A standby generator is an essential piece of equipment for any home or business. They provide backup power during emergencies and can also save money on your electricity bill by using less energy than the grid.
When you’re looking for a battery, many factors need to be considered, such as size, capacity, voltage and cycle life. In this blog post, we’ll explore what makes an ideal battery for standby generators.
Here’s a sneak peek of the best battery for standby generator in this article.
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Best Battery for Standby Generator
1. 200W Peak Power Station, Flashfish CPAP Battery
This is a 200W peak power station, which means it can provide a max of 200 watts at any given time. The total amount of energy available from this battery is 45000mAh.
You’ll have enough power to run your generator for several hours or even an entire day – depending on the size and load capacity.
This is a pure sine wave battery, which will provide clean, safe power to your generator. It also has three ways to recharge – through the wall outlet, solar panel or car socket.
The built-in overheat protection and low voltage protection systems ensure that you’ll never have to worry about malfunctioning.
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PROS
- Huge capacity with 45000mAh power supply
- Can produce 200W max output and 123W continuously
- High-quality pure sine wave which is safe for your generator
CONS
- No additional features
- Sometimes it’s too big to fit in a generator box
2. Generac 5819 Model 26R Wet Cell Battery for All Air-cooled Standby Generators
Generac 5819 Model 26R Wet Cell Battery for All Air-cooled Standby Generators is one of the best generator batteries because It’s all about reliable performance.
The deep cycle AGM design provides 30% more reserve capacity than other batteries, which ensures that you can power your home appliances, including lights, sump pump, refrigerator, and freezer, during power outages for several days.
Its Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) design retains the electrolytes in a gel form and gives your battery more efficient gas recombination that increases cycle life by ten times. AGM technology allows for meagre internal resistance that maximizes both safety and performance. It’s all about reliable performance.
Plus, it’s a maintenance-free energy storage device that comes pre-filled with acid and can be installed as-is right out of the box as it doesn’t require priming or filling.
In addition, this battery is spill-proof, so you don’t have to worry about leaks from unsealed valves and caps.
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PROS
- 30% more reserve capacity than other batteries, which offers better performance
- AGM design provides safety and longer cycle life
- Spill-proof to avoid messes and leaks if it’s accidentally tipped over or knocked over during installation or operation
CONS
- No additional features
- Not suitable for transferring switch boxes because it’s a little heavier and larger than regular batteries
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3. ExpertPower 12v9ah Generator Battery
The ExpertPower 12v9ah Generator Battery comprises 100% lead calcium grids instead of traditional lead-antimony plates, which gives it more extended service life.
It’s no wonder that this battery can last 3 times longer than other brands in deep cycle applications under normal operating conditions. Plus, it can hold 90% capacity even after five years in storage.
It also features low internal resistance, which allows you to produce consistent power for your generators.
In addition, it’s a 12v battery that is compatible with more applications and can be charged using any 110v-240v chargers without the need for an adapter.
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PROS
- Long-lasting service life because of 100% lead calcium grids instead of antimony plates
- Can hold 90% capacity after 5 years in deep cycle applications under normal operating conditions
CONS
- Heavier and larger than standard batteries
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What Makes an Ideal Battery for Standby Generators?
When you’re looking for a battery, many factors need to be taken into consideration. These include:
a) Size:
This refers to both the physical dimensions of a battery as well as its weight. You need a large enough battery that will fit in the designated space of your generator, but you don’t want a battery that is too large, which makes installation difficult.
b) Capacity:
This refers to how much power a specific battery can store and provide at any given time – essential for standby generators since they need enough energy to run most efficiently without overheating.
c) Voltage:
This refers to the amount of energy that is used by your appliances. A 12v battery can produce power for standard household appliances, while a 24v or 48v system has more powerful electricity suitable for larger equipment like welding machines and server backup systems.
d) Cycle life:
Cycle life defines how many times you can use and recharge a battery before it needs to be replaced. This is important for standby generators because they’re used so infrequently. The cycle life of your battery will also determine how long you can effectively run the generator without needing to replace it.
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What Kind of Battery Is Best for Your Standby Generator?
Depending on what you use your standby generator for, you need to ensure your battery can run it effectively. If you’re using the system for short-term emergencies or occasional power outages, then any deep cycle battery should do just fine.
These are typically standard lead-acid batteries, although other types including lithium-ion, gel cell, and glass mat batteries are also used.
Permanent standby generators that run on low-noise fuel systems will require the use of AGM batteries which have a higher price tag but longer life and greater reliability.
These gas-tight batteries maintain a steady voltage output throughout their service life, so they’re ideal for long periods of continuous discharge applications.
If you have a standby generator used for more intermittent purposes, then using an FLA battery might be the right choice. These batteries are typically cheaper to purchase, but they have shorter cycle lives so they will need replacement faster.
Why Lead Calcium for Standby Generator Batteries?
Lead calcium alloy grids are not only longer-lasting, but they are also better at withstanding repeated deep cycling. Lead calcium alloy has a stronger bond between the grid and active material, allowing them to last longer, up to 3 times more than standard lead-antimony grids, while maintaining the same capacity level.
Manufacturers of standby generators recommend using high-quality permanent split capacitor (PSC) alternators because they can produce a steady supply of high-quality power for a longer period without overheating.
With that in mind, it’s best to choose a battery with the same level of durability as those used by industrial-scale manufacturers.
Are Your Battery Run Standby Generators Safe for the Environment?
When using a standby generator to power your appliances, it will spend most of its time sitting idle. It’s best to minimize the amount of electricity needed by using CFL bulbs and low-energy appliances like washing machines and refrigerators.
Using an FLA battery with a discharge cycle of 500 or even 1000 can help you save energy and reduce your carbon footprint. Water-cooled systems are the most common type of battery-run standby generator used for emergency short-term power outages.
These electricity generators use an independent pump to circulate coolant through the system, so it doesn’t overheat when it runs. This system is also more environmentally friendly because the coolant can be used for other purposes like cleaning and amenity applications.
Using solar energy and wind power to charge your battery-run standby generator will also reduce its carbon footprint by using renewable energy sources to deliver electricity when you need it most.
These systems generate electricity from natural sources, so you won’t have to rely on the power grid, which will cut your carbon emissions by up to 80%.
Frequently Asked Questions on batteries for Standby Generators
How Much Does It Cost to Use a Battery-run Standby Generator?
Typically, the initial costs of setup are higher than having electricity delivered directly. You will spend more on purchasing and installing the system while your ongoing energy costs will be lower.
There is still some debate over whether or not you will recoup the money you spend on a standby generator in lower energy bills. Still, it is possible if you use efficient batteries and smaller appliances.
How Long Do Standby Generator Batteries Take to Charge?
The time taken for your battery to fully charge will depend on the capacity of your unit. For example, a 500-amp engine requires much less charging time than one that uses a 1000-amp battery.
The good news is that even with a large engine, charging should only take around four hours to complete.
How Long Will My Standby Generator Batteries Last?
If you use your generator at least four times a year, it should last up to three years before needing replacement.
If you don’t use your electricity run standby generator often, the battery might not charge fully, and the battery’s life is reduced.
The best practice is to use a generator at least once a month, particularly in the winter when you need additional power for heating.
Get a Standby Generator
Using a battery-run standby generator means you can leave your home without worrying about being left in the dark.
You can also reduce your environmental impact while still enjoying all of life’s amenities, thanks to the latest advancements in renewable energy technology.
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Related Read: Solar generator for 12v fridge
References and Citations:
Natural Resources Defense Council: Renewable Energy: The Clean Facts- https://www.nrdc.org/stories/renewable-energy-clean-facts
