Battery for Generator?

[Jetmart]

Does the battery for the generator need to be a marine battery? The book says the size but not the type?

 

[my3sons]

If it is a stand alone starting battery with it's own charger circuit, no, but if it is banked into the house system, then it would be best if it were a marine (starting / deep cycle) battery. If it is being charged by the same charger circuit as other batteries, then it should be the same size and type battery as they are. As an example, I have a 3 bank charger in my boat, I have 4 group 31 marine batteries that start my engines and run the "house". two of those 31's for the port engine and part of the "house" and the other two for the starboard engine and the rest of the house. One of the charger banks goes to the port set of group 31's, one charger bank goes to the starboard set of group 31's, and the third charger bank goes to the stand alone group 24 battery that starts the gen set. My gen set battery is an automotive battery. Marine starting batteries are of heavier construction than automotive batteries, but it's a matter of opinion if it's worth the difference when used for just cranking a genny. Just be aware of the connection type. Auto batteries seldom have threaded studs, if that is what you need.