Battery Size Fr Onan 16H.P.

I have an Ingersoll 3016 with a 16 H.P. Onan engine. I just need the proper battery size for this engine. I have been told to get one over 400 C.C. Amps. and I have also been told that I can use one that is in the 375 C.C. Amps. So is bigger better in this case? Also.what is a good name battery that won't die out on me in six months ? Your opinion is appreciated.

I buy the 200 up garden tractor variety at WW for $19.95. Run them on all my grounds equipment, about 10 machines including 2-18 hp, 1-20 and 1-22 hp. Last many years.

Bigger is not better but it is more expensive. The question here is NEED. Your GT does not come with power windows, power door locks, a convertible roof, 200 watt stereo system, power seat, cigarette lighters and 15 different light bulbs. In fact, the only power requirements are the ignition coil and a pair of 35 watt headlight bulbs. Most of the time, the headlights are not even on and the engine alternator puts out 20 times more power than is needed to run the engine. Now it you told me that you have an attachment with 4 linear actuators that get adjusted constantly, then that would be different. A battery with a higher reserve would be justified.

One key factor is whether you use this tractor in sub-zero temperatures. A 400 CCA battery has the ability to spin over a cold engine for a much longer time than a 250 CCA battery. But if your engine is in top tune, then it should start up in 30 seconds or less regardless of the temperature. There are only a few companies that manufacture these batteries and they sell their products to all sorts of businesses who have their own brand name put on them.

Neither Sears or Walmart manufacture the batteries they sell but both places have decent product.

Many batteries fail due to sheer ignorance of the owner and not because of a manufacturing defect. Make sure your battery is properly secured to the battery tray because vibration and physical shock will shorten the life. Leaving the key on or the lights on will cause the battery to go dead and leaving that battery in a dead state will shorten the lifespan dramatically. Charging systems that are faulty will also kill a good battery long before that should happen. In other words, buying the biggest, most expensive battery will not overcome owner neglect or carelessness. If I were you,I would go to Walmart and buy a battery that has 250 CCA or slightly higher. Your money , your decision.
battery info

Thanks Tom, I do not run the machine in winter and have taken good care of all the electrical components. The battery that was in the machine was getting old and when I went to replace it I noticed it said 425 C.C. Amps on it. I thought that may be excessive but wasn't sure if the Onan 16 H.P. needed that many amps due to the compression of the engine. I have the hydraulic drive,mower lift, and power steering on the machine but no other attachments. It turned over pretty slow when I put it away for the winter,so I figured it was time to replace the battery and that was after I cleaned the contacts and charged it up. I will try a lower amp battery and see how it goes. Thanks again for everybody's advice. This is my first Ingersoll and I am still learning about the machine.

Things can get confusing with the Onan battery needs.Lets say it is a CCK engine. It will have an automotive type starter. Doesn't need a big battery to crank. Where the CCK generator engine uses the gensection to crank over. Which does need a high amp battery to crank. 375-400 would be just fine

I use a number 75 full size car battery on my 14hp Wards tractor made by Gilson that has terminals on the side. I had to make new battery cables
so it cleared the hood. The battery is from Walmart and has a free replacement during the first 3 years. The tractor has a Delco Remy starter/generator for starting. Hal