Generac Generator Not Testing! See Why

[@bradmironik6137]

Every time you have one of these generator videos, I am glad i don't own one. Thanks for sharing the HF tool. I will check it out.

[@GeorgeMace-em7re]

Very refreshing & satisfying to see a True GENERAC generator professional service person at work👍👍

[@HVACRSurvival]

Wow, thank you 🙏

[@peterking1134]

Miss these gen vids!!

[@frankspliff7037]

I like the veto bag

[@johnwalker890]

Good job Rick, They should, the manufacturer, should make some kind of shrink tube or insulation to cover the grounded conductor, so it doesn't come in contact with any other circuits, or the installer or customer, it just doesn't look safe, with raw wire sticking out, I know a person could tape it, but it would look a lot better with it insulated or safer.

[@HVACRSurvival]

I agree, that's kind of why I unhooked the ground before I pulled it out. The new generators have a side panel that comes off. All these old generators I keep showing are all problematic but they have made improvements since then.

[@johnwalker890]

You're right, I've seen those new panels, but haven't installed them yet.

[@nspro931]

@@HVACRSurvival That has been the mantra with Generac as long as I have been in the business, "They are not as bad as they used to be!" Heard it for decades now.

[@BigBoxDodge2020]

Dude, I work on all generators and when I work on them I spend 5 to 7 minutes with a brush and just wipe them down and clean up any mess on the floor and then I do my maintenance and/or diagnostics. I've been doing this for 17 years. And when I see from you looks like sloppy work when I'm done with my jobs. Customers are happy they can see it's clean and maintained and running right. No matter what was wrong with it when I got there?

[@nathanhurst5155]

The genny vijayos are for some odd reason, some of my favorites that you do. 👍

[@fernandogonzalez6617]

Nice video info. How you did that took fuse out main breaker on ats still in on position and generator transfers power to home. How is that never seen that?

[@HVACRSurvival]

Because it’s likely not the safest thing to do.

[@jeffsignore7953]

Hey Rick. What type of fuse holder is that? Looks like it grips perfectly on those fuses. The one I have is to loose. Thanks!

[@HVACRSurvival]

I posted a link in the description.

[@InsanePacoTaco]

Dude on the tractor was like "I have a need for speed!"

[@HVACRSurvival]

🤣👍👍

[@danpresson]

Awesome video always look forward to your video

[@HVACRSurvival]

🙏👍👍🤜🤛

[@Minitrucker231]

Just a random tractor hauling ass in the middle of a job 😂 Gotta love it!

[@HVACRSurvival]

That's my side of the county where I grew up 🤣👍👍

[@FPHA697]

Good informative video.

[@dougking7592]

Hay brother generator work is not as simple has you make seem, lately I have had a few gensets that have overcrank due to not getting fuel bad regulators and air pockets in gas lines for some odd reasons, and couple controllers nice video brother

[@HVACRSurvival]

No it's not that easy, it'd be nice if I did them everyday, most of this I'm going off memory. I hardly work on these things anymore. I had a lot of issues in the beginning of learning three because it wasn't the greatest training. I hate reading a book trying to figure things out.

[@craiggcrefrigeration8537]

Great video Rick, I must ask why is there a need for a generator for a home where you are? Just interesting as we only use them for back up power in the UK. My guess is seasonal extra power for the A/C etc.

[@HVACRSurvival]

For when the power goes out. ? If you're in the country you don't have heat, water, etc

[@joeyf504327]

back-up generators, are used for back-up. No to run the a/c in the summer. Standard house service in the US is 200A 240V or 48kW. Most back-up generators are under 20kW.

[@craiggcrefrigeration8537]

Ah thanks guys, makes sense, just don’t see any on domestic properties over here. Usually just light some candles and suffer 😂

[@comp20B]

​@@craiggcrefrigeration8537For work from home and for refrigerators. We went 7 days one year after a snow storm.

[@sandy1653]

@@craiggcrefrigeration8537 Candles and suffering are all well and good, but when it's 90f (32c) and 80% humidity, and there's no hope of power for 2+ weeks, you'll be glad you've a backup generator.

[@Enitii]

I didn't know there was a commercial at the beginning because I use KZbin premium

[@HVACRSurvival]

Me too 😃👍👍

[@joeshearer1247]

@@HVACRSurvival me three

[@fshn76]

Great video as always Rick! Glad I don’t work on generators.

[@robertconville6269]

Does not look like the owner ever does any up keep on the unit! I open mine at least once a month to clean and look around!

[@kcMan7938]

That tractor was crusin at WOT !!!

[@rupe53]

Would agree that the controller is NG here, but in my 25 years working for a LARGE Generac dealer (15 techs) I never saw that particular issue. Typically, they seem to either have a burned-out display (can't read it) or the clock drops several hours over the course of 6 months between services. (for that vintage) The newer units don't seem to have those issues. BTW, bugs in a TS are because the electrician didn't seal the cable openings. I have actually had to replace many 200 amp contactors due to bugs inside the guts.

[@HVACRSurvival]

Thank you! I learned the most when I took the Generac Comercial class. They were easier to work on in my opinion. Better instructors as well

[@rupe53]

@@HVACRSurvival have taken many of their courses over the years and would agree there's more info to be had the commercial level. In my area it was the same instructors for either. BTW, you may already know that those air-cooled classes are a baseline requirement to maintain your dealership status... and since Generac will give a dealership to anyone who can sell a hand full of units annually there are a lot of electricians / handymen / general contractors attending, so they need to keep it on the simple side. One thing they stressed was a VERY high percentage of service calls go back to poor installations. IOW, sloppy wiring, unit not sized correctly, failure to connect load-shed options, sealing cabinet penetrations, incorrect gas pipping, and poor planning in general. After that, it's about customer education and the need to do maintenance. The most common thing I heard after picking up a new account was, "we haven't had to use it for a PF so why does it need anything? Years later you see the last exercise was in the fall and the date happens to line up with closing the pool and shutting the gas off.

[@wiskybilt9399]

Sounds like the valves needed adjusted

[@gtpforever]

The three LEDs on a generac generator are simple and they're listed like this as a caveman...... Green= good Yellow= good-maintenance Red= bad

[@gtpforever]

There's also a dealer code to get into it further if you need it.

[@gtpforever]

Shut down was normal. The squeakiness is a read valve inside the valve covers or as generac calls them the head. It always makes a squeaky noise when they shut down.

[@gtpforever]

Also everyone be very careful with any of the micro-spades when plugging them in on the micro switches because the micro switches are brittle. Lol

[@rupe53]

@@gtpforever if the yellow light is on the display should say "due for service" so no code necessary.

[@gtpforever]

@@rupe53 never says due for service on generac residential generators. Open the lid and will ask things like... Checked air filter? Changed spark plugs? Checked oil level?

[@countryside8122]

It's not surprising, the way Generac treats it's employes, The people see problems and bring it to the attention of leads and they ignore the problem. I worked there for awhile.

[@HVACRSurvival]

Awesome, thanks for sharing! Feel free to vent😃👍👍

[@deepsleep7822]

Always boils down to money.

[@MC-hs4mf]

@@HVACRSurvivalHow to get a job there?

[@harrydickson4575]

👍👍👍

[@btomas225]

6:47- Diode drop.....

[@HVACRSurvival]

Usually that’s a half volt drop

[@BOB12349307]

highly abused best generators ever made!!

[@KgiMedia601]

Dude im over wrenching these things, there so annoying to deal with at this point 😂

[@HVACRSurvival]

I feel exactly the same way, why do you think I'm so negative in the generator videos. I asked the office to get someone else trained and it still hasn't happened.

[@CM-ou4zr]

@@HVACRSurvival how do you get certified to work on these? I remember you talking about a generac class. Curious because I do HVAC for a big college and we have a million of these things and hate subbing out the work. What steps would you recommend to actually get good at them? I have the manual for every different one on campus and will read front to back and can play with the ones that are on buildings not being used.

[@KgiMedia601]

@@CM-ou4zryour employer will pay for it and set it up(atleast thats how it was for me) and then you take these pre reqs online which are like presentations then a quiz at the end, then theyll setup a school date at a certified dealer where youll go for 2 days get a manual for the generator ie aircooled, liquid cooled etc and youll fix problems the teacher sets up. Theyll also teach u how to use genserve and give you a tech id for warranty repair type stuff

[@MC-hs4mf]

@@CM-ou4zr??

[@MC-hs4mf]

@@HVACRSurvivalquestion below??

[@OverKillPlusOne]

Bet that controller has a coin cell for the clock that’s failed.

[@OverKillPlusOne]

Whether or not that’s serviceable is a whole different question.

[@rupe53]

they do not have an internal battery. If you remove all power (ac and dc) the clock & calendar, go to a default reading. Also, all of the trouble codes and run monitors in storage are lost.

[@BOB12349307]

let me guess you charge like $500.00 for the $50.00 module?

[@HVACRSurvival]

Our cost on that module I think is somewhere around 400 bucks so it probably did sell for 500. If you can get it for $50 I’ll take 10 of those and for the comment down below about being the best generator built🤣🤣 Well, just look at all the other videos I’ve done on these…. The 2006 through 2014 generators were total shit. Generac no longer lets you go through the assembly plant because you’ll see how poorly they’re thrown together. I’ve had motors go bad in less than five hours. I’ve had bad coils, bad modules, bad regulators. I’ve had them blew everything up in the house because the voltage regular went bad. Everyone entitled their opinion but not their own facts.

[@RaySmith-x6x]

@@HVACRSurvival I'm looking at 25Kw generators now with an ATS. The reviews on the "home owner" grade units are all over the place. They sure appear to be cheap crap. I almost went for a Generac. But after hurricane Beryl many people had generator failures. I think I'm going with a open Kubota driven 4 pole 1800 RPM machine sitting on a 100 gallon Diesel tank. It will be placed in a newly constructed water well/generator house.

[@rupe53]

@@RaySmith-x6x as a 25 year generator tech, I can tell you that any small out-building / shed / etc will eventually be a service nightmare, not to mention issues with code compliance, especially it it's constructed of wood or is damp inside. Buy a gen set that comes with and is designed to be inside a cabinet that is UL approved as an assembly. Install it on a concrete pad, at least 5 feet from anything flammable, following mfgr's instructions and you will avoid issues with your homeowner's insurance as well. It will also be quieter, cheaper, and last longer than anything you can build. (if you bother to count your time)

[@rickss69]

Correct terminology would be a air cooled engine.

[@HVACRSurvival]

Thanks 🙏

[@YooTooobJeff]

Ah, no, you removed the battery...

[@AD17709]

That thing needs a wipe down.

[@joehead1294]

Mighty grimy battery for only a year. 🤨

[@HVACRSurvival]

The whole generator was grimy. I can't believe the lady wasn't out there with her sweeper and Windex keeping it clean 😃

[@Eddy63]

I hate a generator you can't trust Thx

[@HVACRSurvival]

🤣👍👍

[@BrianD-ds4dx]

Then don’t buy a Generac! Simple solution! Generac’s focus is on marketing, not engineering. Their market share is dependent entirely on marketing volume not reliability. I’m in the generator business and rank as follows for air cooled units: 1) Cummins 2) Briggs and Stratton 3) Kohler 4) A guy on a bike like the WWII movies pedaling to make power 5) Literally anything other than a Generac The bottom of the list is a joke obviously but the top is not. We don’t do Champion in Texas due to their small size and our rather large AC inrush. Also for anyone watching this video out here please be aware that a lot of your generator run issues can be tied to a poor install. Just yesterday we went behind electrician originally only for the purpose of doing the low-voltage and the start up and commissioning of the Cummins unit the customer installed. Upon further inspection, the electrician had used the meter as a raceway and had also installed the ATS within three feet of the gas regulator, which is a big no no due to fire code. Good thorough video I especially like the discussion of the functional limitations of the air cooled unit here

[@nspro931]

@@BrianD-ds4dx Cummins are all Chinese air cooled now, had 3 fail this year out of a not very large population. Breaks and Scrappem build quality do not inspire confidence, their new stuff is all different than their old stuff which was really bad. Kohler is the only one with a heritage and actually a support system that helps when we call.

[@BrianD-ds4dx]

@@nspro931 I’m going to 100 percent disagree with you on the Cummins air cooled being made in China. I only know this because I had to dig real deep within company contacts to find out where they come from. You are on the right continent but a little far north. What area you installing in, out of curiosity? Not completely opposed to Kohler but I dislike the controller on them, and, like the Generac I find them loud AF

[@BrianD-ds4dx]

@@nspro931 oh and from a managed load perspective….Briggs load management design and the synchrony switch are so much better than Kohler and Generac. Cummins could be just as good but you have to hardwire that sh** in which makes it a way bigger pain installing than the Briggs load management devices