“Generator Tips For Good Service”

1. When starting your generator always start it and shut it down with all appliances turned off.
2. When starting the generator, do not engage the starter more than 10 seconds at a time. Wait 30 seconds between trying to start it again.
3. Run the generator for two full minutes before beginning to turn on appliances and then turn them on one at a time.
4. When traveling at high altitudes the generator can lose power due to lower-diversity air and may require reducing the number of appliances and electrical devices in use.
5. Following the maintenance schedule in your generators operator manual is a must for proper performance.
6. The old saying “If you use it you won’t lose it applies to generators”.

Generator Trouble Shooting

Symptoms/Problems Possible Cause Checks/Corrections

Genset fails to turn over Low Battery Battery fluid level low

Starter won’t engage Fuse blown/Bad Starter Replace Fuse

Genset starter is slow Battery connection bad Tighten battery cables

Starter turns Genset Engine Fuel below ¼ in tank Add fuel to ½ full

properly, but engine won’t Genset shutoff valve closed Open shutoff valve

crank Low oil level Fill oil to full mark

Spark plugs fouled Replace spark plugs

Defective ignition coil Replace coil

Carburetor varnish clogged Replace/Rebuild

Air filter clogged Replace filter

Genset starts but stops Low oil levels Fill oil to full mark

when start switch is Bad voltage regulator Replace regulator

released

Genset runs but Bad voltage regulator Replace regulator

produces no power Bad Starter Replace starter

Loss of polarity Magnetize armature