How To Perform Annual Schedule A Maintenance Generac 20kw Automatic Whole House Standby Generator

Step by Step Instructions on How to Perform annual maintenance on Schedule A for Generac 20kw whole house standby generator.
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[@eddiew.6485]

PM is key for the longevity of those Generac’s…..Nice work as always, Mikey👍

[@Keith_Mikell]

There are many delicate processes going on in that engine (combustion, pressure, retention of fluids, expelling gas, breathing air, lubrication which may or may not include a pump, gaskets, etc). Just like inside a unit. (he said unit). You have to keep it running at optimal performance. Introducing a substance thats not in the engine into an engine is usually a toss up. Im glad it worked for you.

[@BIGBOB-ew9oo]

I took the class on these 12 years ago. Certified to do their warranty work. Got the company I work for to start doing generators. Owner thanks me all the time. Good money and work for the slow season. Easy to do.

[@Dicofol1]

What do you think of the newer Generac full of electronics. Do they seem to break more often and are harder to repair ?

[@Robert-5150]

I used to do maintenance, On generic briggs and stratton and kohler systems. I always checked the valve gap as part of my PM

[@PipeDoctor]

Thanks for sharing

[@williamserver4332]

I've always wondered what a service on one of these things entailed. Thanks for the video.

[@harbbains5718]

Wow Mikey didn’t know you do that too. Very good servicing job on that machine👍

[@rlr05091987]

Great information. Thanks for the posting and the effort.

[@PipeDoctor]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nspro931]

Valve clearance is the most important step, not to be skipped.

[@Robert-5150]

I aggree. Typically, you can hear when the valves are off in the running of the engine. But yes, definitely.I would still check them.

[@nspro931]

@@Robert-5150 If you wait until they get bad you are chancing burning a valve or seat. If you run it any length of time like that, you may have a no-start after your required daily oil check in a prolonged outage. Ask the folks in Houston about this.

[@geraldfoon6283]

After the recommended run-time hours, the valve clearances need to be checked to see if they are within tolerance (0.002-0.004 inches). Not hard to do but valve covers need to be removed to access the rocker arms and piston rotated to Top Dead Center. There will not be any lights or screen notifications to do this like the oil and filter change notifications.

[@scotts4125]

I have the new model 22KW. You can't access the battery easy like this style. Now you have to remove the side panel. Great machines.

[@jorpsteinnamen4523]

It's easier with the new bodystyle. Just remove one 10mm bolt from the bottom foot and two HW4 allen bolts but becareful as they strip easily.

[@scotts4125]

@@jorpsteinnamen4523 I don't agree with that. On the old style you lift up the lid and pull out the front panel giving easy access to the battery. The new style you do the same plus remove the side panel. How can adding an extra step make it easier? The starters they put in these don't like hot weather. You get a low or no RPM warning on a failed start. Factory fix is to install a new exact same part number starter. lol

[@jorpsteinnamen4523]

@@scotts4125 the new AZ00000?? Number is a lot better part.

[@scotts4125]

Is that the part number for the starter?

[@koryabel6319]

Great video man, helped me a ton!

[@jorpsteinnamen4523]

I love the channel but some important steps got skipped. Just a few things to always check before starting the unit; disable the charging circuit as this unit should have a T1 fuse and double check battery fluid level as i have seen these explode if the battery is dry enable the charging circuit once completed, check if this unit has a plenum as they do rust and can leak causing a "thermal event" on startup, while down there check for 3.5-7"wc for NG or 10-12"wc for LP, always check output voltage with a no load test as i have seen a bad AVR blow electronics in the property. Anyway love the work fellas.

[@artfulescape]

Are these things doable by the average (non expert) person? Looking to learn how to do maintenance on the generator where I live.

[@petem6291]

Nice job Mike , very professional

[@darrellbrown8547]

I can't believe I pay $500 every year for this. Not anymore! Thanks guys, great vid.

[@PipeDoctor]

Only $500??? A bargain!!

[@dennisku3709]

It's like a car you don't have to jack up in the air. Also I'm not sure about the spark plug change. I think you can go a bit longer than year on the same spark plugs. My car can go 60k miles per spark plug change and about 7k miles per oil change.

[@JeffsHVACAdventures]

I get asked all the time if I service generators. Didn't know it was that easy. Might look into taking the class and adding another feather in my cap.

[@sly5855]

Its easy as shit, the kit comes with everything u need to change except for 2 quarts of oil. My company charges 245 for this

[@kens.3729]

HVAC Contractor that Installed my Carrier (Generac) 15KW Generator back in 2013 NO longer wanted to Perform Mtce. on it. Others wanted Too Much. I do Mtce. 👍

[@throttlebottle5906]

probably time for a new one, it's bound to have a cylinder down on output and just itching to throw errors and stop working.😉 yes, even with perfect maintenance.

[@wayne1141]

Write date on oil filter

[@kat2641]

Lol Mikey pipes a Master of full Service ❤ … lol if I was naughty ? ( I would’ve added something but you know how it is; got to keep it GP Rated for the little ones that watch…) but definitely needs a new battery. I would suspect the amperage of the battery is not peak my experience they normally whip over a little faster. But who wants to Own a generator that when you really desperately need, it does not start due to a bad battery. ( no one 😂 ) edited fur a teeny tiny spell boo-boo

[@ronaldhooutube]

I’d like that trick with the oil drain cap and the drainkat. I typically just let it drain as a change and gap the plugs.

[@PipeDoctor]

Thanks for watching! I'm glad you found the trick with the oil drain cap and the drainkat interesting. It's always good to learn new tips and tricks for car maintenance.

[@swaterman08]

Drain Kat have enough Juice to also Wipe some Pipes? Might be worth getting a couple of those jugs to keep on the truck

[@JohnR9965]

Mike …I’m pretty sure you need 4 stroke 5W30 oil which contains zinc to handle the heat small engines produce. Mobil 1 is for automobiles which are cooler running. Thermal breakdown will happen quicker here. Just my thoughts.

[@JohnR9965]

@@PipeDoctor 5w30 comes in both auto and small engine.

[@scottmaz4063]

Boy yor dabbling in everything. Good for you.

[@aarongrider6265]

Excellent video !

[@PipeDoctor]

Thank you very much!

[@mick5740]

Im wondering about maintenance on my gas / propane little generator Iv only run it in propane a few times

[@AD17709]

Peters face when the generator first started 😂

[@Guillotines_For_Globalists]

They call for these to have the oil changed after 100 hours of run time but I feel as though the oil gets so diluted with condensation after just a half dozen hours or so. Using the 15-20 minute weekly exercise (rather than bi-monthly or monthly!) also with quiet mode turned OFF to ensure it runs at full RPM during its exercises.

[@ns7w386]

I would change it yearly if you live in a humid environment.

[@Guillotines_For_Globalists]

@@ns7w386 The oil still gets "milky" in appearance way before then. Have worked on 3 different units dating all of the way back to a 2009 model and the newest being a 2016ish model. All natural gas.

[@arielhernandez2911]

Shoulda made Peter use a torque wrench for spark plug

[@arielhernandez2911]

@@PipeDoctor you to enjoy keep the videos coming feed the people

[@er1073]

Valve adjustment even though it seemed to be within specs and starting.

[@JesseDoesHVAC]

Mech tip: half fill the new filter with fresh oil 👍

[@MarinePigVa]

ALWAYS verify the gap. Things happen in shipping.

[@scottmaz4063]

Metal ice cube tray for under the filter to catch oil.

[@Guillotines_For_Globalists]

I use a small measuring cup. Then I use the cup to measure in the new oil, as I recall it being 1.7 quarts or something goofy.

[@MiguelLicerio]

Can you use an air compressor instead of the Drain Kat?

[@3cats932]

Compressed air contains moisture Oil and moisture (water) doesn't go together CO2 or nitrogen recommend Think Why HVAC contractors use nitrogen on ac system instead of compressed air Compressed air is way cheaper than nitrogen

[@johnedwards4715]

What does something like this cost for maintenance?

[@PipeDoctor]

If you are in the New York City, Long Island Metropolitan area I need your Generac generator serviced go to generac.com and find a local dealer

[@scottmaz4063]

Do you prefil the oil filter?

[@angusjones6075]

Who long it can stay running

[@saabyurk]

Maybe while examining the situation, you should have mentioned you never use galvanized pipe for gas. From Google AI: "No, you should not use galvanized pipe for natural gas. The zinc coating on galvanized pipe can react and degrade from the odorant used in piped natural gas. Over time, pieces of the galvanized steel will flake off and clog your gas regulators and burner units. Other reasons not to use galvanized pipe for natural gas include: The zinc galvanizing reacts with any sulfur in the gas. Galvanized pipe is porous and absorbs gas. If later used for water lines, the water will be poisoned by the gas in the piping." In addition to the above, black pipe is seamless for added strength, and usually thicker.

[@NationCraftbros]

did you go to the training course in Wisconsin? man i hate diagnosing those damn things. the book they give us is not the best haha i had to replace the stator once before in the winter time and im sure you know its a pain in the ass

[@NationCraftbros]

@Mikey Pipes - Pipe Doctor Plumbing & Heating & Air you can say that shit again

[@kkovler1]

should of run the generator a bit before draining oil. It comes out faster when warm.

[@markmark7342]

he did

[@45NUTS_PART_DEUX]

one thing i hate about oil change is the new oil is hard on the dipstick

[@johnathonwood5523]

Any decent technician takes AT A MINIMUM a level 1 parts kit, group 26 batteries and maintenance supplies.

[@PipeDoctor]

Correct. ☑️ looking for a new career?

[@MichaelGallo-it3ov]

How do you turn off the yellow light?

[@PipeDoctor]

reset maintenance reminder

[@samsquires2877]

I’m a service electrician and I do this service quite often for people in my area. I’ve come across oil that looks milky many times when doing this. Do you have any input on this?

[@lanceclayton9250]

Milky oil suggest there is water in the oil. Condensation in the crank case. Likely caused by short run times not allowing the oil to come up to operating temperature.

[@swaterman08]

@@PipeDoctor Milky/Coffee Color can be water/coolant getting into the oil and it could be head gasket.

[@Austin23191]

​@lanceclayton9250 I agree. My mom has a 22kw generac and it rarely gets used, maybe once a year. It runs for 5 minutes each week automatically and the oil is milky like this

[@jorpsteinnamen4523]

Generac has a service bulletin on this, it is completely normal as the unit only exercises for 6 minutes once a week and the oil doesn't get hot enough. No damage to the engine but I always encourage my customers to run the unit in manual once a month for half an hour.

[@jorpsteinnamen4523]

​@@swaterman08this is an air cooled engine with no coolant or radiator.

[@mikemchugh5539]

spark plugs should get never seize on threads

[@stephwaylonwells3218]

👍

[@kangaroogod]

That external ground wire attached to the rod is bad news

[@kangaroogod]

@@PipeDoctor grounding should only be done at 1 location. Here is an example… lightning strikes the ground and current will travel up the ground rod, through the conductor, through the entire home and back down the ground rod at the service. This introduces a whole other level of hazard to the home and occupants than necessary It is only recommended to attach the chassis grounding wire if the local code officials are ignorant and require it to be. Around here they are never connected

[@throttlebottle5906]

it's an enforced code in *many* locations. also any detached building fed by more than a single 20amp gfci branch circuit, has to have ground electrodes, sub panel/main disconnect and more. that's all part of the NEC and some local codes may further that.

[@JohnR9965]

My generac installer said no ground rods on these units ever.

[@kangaroogod]

@@throttlebottle5906 maybe i didn’t understand your comment,, detached structures require a rod, otherwise main panel only. All subs and so on are only grounded to the main without a separate grounding electrode conductor

[@throttlebottle5906]

@@kangaroogod the 2020 or earlier code made grounding electrodes on detached buildings mandatory and it needs connected to the feeder grounding conductor (not the neutral as that still needs isolated from equipment ground. the only exception to that is a single branch circuit GFCI fed when it had an equipment grounding conductor. lightning does some crazy things, multiple electrodes at remote equipment/sub panels or not or may still choose to go through something and leave a pile of ash.

[@vinceian9261]

5:30 Wow, that generator had about a mouse's ejaculate worth of oil in it.

[@vinceian9261]

@@PipeDoctor It’s all good. Lack (of care) bring stacks too!

[@MarkGriffin-s4s]

Wiping the oil stick to put back the last time is a waste of oil and almost impossible to remember

[@tracker1ify]

Are u a dealer for generac

[@PipeDoctor]

No

[@patram4880]

Stick with plumbing

[@PipeDoctor]

Thanks for sharing