Generator Selection?

[Diggin It]

I feel like I'm getting pretty good help here and it's one of the reasons I went with this brand. If you read back to the first few pages of this thread, I really wasn't sure which way to go. But of course, he can't do anything official or document anything.

I'm just not at all impressed with the locals. And I'm not sure if they'll respond to a warranty issue should one come up if I call corporate and they feel a visit is necessary.



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[Diggin It]

Questions while reading through prior to trying this beast out.

I want to bypass the Wifi and Activation initially and do that later. I want to get the engine running and tested first.

Regarding battery installation, Page 32 of my manual says:

Gen Pwr OFF
Utility Pwr OFF
Take 7.5A fuse OUT

Connect Battery

But it never says when to put the fuse back in.

It then goes on to Section 7, Control Panel interface and mentions that it illuminates when battery power is applied. Further down it mentions startup and voltage tests, but still never mentions the fuse again, even with a text search.




Also, I still have the Molex connector disconnected at the SACM. When do I plug that in?

 

[grsthegreat]

I always pull molex connector out, I don’t pull 7.5 fuse out at all. Than I hook up battery, then plug in molex connector. With molex disconnected NO POWER. Or communication is being sent to generator or its battery charger.

not all areas have service techs available. Not just GENERAC but a lot of other devices. I had a GE monogram built in needing warranty work, and couldn’t locate any service tech that would come to my place. Luckily youtube had video on how to fix it and part was on Amazon.

I know lots of service techs that won’t work on units they did not install. It’s weird to me, i work on anybodys GENERAC air cooled unit.

ive heard complaints from people calling me to work on their kohler and cummins units cause they can’t find a service tech. Its not just GENERAC.

 

[grsthegreat]

I've been unable to get a Generac service tech out to go through my 20kw unit. It was installed November 2011
Generac has to have the absolute worst service of anyone. It's all about the installation. Once thats finished good luck getting any support. I would never buy another and would search out a different brand and make sure they were a full service provider.

Your in Wisconsin....home of generac. I cant believe you can’t find a service tech

 

[Industrial Toys]

When resources are limited, it's not uncommon for dealers to conveniently avoid the less money making ventures. Or sometimes warranty stuff, where they make little money. Maybe even lose money, considering their people could be out making money on an install.

I know an Onan dealer in the City that is annoyed that he can't find an Onan dealer up at his cottage that will install his new Onan LPG generator, that he got for himself at cost (obviously).

 

[grsthegreat]

When I used to install I hated doing service cause it got in the way of installs. Its cause like you say, installs are where the money is. Now that I’m retired, service is an ok money maker. Little spending cash.

makes a nice retirement side work. Not too hard and not much competition

 

[Diggin It]

I always pull molex connector out, I don’t pull 7.5 fuse out at all. Than I hook up battery, then plug in molex connector. With molex disconnected NO POWER. Or communication is being sent to generator or its battery charger.

OK, so battery in, then Molex in.

Seems odd they left the fuse re-insert out. Typo I guess.

The dealer that was fussing about the conduit/flex mentioned that the exposed gas line should be grounded. I have 3/4" PVC gas line underground with metal pipe and fittings at both ends, so technically neither end is grounded like it would be with copper tubing. Is the generator end grounded through the frame ground? Or should I add a ground clamp and wire to the 3/4 Black pipe? I have a ground rod right there, within a foot or two.

Is there a day this week when you can be around?

 

[daugen]

makes a nice retirement side work.

plus it's in an area where folks usually really appreciate what you do, particularly if you
get them up and running again.
Is backlog at Generac getting any better?

this would be a very good trade for a young person coming out of trade school. Always in demand,
good pay, outdoor work assuming you were somewhere not too hot (South Florida) or too cold (Canada)
Actually all of Florida pretty much runs a/c all the time so if power goes off, it almost becomes life threatening to them.

A backup gen is almost a must now in much of California.

 

[grsthegreat]

OK, so battery in, then Molex in.

Seems odd they left the fuse re-insert out. Typo I guess.

The dealer that was fussing about the conduit/flex mentioned that the exposed gas line should be grounded. I have 3/4" PVC gas line underground with metal pipe and fittings at both ends, so technically neither end is grounded like it would be with copper tubing. Is the generator end grounded through the frame ground? Or should I add a ground clamp and wire to the 3/4 Black pipe? I have a ground rod right there, within a foot or two.

Is there a day this week when you can be around?

Friday is open,

as long as the steel flex line and black pipe is continuous with generator it’s considered grounded (bonded). This is the same reason code doesn’t not require bonding of steel gas lines in houses any longer. There bonded thru appliances.

 

[Diggin It]

It's running.


I took a shot before I saw your post. After I worked out and past all the weasely lawyer words and diagrams and got down to the one, two, three steps it didn't seem too bad. LP pressure is 10.7 WC or so while running, was 10.9 WC before start. Once I hit 'Manual' is cranked about 3 seconds then fired right up. I'm on the load side now during the first 20-30 minutes they call for.

Next I guess is the auto-transfer test.

Haven't done Activation or WiFi just yet.