Generac XP8000E Generator Battery - Really???

[hd54kh]

Any one have a solution for dealing with the **** battery recharging set up?

Me and a neighbor both have the same generators, both have had standby battery problems. They come with a gel cell 12v 10ah battery and a wall plug in transformer NON-Regulated. Instructions (from memory) say every 30 days plug it in but no longer than 48 hours or damage to battery can occur. Well of course it has killed our batteries and in my case blew the fuse. The fuse requires a lot of dismantalling to access it. The battery is an nut and bolt terminal which is expensive and not locally available. A gel cell should be good for up to 5 years but these are only lasting months.

Anyone do any modifications on these? I have resorted to jump starting the starter directly from my 4 wheeler. But this really ***** especially that it only has 24 hours on it, mostly preventitive maintenance running.

Looking for any suggestions on a solution for a reliable onboard charging set up.

I did add a battery and regulated charging set up from some alarm system parts I had but it isn't enough to start it.

Terry

 

[brewchief]

Optimate 4 battery charger/maintainer. You don't want a simple trickle charger.

 

[pattenp]

I use a Battery Tender® Plus charger with a voltage indicator.

http://products.batterytender.com/Chargers/Battery-TenderR-Plus.html

http://www.batterytender.com/Accessories/Digital-Voltage-Indicator-with-LCD-Display.html

 

[dogdog]

I have something like this a battery maintainer/charger and just leave it plug it all year round on my generator... not a Generac generator though... still generator that uses gel cell battery. Cheaper than battery tender....

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Schumacher-XM1-5-Maintainer-1.5-Amp/15140193.

 

[Syberia]

If it's a regular 12 volt battery, you should be able to use a Battery Tender or similar "maintenance charger." It will keep the battery full without overcharging, and is completely automatic. I've left one on a car that's rarely driven for months at a time without issue.

 

[CNGsaves]

Install quick dis-connects for battery cables so that battery not fully connected to genset.

+1 to use Battery Tender year round to maintain the battery.

 

[79firebird]

On my grandparents they put a reg car battery in hooked to a solar panel on top to keep it charged. As the battery it came with dident last long been setup and running this was for 3 years now with no probs.

 

[theoldwizard1]

For maximum standby battery life ...

If possible use a flooded (wet) "full size" deep cycle marine/RV/golf cart battery. Install it in a plastic battery box (they actually make a battery box that holds 2 - 6V golf cart batteries !).

Second use a good quality trickle charger, like a Battery Tender.

Third, connect your charger up to a cheap, mechanical lamp timer and only let is run for 1-3 hours per day.

 

[hd54kh]

See the problem is the original equipment battery is a gel cell installed sideways underneath the end panel. I used a battery from a security system this last round but as soon as it drops some voltage it will not turn it over.

So what I maybe need to do is just set up an external battery with a maintainer.
The problem is portability. I would need to devise some way of attaching a battery box somewhere on it and the maintainer as well. This generator sits sometimes up to 6 months stored and I have been shedding any vampire electronics due to power costs rising (poco just approved for another rate increase).

I have both a Shumacher battery maintainer and a Battery Tender for other vehicles. Both seem to be identical in function and reliability. Even with those I have to share them among several vehicles, I just rotate them around as needed.

If I did a external battery is there a quick connect/disconnect set up I can permanently attach to the end panel? Something like a large Molex connector or similar. Or add a set of battery terminals on an insulated panel and use one of those buzz boxes.

I still need to keep the gel cell in place as it is the maintenance/hour meter power and run a separate set of cables to the solenoid safely and accessible.

I am sometimes away for up to 6 months and the generator is put away in dark storage.

Terry

 

[pattenp]

Sounds like you need to use the correct type and amperage battery. I just hooked the quick connect extension cord adapter to the battery on my Generac and plug the Battery Tender into the quick connector. I'm not seeing an issue other than you may be using the wrong battery.

 

[hd54kh]

Pattenp, I did one replacement of the bolt terminal 12v 10ah battery and the last round I converted it to F connectors but same rating battery. The F terminals probably does not provide the same level of connectivity. I also installed a battery maintainer ring terminal pigtail and use a regulated security system power supply with a flat 2 matching connector.

I have completely abandoned the original front panel plug in wall transformer with the blown fuse. Too much to dismantle for a fuse. That was a bad design on it's own, to hide a replaceable fuse in an inaccessible location. The owners manual directions for charging is not to leave it on charge for too long as damage to the battery will occur.

Terry

 

[pattenp]

My instructions say the same for the stock charger as to not leave it plugged in too long. The battery tender I use stays plugged in and have had no issues with the battery not starting the gen and the battery is going on 3 years old. From the beginning I never used the stock charger.

 

[larry_g]

I have a similar model generator in the barn that we use throughout the winter when lambing. I use a regular lead acid car battery that will start the generator for most of the winter with out charging. If it sounds a bit sluggish then I haul the battery to the shop and recharge it. I extended the start wires on the generator and put a set of clamps on them so that it is easy to disconnect. My situation is a bit different in that I may use the generator daily for a couple of months during the season and if the battery dies it starts first pull on the rope starter.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[hd54kh]

Thanks guys, I think I'll go with this idea. Keep the gel cell in it now for the maintenance and hour meter that should go for a long time between charges. Add a set of extended cable with clamps. I usually drag it to the house for emergency power in my garden type trailer. I can use my old Cub Cadet or Honda Foreman for towing. Cable it long enough to reach either machines battery and I should be good to go.

I'll set the neighbors up the same, theirs is stored with their quad anyway.

One of my Battery Tenders is used for the Honda but only when I'm around or someone thinks to turn it on for a day or two. The timer idea will work I think I have a Tork timer kicking around.

Thanks for forcing me to brainstorm on this, frustration got the best of me.

Terry

 

[larry4406]

Awakening an old thread and slight hi-jack.

Anyone every just ditch the factory style gel-cell horizontal mounted battery and just use a car battery instead?

The battery in my Generac 7500 EXL is dead and will not take a charge. I have a 12V sealed car battery. Obviously it is larger in size than the original and I would need to make a mount for it somewhere and new cabling. Anyone have Pics of their generator battery modifications?

 

[larry_g]

Awakening an old thread and slight hi-jack.

Anyone every just ditch the factory style gel-cell horizontal mounted battery and just use a car battery instead?

The battery in my Generac 7500 EXL is dead and will not take a charge. I have a 12V sealed car battery. Obviously it is larger in size than the original and I would need to make a mount for it somewhere and new cabling. Anyone have Pics of their generator battery modifications?

Didja read post 13?

lg
no neat sig line

 

[larry4406]

Didja read post 13?

lg
no neat sig line

Yes I did read your post. However it does not contain any pictures of how you mounted it. Almost sounds like you have a loose car battery with just long cables, not real clear. Also sounds like your generator does not get moved from your barn, so having a loose proximate battery would work if this is indeed what you have.

I am looking for PICTURE examples on how someone mounted/adapted a car battery onto the generator.

The generator lives in my garage and when needed, it is rolled outside. I want the battery to be on the generator frame and move with it. Not interested in also moving a separate loose battery and then fooling with cabling and clamps (aka - jump start).

Hence why I requested example pictures.

 

[larry_g]

Yes I did read your post. However it does not contain any pictures of how you mounted it. Almost sounds like you have a loose car battery with just long cables, not real clear. [/I]

You are correct, it is not mounted to the generator frame because it is stationary 99% of the time.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[6PTsocket]

Another vote for the Battery Tender Plus. I have a couple of them. Plug it in and forget about it. They make one for gel cells but make sure that is what you have. A lot stand by batteries are AGM (activated glass mat) which have the same charge requirements as a sealed car or bike battery and a lot of standby batteries, too. Gel cells are a little different and need a different charger. I don't see them much as AGM is a better stand by battery. As it is only a small 10 A hr battery you may want to move up to an AGM when you get a better charger. My portable generator came with a regular sealed maintenance free battery. After changing the battery on my lawn tractor several times in as many years, I switched to AGM. I just replaced it after 11 years on a Battery Tender Plus. A good combo.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[ttpete]

Another vote for the Battery Tender Plus. I have a couple of them. Plug it in and forget about it. They make one for gel cells but make sure that is what you have. A lot stand by batteries are AGM (activated glass mat) which have the same charge requirements as a sealed car or bike battery and a lot of standby batteries, too. Gel cells are a little different and need a different charger. I don't see them much as AGM is a better stand by battery. As it is only a small 10 A hr battery you may want to move up to an AGM when you get a better charger. My portable generator came with a regular sealed maintenance free battery. After changing the battery on my lawn tractor several times in as many years, I switched to AGM. I just replaced it after 11 years on a Battery Tender Plus. A good combo.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

This. Also, there are all kinds of AGM motorcycle batteries in different sizes and amp-hour ratings available, and one should be able to be found that will install in place of the original battery.

I have motorcycles with AGM batteries that are kept on BatteryTenders anytime they are not in use. The oldest battery in one has been in for over 10 years and is still going strong.

 

[walrus]

Awakening an old thread and slight hi-jack.

Anyone every just ditch the factory style gel-cell horizontal mounted battery and just use a car battery instead?

The battery in my Generac 7500 EXL is dead and will not take a charge. I have a 12V sealed car battery. Obviously it is larger in size than the original and I would need to make a mount for it somewhere and new cabling. Anyone have Pics of their generator battery modifications?

I made a bracket to mount another battery on the outside of frame, extended wires to fit. Works fine

 

[larry4406]

I made a bracket to mount another battery on the outside of frame, extended wires to fit. Works fine

Walrus - I would appreciate pics if you can.

With the car battery I have, it is too large to tuck internal to the frame of the generator, so I either hang it off a side and increase the generator's foot print, or put it on top above the fuel tank thereby increasing only height. With the later, the battery would be almost vertically above the axle so its added weight shouldn't be too noticeable when wheeling it around.

 

[Bretny]

A normal lawnmower battery should be fine for a generator. AGM isnt needed. Spend the money on a better trickle charger.

I have two lawnmower batterys in my generator(24v system). I have used the intake heater and started the generator at -6*. I have no trickle charger and test the set when we change the clocks.

 

[bwringer]

Yeah, old thread, but winter is coming...

I'd agree with the general idea to expand the search to motorcycle and lawn tractor batteries. I would definitely stick with AGM batteries over old-fashioned leaky wet batteries. Heck, any Walmart has a decent selection of AGM motorcycle batteries, and there are dozens of other sizes available.

It sounds like the original design might be using an SLA battery as a small engine starting battery, which is pretty much doomed to fail.

And yes, use a battery maintainer and not just an old-fashioned trickle charger. Trickle chargers will kill off small batteries in a few months.

 

[larry4406]

I have a near brand new car battery that is already paid for from a car that we donated since its transmission died. Thus, no cost at this point....