SAVE MONEY!... GENERATOR MAINTENANCE....STEP by STEP! DIY

[@SpicerDesignsLLC]

Check out the Kohler 20KW with transfer switch on Amazon: amzn.to/47YofWn

[@kbeg132]

Very helpful! The company we have just went up to $570 per year to maintain the generator.

[@speedydeerfield6202]

If you live in Indiana, Illinois, or Wisconsin, I can do yours for $400. Just let me know and we can get in touch.

[@BrianD-ds4dx]

Watched the video and read all the comments. Great video. Great answers to the questions. Also in the generator business but down on the Gulf Coast. You have hit every single question answered right on the nose! There used to be a saying the true test of someone’s intelligence is how much they agree with you…..so I think you are a genius! In all seriousness for everyone on here…if you can’t do what is required….don’t try. This is a life safety system tied in to both the gas and electrical on your home. And your home is likely your greatest single asset. If you have the ability to do this, then go for it! If you don’t then contact a professional like the one who put this video up. I do love how you put the service dates in intervals directly onto the gen. Records are so essential to warranty claim. And don’t get me started on how great vacuuming out was! Best gen video ever sir

[@SpicerDesignsLLC]

Thank you! I appreciate the compliment. I take a lot of pride in my work. That was at my last house that we’ve since sold. Thanks for the input and great points.

[@harlanw5809]

My gosh. An extremely helpful, easier to follow and very professional video even I think that I can! Plus he doesn't ramble on and on, like many others do. It's all on the important informative points right here. We need more videos like these! Thank you so much. I plan on referencing, again and again.

[@chrisbaker7302]

Thanks good info.

[@JacenHorn]

"Now I am a professional ... I just don't know at what." 😂

[@boblynn1881]

Thanks for showing the maintenance process.

[@KevinAyer]

Great video. Missing a nut on the bracket 4:14 of the muffler mount bracket I think

[@spraggerm]

Hey that's a nice hat! You shockingly forgot the key part. Have a cold Keystone while maintenance is happening. Lol Kyle I think you are a bit OCD 😂 You sure keep everything clean and ultra tidy. Thanks for the great informative video. Cheers

[@SpicerDesignsLLC]

I am a little OCD. After i watched it i realized i should have had a keystone with all the material. That was just another boring how to video. Ill have some good stuff coming soon.

[@Ghostacc956]

👍🏽👍🏽 great video, gave me a little insight on kohler generators before I apply for a local generator maintenance technician position. Going to check out a few more of your videos.

[@josephberkeley]

Great video. This is not a boring video. This video rocks.

[@SpicerDesignsLLC]

Thanks! I try to make the boring videos as entertaining as I can

[@tonyraposo5206]

Nice overview, good intel for DIY...

[@mariannehiltunen953]

Great content. Looks pretty easy. Thanks for sharing

[@billcollins1614]

Thank you!! Most informative. I can do this!

[@rick7616]

Appreciate the thoroughness. Well done!

[@gnm98]

The second of 2 well made videos. Thanks!

[@russellmyers934]

Also check the tightness of the bolts under the airbox (if loose can allow too much airflow) and the set screw on the throttle control. Vibration can loosen all of these up.

[@SpicerDesignsLLC]

I have had that happen before with the intake. Motor started surging. Good additional checkpoint. Thanks Russell!.

[@gabrielleobrien6073]

Awesome very helpful

[@OneEyeCustoms]

How do we know that wasn’t KY “grease” instead of dielectric grease in that non-OSHA approved container?? I’m pretty sure you don’t want to get those two mixed up. You can tell the difference by taste if you are not sure which on you have.

[@SpicerDesignsLLC]

Damnit. I knew you would catch that. Works great for anti corrosion.

[@JavierArellano]

This is the complement of your previous video about this subject, many thanks! I do have a question: in your opinion how loud is this compared to one of these small ones portable gasoline generators?

[@SpicerDesignsLLC]

Thank you. I would say they are definitely quieter than a larger portable generator. Like a 6-10k unit. Not at quiet as some of the inverter style units though. All of these units will have a decibel rating on them too.

[@Joe-eu3th]

Nice video ! Thanks

[@yessykacarrero5128]

Thanks!

[@SpicerDesignsLLC]

Thank you! Much appreciated

[@WVBUCK1]

Great video, Thanks!

[@kenkozlowski7686]

Great video and learned a lot to do this myself. I need to replace two parts: GM84044 (engine heat shield cover) and GM100831-S (hinge assembly). The heat shield cover is basically falling apart and mine has that bolt, washer, nut missing that's in the center. What holds that up when you're working on it? Mine just flops down and doesn't stay up. Also, difficult to get this part down here in Southwest Florida and pretty expensive ($236-$282). Is this shield really necessary? With the hinges, both arms popped out of their rivets and I can't get them back in. Kohler has a parts bulletin, PF-156 3/17, that says the replacement part is GM100831-S that replaces part No. GM62980. Again, a lot of confusing info and price differentiation online for these hinges. Anyway, any comments from either you or your subscribers would be appreicated.

[@SpicerDesignsLLC]

I would say the heat shield is necessary . Being that those units are air cooled, any shield from excess heat is beneficial. The lit just holds its self up. Thats how the linkage is designed on the newer ones.

[@shanew7361]

My main 150amp panel is in my basement. What is the best place to install the automatic transfer switch? I'm debating on getting a Kohler 20k RCA and not sure where to place ATS inside or outside the home.. Also is OnCue worth it and don't they make a wireless kit so one doesn't need to use a cat 5 ethernet cable? Thanks😊 My gas meter is on opposite side of my house to where the electric meter is.

[@SpicerDesignsLLC]

I would put the generator by the gas meter and the transfer switch on the exterior next to your electric meter. You will have to run the generator power source from the switch across the house along with the 4 conductor low voltage cable and the 120v utility circuit. From the gen you will need a cat 5 to your wireless router for on cue. Hope that helps.

[@s.mcchristy9704]

Spark plugs should be good for years running on nat. gas.

[@alrincon8443]

Good stuff! Thanks

[@erichilton2364]

Great video bud, very helpful.

[@joshpratt4448]

Hey, I know this guy!

[@hphillips7425]

Your videos have been helpful. Will Kholer try to void the warranty if I do the maintenance myself ? Thanks and have a good one from west Tennessee

[@SpicerDesignsLLC]

As long as you keep a log and receipts you should be fine. But it doesn’t hurt to contact them to make sure.

[@Gabber44906]

Kohler won't honor their warranty. They are horrible. Do it yourself

[@stevenandkimmetzger880]

Good video. I've got a Generac and do my maintenance too. I might have missed you say it, but did you change the air filter after taking the cover off?

[@SpicerDesignsLLC]

I change the air filter every other year. They are like new and i hate to waste them.

[@bradonchacon557]

thank you so much bro

[@2020Tundra]

Great job on both videos covering your Kohler generator 👍. I noticed that your satellite dish appears to be pointing towards the ground… is there any story behind that anomaly? It’s either not being used or the orbiting satellite crashed in your back yard 🤣

[@SpicerDesignsLLC]

Hah. Thats actually for my internet. Its just bouncing a signal to a near by tower. Its pretty bad internet but its our only option right now.

[@2020Tundra]

@@SpicerDesignsLLC Interesting… yeah, crappy internet sucks!! For years here in our rural area of central SC, all we could get was slow unreliable AT&T internet. But late last year our local electric coop put in high speed fiber optic service!! Now I’ve got 1 gigabit speed vs 24 mbps from AT&T. Love it 👍

[@NotAnotherSmith123]

Nice video. I noticed the base is cracked. Did you try to have that addressed by Kohler? I have the same unit, installed in 2011. Had the same crack and replaced the base twice, all cracked and there are cracks that aren’t visible until the generator is disassembled. The crack hasn’t affected the unit as far a I can tell. I have about 500 hours on the generator. Other than the base I had to replace the controller board and fuel regulator. I do my own maintenance too. My next Kohler will be the metal housing.

[@SpicerDesignsLLC]

The metal housings are pretty nice. The plastic ones fade pretty bad over time. I bought that with the crack. It was nothing significant and they knocked $500 off.

[@bonsukan]

Thank you for putting out this video. I’ve been thinking about doing my own maintenance for a couple of years now. On my Kohler 14kw generator, every year the service technician replaces a few other items: bushing throttle linkage, bushing linkage retaining, and one other (the name escapes me). Is this something you have to do annually? Also, how often are you replacing the starter battery? Thanks! Dave

[@SpicerDesignsLLC]

We typically dont have to replace all those items. They recommend to replace the battery every 4 years or so.

[@mnmohnazir]

Good video Please I am replacing the starter and forget how to replace the wiring can you please help?

[@SpicerDesignsLLC]

Sorry im not much help on that one without looking at it. You should probably refer to Kohler for to guide you through or look up a wiring diagram.

[@mnmohnazir]

@@SpicerDesignsLLC Ok thanks

[@gillesplouffe8821]

Great video

[@shanew7361]

What about software updates? Debating on buying one 20kRCA Kohler, anything you'd recommend to ask the sales guy? Good video,, thank you. I've seen videos about having to check the oil every 8 hours during use, is that true? Seems counter productive especially if bad weather or handicapped. A poured concrete pad or 3 or 4 inch pad Kohler sells, which is better?

[@SpicerDesignsLLC]

The pad Kohler sells is pretty nice. And the gen set bolts right up to it. It is recommended durning heaving use to check the oil every so often. Not sure what climate your in but its always a good idea to ask about the cold weather kits.

[@shanew7361]

@Spicer Designs Thanks for the reply, I reside in southeast lower MI. It gets cold as hell, lol

[@billk8429]

How’s the mess with the oil filter change? Seems like it would be a holy heck mess with it being upside down. Considering a new Kohler 26RCA and it’s the same way. Thanks.

[@SpicerDesignsLLC]

@@billk8429 theres no mess. You would think it would go everywhere but it doesn’t . Just have to unscrew it and it will drain back into the motor.

[@billk8429]

@@SpicerDesignsLLC thank you very much!

[@javierbravo5139]

Where did you get your maintenance kit? Or did you piece it together?

[@SpicerDesignsLLC]

You can order them online. I just pieced mine together. Air filter really isn’t necessary every year. So you can save quite a bit by buying everything separately.

[@tjjewell4115]

Just a curious question, why is your Satellite Dish pointing to the ground? Otherwise, great Video.

[@SpicerDesignsLLC]

Thats a hot topic. Its for my internet. Points at a near by tower

[@tjjewell4115]

@@SpicerDesignsLLC Cool, just wondering, thanks.

[@cujo7240]

I'm guessing the Kohler generator you have must have hydraulic lifters and does not require valve adjustment, since you didn't mention this, correct?

[@SpicerDesignsLLC]

I believe it does have hydraulic lifters. I didnt mention all the specifics of the gen set because the video is more about the general setup of the whole house system.

[@haidesu572]

Looks like a V-twin but you only showed one spark plug replaced. The one in the back is tight but doable.

[@SpicerDesignsLLC]

@haidesu572 i replaced them both. The one in the back isnt bad.

[@jimwagner5084]

How did you access/change the spark plugs on the back side ?

[@SpicerDesignsLLC]

Just have to reach over and use a small extension. Its kind of a pain but it can be done. Generacs are the same way.

[@jimwagner5084]

@@SpicerDesignsLLC Thanks

[@davinching1369]

Is the front panel removable ?@@SpicerDesignsLLC

[@SpicerDesignsLLC]

@@davinching1369 they are but its kind of a pain on the polymer enclosures. We started using the aluminum enclosure and those have full access to the front and sides. Pretty nice

[@phillippiggins5400]

Is there a way a homeowner can reset the maintenance light?

[@SpicerDesignsLLC]

Yes. One of the menu options display maintenance. You just hit ok and it will ask you if you want to reset it.

[@davidfitzgerald8065]

The only thing I would add to the replacement of spark plugs is that there are two of them. And, the one in the front is easy enough, BUT, the one in the back of the unit is an absolute bear to get to. Because you have to take off the back housing panel. And that is not an easy feat due to the fact of where the attaching nuts are. I had a hell of a time removing them. All that just to replace that one spark plug in the back. I'd also suggest removing the front housing panel to replace the spark plug in the front as well.

[@SpicerDesignsLLC]

They can be a pain. Ive done hundreds of services on them. I will say ive never had to take off either panel. I found the perfect size extension which makes it a lot easier. The Generac is like that as well. At least with the rear plug. Good to point out though.

[@thangknowa3288]

I like to remove all panels to inspect and blow out/clean thoroughly at service time. Great time to check for ant trails, they love electricity.@@SpicerDesignsLLC

[@MEGASNEAK]

Wouldn’t it be easier to remove the front panel as well? Specially for the spark plug change and the oil drain valve ?

[@SpicerDesignsLLC]

No the drain valve is just a quarter turn valve. The hose comes out the intake side by the battery. The plug is super easy to change with the front cover on. The front cover is a pain to get off. The aluminum models have a nice quick release front cover. Makes it nice for cleaning and access.

[@Gabber44906]

Is this a Kohler 20?

[@SpicerDesignsLLC]

Yes it is

[@truebengalsfan]

You don't have a tech do this maintenance for warranty purposes?

[@SpicerDesignsLLC]

I am the tech. Im an electrician and the company i worked for was a preferred installer for the Kohler. I know longer work for them or own that house anymore. Moved away.

[@truebengalsfan]

@@SpicerDesignsLLC I meant for people watching the video .

[@SpicerDesignsLLC]

Got it. I believe as long as you keep receipts and log service intervals, it wont affect the warranty. I would always suggest confirming that with the manufacturer though.

[@williamnewhall2176]

BS

[@SpicerDesignsLLC]

@@williamnewhall2176 ?