Stand alone starting battery for generator
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...
Forum Discussion
Yesterday I installed and connected a dedicated starting battery and an Amp-L-Start isolator recommended by pianotuna. Straight forward and easy to do. The battery was shelf charged at 12.6 volts and started the generator no problem. The Amp-L-Start indicated "charging" - both house and gen batt charging at 13.6 volts. I switched to shore power and left everything charging for 5 - 6 hours.
This morning I put a load on the house batteries ( 2x 12v Optima yellow) that came with the trailer. I turned on a bunch of lights, 3 ventilation fans, 1 stove top fan, stereo on FM radio mode.
At the start of the load test the Optima's tested 12.56 volts at rest, before switching on the battery switch.
Gen starting battery at 12.75 v.
Within 30 mins house batts reading 8.5 volts, and after switch off the batt switch and resting them 30 minutes they are at 10.6 volts.
Connected shore power and brought house batts back on line - after 10 minutes charging at 13.6 volts.
Gen battery receiving 13.4 volts through the Amp-L-Start.
This morning I put a load on the house batteries ( 2x 12v Optima yellow) that came with the trailer. I turned on a bunch of lights, 3 ventilation fans, 1 stove top fan, stereo on FM radio mode.
At the start of the load test the Optima's tested 12.56 volts at rest, before switching on the battery switch.
Gen starting battery at 12.75 v.
Within 30 mins house batts reading 8.5 volts, and after switch off the batt switch and resting them 30 minutes they are at 10.6 volts.
Connected shore power and brought house batts back on line - after 10 minutes charging at 13.6 volts.
Gen battery receiving 13.4 volts through the Amp-L-Start.
