Generator Battery Maintenance for Electric Start Models

What the starting battery does

Electric start on a generator listing means the engine is started by an electric starter motor instead of by pulling a recoil cord. That starter motor draws power from a starting battery, which is part of the generator's starting system.

Remote start works the same way. A key fob or a button on the control panel sends the start signal, and the starter motor cranks the engine using the battery.

A generator's starting battery is not the same as the battery inside a portable power station. The generator battery cranks the engine; the power station battery is the power source itself. The two products answer different backup power questions, and their batteries are maintained differently.

The starting battery is one of several parts named in a generator listing. The listing also states the fuel type, the watts figures, and the outlet layout. The battery appears in the starting method words: electric start, remote start, or both. Understanding which words describe the battery helps you read the listing and know where the manual begins.

The manual is the reference

The maker's manual is the document that describes how to keep the starting battery charged. It lists how often to charge the battery between uses, what charger to use, and how to store the generator and the battery between seasons.

A listing usually states that a generator has electric start or remote start. It rarely states the charging interval or the storage instructions; those details are in the manual. When a battery question comes up, the first step is to read the manual that came with the unit.

Generators differ in how the battery is charged and maintained. Some use a charging circuit that works while the engine runs; some are charged with a separate charger. The manual tells you which applies to your model. This is why a general maintenance article cannot replace the manual.

The site does not give battery chemistry, charging, or heat advice. The maker's manual lists the temperature range for charging and storage, and the maker's support answers questions the manual does not cover.

Keeping the battery charged between uses

A starting battery that sits unused can lose charge over time. The manual describes how often to charge it and how to do it. Some generators charge the battery while the engine is running; the manual describes that charging system for your model.

Some listings include a battery charger or a battery maintainer as an accessory. The manual states how to use that charger and when to connect it. If a listing does not mention a charger, the manual and the maker are the references.

The manual also describes what to do when the battery charge is low. That may include charging steps, but it may also lead to a question for the maker. The site does not give repair steps; the manual and the maker's support decide them.

Follow the interval and method the manual states, and keep the manual with the unit so the details are available when you need them.

Before hurricane season

Florida's emergency management office advises making sure the generator is in good working order before a storm and reading the manual to be familiar with operation. That includes the starting battery: a generator that has sat for months needs its battery charged per the manual before you rely on it.

The National Weather Service hurricane preparation page lists checking emergency equipment, including generators, before hurricane season begins. The CDC hurricane page also tells you to gather emergency supplies and get your equipment ready. Hurricane season in the Atlantic runs from June 1 to November 30.

• Make sure the generator is in good working order, as Florida's emergency management office advises.
• Read the manual so you are familiar with operation and safety, as the same page recommends.
• Check emergency equipment such as generators before the season starts, as the National Weather Service preparation page lists.
• Gather emergency supplies and get the generator ready, as the CDC hurricane page describes.

What a listing states about the battery

On a generator listing, the starting battery appears as part of the starting system. Words like electric start, remote start, and recoil start describe how the engine starts. Electric start and remote start imply that a starting battery is present.

Some listings state that a battery is included in the box. Some state that a battery charger or maintainer is included. Others leave the battery and charger to the manual. The listing states the feature; the manual states the care.

When a listing states that a battery or charger is included, the reader still needs the manual for the maintenance schedule. The listing tells you what is in the box; the manual tells you how to care for it.

For more on how starting methods read on a listing, see the article on generator starting methods. For charger words in a listing, see generator battery charger type.

Storage between seasons

The manual describes how to store the generator and the battery between hurricane seasons, including how to prepare the battery before storage and how to keep it charged while the generator is not running. See the article on generator standby storage for how this site reads storage questions.

The same manual that describes storage also describes what to do before the first use after storage. That may include charging the battery to the manual's stated condition before starting the engine. Follow the manual's order of steps.

Storage location is also a manual question. The site makes no heat or humidity claims; the manual lists the temperature range for storage and the storage instructions. For coastal Florida homes, salt air is another question for the maker; see generator salt air corrosion.

When to contact the maker

If the battery will not hold a charge, if the charger is missing, or if a manual question is not answered in the paperwork, contact the maker. The maker, not the site, decides what the battery needs and how to replace it.

This site does not give repair instructions. Do not open the battery or the unit; the manual and the maker's support are the references.

What to pick for your situation

Questions

How often should I charge the generator's starting battery?

The maker's manual states the interval between charges. The listing usually does not; read the manual that came with the unit.

Does the generator charge the battery while the engine runs?

Some generators charge the starting battery while the engine runs. The manual describes the charging system for your model.

Can I store the generator with the battery connected?

The manual describes how to prepare the battery for storage, including whether to disconnect it. Follow the manual.

What does electric start mean on a listing?

It means an electric starter motor, powered by a starting battery, cranks the engine instead of a recoil cord.

Do I need a battery maintainer?

The manual states what charger or maintainer to use. Some listings include one; others leave the question to the manual.

What if the generator will not start after storage?

Contact the maker before opening the unit. The manual describes the steps to follow.