Portable Generator

Mrwurm · Aug 7, 2004

Ok, I'll place a load on the generator when I exercise it. Thanks for the tip. I think if I have the wife and daughter use it to power their hair dryers and curling irons, that should just about do it /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Also, I did'nt mean to contradict the original poster. I just wanted to mention that my experience has been good, so all their units can't be bad.

DK_Farms · Aug 7, 2004

I have had several portables and the the only problems for me have been engine problems. If the engine would start, the generator would run. My only experience with Generac has been with the larger units, 15kw and up. No engine problems with those which I suspect was due to the fact that engines were made by Mitsubishi. But the generators and transfer panels were always in trouble.

Here is the "Excite" procedure for my Coleman 5KW with a B&S engine. Never had any problem with it, worked through 2 hurricanes and many hours on the farm so I don't know if this procedure really even works. Steps 4 & 5 don't make sense to me. Good Luck.

If there is a loss of residual magnetism (voltage will not build up),
it may be necessary to re-excite the unit.

1. Use a 6-volt lantern battery (dry cell) or a 12-volt automotive battery.
2. Disconnect all loads from generator.
3. Remove the brush cover.
4. Plug a lamp or light into the generator before starting the
engine. The light source will illuminate when voltage has returned.
5. Start the engine with no load connected to the generator.
6. Attach the "-" lead of the battery to the negative brush. Very briefly, touch the "+" lead of the battery to the positive brush as shown. Remove as soon as voltage builds up. To measure voltage, use a plug-in voltmeter.

OhioGuy · Aug 7, 2004

Hey Jerry,
I'm not as concerned about the failure as I am about the way they just dismissed me on the phone, typical of support for so many companies today. That's why I wasn't critical of Home Depot. They at least tried to move Generac towards a better resolution. It seems like you would be compensated in some way for a device that failed twice in an hours time. Extend the warranty maybe? I'll check into that once I know what failed.

I'll need to give them another call and see if they use that tiered support so many companies do. Each level up the tier has more authority to help.

Sometiomes if you're a big enough thorn in their side, you get better results.

I can appreciate what your saying about the good service you've got from yours though. I've had some 2 cycle Homelite saws, blowers, string trimmers most people don't think too highly of. I think my gas blower is 8 years old, starts on the second pull almost every time.

Hey, how did you come up with your username?

A beautiful day here in NE Ohio, 75 and blue skies!!!! Why am I sittin here typing?
Curt

MicroPilot · Aug 7, 2004

Maybe call the customer service line instead of tech support and mention that you are dissatisfied with the support, and that if the unit is truly broken, you will NOT be considering their products for a replacement. This might get you somewhere, if not then you they don't really want you as a customer.

Mrwurm · Aug 7, 2004

( Hey, how did you come up with your username?
)

I think of the user name as 'Mister Wurm'

Wurm is the first four letters of my last name.

Soundguy · Aug 8, 2004

( but I MAY be toatlly BACKWARD on this!?!? but I BELIVE I am right as the bridge rectifiers are actually diodes which block current in one dirrection and let it pass the other )

You've kinda got the general concept.. but are missing the rest of the picture. A bridge rectifier.. also known as a full wave bridge, is simple 4 diodes aranged in a pattern so that no matter which polarity is being fed to the 2 input points, the output points are seeing a fixed polarity.. Think of it as a waveform, and the bottom of the wave.. the negative portion, is being flipped up onto the positive side, giving you a 'bumpy' unfiltered dc output. If you had an O scope it would be real easy to see.

Electrons are still flowing... When you say 'not getting back to the ac plug'.. keep in mind that current is based on electron flow ( for the EE's out there.. I'm not going into hole current theory.. ) They don't all get bunchged up and collect inside the drill.. they make the 'circuit' so to speak. If you want a real shocker ( haha ) think about this... negative.. which is used as 'ground' reference in many applications, is actually the electron source.. and current actually flows from negative to positive ( again.. electron current.. not hole current ). Positive being called 'hot' is really kind of a misnomer.. generally speaking...

electronic theory is fun. if you can digest ohms law, you can pretty much master basic DC electronics, and get you feet wet in AC electronics.

Soundguy

SPIKER · Aug 8, 2004

soundguy:

yes I do have a degree in ELECTRONICS ENGR: assoiates but has gone un-used for years and years, as I made much more by WORKING rather than the electronics stuff which after getting into it I was pretty much uninterested in! even though I graduated with honers and a 3.78 GPA I just didn't have fun doing all that math all day long /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif I like working with my hands more even though my back tells me otherwise 18hrs a day. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

anyhow I'm getting yelled at to get moving as it ia SO nice in OHio now 70 and sunny outside. got to clean house or somethign else she wants form me! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

OhioGuy · Aug 9, 2004

Dropped off the generator on Saturday, we'll see how long that takes. I talked with Generac today about purchasing an extended warranty, can't do it, not offered. Maybe that consistant with other generators on the market?

I did speak with someone today that showed some interest in helping. She took the time to take all the details down and said she'd have a supervisor call me. I'd really like to see the warranty extended. They should put hourmeters on them and base the warranty on that or at least pro-rate it somehow?

Whatever /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Another beautiful day in NE Ohio, woulda been a good day to play hookie!

Curt

OhioGuy · Aug 10, 2004

I got a call from Generac today regarding my request to extend the warranty. They agreed to extend it the length of time it's in the repair shop. Now that's really going all out for a customer!

1+ hours service on a $1100 generator.

Curt