Stand alone starting battery for generator

[noteven]

I am thinking about adding a dedicated starting battery for the Onan generator in our C-Force. I have a Sure Power isolator on hand, and space for a battery. Are there any issues I need to be aware of wiring through an isolator?

On the other hand replacing the two 12v batteries with 2 or 4 - 6v golf car batteries and carry my long booster cables may give the overnight battery power we need without doing a project...

Has anyone installed a dedicated starting battery like this?

[2btowed]

I installed a 12v marine battery just to start the genny.After having 6-6v and having to jump the genny toooo many times because of electric overload,TV,Micro-wave,Laptop,Ipad,Phones,kid games,SAT.\,Itook out 26s and put in an isolated 12v starter.I can put it with the 6s if needed but can also charge by itself.so I can crank on the amps for 6s charging.I use a solonoid setup plus a small battery minder for the 12v.IT works great, no getting out in the cold to jump the genny because the heater want work cause the sail switch .they run the inverter until it shuts them down ..Gotta love the grandkids , they have the garage with 3d TV,GAmes and music.Itworks out because I Know where they are at after the campfire.Had 7 girls at one time ages 5 to 10 and they giggled all night,Priceless...

[kevden]

I carry a craftsman portable power pack. It comes in handy for inflatables and good to have if we need a JumpStart. Our old black and decker unit would power the TV/DVD. Combo long Enough for a movie. These units are built cheaply and generally do not last long. The compressor in the b&d unit quit after about a year and the first craftsman unit lasted under a year, but was replaced under warranty. The inverter in the craftsman will not run the TV/DVD for some reason.

[noteven]

I just measured the voltage through the diode isolator that I connect to the camper batteries when it is loaded on my truck - alternator output is 15.6v, isolator output is 14.74v.

So what you guys are saying about using a diode isolator in a starting battery situation on the trailer is that the converter's charger may not have enough output to supply enough charge voltage to the starting battery through the isolator?

The portable power supply might be the simplest backup solution of all.

[BobWanderer]

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/Duralast-900-Amps-jump-starter/_/N-2629?itemIdentifier=...

Another thought
Buy one of those portable power supplies, I have one.
It has been used to jump start cars/trucks/bikes/generators.
Also to power a small compressor to fill tires/air mattresses/float tubes.
Probably the most versatile of the options, other than having something hooked up and ready.

[BobWanderer]

+2 on what PianoTuna said, a diode isolator drops the voltage approx .5 volts going to the batteries. There are disadvantages to a solenoid as well, but a good heavy duty one is pretty indestructible.

[christopherglen]

I went to a car audio place, and got a starting battery - agm like the rest of mine. It is about 3 inch by 8x8. I am thinking of using a battery tender like device to charge it off ac power. When I get over these darn allergies, I am going to get back to the project.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

If the isolator is diode based I would move to a solenoid instead.