causes can extend your battery life:
- Parasitic loads – Small electrical components like control panels and monitoring systems that draw power when not running can cause batteries for generators to lose charge quickly
- Frequent starting and stopping – While it is important to run your generator to test and work the system, excessive starting and stopping can drain your battery
- Temperature extremes – Extremely high and low temperatures can kill or drain the battery and reduce its efficiency
- Aging – Generac batteries that have more age naturally lose their ability to retain charge
When Should You Replace Batteries for Generators?
Generator battery replacement is important for the overall health and efficiency of your generator. Lead-acid batteries for generators generally need to be replaced every three – five years; however, if the battery stops functioning before that, it must be replaced for the generator to work.
Lithium-ion batteries generally can last longer, around seven – ten years before you need to do a generator battery replacement. It is recommended that batteries for generators be replaced even when working within these time frames to ensure that your generator can perform when you need it.
Batteries that are used frequently or are not properly maintained typically have shorter lives than ones that undergo proper maintenance. Extreme environmental factors may also decrease the longevity of the batteries and lead to more frequent generator battery replacements. It is important to select the proper replacement parts for your generator to keep it running well.
How to Replace a Generator Battery in 7 Simple Steps
There are certain steps that must be taken to complete a generator battery replacement and get your machine into working condition:
- Step One: Turn off the generator – make sure it is fully disconnected from any power source
- Step Two: Disconnect the battery – locate the battery in the access panel of the generator, disconnecting the negative terminal (black color or “-”) and then disconnecting the positive terminal (red color or “+”)
- Step Three: Gently remove the battery
- Step Four: Clean the battery terminal – use a wire brush to clear any corrosion or dirt from the terminal
- Step Five: Install the generator replacement battery – place it in the same location as the original battery, securing it down
- Step Six: Reconnect the battery – connect the positive terminal first, then the negative
- Step Seven: Test the generator
By following proper battery maintenance and generator battery replacement guidelines, you can prevent one of the most common causes of generator failure. Don’t be left in the dark and regularly check your generator battery.