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Section 3 — Maintenance
Commercial-Industrial-Residential Portable Generator System
3.7 GENERAL
The generator should be started at least once every seven days
and be allowed to run at least 30 minutes. If this cannot be done
and you must store the unit for more than 30 days, use the
following information as a guide to prepare it for storage.
ƷƸ DANGER! Never store engine with fuel in
tank indoors or in enclosed, poorly ventilated
areas where fumes may reach an open flame,
spark or pilot light as on a furnace, water heater,
clothes dryer or other gas appliance.
3.8 LONG TERM STORAGE
It is important to prevent gum deposits from forming in essential
fuel system parts such as the carburetor, fuel hose or tank during
storage. Also, experience indicates that alcohol-blended fuels
(called gasohol, ethanol or methanol) can attract moisture, which
leads to separation and formation of acids during storage. Acidic
gas can damage the fuel system of an engine while in
storage.
To avoid engine problems, the fuel system should be emptied
before storage of 30 days or longer, as follows:
• Remove all gasoline from the fuel tank.
ƷƸ DANGER! Drain fuel into approved container
outdoors, away from open flame. Be sure engine
is cool. Do not smoke.
• Start and run engine until engine stops from lack of fuel.
• While engine is still warm, drain oil from crankcase. Refill with
recommended grade.
• Remove spark plugs and pour about 1/2 ounce
(15 ml) of engine oil into the cylinders. Cover spark plug hole
with rag. Press the “Start” button and allow engine to crank
for 2 seconds. Then press the “Stop” button.
ƽCAUTION! Avoid spray from spark plug holes
when cranking engine.
• Install and tighten spark plugs. Do not connect spark plug
wires.
• Clean the generator outer surfaces. Check that cooling air
slots and openings on generator are open and unobstructed.
• Store the unit in a clean, dry place.
3.9 OTHER STORAGE TIPS:
• Do not store gasoline from one season to another.
• Replace your gasoline can if your can starts to rust. Rust
and/or dirt in your gasoline will cause problems with the
carburetor and fuel system.
• If possible, store your unit indoors and cover it to give
protection from dust and dirt. BE SURE TO EMPTY THE
FUEL TANK.
• If it is not practical to empty the fuel tank and the unit is to be
stored for some time, use a commercially available fuel
stabilizer added to the gasoline to increase the life of the
gasoline.
• Cover your unit with a suitable protective cover that does not
retain moisture.
ƽ DANGER! Never cover your generator while
engine and exhaust area are warm.
STORAGE
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4.1 TROUBLESHOOTING
Section 4 — Troubleshooting
Commercial-Industrial-Residential Portable Generator System
Engine is running, but no AC 1. Circuit breaker is open. 1. Reset circuit breaker.
output is available. 2. Poor connection or defective cord set. 2. Check and repair.
3. Connected device is bad. 3. Connect another device that is in
good condition.
4. Fault in generator. 4. Contact Authorized Service Facility.
Engine runs good but bogs 1. Short circuit in a connected load. 1. Disconnect shorted electrical load.
down when loads are connected. 2. Generator is overloaded. 2. See
“Don’t Overload the Generator” on page 9.
3. Engine speed is too slow. 3. Contact Authorized Service Facility.
4. Shorted generator circuit. 4. Contact Authorized Service Facility.
Engine will not crank. 10 amp fuse at rear of generator Replace fuse with only an identical
control panel has melted open. 10-amp replacement fuse.
Engine will not start; or starts 1. Dirty air cleaner. 1. Clean or replace air cleaner.
and runs rough. 2. Out of gasoline. 2. Fill fuel tank.
3. Stale gasoline. 3. Drain fuel tank and fill with fresh fuel.
4. Spark plug wire not connected to 4. Connect wire to spark plug.
spark plug.
5. Bad spark plug. 5. Replace spark plug.
6. Water in gasoline. 6. Drain fuel tank; fill with fresh fuel.
7. Overchoking. 7. Put choke knob to No Choke position.
8. Low oil level. 8. Fill crankcase to proper level.
9. Excessive rich fuel mixture. 9. Contact Authorized Service Facility.
10. Intake valve stuck open or closed. 10. Contact Authorized Service Facility.
11. Engine has lost compression. 11. Contact Authorized Service Facility.
Engine shuts down during 1. Out of gasoline. 1. Fill fuel tank.
operation. 2. Low oil level. 2. Fill crankcase to proper level.
3. Fault in engine. 3. Contact Authorized Service Facility.
Engine lacks power. 1. Load is too high. 1. See
“Don’t Overload the Generator” on page 9.
2. Dirty air filter. 2. Replace air filter.
3. Engine needs to be serviced. 3. Contact Authorized Service Facility.
Engine “hunts” or falters. 1. Choke is opened too soon. 1. Move choke to halfway position until
engine runs smoothly.
2. Carburetor is running too rich or too 2. Contact Authorized Service Facility.
lean.
No Battery Charge DC output. 1. Battery posts are corroded. 1. Clean battery posts.
2. Battery cable is bad. 2. Replace cable.
3. Battery is defective. 3. Check battery condition; replace if
defective.
4. Receptacle is bad. 4. Contact Authorized Service Facility.
SYMPTOM CAUSE SOLUTION