Generac 48kw generator: DOA, Generac unable to repair/not helpful

[ponytug]

all propane installations use 2 regulators. a primary one at tank that allows for high pressure and another at generator that drops pressure to meet generator requirements. that unit needs a 2nd regulator that can provide up to 605,000BTU of fuel and the unit has to allow between 7-14" water column of pressure at start up and running. this level is not supposed to fluctuate more than 1" on the meter. do you know weather anyone actually used a manometer while starting and running?. if there is a surging issue i can almost guarantee its a fuel issue. personally i see so much wrong with that picture, its amazing. generac recommends at least 10 feet of 1-1/4" pipe between regulator and generator to allow for a storage area for fuel to assist with start up. second, i do not see any type of a drip leg to protect system from contamination. third, that looks like galvanized pipe which is not supposed to be used on gas systems (need black iron pipe. galv pipe can create flakes of galv coating entering system among other stuff), and the instructions clearly state to not bend the flex pipe, and to not attach flex pipe directly to the generator feed. you need to cross reference regulators to see if they can handle the huge load that unit puts on system.

Awesome!

So, I did check the regulator specifications, and the two regulators that have been installed can supply the 250cu.ft./hr / 605,000BTU/hr., if they are adjusted properly.

I will try to find out if the regulators were adjusted under load.

Thanks!

All the best,

Peter

 

[grsthegreat]

Awesome!

So, I did check the regulator specifications, and the two regulators that have been installed can supply the 250cu.ft./hr / 605,000BTU/hr., if they are adjusted properly.

I will try to find out if the regulators were adjusted under load.

Thanks!

All the best,

Peter

after i wrote the bit above, i added a few things to it. check that the unit was reconfigured for LP and about pipe sizing


greg

 

[ponytug]

all propane installations use 2 regulators. a primary one at tank that allows for high pressure and another at generator that drops pressure to meet generator requirements. that unit needs a 2nd regulator that can provide up to 605,000BTU of fuel and the unit has to allow between 7-14" water column of pressure at start up and running. this level is not supposed to fluctuate more than 1" on the meter. do you know weather anyone actually used a manometer while starting and running?. if there is a surging issue i can almost guarantee its a fuel issue. personally i see so much wrong with that picture, its amazing. generac recommends at least 10 feet of 1-1/4" pipe between regulator and generator to allow for a storage area for fuel to assist with start up. second, i do not see any type of a drip leg to protect system from contamination. third, that looks like galvanized pipe which is not supposed to be used on gas systems (need black iron pipe. galv pipe can create flakes of galv coating entering system among other stuff), and the instructions clearly state to not bend the flex pipe, and to not attach flex pipe directly to the generator feed. you need to cross reference regulators to see if they can handle the huge load that unit puts on system.

an d one last thing....but very important. did the installer reconfigure the unit to run on propane. i have run into this problem before, on both the liquid and the air cooled units.

i just looked at a 48kw installation manual, and the chart specifically says no pipe smaller than 1-1/4" no matter what the length of installation.

Awesome! This is really helpful.

So, I did check the regulator specifications, and the two regulators that have been installed can supply the 250cu.ft./hr / 605,000BTU/hr., if they are adjusted properly. Like you, I am suspecting not.

I had the same suspicion on the piping. Can I ask how to check whether this was configured for propane? I don't have the installation manual for this unit.

I will try to find out if the regulators were adjusted under load.

Thanks!

All the best,

Peter

 

[grsthegreat]

The propane jet should have been attached to the side of the carb. The unit is shipped always preset for natural gas. Installer has to swap ports. . The only thing is i dont recall if the propane jet is smaller opening or a larger opening than the natural gas. Been years since i set one of these.

Also, the controller has to be reset thru the dealer portal to function on propane. The installer, if generac certified, should know how to do this.

 

[ponytug]

FWIW: Natural gas has a lower energy density, so it needs jets that are almost twice the diameter of propane.

The owner's manual makes no reference to changing jets on the fuel conversion for this generator. (RG04548ANAX) Is it possible the newer models don't require jet changes? I will have a look on the exploded diagram of the carburetor.

Given everything else that has happened with this install, I certainly worry that the wrong jet could be in the carburetor.

Thanks again.

All the best,

Peter

 

[grsthegreat]

No, all liquid cooled units are shipped set for natural gas and need to switch jets for use on propane. Than the controller has to be set to propane under the dealer menu. I helped install a 45 kw kast year, had to switch jets. That page i posted a few links up is from installation manual, not owners manual, for a RG04845ANAX.

 

[dodge man]

Sounds like the installer did not know what he was doing if someone can see all the mistakes is a single picture.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

That's a huge generator.

All I can say is the squeaky wheel gets the oil. Your neighbor needs to take it up the ladder or get the state's attorney involved.

I would just sue them for replacement costs plus legal fees. Consumer protection laws vary from state to state, and the state's attorney is unlikely to get involved in a customer dispute.

 

[grsthegreat]

I would just sue them for replacement costs plus legal fees. Consumer protection laws vary from state to state, and the state's attorney is unlikely to get involved in a customer dispute.

Theres probibly nothing wrong with the generator, i think it was installed wrong.

 

[ponytug]

No, all liquid cooled units are shipped set for natural gas and need to switch jets for use on propane. Than the controller has to be set to propane under the dealer menu. I helped install a 45 kw kast year, had to switch jets. That page i posted a few links up is from installation manual, not owners manual, for a RG04845ANAX.

Hmmm...I downloaded the owner's, and the installation manual for her serial number and there is no mention of jets in either manual. New feature?

All the best,

Peter