Generac Generator Just Cranks

[@A_Jet_Mech]

The 2 Two-Finger Bang saved me from a service call and being out of power for 6hrs with a few little ones. I know these vids aren't meant for homeowners, but they're helpful nonetheless. Thank you

[@HVACRSurvival]

If you can figure it out then I'm good with that. Thanks for the Tip! Have a good Christmas!

[@sirtiksalot9511]

You just saved all of my sanity by teaching me the 2-finger bang. Worked like a charm! My wife is grateful- for the backup power, of course.

[@HVACRSurvival]

I’m glad it got you going. 👍👍

[@davejohnsonnola1536]

Had never had occaision or need to open one of these until Hurricane Ida August 2021. A day after the eye passed, went with my neighbor (an electrition?) and two crackheads to pick up a generac that had been replaced for a larger unit at a doctor's home in exclusive neighborhood but had been sitting outside for god knows how long. Drag it out of the pickup, ala four man 2 pipes, Egyptian slaves carrying Cleopatra, plopped it down and after an Autozone run for a battery and multiple scary extension cords to three houses for basic fridges, fans and window AC we all survived for ten days until grid restored. Warming up to the thanks for posting this. Now that hurricane season once again upon us, want to give that beast a tuneup and once over BEFORE we need it again. You show how many different skills, trades and tools all come together on these machines. ¡Gracias caballero!

[@HVACRSurvival]

Thanks so much for your kind comments!

[@-Gramps]

Absolutely wonderful explanation for trouble shooting these crappy Generac generators. Yes, I’ve owned one since 2009, & they are poorly designed, poorly manufactured, & Generac service reps are money sucking vampires. Thanks for your overview & for treating us like we might actually have a few brain cells! Though not a service tech, I have decades of experience with engines. With your help, I was able to use your “two finger” method to check the choke function. Your willingness to share your knowledge & expertise is sincerely appreciated!

[@HVACRSurvival]

Thanks! I figured these generator videos would get popular over the latest power outages.

[@Sinister392]

I’ll tell ya . My company started to sell and install generators and when something goes wrong with them , they try to send us out to fix them , mind you, NO-ONE has ever received any type of training on them . I would love to send them this video to show them what is involved. My company is clueless. Great job on these generator videos . I have no idea what the hell your talking about , but they are good 😂

[@HVACRSurvival]

As long as they are making money they don't care..

[@marshred]

A service company came out to see why my mom's old 15kw wouldn't run and told her that she needed a new unit installed for $10k. I went over and checked it out and found the Fuel valve to be the problem, just like this one. $180 later, she was running like new! It's been in service since 2005 Hurricane Rita and this was the first repair other than battery replacements and oil changes.

[@rpsmith]

The part going bad is called a Demand Regulator. It simply enables gas to flow when it sees vacuum from a port on the carburetor.

[@RJMaker]

I'm sorry Rick, but I laughed my tail off when you said,, " We felt the spark just fine.." Does that make me a bad person...?

[@HVACRSurvival]

Nope... it means you were paying attention, you're the only one that noticed it. I was an idiot for not being more careful.

[@davejohnsonnola1536]

That used to be the only kind of "sensor" I ever knew!

[@MikeB9771]

Love the versatility of your videos, little bit of everything. Keep it up.

[@HVACRSurvival]

Thanks Mike!

[@heavydiesel]

If you touch the oil dip stick on a paper towel and then lift away, you can see where the oil has made the paper wet and gauge the level hat way when the oil is too clean to be able to see.

[@HVACRSurvival]

Good idea👍👍 never thought of that

[@CM-ou4zr]

Whenever I want to laugh I watch your reaction to the gas line. Out here in rural WY it's crazy the stuff you see.

[@renatocosta811]

We have used the kzbin.infoUgkxOTeIs0vv4_9B5hsmnLsk9r930uDQLu_Y for probably 30 hours with our camper and it’s been great! The noise level is really only noticeable when running the AC and other appliances like the microwave, hair dryer, or coffee pot. It’s not huge like other ones and it has wheels so even at 90lbs, I can move it!

[@matthewbeddow3278]

Great video Rick. These days you really do need to be a jack of all trades to get by and this video will be invaluable to the younger techs and also those that have perhaps never worked on a generator. Thanks for the time you take to do these videos , much appreciated.

[@HVACRSurvival]

Hopefully it is useful for them. Thanks for the kind words of encouragement!

[@HVACRSurvival]

Now now Joey, your not being very nice again. Your right I'm not authorized😂 I just pulled all this information out of my butt. You know that I had to approve your comment, I have key words programed to block people like you. BUT I love to let people see what kind of jealous fools are out there trolling. You have to try harder

[@adrianwilson7536]

That is a vacuum regulator. While the normal gas regulators provide a positive pressure over ambient, aka gas flows with a open line, those open only once a certain amount of suction is achieved. That's why plugging the inlet worked, the vacuum increase unsuck it.

[@HVACRSurvival]

Exactly, it's similar to a negative pressure gas valve. Inside the belly it has two bellows that have a rubber gasket that opens when the engine intake stroke happens but it sticks because they don't run much. There junk

[@rupe53]

@@HVACRSurvival ... when you take it out, open the covers and you will find bugs or other debris gumming up the works. Still in all, the fix is a replacement.

[@dougking7592]

I’m in the same boat brother I’m the only one that is crazy enough to work on the genset and don’t work on generators all the time so when you get something figured out you don’t see another generator for a few months and your right back to learning all over again

[@HVACRSurvival]

Your exactly right! I said more but had to cut it out...

[@dougking7592]

It helps that I like working on small engines and auto engines valve adjustment is a big part of small engine not starting and compression thanks for sharing you knowledge with these generators brother

[@HVACRSurvival]

@@dougking7592 anytime you have a passion for something you have a better chance of being your best at it. When I first started working on generators I wanted to know everything there was to know about it, now that I'm at this company I really have gone deeper into refrigeration and walked back away from the generators. I started with generators in 2006 and for the last 7.5 years I don't service that many here like I did where I was at previously. So it's time for someone else to take the torch, I believe in either being all in or all out.

[@tomaga5856]

Had this problem. Watched this video. Went to get my tools to remove the filter cover to perform "operation: double finger" when i noticed my generator was the model without the airfilter mounted on top (nowhere to be seen from plain sight). Thats when i tried to start it again manually one last time and BAM it started without issue. Mind over matter.

[@HVACRSurvival]

it will happen again, lol it always does

[@throttlebottle5906]

"so we felt the spark just fine and seen it too". LOL ZAP ZAP ZAP ZAP, no better way to confirm it has spark than to zap yourself. 🤣

[@jarredri]

The ole 2 finger bang works almost every time

[@raysaikus2173]

Do you have any infovideo on troubleshooting the weekly cycle run. It is not setting even after taking out fuse and following the instructions. Same unit as this video. Also on steps to switch over to propane and back to natural gas.

[@febbral]

Hi, on a small multifuel generator, the input gas regulator had a small plunger that helped prime the line and also the speed of crank helped with the start of generator when using natural gas. A pull recoli would not start with natural gas, gasoline yes started right up, but propane or natural gas, definitely needed a fast crank with a full charged battery. Great video, I have the Generac 15kw portable gasoline generator, basically same engine .

[@HVACRSurvival]

That's what I own, gas versions, I have an inverter and I have an 8,000 continuous. Never had a problem out either one.

[@brnmcc01]

@@HVACRSurvival I have a customer has the big 15kw 'portable' one. I put portable in quotes because yes it has a handlebar but it weighs a ton. Had no issues with it, except I replaced the battery and voltage regulator on it last year. It was working, but putting out over 300 volts... like 165v line to neutral instead of 120. He shut it down during a 1 day power outage when he noticed his lights were way too bright and flickering.. Luckily it only damaged a sound system, and the refrigerator survived etc. Burned out a couple outside lights.

[@HVACRSurvival]

@@brnmcc01 I've only worked on one of those large units, it's basically a home standby generator with wheels 😳🤣

[@brnmcc01]

@@HVACRSurvival Yup it had the same 992 30hp v-twin like the home standby except ran on gasoline. He had a setup though that he converted it to run on propane with a flex fuel hose. He would just take it out of the garage, plug it into an inlet box, flip a manual transfer switch, and plug in the fuel line to his house LP gas supply. Two underground 1500 gallon tanks

[@brnmcc01]

@@HVACRSurvival That's the only one I've worked on too, had about 100 hours on it. I checked the valve clearances just for fun, right on the money, and never been touched.

[@gimaru1]

Yes it always works better after you stick your finger inside.

[@HVACRSurvival]

😂👍

[@rupe53]

a few years ago Generac had an inspection program on those air box / regulator assemblies. They would pay a dealer at warranty rate to change it out if there was any sign of rust on the can portion. (most have some sign of rust) Since they never asked for a parts return, we changed many for a variety of reasons.... probably somewhere near 1,600 of them all total, which took near 2 years. BTW, the factory wanted them changed by a certified gen tech, which was no problem. The catch is there are several states where you MUST have a gas license to play with the fuel lines outside the cabinet. Basically, unless there was a union directly on the back of the unit a gen tech was not allowed to do the gas work. I would estimate that 98% of the units fell into this category, and 50% of the rest needed extra work to bring the gas up to code. Good thing we had two techs with the required state gas license.

[@donaldpainter956]

I'm glad I found your channel I just learned something about the generator I have to work on them and it's trail and error because I've never took a class on anything I do like to work on cars so that helps a little my 30 years of experience is all hands on the two finger bang is alright I use a very light mist of starting fluid spraying over the top and letting it fall into the carb

[@HVACRSurvival]

Thanks for reaching out and letting me know, I appreciate the kind words, hopefully these are of help to you.

[@Eddy63]

The old 2 finger salute ... Works every time ... Good little vid Rickster , very interesting ... Thx for sharing ... Hey to Miss Chronic ...

[@HVACRSurvival]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@donaldpainter956]

I would like to see a van tour of your set up and your tool set up

[@richardl.993]

Great video on generator, might as well add a plug to put in that electrical box to keep the hornets out when you return with gas valve.

[@berylwhite2983]

Great job keep up the good work you're not the only one that has a bad day. We have a diesel tractor for the mower. Started great this year but the batteries were getting old. We decided to buy two new batteries for the diesel. Started one time died . Took both batteries back they checked them they both had dead cells in them. Then they couldn't find any at the store that had good cells. So we end up going 40 miles away to another store to get one. So I guess we're joining your world. Take great care of the family . Be sure you don't get a charge and make your hair curl

[@HVACRSurvival]

Finding a battery store than will check the individual cells is getting to be a rare thing.

[@berylwhite2983]

@@HVACRSurvival the store that check the sales has been in this town 35 years it's the third generation of owners. They are wonderful people to deal with. And they even check the battery we had to go get from a big chain store before we took it home. Keep it local

[@pallidbustofpallas4679]

I can't tell you how much I appreciate this video, it helped me out big time. liked and subscribed, thanks so much!

[@HVACRSurvival]

Awesome 👍👍 thanks for the sub!

[@MrCarmelo1959]

Oh question can just rebuild the diaphragm portion I don’t know what it’s called either but the whole thing where the diaphragm is located at can I just rebuild it also I like that yellow gas meter to check the flow of gas it’s nice no mention of it in where to buy one in the description thanks again

[@HVACRSurvival]

If you're talking about the thing that has bellows? that's your fuel regulator. No you cannot take it apart!!!. It's not safe... DO NOT do it!

[@orlindiaz8650]

Hey, do you have a video replacing that ovular thing by the fuel solenoid?

[@HVACRSurvival]

The fuel regulator?

[@orlindiaz8650]

@@HVACRSurvival yes , the pan cake thing .

[@orlindiaz8650]

@@HVACRSurvival in the video you call then “bellows”. That’s the part I’m asking if you have a video replacing it?

[@HVACRSurvival]

Not really, it is pretty simple, you have a solenoid at the top with two wires and a gas line coming in. Then the hoses go to the carb. I usually cut the hose at the barb fitting because they're hard to remove. (Be sure to not cut too much off )

[@orlindiaz8650]

@@HVACRSurvival big help men! 1 last question, does it comes as a whole assembly or broken down in parts?

[@MrCarmelo1959]

Thanks for your input and advice I’m having the similar issue with my 18w generac I replaced the propane regulator but watching this video you mentioned those diaphragm issues I’m thinking that’s my problem because it turns over but won’t start now before changing the regulator it would turn on for a short minute then cut off yes it’s on propane switch side it very frustrating thanks I’ll try your two fingers trick…maybe it could work again thanks enjoyed your video thanks

[@HVACRSurvival]

You're welcome.

[@TheAirboss1955]

Thanks Rick, Great video always learn things from you.

[@aaronpeart4944]

U should of checked the valve adjustment also with those models its crucial because most people don't do valve adjustments also while the unit was running should of turned fuel off and on to make the fuel reg open and close but u are on point with everything else

[@donbangert]

That was my thought, too. Worked on a Centurion yesterday (Nexus controller) that didn't want to start. While cranking, you could definitely hear it had tight valves. Removed the covers and found there was zero lash on both exhaust valves. Adjusted to spec (0.002"-0.004") and it really wanted to start, but was still hesitant. Rotated the stepper motor linkage and found it to be 'crunchy'. Replaced the gear assembly from a good used stepper and it fired right up. Customer stated he'd never heard it run so good.

[@HVACRSurvival]

I've checked the valve alignment so many times and found it to be not out of spec and nothing more than a waste of time. Most of these generators are failing with only a few hours, almost none of them have no more than 40 or 50 hours. They're junk plain and simple. They're piss poorly manufactured. I've been in the factory before they created the training room outside of the factory. These things are thrown together.

[@shielduniversity419]

I watched generac basics but can you make a video of all the basics plz

[@HVACRSurvival]

I had a video of how to do the basic maintenance but I think it's long gone. I don't do many generator anymore.

[@roberte.bennett8327]

I have the exact same unit (Serial # 4991185 bought in 2008) except mine is an 18kw Guardian Elite not Carrier and operates on LP. It seems to take forever to finally fire off and crank-up. I did the two finger method and it cranked immediately. How hard is it to replace the fuel regulator or diaphragm and where/what is the part number? It's not listed in my owners manual.

[@rlwoods61]

I know I am late to the party. I am not a Generac expert but I do have one sitting outside my garage that I am in right now. I can tell you that I am a wet cell lead acid battery expert. They will discharge through the dirt on the case. Cleaning the dirt off the battery needs to be part of the yearly maintenance.

[@HVACRSurvival]

@@rlwoods61 I agree more should be done to the battery to keep it operating at its best potential. Loose, dirty or corroded connections will kill the power transfer from the battery to a load such as the motor starter or control panel. The battery will discharge while sitting in standby even if there isn’t a load on it if it’s not maintained with a trickle charger. I’ve gotten 7-8 years out of a lawn mower battery that will normally only last a year or two if it’s not trickle charged because it slowly discharges over the months of storage when not needed.

[@randywright918]

Excellent Explanations and flow diagnostics Thanks

[@HVACRSurvival]

Glad it was helpful!

[@billgatewood9578]

Is that a bonded neutral or floating neutral?

[@antongrechikhin1286]

Hi! I have a problem with 20 kw generac starting on a warmed-up engine, a shot is fired into the muffler after which the generator starts and works fine, once during such a start the air filter housing broke. Can you help solve the problem? The valves are adjusted, the candles are new. Could there be a problem with stepper motor? A shot into the silencer only when hot starting, after it works perfectly without interruptions

[@HVACRSurvival]

There's a list of things that need to be checked. You need the service manual to properly diagnose it. It's not a 10 minute job.

[@BOBHNJEMT]

I have an overspeed notation. the generac shuts off. What do I check?

[@HVACRSurvival]

Check the oil, the battery, spark and sparkplugs, air filter, fuel pressure, then work your way to the magneto's, if so that checks out I would call a service company that specializes in generac.

[@riflebear1711]

How do i get this legend at my house to perform the exact same tests on my generac 13kw!?

[@HVACRSurvival]

Search the model number, you might get lucky to find the manual

[@riflebear1711]

@@HVACRSurvival thanks for your response bud. I have the manual, but that's no replacement for a man that knows exactly how this thing works. Unfortunately it seems like life dumps projects on me as soon as I get one done, another one pops up. I'm gonna try to two finger method. I am having a hard starting issue that I assume is based on propane supply. Choke flap operates, but engine just cranks. Starts instantly with starting fluid though....... any advice, and I will owe you.

[@riflebear1711]

Model # generac 0052420

[@HVACRSurvival]

@@riflebear1711 you need to make sure first that you have enough gas pressure and proper gas line size. Is it LP or natural gas? If those are correct then I would guess the fuel regulator might be acting up. Because your saying it starts with starting fluid it tells me that you have some spark and enough fuel to make it at least run but you might have a issue with the regulator not opening Everytime. I assume you checked for proper spark plug gap and make sure the valves are adjusted correctly? Have you checked the compression. These are the basics to start with. Not seeing and hearing it is difficult to guess.

[@riflebear1711]

@@HVACRSurvival gas line pressure - the gas company ran the line over to the generator slab. It's 1/2" or 3/4" I can't remember. And the secondary regulator that I installed is rated for the correct water column. It's adjustable so I have it set right in the middle. May or may mot be correct but when its running it sounds ok. I don't have a gage to verify that it's set perfect though. It's LP. Regulator is brand new. I tried the two finger banger and it seemed to work! Trickle charging the battery now as there hasn't been enough juice to even turn it over. This things been sitting awhile. I should add that all wires have been terminated between Gen and ats. Nothing between ats and main panel though.

[@Seawhawks222]

Is there a way to read the run hours on this model?

[@HVACRSurvival]

If it has a digital read out on the display, you can go in and look and see if there’s a menu some had it some of the older ones did not

[@Seawhawks222]

@ thank you for the reply this is an older one that doesn’t have a digital display

[@nowavenyone]

Thanks for the video! I just subscribed... Going to follow your work and advise... Got a couple of these machines im starting to work on now...

[@HVACRSurvival]

Awesome, thank you.!

[@michaelkirby9333]

Hey Rick, great video. Any thoughts on older 7kw generac that won't stay running. The voltage regulator has been changed. Start great runs and then shuts down.

[@brianbowman8691]

I did the 2 finger trick and it started right up. I'm just confused as to what the actual problem was that caused it to go out on overcrank?????

[@HVACRSurvival]

It's not getting fuel, when you put your fingers in there it causes it to suck harder on the diaphragms and sucks the fuel in. The diaphragms are hard,

[@CoreySnow87]

I am prolly wrong here but someone please correct me. But with the fuel line not in a service loop back into the house couldnt the fuel supply go stale from sitting that would cause no start issues and once fuel cleans up it would start?

[@HVACRSurvival]

These generators are natural or LP gas. Natural gas comes out of the ground, neither natural gas or LP go bad like gasoline. They also run in a vapor state and not liquid causing any build up.

[@thesilentonevictor]

Great work Rick on this one 👌

[@stanleyroberts2461]

Good Videu Rick ,never wanted to ework on those, but it looks like its a challenge. Its just like anything you run it across enough , it just take training ,repeat and working on them. Apprecite your expertise in this equipment.. Love all your Videos especially your commericial Refridgation and all the various stuff you run

[@HVACRSurvival]

Thanks Stanley🤜🤛👍👍

[@Ted_E_Bear]

Great video, Rick! Thanks

[@jimkane9832]

What brand do you recommend for a home standby generator?

[@HVACRSurvival]

The newer generac is not to bad but the older ones were a joke.

[@klanglala7577]

Great info , thanks man! Very thorough!

[@HVACRSurvival]

I appreciate the feedback!

[@misskitty07]

You sound like Owen Wilson especially at the siliconed line part haha😂

[@HVACRSurvival]

🤭👍👍

[@johnwalker890]

Good job Rick, those disconnects or transfer switches seem kind of dangerous, I can see why an electrician don't want to be involved, A lot of times the costumer does want to pay for the expensive transfer switch and wants to do the cheap way out and try to back feed the electrical system, which is dangerous, Good work again.

[@rupe53]

this particular unit (and its cousins) can't be installed with a manual transfer switch.

[@henryflores6244]

Great trouble shooting, I enjoy your videos. I’m interested in learning more what service manual/ book do you recommend?

[@HVACRSurvival]

Take there 3 day air cooled class. I learned the most when I took there commercial liquid cooled generator class.

[@Razz-es9qw]

Would you be able to give a part number or any kind of number on a generac book that i might be able to find online somewhere. Thank you

[@HVACRSurvival]

There are multiple models. What one do you need

[@Razz-es9qw]

@@HVACRSurvival Thank you for your fast response. I work on industrial generators and occasionally I'll work on some of these smaller residential generators. If you have something from 10 years ago to a recent one. Thank you again and I really enjoy watching your videos and troubleshooting approach....

[@DrJoelVNA]

And another thing: loose clamps on the oil lines. I had mine professionally installed but manage the oil changes and battery changes myself. After about 2 years the power's out and the generator ran for a bit then quite. No oil, turns out the rubber oil-lines had come loose and blew oil all over the base. Cut-out on low oil pressure. Cleaned it, tighten the line and check the other ones (also loose clamps, from the factory). Been running it since 2004. Did have to adjust the governor down slightly as it was running at 63 Hz under light load and that caused the UPS on my computer to complain (it won't switch back to line voltage if the line frequency is outside +-3Hz). I also had a relay stick in the (separate, whole house) transfer switch causing it to cycle back and forth until it blew out a contact, and I also had a battery crack at the base and leak out all the fluid. So, good and bad, but the gen-set seems to be relatively reliable.

[@IschaaqbahaHajjeh-ug3sv]

Hey I have a the same generator but it keeps saying over crank I changed the battery but it keeps doing the Same it will start 5 time then it just says over crank

[@Ringo23a]

Looked like carbon tracking across that spark plug contacts. Might have knocked it off when checking spark gap.

[@stevethetoolman2435]

Very informative video. One of the best I have seen.

[@HVACRSurvival]

Thank you very much.

[@solarandwindinsouthtexasda1473]

Hey Mike doesn’t miss a lick -28 years old. No choke no servo but yes, charging system is crappy.

[@tracyemmanuel8901]

Output Frequency is adjusted by increasing the engine RPM.

[@HVACRSurvival]

Correct

[@gerardotorres7904]

What is the tool name for the gas line?

[@HVACRSurvival]

What did I use it for

[@gerardotorres7904]

@@HVACRSurvival to check gas pressure?

[@HVACRSurvival]

@@gerardotorres7904 gas manometer

[@gerardotorres7904]

@@HVACRSurvival thanks for answer i like your videos Iam an electrician and sometimes i get calls to troubleshoot generac generators

[@dalehof1778]

Awesome video Rick VERY informative. I have a question for you. My 20k Generac Generator (L.P.) starts every week / transferors every time with loss of power.... BUT while running I smell a strong LP smell the entire time its running. Once it shuts down the smell goes away.This is the first LP thing I ever owned. is this normal ?? or is something staying open and pumping too much LP out ?? Thanks for any help. Much appreciated.

[@1jbunceiii]

Thanks for all the good info!

[@HVACRSurvival]

👍👍🤜🤛

[@bradonchacon557]

thank you so much new tech here

[@HVACRSurvival]

You're welcome! I feel your pain, that’s why I do these.

[@jimwanchisn5203]

great video!! does anyone know of a how to install video on the fuel/demand regulator....Generac Assy Regulator 20Kw 0G7622ESRV

[@HVACRSurvival]

It’s pretty cut and dry. Depending on the type of throttle control, you adjust the knob on the side. If it’s one with a servo motor, it may not have that adjustment. It may just be a matter of threading everything back together, Of course you have to spray for leaks when you’re done

[@ronzek3207]

Battery top should be wiped clean before removing caps so dirt won't fall into water and shorting out plates.

[@24electricservice]

Hi. Have you ever done troubleshooting for a condition of Undervoltage fault E1902? Great videos, by the way, and good troubleshooting skills.

[@HVACRSurvival]

I have had a few, usually it will start working again before you find the real problem. 🤦🏻 (Possible lose connections or bad crimps)

[@Jamie-po9zk]

awesome video. but how come you didnt check the oil

[@HVACRSurvival]

0:45 because it doesn't use oil 🤣

[@Jamie-po9zk]

@@HVACRSurvival dunno how I missed that sorry lol

[@HVACRSurvival]

It's all good👍👍

[@riflebear1711]

??? It doesnt use oil? What doesn't use oil?

[@bryansalem1890]

Thank you for the vid! I wish generac had a better more in depth class on tech stuff

[@HVACRSurvival]

You and me both!

[@bryansalem1890]

@@HVACRSurvival hey man. I don't know if you want to help me with diagnosing generac generators. I can pay you for your time.

[@nelsonlinkousii5174]

Great Video! I have a Generac 7KW Cube with a constant RPM Sensor Failure after 5 seconds of start time. The unit just started this. I have fuel, Spark, Oil level and a good Battery. Looks like I may have a bad RPM sensor. What do you think? Thanks!!!

[@HVACRSurvival]

The RPM is measured from the magneto. It's not like a liquid cooked motor that has a dedicated RPM sensor.

[@rupe53]

@@HVACRSurvival ... most likely an output issue. Lack of proper voltage (output) will cause a shutdown. Those "cube units" (looks like an AC unit) are a whole different breed. I have forgotten what they use to show the reason for a shutdown. (flashing lights?) Oh, low oil pressure / bad switch will also kill things after 5-10 seconds.

[@IFIXCASTLES]

You live and you learn.. cool.

[@chrisallinger4675]

very helpful video. Thanks!

[@HVACRSurvival]

Your welcome!

[@pomonabill220]

Battery tester indicated 6 milliohms, not megohms.

[@HVACRSurvival]

www.inchcalculator.com/convert/megaohm-to-ohm/

[@why6212]

HVACR: "I don't do these videos for homeowners, but they're probably going to watch anyway" Me, a homeowner, trying to figure out why my poorly designed generac wont start: "👁️👄👁️ this man is crazy, that would never happen"

[@HVACRSurvival]

I hate working on them in the rain and snow so I don't care who watches. I don't want to be technical assistance for people that aren't trained in the basics . Extra liability I don't want.

[@realestateservicessaleshea99]

Nice! Thanks again for the videos! 🥃🥃🍺🍺🍺🎳⛳ Stay safe. Retired (werk'n)keyboard super tech. Wear your safety glasses!

[@JB-Baby]

That choke plate should be replaced not bent. The engine needs to be able to choke properly on startup attempt. This "bendy fix" was to correct the low speed exercise jet being incorrect diameter originally (its on that choke plate down on the shaft that's in the intake area). It allowed more air thru since the jet was too big, correcting the mixture. Temp fix until new choke was designed. The symptom was rough VERY low speed exercise resulting in shutdown sometimes. The better solution is to A) get a replacement choke 0J0602 or B) turn the dip switches on the board ON to disable low speed (and reboot the board). Only 16kw and up on this model series had low speed feature so not necessary on smaller units. They amended the jet size 2x actually. The choke works on all 990-999 engines with low speed. Big hole =bad. small hole = good. I stock and replace many. Also, do NOT cancel the exercise early after setting it! Known issue with this board not transferring ATS on the next power outage. Let it run all 12 minutes and shut down on its own. Seal up the lift holes with something. Knockout fillers or metal hvac duct tape. Critters can crawl up the hole in the floor behind the battery that some models still had. And use Home Defense on all the vents and base to keep the spiders and ants out. Only other weird issue on this model is no power when it runs - but good voltage regulator. Sometimes they fault out for flashing overspeed. Use Field boost upfit kit #0H07850SRV (which comes miswired from factory) and they send no instructions. :) I have them though.

[@JB-Baby]

Also if you unplug the plug to test it will start but it WONT transfer because you just unplugged the 23 and 194 as well ;)

[@HVACRSurvival]

That's a lot of good information. I don't work on that many generators like I did before coming to my current company. Unless you do it every day as it sounds you do then your not going to know all the tricks and updates. I don't bend the choke much, it might be a 1/16 of a inch from being fully closed. It was something I was told back several years ago and have done it ever since. I heard something about the control board not transferring but you could do something? I forget what I was told but it would correct it. Was this only on certain models that cutting the test short would cause a problem.?

[@JB-Baby]

@@HVACRSurvival I saw it on the 4300, 4400 and 5200 model series. Basically any of the units that have that enclosure style.. Also since we're on the subject of adjusting the fuel air mixture, on the new units (2013 - present) with Evolution controller, (the new mixer style), 16kw (992cc) and up, sometimes they hunt under load and even a few with no load. Generacs answer was to drop fuel pressure, but I don't like that. Popping the air cleaner cover while running revealed that it ran fine with more airflow, so, the air cleaner needs a few holes drilled in the back. Some of them didn't have any holes, and newer ones now do, but they're still not allowing enough air thru I've found, so I make 5 3/8"dia. holes on the back side (right thru the existing smaller dia. holes). Just had a new unit last week doing this. They run better!

[@HVACRSurvival]

@@JB-Baby thanks for the heads up🤜🤛👍👍🍺🍺

[@RodrigoRamirez-fc5hv]

Excellent. Thorough.

[@HVACRSurvival]

Thanks Bud!

[@RodrigoRamirez-fc5hv]

You are welcome

[@stumpbumpers]

So, a two finger plunge will make it suck harder🤣

[@HVACRSurvival]

Bingo ✌️

[@hartsfire5706]

i love Generac Generator i have replaced most everyone is a 50 mile radius with custom Diesel.

[@HVACRSurvival]

GenerJunk? I like the portables, I own two but the older standby were unreliable.

[@brnmcc01]

Custom diesel? Diesel has it's own issues, from tank capacity to fuel getting old. Like HVACR said, a lot of these units don't get many hours on them, and diesels don't care for running under no load in cold weather. They need a high load in order to not 'wet stack'. And residential loads are so wild from nothing to max, commercial buildings are either like 50% to 75% and diesels do better. Although we pulled a 600kw from a nursing home a couple years ago, and the 400 gallons of fuel in the old tank was so bad was hard to find a way to get rid of it. Fuel company wanted $3 per gallon to 'polish' it, and at that time, new dyed fuel was only like $2.38 a gallon. If the fuel just sits there in the tank for years it turned as black as used motor oil from a 2 cycle Detroit, and quite stinky as well. As long as the natural gas supply is reliable, it's much better. Even LP gas is better, burns much cleaner, and propane will last forever until the tank rusts out...

[@hartsfire5706]

@@brnmcc01 well first you do raise some vary good points. OK first i am no were near a city i am as they say of in the sticks. tank capacity for the most part a normal home size will burn 0.75 gallons a hour (i am talking a 150 amp) under 3/4 load. most of the gens i handle have a 150 gallon tank under them. most not all. i have one person that has 2 really big gems i am talking 400 amp (dairy farm) he has his on a 500 gallon tank but only runs one at a time. my self i have a 200 amp for my horse farm and it is on a 275 gallon tank.. yes diesel will go bad well kind of it grows agile if you don't keep the tank full. yes winter can be a problem for starting that is what a block heater is for of a heated shed keep it room at 40 degrees F problem solved. as to treating the fuel i tell every one who has a Diesel the same thing Sea-Foam. and you do know the LP also will go bade?? there is no Nature gas near me. now lets talk life span. this is a vary short discussion i service 5 units that are from 1970es and have 1500+ hours on them Diesel takes the blue ribbon hands down.

[@brnmcc01]

@@hartsfire5706 I prefer diesel units as well, as long as they're sized properly and put on a proper load. They like to work, and they're most efficient at 50-85% load. However a few of the places I know that have large diesel generators, they only run in exercise 12 min a week, and nobody puts them on a load bank after initial install, then on the newer Cummins units I end up having to run out there, plug in the laptop and do a forced regen, because the soot filter is all plugged up with slobber. Even though life safety code requires a power outage test once a month, and then a load bank test once a year if the monthly test doesn't put at least a 50% load on the genset. But the facility maintenance onsite staff only know how to change the oil, etc. Parts changers. I keep telling them it's not good for their equipment, but they're like well corporate paid for the new generator, and they don't care until State comes along and gives them a tag for no recent load test etc. For a small or med sized avg house that rarely has power outages, I'm not sure diesel is better. For instance, in the spring or fall when most of the strong storms occur, and the people are asleep, or at work when the power goes out; I've seen even a 7000+ sq ft house with a 400amp service only pull like 1-5 amps. On one leg... and that's nowhere near enough load to warm up a 40+ kw genset. Just not predictable enough of a load.

[@hartsfire5706]

@@brnmcc01 i agree with you sizing is a huge thing. and i tend to under size a bit so that it will load things to make heat. grin I wont touch a Cummings power gen set (to sell that is) as 99% of my gen sets are home i don't have to deal with the crap filters. i love loopholes in the laws. I set up all of my timers to run for 30 minutes 1 time a month, and i tell the people to do a full load run every 3 month's to keep things happy. i do have 2 gens JD powered that have the junk filters on and i have them set to run 45 minutes and have not had a problem. but that costumer knows how to do a delete if it ever is a problem.

[@korycurtis3730]

Thanks for the video, i recently got a unit just like this on trade that needed engine work. Believe its a 2008. 13kw with the gt990. Got it back together and purchased a regulator and hose to temporarily hook it up and test it. It's hooked to a 30lb tank. It fired right up after sitting for 6 years. I let it run for 15 minutes and shut it off. Went to start it today and it fired right up but sounded a bit different and down on power. Then it back fired out the intake and blew the intake box cover apart. I'm a auto tech, the engine side of this unit is super basic for me but not well versed in the l/p side of things. The regulator installed is listed for 165,000 btu at 11" water column. You think that's on the lean side for this unit , no load just testing? Also i read that coils are a common issue and may be the issue. I do have spark and compression is 185 on each cylinder, valves at .003 . I don't have a gauge to test the gas pressure . Thanks for the tip on the voltage regulator, this one is reading a little over 270 when running

[@HVACRSurvival]

Short term, a few minutes a run time, no load you should be ok. Those tanks can't run that kind of btu without frosting up and losing pressure.

[@jcaleca60]

You didn't put the bees nest back lol happens to me I keep spray for that in my truck when I was in the trade 😅

[@Christopher-li7uc]

😂two finger bang ! Mind your fingers one day you'll get the 🔥

[@joeshearer1247]

I love these rick!

[@HVACRSurvival]

I made it just for you Joe Dirt! lol

[@liguorivinny]

Thank you ❤ for this video. You're awesome 👌 👏 👍

[@HVACRSurvival]

Thank you!

[@jeffreyevans6892]

Nice.....Well done Just bought Generac Generator 18KW for the house. Retired ground maintenance mechanic from American Airlines. How old is that unit ? I would be grinding off all that rust and painting it over ?

[@HVACRSurvival]

I would guess 2008-2010

[@sirtiksalot9511]

I have to take off the cover and poke my fingers in every single time I want to start it. How should I proceed with troubleshooting?

[@HVACRSurvival]

I would look into replacing the gas regulator after checking gas postures

[@mmguhhuh]

I noticed you didn't do a valve adjustment.....tisk tisk

[@HVACRSurvival]

They put too much emphasis on that, I've yet to see it make that big of a difference, they act like it'll change the world. If it was out of whack too much it wouldn't have pumped up as high as it did.

[@brnmcc01]

@@HVACRSurvival You'd be surprised. I went to a new customer last year, his 7kw had only been installed maybe three years ago and he said never ran right. Lots of error codes in the history. Slow to start, lots of hunting etc. Checked the valves, and wow, intake zero lash, and exhaust was pretty tight. Adjusted to spec, replaced both battery terminals, cleaned the battery, and its been much better since. On my own unit at my house, I had to adjust the valves at only about 20 hours on it. Another guy posted on gentek power forums installed a new unit out of the box, and the valves were too tight. Refused to start unless manually choked. I've noticed the quality control on not just generac, but everything in general these days since 2020 has gone to shit. Generac and HVAC factories are trying to catch up with the 22-30 week lead times, and they're all just trying to get as many units shipped as fast as possible and their attitude seems to be 'don't worry, we'll just catch problems with the warranty'. Meanwhile all of us out here in the field have to finish the factory's QC work... :)

[@brnmcc01]

@@HVACRSurvival Once they get this old and 40-50 hours on them, they seem to be stable, and if it's running fine just check the valves once, and it'll be good until the unit is junk. Seem to need adjustment after initial breakin, and then be stable afterwards. But a lot of them nobody has ever checked the valves on them, so if it's the first time I'm seeing a unit, I'll check the valves on it once, then again in a year or two, and then leave it alone after that. Can't trust the previous guy or previous owner(s) of the house/genny.

[@rupe53]

@@brnmcc01 ... years ago we started installing hour meters and we were amazed at what that can help in the maintenance arena. Valve adjustment at 50 hours and any time we changed plugs... or... every 150 - 200 hours after that. (or any time it was hard starting) Of course, now there's run hours built into the controller.

[@brnmcc01]

@@rupe53 Yup, I've just heard a few anecdotal reports of generators coming right from the factory with valves not adjusted properly. It's hard to imagine a scenario where they will be way out of adjustment after only 10 run hours, unless there's some kind of defect in the head, valve seats and valves sinking into the head, bent pushrods, severe cam lobe wear etc. But if this was the case, that one I adjusted the valves on has been running fine for over a year since now. If the engine was so bad it was way out of whack after 10 hours, that thing would have blown up by now running at 3600 rpm.... I didn't see any metal particles in the oil at all, and I even cut open the oil filter which was the factory original. Nothing remarkable, no metal bits, no bits of plastic oil pump etc. Just someone rushing it out the door trying to clear the months long backlog of orders. Have had people waiting 4-6 months for a new generator last year.

[@mrbugenhagen3364]

Never worked on generators, but it seems to me that you do not just break the unit if you f-up. The whole house and everything connected to the grid is at stake now 🤣

[@HVACRSurvival]

The older generators didn't have a lot of protection built into them to protect the homes electrical system. Sometimes you get lucky and catch it before it blows everything up 😁

[@gatoguevara71]

great video thanks for sharing my friend

[@HVACRSurvival]

Thanks Luis!

[@budchin1]

Nice content review.

[@shine-cg9uf]

💪👍🇺🇸❄ always enjoy watching ur troubleshooting skills. Very helpful. 🙏

[@HVACRSurvival]

Thanks 👍

[@ryanjacob8568]

One of the most common issues I’ve found with these generators when it won’t start or is running rough is the valves need to be adjusted after about 250 hours. You are also right about the voltage regulators. The one on my mom’s generator has died twice and it always sends 330+ volts. We are lucky it didn’t damage anything in her house like her AC or refrigerators. The third one was a new model that was supposed to fix the problems with the first generation of regulators. After replacing it a second time I put a voltage protection device on the generator that way if it goes out and the voltage goes high like that again it will trip and shut off the load to the house and has to be manually reset. I set it for 260 volts and we haven’t had any issues like that since.

[@HVACRSurvival]

What device did you use to shut it down for over voltage?

[@ryanjacob8568]

@@HVACRSurvival I used the EV-1 over-voltage monitor from MTS power Products. I always recommended these for the older generators with the older voltage regulators. It’s not a matter of if but when those older regulators will fail, and it has the potential to do damage to appliances when it does. That was a horrible design by Generac not to have some sort of over voltage protection already built in, although the newer one’s do have that.

[@-Gramps]

Thank you for your tip & for your advice! Sincerely appreciated!

[@harrydickson4575]

Another great job 👏👍👍

[@HVACRSurvival]

Thank you so much 😀

[@mansourramzey7711]

Great video, tks

[@HVACRSurvival]

🤜🤛👍👍

[@jeffgrant6914]

Good video 👍

[@TimHancock-h6e]

That hertz was a bit low.

[@boomer9900]

I have one that is from about 2004 and is still working fine. The only thing that happened is that the battery blew up once while it was cranking for just the regular exercise. What a mess of acid to clean up. I have no idea why it blew up because I always keep it maintained and the battery full of water. (they seem to have a charger that dries out the battery by overcharge). We live in the country closest big city is Buffalo, NY and we have power outages all the time. I'm even so nice I have a dedicated 15A plug for my neighbor who is 91, so he can hook up and have heat and a few lights and TV during the blizzards of snow we get. Who knows why the batteries blow up on these?

[@HVACRSurvival]

If you had water in the battery then I would have to scratch my head.

[@MrRikkitikki]

They charge constant rate of 14.4volts, 24/7. Which boils the water out of it. I disconnected my battery charger and bought a 4 amp automatic charger/maintainer from Harbour Freight. Ran an extension cord from a protected circuit in the house to power it. 4 years and no issues. Springville, NY.... Certified Generac Air Cooled Tech. Retired

[@georgefoster4659]

Did the same using a battery tender junior. Also use a maintenance free sealed battery.

[@riflebear1711]

​@@MrRikkitikkiI wonder if the same thing could be wired into the ats?

[@willfriar8054]

I bought a Generac from Lowe's. I'm a yacht mechanic I have no trouble with installing things like that I followed the directions. However I opened up the Generac and it looked like it had been under water everything was Rusty! There was so much corrosion that the spring for the choke had rotted away already. There's nothing to be done about it I took it back to the store. They sent me another one it was just as Rusty! I didn't even get that one out of the store I open the box there. The manager look like he was going to pass out his face went white. How to get my $6,000 cash back. I put solar panels on the roof and a bunch of batteries and I never have to worry about propane blowing up in the yard. The sun delivers plenty of power when you put 12000 W on the roof

[@HVACRSurvival]

Interesting👍👍 thanks for sharing!

[@rupe53]

@@HVACRSurvival ... that rust problem is common and caused by factory shipping. They send out bundles of four units held together in plastic, but the local dealer leaves them in the storage yard (outside) and the cardboard boxes get wet on top. (no plastic there) The plastic holds the water and in three to six months everything inside the box looks like a rusty boat anchor, including the transfer switch, if shipped together. IOW, if the dealer has poor storage and low turnover of stock, this is what you get.

[@billbec7235]

good luck with solar!

[@billbec7235]

SOLAR SUCKS! It Costs a Ton of Money and WILL NOT POWER YOUR HOUSE. Unless its Battery Back-Up. Then It Costs EVEN MORE!

[@HVACRSurvival]

Bill-who are you talking to? No one is talking about solar in this comment section??

[@jeffgoodwin7934]

You have good intentions. But I would have been to the next job by the time you were done. Those are the most reliable units out there. If that model sits a long time not weekly running, it always takes a long time to start. Not a regulator or fuel solenoid problem. Adjust the valves. Don’t lift that choke, it needs all the closure it can use. Stepper motor is set for 58 htz. Battery should be replaced if it’s 5 yrs or older. Don’t bother taking a electrolyte sample. They either work or not. Load test by attempt to start with no fuel. Check the voltage while cranking. The charger is one of the best of that era. I have seen 9 yr batteries still working. Nice fool of the transfer, just go inside and do one. The AVR should be changed, wait till it fries all their appliances and you were the last one that touched it. Just helping, I do this all day every day.

[@HVACRSurvival]

She's replacing it because she has a critical medical need and didn't want to repair it so we're good on the French fry problem, I've seen these fry several appliances. The battery charger is over 2.5-3 amps and I've seen it boil the water out of the battery and explode them, sorry but there's a reason they stopped using it, they even admitted to it. You must live where it's warm, I've been there in the middle of snow storms when Generac didn't have a cold weather kit and the time delay in the controller for the under voltage issue because they freeze the brushes just like the choke will that I mentioned. That's cool if you're just trying to help👍👍. I use to work on these 2 or 3 times a week about 8 years ago but I'm lucky if I see a few a year at this company. If all I did was generators I'd get these done as quick as I do residential HVAC.

[@brnmcc01]

@@HVACRSurvival I don't like those battery warmer pads. They keep the battery too warm and the combination of high incoming voltage really gets acid all over the top of the battery. Another one it rubbed thru and shorted to ground under the battery, and then the battery blew up good. I have a customer with one of these generators but the generac one. 16kw from about 2008, same era. It's the 58hz era, same exact controller. It's getting tired because that one house has had a lot of outages, but it's still running. Valves were out of adjustment but not too bad for never being touched. Battery charger died last year, and took out the battery that I had just replaced 2 years before that. Other than that, no other issues, can smell a touch of oil in the exhaust on startup, but probably just slightly worn valve guides. Those 992 engines were pretty good from I hear from other techs.

[@HVACRSurvival]

I'm just negative because I'm sick of working on them, but no one else will go to class on them🫣😂

[@rupe53]

@@HVACRSurvival ... just before I retired I was doing this stuff in my sleep. 25 years of doing it every day will teach you just about every trick in the book. BTW, we always added an hour meter and you'd be amazed at how long these things will run with proper maintenance. The meter will also give you an idea of when to change plugs or adjust valves.... or oil consumption issues over time.

[@HVACRSurvival]

@@rupe53 my portable 8000 watt has an hour meter and I added one to my 3000 w inverter generator. Both are generac, both have been broken in properly and I haven't had any problems with.

[@ggermany2123]

15:14 Say wait a minute! First of all, you're not going to speed past that like you just didn't say what you just said!

[@HVACRSurvival]

What else would you call it.

[@ggermany2123]

@@HVACRSurvival what's your definition of "making no money"? I've talked to guys, in different trades, saying that they make between $20-$50 an hour and they are saying that is no money. If that's the case then sign me up. If less, then disregard above comment.

[@HVACRSurvival]

I guess I don’t know what you’re talking about. I thought you’re talking about the two finger bang. People post vague comments and expect me to read their minds.