Tip: Check electrolyte level , every other month, in each battery cell and add distilled water from the market, with a "turkey baster" battery filler, from Auto supply store, to at least cover the plates. Keep batteries fully charged with trickle charger for longest useful life and ability to start generator. Keep all connections clean for good electrical contact. Use a battery terminal cleaner device. It's handy to have a cheap digital multi-meter (Harbor Freight) to check battery voltages while being charged (around 14 volts DC ) and resting (around 13.6 volts DC). A dead battery will read 12 volts or less.