Great job, Im a Generac MPS industrial tech.... SO many techs do not understand voltage drop tests like you demonstrated. great job. ALso the start contact relay for that is under the controller in that unit.
@@HVACRSurvival I probably shouldn't of mentioned it. ( now I feel like one of "those guys") I know its tough to shoot a video, talk and troubleshoot. I am confident that someone that knows voltage drop testing as well as you is very aware of the system and scr. Again , it was a VERY good demonstration of voltage drop diagnostics.
I enjoy your videos and humor. I am an electrical contractor and a Generac dealer but not a service dealer so we can’t do any warranty work. We do a lot of new installs and a lot of preventative maintenance. I have a lot of regular customers that we do service on their generators that is not covered under warranty and a lot that want me to do the warranty work but I’d rather do electrical work than be an engine mechanic. There’s not a lot of guys around here that want to service generators every day which seems pretty common. Keep up the good work and keep having a good sense of humor. Thanks for the video.
That’s exactly my issue, I’ve never been into small engines, I can do it. I just don’t like doing it. I like Refrigeration so I’m not interested in generators as much as I was prior. I appreciate the compliments and the appreciation for my special humor that most people do not get.😂👍👍
After you clean the battery posts and cable ends, put automotive chassis grease on the posts and cable ends before assembling them and then a little more on top to fill in any gaps around the posts and you will never have that problem again! I learned this tip from a retired army mechanic! That spray crap is near useless! Also, a sealed AGM battery is a much better replacement option.
Awesome job explaining and showing voltage drop. This is why any good automotive technician uses a load testing light along with their multimeter to prove beyond a doubt which part of a circuit is the culprit.
sometimes I use a very crude method of just dead shorting it out with a jumper... then you only have to look for the magic smoke emitter(yeah, not on anything over 208Y/120V) even then, the continued arc can be horribly long in an commercial/industrial setting. so pretty much only in small residential/automotive(have fire extinguishers ready, with ratings for all types of fires) trust me on that one!~ 🤡
Hey Rick! Another great video. I’ve got a 22KW Generac just installed last year and I guess I baby mine too much by going out every few weeks to check it, wipe the inside down and make sure it’s always ready!! I agree with you, leave repairs to the pros like yourself!! Thanks again!!
If you just do the basic things like making sure the battery is not corroded and taken care of, make sure it starts and runs normal. Keep an eye on the oil level then you won’t have near the problems that these other people do. If I spent $7000-$15,000 on a generator, I’d be taking better care of it than what I’ve been seeing. Thank you for sharing.
You’re very kind. Thank you but I’m still not as quick at generators as normal HVAC because I’m not working on them everyday. They take a lot of time to diagnose properly if you’re not doing it everyday.
the spray on "battery terminal" stuff is great for ease of use. used to just slather on "petroleum jelly" and "baking soda" mixture. aka acid neutralizer and corrosion prevention via water/moisture repellant. yeah, I use the spray can stuff (easier, even though costly). have used white lithium grease, silicone grease and others when out of all the good stuff. but I am not an dedicated auto-service shop. just a sucker for family, friends and foes. 😖
Checking and adjusting the valves is something they shoved down our throats all the time. Generally, I have not had anything so far out of whack that it caused any major issues, but it’s worth looking at. Thank you for the kind feedback.
Great job. As an HVAC&R Tech I work on fryers, ovens, grills, postmix for Coke, Taylor/RAM and HVAC&R. I use to dishwashers also but holding spares just made stock levels too much. I like the variety makes it more interesting day 😀😀😀
Good job on the video and well explained on the voltage drop. BTW, retired Generac tech of near 25 years and recalling a bunch of that era having a poor connection with the battery cable at the starter. (needs another 1/4 turn) Be aware that the silver faced insulation is a better ground than you think so watch your wrench in the tight quarters back there. In my shop we used the felt washers on battery posts. I was skeptical at first, but never saw any crud on a battery in all of my time in the field. They work way better than anything else. I worked for a larger dealer (15 techs) and not unusual to knock out 40 - 50 services a day... plus repairs.
I agree the felt is pretty good, I believe it’s saturated with some sort of chemical. I kept my hand wrapped around that wrench really well because I’ve heard of people crossing the positive to negative with a wrench and having the battery explode.
@@HVACRSurvival Never saw a battery explode from that (too far away for the battery gas) but it will erase the time / date / exercise stored in memory. Now the customer will be calling because they have no idea when it will do the weekly run. BTW, if a customer doesn't specify, we always set the exercise for 10 AM Tuesday (programable units) so if we ever get a call, anyone in the office can answer that question. EST and DST are still a mystery so we have to tell them it could be off by an hour at certain times of the year.
I have a 20kw generac guardian. I’ve been having issues with the sensor loss issue. Replaced the battery, contact relay and still having issues with the generator just clicking and not starting. I have to press the switch to manual several times before it starts. The alternator was replaced about 3 years ago and probably that’s the issue again. It appears the battery cable is tight on the solenoid but maybe I should tighten it down even more. Getting 12 volts at the solenoid. Any ideas???
@@LouisS-cs7bh In my time I was seeing at least 800 units a year for service / repair and starters were low on the list. That start relay was even lower on the list. I don't think I replaced 3-4 over the years. You need to do a proper test and check voltages, starting at the battery and working back to the starter, including the small wire that triggers the starter. (wire #56 in a diagram) You should also check the negative battery cable where it ties to the rear of the engine. BTW, even an off-brand starter usually lasts more than a few years. You are missing something.
Man, I'm glad I got that 10 year warranty on my 26kw unit. Mine tests/runs every week. But I feel I should be running it every 60/90 days under load. I run my portable (backup 8kw genset) every 30 days.
Turn off the quiet test feature. Let that thing get nice and hot so it boils the moisture out of the oil. When you see White oil that is moisture buildup.
Great video as always. I use the same battery drop test on my generator pm’s. Like you said the most common issue is the batteries. We try and not let them go past 5 years of use.
A backup generator could really benefit from having a rope starter inside the case. I have a tri-fuel portable with electric and rope start. Seems like a better machine except for not having an ATS. Nice video 👍👍
Your problem would be trying to start something this large by hand. On average it's 1.5 hp to as much as 2 hp per thousand watts, for example a 25 KW generator would be potentially 37 1/2 hp or more.
Generac is the Generator of choice for RV's for some reason. I'm a retired Senior RV Tech and Generac is nothing but problems and almost always need to be removed from the coach to fix it.
I love the Fluke. I have the same one. However, last night, looking at a video of the new Flukes with Bluetooth. Logging values, clamp built-in etc. Sweet! $700 however😞
Excellent presentation! I just got a rpm sensor fault to try & figure out; just replaced battery when it died in the middle of nite during Hurricane beryl...always something.
Generators eat batteries. I solved this by buying batteries that had a three-year free replacement on them. Ironically, about every 34 months. they went bad.. : ) They handed me a new one for about 10 years straight.. Solved the problem, though. Batteries were the number one thing to look for when these things were running wonky..
Good video. We typically drop out the charging circuit to get the actual battery voltage and can see the drop when cranking. Just a faster way of troubleshooting.
No, a faster way is to measure battery voltage during the crank cycle, and leave the charging circuit alone-then you are not resetting all the exercise info should the battery voltage go below about 9 VDC without the charger, thereby wiping the EEPROM,
The two most prevent issues with generators is a failed/failing battery and lack of fuel...replace the battery every 3 or 4 years-whether the battery "tests" good or not. Other than that, perform needed maintenance per manufactures guidelines. Please don't use spray on battery terminals. Use impregnated washers. Most corrosion is from vapor coming from the case after the seal between the post and the case is compromised, sometimes due to someone beating on the terminals instead of spreading the battery clamp, or random failure.
@@HVACRSurvival A bit too far from us here in eastern NC. Too much 'windshield time' for a service call. But thank you once again for your great videos... I know, that you really know what you're talking about. (I was a member of ASHRAE/American Society of Heat Refrigeration Airconditioning Engineers for 30+ years as well as a member of the ACCA/Air Conditioning Contractors of America for 30+ years; an Epic Level instructor for Manual-J, D, P, S., etc...) I learn more hands-on information from you and your videos....
Thank you very much, my HVAC training was really bad, I was the first year program for the school and they took a guy from the field that had no teaching experience and combined him with a guy with teaching experience but no HVAC experience other than some rental properties. To say the least I had to learn the hard way, that’s why I make these videos help people learn when they don’t have someone willing to help them.
On newer generators Maxitrol external fuel regulators frequently cause overcrank problems as they let pressure build up especially if regulator is in direct sunlight and solenoid will not open due to high pressure that regulator has let walk up to or past 20" wc
I’ve heard of the pressure being too high to allow the solenoid to open, but I’ve never seen it that high. Usually the highest I’ve seen is maybe 14 to 13 inches and even then I would adjust the primary regulator down.
@@HVACRSurvival a couple of times I have seen a maxitrol in direct sunlight walk from 7"wc to 20 in less than 10min, first time was a couple of years ago on a 6mo old generator, we do not use maxitrol period anymore after realizing faulty dilemma and is first thing I look for with overcrank is if customer has a maxitrol regulator. This is also why when replacing fuel plenum I leave old fuel neck and solenoid as the older ones tolerate a higher wc
the best way to test a battery is with the old carbon pile tester and as the rule of thumbs you should always clean the terminals before starting any test
Because 240 volts does not ionize the air with a short circuit. 13,800 volts doesn’t either. Only 480 volts ionizes the air. A fact of physics and high voltage safety training.
I've seen so many people hack in a generator install it's insane. Not unbonding and separating panels on most. Atleast in my area the local hvac supplier sells generacs. So the hvac tech tries to play electrician and corners usually get cut.
Our local Carrier dealer sells Honeywell, which is technically Generac. Most installers of HVAC don’t really want to do the generator install, but they forced to do it. Just like I service guys don’t wanna work on them.
That likely came from the place we buy our automotive parts. It’s a local distributor not national. Technically it is a regular car battery. They claim the one Generac uses his technically built for generator because it’s vibration resistant, but I don’t know if that’s true or not. We’ve never had any problems with these batteries or any other ones for that matter if you take care of them.
They are absolutely car batteries, and NO generac does NOT make them. There are only a few manufactures of automotive batteries in the country, three I think. Recommended battery is a group 26 or 26R, you want the negative post on the outside, if you can get it that way. Generac's negative cable is not always long enough to do that, though.
Their latest ones aren’t too bad. You just have to do your part in maintaining it and you won’t have near the problems. Also make sure they follow the instructions properly on the installation. Meaning getting the gas line and meter size correctly, not putting it too close to the house and not putting it where there’s snow piles typically during the winter.
loose/dirty battery posts/terminals. hehe, I learned over 30 years ago to always clean them with wire brushes(terminal brushes) and always apply an anti-oxidant. how did I learn that? previous failures! yeah, I most always learn the hard way or backwards very fast.
Those high frequency impedance based battery analyzers are okay but at least once I've had one "pass" but fail in carbon pyle tester (which sounds like you have elsewhere 👍)
On the well repair videos I watch duct tape dies within a few years but electrical is still good decades later. Matches my other experiences with duct tape too. The stuff really is garbage, temporary only.
So here is my question. Assuming all mainterance is followed to the letter. Are these just cheap crap or can a homeowner depend on one properly installed?
There are some that go bad for no good reason, most of them are improperly maintained, then there’s others that don’t really have any problems. Like I said the video the newest ones don’t seem to have near the issues that the ones from the mid 2000s did.
There better than a Mobil unit for some people not in a flood zone Yet there still the cheapest line of units, charging oil and property services are expensive but without it get a candle 😮
Myself personally prefer portable units because mine have been flawless and they’re actually actually Generac. I haven’t had any problems with either one of them ones 8000 W the other ones 3000.
It happens allot because the chargers are not a trickle charger. Then the water level gets low and boom. I’ve lost windings thanks to battery acid. Great product they had there. 🤔
Why don't Generac recommend AGM batteries to avoid all the battery corrosion issues on their generators? Like you said most problems on these generators are do problems like you show here. When my original Exide battery goes bad or shows any signs of corrosion, I will for sure go to a AGM type.
I’m not sure why they don’t. Heck if people would keep the battery water level up and just check the generator like it mattered they wouldn’t have near the problems they have.
It’s a smart move and change it every year if weather gets bad It’s a lot of work and expensive to keep one ready 😢 Good luck folks the higher amp battery the better 😊
Why not an AGM, or a 7 year warrantied battery from interstate or whatever you think is better. Very simple. It is money wasted. A "regular" battery properly maintained will provide as good of a service life as anything else, just change it every 3 or 4 years-even the AGM-even if it tests good. Remember, you only have at max a 2.5 amp charger. It won't do well with a larger battery which is hard to get in an out. Just change the battery. Just do it. (And, replace more often under the "correct" circumstances.)
@@bobbygene8274 The main reason for me going with a AGM type battery is for no more acid leaking and corrosion problems that go along with standard batteries. I don't mind paying extra to not have to deal with the mess and damage they cause.
I'm curious as to why you start your video bad mouthing the manufacturer of the product, as you just showed that it is usually a lack of preventative maintenance that causes the unit to fail ? I use to work on all types of generators and all will fail without good serviceing !😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
Watch my other generator videos on Generac and you’ll see why. Generac training is in adequate and their first generation generators are total garbage.
@georgeschilens8557, If you had any experience as a generator tech, you would understand. I was a generac "certified" tech - Air Cooled up to 150 kW liquid cooled, same with Kohler and Winco. Generac's will *sometimes* not work when nothing is wrong-as the video mentioned there have been quality issues-very frustrating. But, sometimes, not "usually", it is lack of maintenance as you stated.
@louis Cummings is normally good but a lot of companies are smacking a good companies name on poor product just so they can sell it so you gotta make sure you investigate each individual one. Sometimes it’s just a matter of knowing how it’s built to see if it’s gonna be a good generator or not unfortunately that doesn’t help the consumer.
We don’t carry load test equipment around in the truck. I don’t know one company in my town that has it, about all you might get is running up a few appliances that are heavy.
@@HVACRSurvival I think he confused you talking about #23 switching the ground as you were about to pull that line fuse to simulate an outage. BTW, been pulling that fuse for decades just to avoid customers complaining of clocks flashing "12 noon" after a service call.
Had a guy call me this winter with a no start. The Venturi flaps were stuck a little but enough for the step motor not to move. Started it to only find he blew all the fuses in the ESAM. Fucking guy was pissed at me because generac wouldn’t talk to him. Pays to be certified😁.
You don’t listen or think. You’re just like the other guy that said the same thing. The battery was 8 years old and the customer chose to replace it. Do your own work then if you know so much✌️
OMG, "how dare you", reverse the test leads on checking battery voltage. 🤣 IDGAF, as long as you know they're reversed and the voltage is still within range. lol
You don’t go to your barber when you have a tooth ache. Why would you call your air conditioner company to fix your generator? Unless, of course, they are certified to repair generators. Stay in your lane.
I was commercial certified and residential. I am highly doubting you went for Commercial. Most electricians are lucky if they even know a damn thing about generators. So I’m not sure what lane you’re in, but you should probably make sure you even know where you’re at before you try to tell me what lane to get in. This is. basic freaking electricity
It's an appliance, so why wouldn't they be able to work on it since they're certified to do so and clearly know what their doing? Gen dealers can be any EMP Company. Clearly you don't get it, might want stay in YOUR lane.
You’ll get over it. If you’re butt hurt over that, you’re not the kind of viewer I want. Ford, Chevy, Jeep they’re all junk and I’ve owned all of them.
Great job, Im a Generac MPS industrial tech.... SO many techs do not understand voltage drop tests like you demonstrated. great job. ALso the start contact relay for that is under the controller in that unit.
Thats what I thought as I was editing it. Opps Good Call!
@@HVACRSurvival I probably shouldn't of mentioned it. ( now I feel like one of "those guys") I know its tough to shoot a video, talk and troubleshoot. I am confident that someone that knows voltage drop testing as well as you is very aware of the system and scr. Again , it was a VERY good demonstration of voltage drop diagnostics.
I enjoy your videos and humor. I am an electrical contractor and a Generac dealer but not a service dealer so we can’t do any warranty work. We do a lot of new installs and a lot of preventative maintenance. I have a lot of regular customers that we do service on their generators that is not covered under warranty and a lot that want me to do the warranty work but I’d rather do electrical work than be an engine mechanic. There’s not a lot of guys around here that want to service generators every day which seems pretty common. Keep up the good work and keep having a good sense of humor. Thanks for the video.
That’s exactly my issue, I’ve never been into small engines, I can do it. I just don’t like doing it. I like Refrigeration so I’m not interested in generators as much as I was prior. I appreciate the compliments and the appreciation for my special humor that most people do not get.😂👍👍
After you clean the battery posts and cable ends, put automotive chassis grease on the posts and cable ends before assembling them and then a little more on top to fill in any gaps around the posts and you will never have that problem again! I learned this tip from a retired army mechanic! That spray crap is near useless! Also, a sealed AGM battery is a much better replacement option.
Don't own a generator, never worked on one....but I still like these videos.
🤣👍👍. That’s good enough for me.
Awesome job explaining and showing voltage drop. This is why any good automotive technician uses a load testing light along with their multimeter to prove beyond a doubt which part of a circuit is the culprit.
Thank you!
sometimes I use a very crude method of just dead shorting it out with a jumper... then you only have to look for the magic smoke emitter(yeah, not on anything over 208Y/120V)
even then, the continued arc can be horribly long in an commercial/industrial setting. so pretty much only in small residential/automotive(have fire extinguishers ready, with ratings for all types of fires) trust me on that one!~ 🤡
Hey Rick! Another great video. I’ve got a 22KW Generac just installed last year and I guess I baby mine too much by going out every few weeks to check it, wipe the inside down and make sure it’s always ready!! I agree with you, leave repairs to the pros like yourself!! Thanks again!!
If you just do the basic things like making sure the battery is not corroded and taken care of, make sure it starts and runs normal. Keep an eye on the oil level then you won’t have near the problems that these other people do. If I spent $7000-$15,000 on a generator, I’d be taking better care of it than what I’ve been seeing. Thank you for sharing.
I wish i could be half as good of technician you are man, well done.
You’re very kind. Thank you but I’m still not as quick at generators as normal HVAC because I’m not working on them everyday. They take a lot of time to diagnose properly if you’re not doing it everyday.
the spray on "battery terminal" stuff is great for ease of use. used to just slather on "petroleum jelly" and "baking soda" mixture. aka acid neutralizer and corrosion prevention via water/moisture repellant. yeah, I use the spray can stuff (easier, even though costly). have used white lithium grease, silicone grease and others when out of all the good stuff. but I am not an dedicated auto-service shop. just a sucker for family, friends and foes. 😖
One of the more informative videos out there on Generac. I have overcrank alarms on mine frequently, but it seems like it may be a valve lash problem.
Checking and adjusting the valves is something they shoved down our throats all the time. Generally, I have not had anything so far out of whack that it caused any major issues, but it’s worth looking at. Thank you for the kind feedback.
Great job. As an HVAC&R Tech I work on fryers, ovens, grills, postmix for Coke, Taylor/RAM and HVAC&R. I use to dishwashers also but holding spares just made stock levels too much. I like the variety makes it more interesting day 😀😀😀
It definitely gives us options when we’re sick of where we’re at 😂✌️
Good job on the video and well explained on the voltage drop. BTW, retired Generac tech of near 25 years and recalling a bunch of that era having a poor connection with the battery cable at the starter. (needs another 1/4 turn) Be aware that the silver faced insulation is a better ground than you think so watch your wrench in the tight quarters back there. In my shop we used the felt washers on battery posts. I was skeptical at first, but never saw any crud on a battery in all of my time in the field. They work way better than anything else. I worked for a larger dealer (15 techs) and not unusual to knock out 40 - 50 services a day... plus repairs.
I agree the felt is pretty good, I believe it’s saturated with some sort of chemical. I kept my hand wrapped around that wrench really well because I’ve heard of people crossing the positive to negative with a wrench and having the battery explode.
@@HVACRSurvival Never saw a battery explode from that (too far away for the battery gas) but it will erase the time / date / exercise stored in memory. Now the customer will be calling because they have no idea when it will do the weekly run. BTW, if a customer doesn't specify, we always set the exercise for 10 AM Tuesday (programable units) so if we ever get a call, anyone in the office can answer that question. EST and DST are still a mystery so we have to tell them it could be off by an hour at certain times of the year.
I have a 20kw generac guardian. I’ve been having issues with the sensor loss issue. Replaced the battery, contact relay and still having issues with the generator just clicking and not starting. I have to press the switch to manual several times before it starts. The alternator was replaced about 3 years ago and probably that’s the issue again. It appears the battery cable is tight on the solenoid but maybe I should tighten it down even more. Getting 12 volts at the solenoid. Any ideas???
I meant to say starter and not alternator 🤦♂️🤦♂️
@@LouisS-cs7bh In my time I was seeing at least 800 units a year for service / repair and starters were low on the list. That start relay was even lower on the list. I don't think I replaced 3-4 over the years. You need to do a proper test and check voltages, starting at the battery and working back to the starter, including the small wire that triggers the starter. (wire #56 in a diagram) You should also check the negative battery cable where it ties to the rear of the engine. BTW, even an off-brand starter usually lasts more than a few years. You are missing something.
Man, I'm glad I got that 10 year warranty on my 26kw unit. Mine tests/runs every week. But I feel I should be running it every 60/90 days under load. I run my portable (backup 8kw genset) every 30 days.
Turn off the quiet test feature. Let that thing get nice and hot so it boils the moisture out of the oil. When you see White oil that is moisture buildup.
Great video as always. I use the same battery drop test on my generator pm’s. Like you said the most common issue is the batteries. We try and not let them go past 5 years of use.
Heat is a killer of batteries so I think at least every 3 years
Good job explaining everything,
much appreciated!
Such a fun time, hint of sarcasm. I have never messed with generators before. Love the disclaimer, lol. Hope you had a good weekend Rick.
It went too quickly, and I’m on calls starting tomorrow for the next week. Not looking forward to that. Thanks for checking it out!
Nice job, Rick. Please keep the videos coming.
I like your work. Very thorough. I deal with batteries all the time. They can measure almost 13v but have zero current. Always load test.
A backup generator could really benefit from having a rope starter inside the case. I have a tri-fuel portable with electric and rope start. Seems like a better machine except for not having an ATS.
Nice video 👍👍
Your problem would be trying to start something this large by hand. On average it's 1.5 hp to as much as 2 hp per thousand watts, for example a 25 KW generator would be potentially 37 1/2 hp or more.
And it also requires that you are physically present at the building
@@HVACRSurvivalYou would never be able to pull it.
Rick, I appreciate you sharing your knowledge about the Generac Generator ! It’s another amazing video ! Thanks
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks Teddy ✌️✌️
Good info. 55 hours is not alot. They need to exercise it more. My portable has over 200 hours to be sure it’s ready when I need it.
Generac is the Generator of choice for RV's for some reason. I'm a retired Senior RV Tech and Generac is nothing but problems and almost always need to be removed from the coach to fix it.
They have a hell of a marketing team. The next big reason is their price is better than most everyone else.
I have that same little socket set in the red box, good little set. great videos
Cool, thanks 🙏
I love the Fluke. I have the same one. However, last night, looking at a video of the new Flukes with Bluetooth. Logging values, clamp built-in etc. Sweet! $700 however😞
A Big Thanks Rick on 8% off from Trutech tools . Good video.
Thanks for using it!
Excellent presentation! I just got a rpm sensor fault to try & figure out; just replaced battery when it died in the middle of nite during Hurricane beryl...always something.
Generators eat batteries. I solved this by buying batteries that had a three-year free replacement on them. Ironically, about every 34 months. they went bad.. : ) They handed me a new one for about 10 years straight.. Solved the problem, though. Batteries were the number one thing to look for when these things were running wonky..
Good video. We typically drop out the charging circuit to get the actual battery voltage and can see the drop when cranking.
Just a faster way of troubleshooting.
@@GentechNorthwest-ue4oq cool. I’ll have to try that. Thanks!
@@HVACRSurvival keep
making these videos. Many people are in need. Thanks
No, a faster way is to measure battery voltage during the crank cycle, and leave the charging circuit alone-then you are not resetting all the exercise info should the battery voltage go below about 9 VDC without the charger, thereby wiping the EEPROM,
@@bobbygene8274 That’s not how the evolution control boards work. However, yes you are correct, you can see the drop during crank cycle on manual.
I normally used my digital meter while I use a load tester. I was told it should stay above 11.2vdc when cranking.
Thanks rick for excellent information 👍
No problem 👍
Look at you calling it correct right from the start. I wish I could ave you come fix all my stuff.
I still have to look at the book for some of the tests. But after this many years you know what to look out for. Thank u!
Awesome video. Thanks!
Glad you liked it!
The two most prevent issues with generators is a failed/failing battery and lack of fuel...replace the battery every 3 or 4 years-whether the battery "tests" good or not. Other than that, perform needed maintenance per manufactures guidelines.
Please don't use spray on battery terminals. Use impregnated washers. Most corrosion is from vapor coming from the case after the seal between the post and the case is compromised, sometimes due to someone beating on the terminals instead of spreading the battery clamp, or random failure.
Should use the non corrosion felts on the battery posts.
Enjoyed the video brother.
Great job Rick.
Thank you; very informative video! Where are you located? I'd like to hire you to do a check-up and maintenance for my Generac.
Ohio
@@HVACRSurvival A bit too far from us here in eastern NC. Too much 'windshield time' for a service call. But thank you once again for your great videos... I know, that you really know what you're talking about. (I was a member of ASHRAE/American Society of Heat Refrigeration Airconditioning Engineers for 30+ years as well as a member of the ACCA/Air Conditioning Contractors of America for 30+ years; an Epic Level instructor for Manual-J, D, P, S., etc...) I learn more hands-on information from you and your videos....
Thank you very much, my HVAC training was really bad, I was the first year program for the school and they took a guy from the field that had no teaching experience and combined him with a guy with teaching experience but no HVAC experience other than some rental properties. To say the least I had to learn the hard way, that’s why I make these videos help people learn when they don’t have someone willing to help them.
On newer generators Maxitrol external fuel regulators frequently cause overcrank problems as they let pressure build up especially if regulator is in direct sunlight and solenoid will not open due to high pressure that regulator has let walk up to or past 20" wc
I’ve heard of the pressure being too high to allow the solenoid to open, but I’ve never seen it that high. Usually the highest I’ve seen is maybe 14 to 13 inches and even then I would adjust the primary regulator down.
@@HVACRSurvival a couple of times I have seen a maxitrol in direct sunlight walk from 7"wc to 20 in less than 10min, first time was a couple of years ago on a 6mo old generator, we do not use maxitrol period anymore after realizing faulty dilemma and is first thing I look for with overcrank is if customer has a maxitrol regulator. This is also why when replacing fuel plenum I leave old fuel neck and solenoid as the older ones tolerate a higher wc
That’s a new one for me. Maxitrol is usually a good product, I see them on Make Up units all the time and those aren’t usually cheap.
Great Job Mr. Dirmeyer
Thank you!
the best way to test a battery is with the old carbon pile tester and as the rule of thumbs you should always clean the terminals before starting any test
Rick, you're a wildman! Why no 65 cal arc flash suit?
For 240v? Sure for 460v
@@HVACRSurvival --- I'm teasing Rick, teasing, it comes through poorly in a comment.
Because 240 volts does not ionize the air with a short circuit. 13,800 volts doesn’t either. Only 480 volts ionizes the air. A fact of physics and high voltage safety training.
@@davidnull5590 I figured you’re teasing.
Rick easy one for the professional
Good job Rick..........
I've seen so many people hack in a generator install it's insane. Not unbonding and separating panels on most. Atleast in my area the local hvac supplier sells generacs. So the hvac tech tries to play electrician and corners usually get cut.
Our local Carrier dealer sells Honeywell, which is technically Generac. Most installers of HVAC don’t really want to do the generator install, but they forced to do it. Just like I service guys don’t wanna work on them.
Great video. Thank you for sharing. If you don't mind me asking ? May I ask, Where do you get the battery ? Is that car battery ?
That likely came from the place we buy our automotive parts. It’s a local distributor not national. Technically it is a regular car battery. They claim the one Generac uses his technically built for generator because it’s vibration resistant, but I don’t know if that’s true or not. We’ve never had any problems with these batteries or any other ones for that matter if you take care of them.
@@HVACRSurvival Pretty good vibrations in a car too so I would doubt that claim too probably same as a car battery
They are absolutely car batteries, and NO generac does NOT make them. There are only a few manufactures of automotive batteries in the country, three I think. Recommended battery is a group 26 or 26R, you want the negative post on the outside, if you can get it that way. Generac's negative cable is not always long enough to do that, though.
Do you recommend a generac generator and good job
Their latest ones aren’t too bad. You just have to do your part in maintaining it and you won’t have near the problems. Also make sure they follow the instructions properly on the installation. Meaning getting the gas line and meter size correctly, not putting it too close to the house and not putting it where there’s snow piles typically during the winter.
This is why i prefer Kohler over generac anyday.
A battery issue? I don’t see anything exactly tied to Generac being the issue.
Whoever did that violation of code should have been reported for doing that.
loose/dirty battery posts/terminals. hehe, I learned over 30 years ago to always clean them with wire brushes(terminal brushes) and always apply an anti-oxidant. how did I learn that? previous failures! yeah, I most always learn the hard way or backwards very fast.
Same
Great video! What brand and model are those long alligator clips! Those things look handy to have for hard to reach positions.
Wonderful video
Many thanks 🙏
you do a great job
Thank you very much. I appreciate the feedback and the view.
Those high frequency impedance based battery analyzers are okay but at least once I've had one "pass" but fail in carbon pyle tester (which sounds like you have elsewhere 👍)
@@slip0n0fall yep. I have a basic 100 amp resistive tester. I felt the same way about the electronic testers.
Is it set up to do a test every week? The only problem I have had was an oil sending unit.
Most of them I’ve seen is every week. I don’t recommend the quiet mode, run it hard and hot to burn off the moisture in the oil.
Nice work. Permatex Silicone works well sealing the tops of the terminals. Glad to see Ohio is more than snow & corn fields, lmao😂
We got a lot of both 😂
You don't want to seal the tops of the terminal.
@@bobbygene8274why not??? I’ve never had any issues doing this over 40 years.
Have you serviced that generator previous???
@@BigBoxDodge2020 I haven’t been there before. The company might have.
On the well repair videos I watch duct tape dies within a few years but electrical is still good decades later. Matches my other experiences with duct tape too. The stuff really is garbage, temporary only.
So here is my question. Assuming all mainterance is followed to the letter. Are these just cheap crap or can a homeowner depend on one properly installed?
There are some that go bad for no good reason, most of them are improperly maintained, then there’s others that don’t really have any problems. Like I said the video the newest ones don’t seem to have near the issues that the ones from the mid 2000s did.
There better than a Mobil unit for some people not in a flood zone
Yet there still the cheapest line of units, charging oil and property services are expensive but without it get a candle 😮
Myself personally prefer portable units because mine have been flawless and they’re actually actually Generac. I haven’t had any problems with either one of them ones 8000 W the other ones 3000.
Yes, to both questions.
I had a battery explode in one of the older Generac models 12kw.
It happens allot because the chargers are not a trickle charger. Then the water level gets low and boom. I’ve lost windings thanks to battery acid. Great product they had there. 🤔
That's a Mitsubishi motor ain't it? Can't blame Ford for that. Heck I wouldn't blame Mitsubishi either. It's that fine Wisconsin engineering.
That first thing I check
Stainless steel bolts and nuts help
Clean every two months and fill with destill water
Maintenance reset is easy. Up, up, esc, down, up, esc, up, enter go to dealer edit and select the reset maintenance option. 🤷♂️
Bingo
Why don't Generac recommend AGM batteries to avoid all the battery corrosion issues on their generators? Like you said most problems on these generators are do problems like you show here. When my original Exide battery goes bad or shows any signs of corrosion, I will for sure go to a AGM type.
I’m not sure why they don’t. Heck if people would keep the battery water level up and just check the generator like it mattered they wouldn’t have near the problems they have.
It’s a smart move and change it every year if weather gets bad
It’s a lot of work and expensive to keep one ready 😢
Good luck folks the higher amp battery the better 😊
Why not an AGM, or a 7 year warrantied battery from interstate or whatever you think is better. Very simple. It is money wasted. A "regular" battery properly maintained will provide as good of a service life as anything else, just change it every 3 or 4 years-even the AGM-even if it tests good. Remember, you only have at max a 2.5 amp charger. It won't do well with a larger battery which is hard to get in an out. Just change the battery. Just do it. (And, replace more often under the "correct" circumstances.)
@@bobbygene8274 The main reason for me going with a AGM type battery is for no more acid leaking and corrosion problems that go along with standard batteries. I don't mind paying extra to not have to deal with the mess and damage they cause.
I will stay old school . I know it will work when i need it.
I'm curious as to why you start your video bad mouthing the manufacturer of the product, as you just showed that it is usually a lack of preventative maintenance that causes the unit to fail ? I use to work on all types of generators and all will fail without good serviceing !😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
Watch my other generator videos on Generac and you’ll see why. Generac training is in adequate and their first generation generators are total garbage.
@@HVACRSurvivalI agree with you
@@HVACRSurvival
Would you consider the Cummins RS25 a good/reliable unit?
@georgeschilens8557, If you had any experience as a generator tech, you would understand. I was a generac "certified" tech - Air Cooled up to 150 kW liquid cooled, same with Kohler and Winco. Generac's will *sometimes* not work when nothing is wrong-as the video mentioned there have been quality issues-very frustrating. But, sometimes, not "usually", it is lack of maintenance as you stated.
@louis Cummings is normally good but a lot of companies are smacking a good companies name on poor product just so they can sell it so you gotta make sure you investigate each individual one. Sometimes it’s just a matter of knowing how it’s built to see if it’s gonna be a good generator or not unfortunately that doesn’t help the consumer.
They should’ve done a load test
We don’t carry load test equipment around in the truck. I don’t know one company in my town that has it, about all you might get is running up a few appliances that are heavy.
Troubleshooting should tell you that your first step is to check battery and connections.
Yeah, well if common sense was common, and if everyone knew how to do what I do, I wouldn’t have a job now would I?
Sweet deal
why is the ground fused? seems unsafe to me.
Where did you see this at in the video? Give me a timestamp.
@@HVACRSurvival I think he confused you talking about #23 switching the ground as you were about to pull that line fuse to simulate an outage. BTW, been pulling that fuse for decades just to avoid customers complaining of clocks flashing "12 noon" after a service call.
👍🏽
11 kw, that's an old one, but not the ancient controller.
Yup, uses enough gas to run 4 furnaces, what's a battery here and there.
And a new battery that doesn’t meet specs on day 1. Not a good sign
It’s also a cheaper meter.
Had a guy call me this winter with a no start. The Venturi flaps were stuck a little but enough for the step motor not to move. Started it to only find he blew all the fuses in the ESAM. Fucking guy was pissed at me because generac wouldn’t talk to him. Pays to be certified😁.
Also thanks for not showing that code
If they’re fast they can get it but I try not to totally screw other techs over.
Very true. People don’t need to be on our side of things. We don’t need to their dick skinners too.
If that was my gen set, I would be pissed you replaced a battery when all it needed was clean terminals.
You don’t listen or think. You’re just like the other guy that said the same thing. The battery was 8 years old and the customer chose to replace it. Do your own work then if you know so much✌️
what state are u in?
Ohio
A very dusty old stock battery. Ron W4BIN
Mice cause havoc often
OMG, "how dare you", reverse the test leads on checking battery voltage. 🤣
IDGAF, as long as you know they're reversed and the voltage is still within range. lol
Exactly 👍
GenericCrap, I mean Generac.....
GenerJunk
You mean you can't use channel lock type pliers to pull a fuse?😂
It works just don’t squeeze too hard. 😂🤣👍
Interesting that you know the right way to do things but choose not to. Glad your not my employee.
You’re hilarious. Go back to your desk job. You already know everything, there’s no reason to be watching TH-cam.
You don’t go to your barber when you have a tooth ache. Why would you call your air conditioner company to fix your generator? Unless, of course, they are certified to repair generators. Stay in your lane.
I was commercial certified and residential. I am highly doubting you went for Commercial. Most electricians are lucky if they even know a damn thing about generators. So I’m not sure what lane you’re in, but you should probably make sure you even know where you’re at before you try to tell me what lane to get in. This is. basic freaking electricity
I'm going to assume that the reason is because most HVAC companies are who do the generator installs. 🤷♂️
It's an appliance, so why wouldn't they be able to work on it since they're certified to do so and clearly know what their doing? Gen dealers can be any EMP Company. Clearly you don't get it, might want stay in YOUR lane.
500 cca for a lawn mower engine. LOL
#fuelpump
Show me where that fuel pump is?😁
Thank God for the mute button.
😂
Ear plugs.
Not smart. Don't be dissin FORD. You just cut 1 out of 10 possible subs. no sub here, no like here.
You’ll get over it. If you’re butt hurt over that, you’re not the kind of viewer I want. Ford, Chevy, Jeep they’re all junk and I’ve owned all of them.
Gena junk