Generac Generator - Running Fast and Down on Power 

That's great to hear. Usually it comes down to the carb and proper fuel maintenance.

⚠️Rules about generator safety: This is a very important announcement that everyone needs to know just to make sure. It is important to follow all generator safety rules whenever we use portable generators: Everyone must see this. This is just a reminder for everyone’s safety. 1) KEEPING OTHERS SAFE: Please do not allow an unqualified person or your children to operate and service the portable generator. Just because some manuals don’t say that doesn’t mean it’s safe. That is important against the generator safety rules. We also need to be keeping an eye on our children too. You need to make sure that your children are not playing near the portable generator especially when it’s running so they won’t get electrocuted. Generators pose electrical risks and they can be hot during an operation. Please keep your children away from the portable generator at all times. It is important to keep our children safe especially our little ones. Be aware of all the hazards. 2) WHERE TO RUN YOUR GENERATOR: Some people use their portable generators indoors which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s important to have a carbon monoxide if you have a gas generator. Never ever use your generator indoors even if your doors and windows are open and even in the garage is not safe to use a portable generator. Not even at your porch and your deck. It is never safe to use your generator indoors and in enclosed areas of your home. Your generator needs to be 15-20 feet away from your house. 3)🔥FIRE HAZARDS: Never refuel your generator while it’s running. You need to let your generator cool off before refueling it and before storing your generator. Never overload your generator too. Never ever back feed your generator. You should never plug your generator into a wall outlet. Also never store propane tanks indoors. Please keep flammable things away from the generator as well and please don’t smoke cigarettes near the generator. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important against the generator safety rules. 4) GENERATOR OPERATION: make sure your hands are dry before touching the generator. Never use your generator in wet conditions. Don’t let your generator get wet. You need a generator tent if you need to use your generator during wet weather. Please don’t wear loose clothes when operating the generator. Turn on your generator before plugging in appliances. Use the right cord for your generator. Please do not use worn out cords. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-I1jT3ANENvI.html and here is a video more about keeping others safe when using generators Hope this helps. Please make sure you follow all the generator safety tips. Thank you

Clean units sell better, especially when advertised with good photos.

I watch them all too......and hunger for the next. James, you're gonna have to go Netflix style, I need my fix!

⚠️Rules about generator safety: This is a very important announcement that everyone needs to know just to make sure. It is important to follow all generator safety rules whenever we use portable generators: Everyone must see this. This is just a reminder for everyone’s safety. 1) KEEPING OTHERS SAFE: Please do not allow an unqualified person or your children to operate and service the portable generator. Just because some manuals don’t say that doesn’t mean it’s safe. That is important against the generator safety rules. We also need to be keeping an eye on our children too. You need to make sure that your children are not playing near the portable generator especially when it’s running so they won’t get electrocuted. Generators pose electrical risks and they can be hot during an operation. Please keep your children away from the portable generator at all times. It is important to keep our children safe especially our little ones. Be aware of all the hazards. 2) WHERE TO RUN YOUR GENERATOR: Some people use their portable generators indoors which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s important to have a carbon monoxide if you have a gas generator. Never ever use your generator indoors even if your doors and windows are open and even in the garage is not safe to use a portable generator. Not even at your porch and your deck. It is never safe to use your generator indoors and in enclosed areas of your home. Your generator needs to be 15-20 feet away from your house. 3)🔥FIRE HAZARDS: Never refuel your generator while it’s running. You need to let your generator cool off before refueling it and before storing your generator. Never overload your generator too. Never ever back feed your generator. You should never plug your generator into a wall outlet. Also never store propane tanks indoors. Please keep flammable things away from the generator as well and please don’t smoke cigarettes near the generator. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important against the generator safety rules. 4) GENERATOR OPERATION: make sure your hands are dry before touching the generator. Never use your generator in wet conditions. Don’t let your generator get wet. You need a generator tent if you need to use your generator during wet weather. Please don’t wear loose clothes when operating the generator. Turn on your generator before plugging in appliances. Use the right cord for your generator. Please do not use worn out cords. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-I1jT3ANENvI.html and here is a video more about keeping others safe when using generators Hope this helps. Thank you

Yea, I've never noticed that on any other generator.

@@tomschmidt381 it’s the camera

It's called the beat frequency. Then the vibration frequency is close to (or multiples of) the camera's shutter speed, you get the strobing action. I'm sure you've seen wheels that seem to be spinning backwards. This beat frequency technique is also used in metal detectors.

Thanks Ken. Have seen a lot of carburetor and governor linkage issues do to people trying to fix an issue just to make things a lot worse.

@@jcondon1 Agree with both of you 💯 %. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.💪💪🙂🙂 Reading the manual can go a long way for PM. Great find Jim and glad it was easy. 👍👍👍👍Great job on the clean up too.

@@YukonHawk1 ⚠️Rules about generator safety: This is a very important announcement that everyone needs to know just to make sure. It is important to follow all generator safety rules whenever we use portable generators: Everyone must see this. This is just a reminder for everyone’s safety. 1) KEEPING OTHERS SAFE: Please do not allow an unqualified person or your children to operate and service the portable generator. Just because some manuals don’t say that doesn’t mean it’s safe. That is important against the generator safety rules. We also need to be keeping an eye on our children too. You need to make sure that your children are not playing near the portable generator especially when it’s running so they won’t get electrocuted. Generators pose electrical risks and they can be hot during an operation. Please keep your children away from the portable generator at all times. It is important to keep our children safe especially our little ones. Be aware of all the hazards. 2) WHERE TO RUN YOUR GENERATOR: Some people use their portable generators indoors which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s important to have a carbon monoxide if you have a gas generator. Never ever use your generator indoors even if your doors and windows are open and even in the garage is not safe to use a portable generator. Not even at your porch and your deck. It is never safe to use your generator indoors and in enclosed areas of your home. Your generator needs to be 15-20 feet away from your house. 3)🔥FIRE HAZARDS: Never refuel your generator while it’s running. You need to let your generator cool off before refueling it and before storing your generator. Never overload your generator too. Never ever back feed your generator. You should never plug your generator into a wall outlet. Also never store propane tanks indoors. Please keep flammable things away from the generator as well and please don’t smoke cigarettes near the generator. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important against the generator safety rules. 4) GENERATOR OPERATION: make sure your hands are dry before touching the generator. Never use your generator in wet conditions. Don’t let your generator get wet. You need a generator tent if you need to use your generator during wet weather. Please don’t wear loose clothes when operating the generator. Turn on your generator before plugging in appliances. Use the right cord for your generator. Please do not use worn out cords. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-I1jT3ANENvI.html and here is a video more about keeping others safe when using generators Hope this helps. Please make sure you follow all the generator safety tips. Thank you

Thanks Scott!

The management team puts pressure on the techs. Been there.

They do rush them out. Have picked up ones with loose flywheel nuts, loose stator bolts etc... They all ran fine. Makes me wonder why I both using a torque wrench.

@@jcondon1 That's an easy answer... You take pride in your results. Nothing wrong with that.

Thanks

Very good info. I have a 3k Briggs generator that drops way to much- about 5-10 hertz when you put a load on it. I did not think it could be an engine issue but perhaps it is. I will try cleaning the carb again and adjusting the valves.

Try bumping the throttle manually. If you can get back up to speed then cleaning the carb and adjusting the valves might help.

Thank you sir!

Thanks. I always want them to look their best (within reason). Just cannot understand how people let them get that way.

The manual suggests checking after the first 50 hours then every 200.

Anything with valves needs to be checked periodically

⚠️Rules about generator safety: This is a very important announcement that everyone needs to know just to make sure. It is important to follow all generator safety rules whenever we use portable generators: Everyone must see this. This is just a reminder for everyone’s safety. 1) KEEPING OTHERS SAFE: Please do not allow an unqualified person or your children to operate and service the portable generator. Just because some manuals don’t say that doesn’t mean it’s safe. That is important against the generator safety rules. We also need to be keeping an eye on our children too. You need to make sure that your children are not playing near the portable generator especially when it’s running so they won’t get electrocuted. Generators pose electrical risks and they can be hot during an operation. Please keep your children away from the portable generator at all times. It is important to keep our children safe especially our little ones. Be aware of all the hazards. 2) WHERE TO RUN YOUR GENERATOR: Some people use their portable generators indoors which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s important to have a carbon monoxide if you have a gas generator. Never ever use your generator indoors even if your doors and windows are open and even in the garage is not safe to use a portable generator. Not even at your porch and your deck. It is never safe to use your generator indoors and in enclosed areas of your home. Your generator needs to be 15-20 feet away from your house. 3)🔥FIRE HAZARDS: Never refuel your generator while it’s running. You need to let your generator cool off before refueling it and before storing your generator. Never overload your generator too. Never ever back feed your generator. You should never plug your generator into a wall outlet. Also never store propane tanks indoors. Please keep flammable things away from the generator as well and please don’t smoke cigarettes near the generator. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important against the generator safety rules. 4) GENERATOR OPERATION: make sure your hands are dry before touching the generator. Never use your generator in wet conditions. Don’t let your generator get wet. You need a generator tent if you need to use your generator during wet weather. Please don’t wear loose clothes when operating the generator. Turn on your generator before plugging in appliances. Use the right cord for your generator. Please do not use worn out cords. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-I1jT3ANENvI.html and here is a video more about keeping others safe when using generators Hope this helps. Thank you

It probably is the same engine. Most use the same 420cc clone these days.

Thanks Bruce. Not much wrong with this one.

I got mine the day before Hurricane Sandy hit still runs great Thanks excellent video !

Was thinking the same thing. Not sure how the camera sees it that way. I try not to put it too close for that reason.

@@jcondon1 the frequency of the generator running is close to the same frequency that the camera is recording at that's why it causes that kinda like when you use a led light and of its not a camera friendly or sold as a camera led light it causes the ripple lines across the recording screen its just the frequencies between the 2 items causing the worm dance looks cool though compared to the led interference lines

The image stabilization has a lot of trouble with engines. Might skip that feature in the next camera.

@@jcondon1 I actually enjoy it, there's also a great video explaining how it is used to identify weak points in construction m.ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-rEoc0YoALt0.html

Thanks for the tip.

He wanted some screen time

Thanks. Price and supply are definitely an issue right now. If working for a customer, then replacing it is the way to go not only the labor cost, but a new one will last longer then a cleaned up old one and hopefully keep the customer happy with your work.

i've stripped alot of bolts on these chinese built things so its a good thing Better be safe than sorry

Its really only necessary on critical components like the connecting rod. Muscle memory is not the issue, but a lot watching have no idea how to do this work correctly so trying to show them. Even with the torque wrench I break things. At least this way I can blame the part. And maybe a little OCD.

I know a Jay Young. Are you the Jay I am thinking of???

@@jcondon1 Not sure James, I'm in southern VT. Business owner, i know lots of folks.

The camera image stabilization is to blame. Out the camera a little too close.

Thanks!

I with you there. But they sure are easy to sell. The same China clone branded anything else is a much harder sell.

@@jcondon1 exactly because of the name most likely. Generac has a pretty crappy reputation in the residential portable market. However on the commercial industrial side they seem to be a gold standard.

what did you had for breakfast?

I had some patty sausage, eggs, grits and toast. It was very tasty 🙂🙂

@@Big_Johns yum. that does sound like a breakfast of champions.

I do not recommend staking any screws or bolts in something as delicately engineered as chokes, throttles or carburetors. If factories have staked any screws in your light engineered parts then leave them alone if at all possible. If you must take the screw out then replace with the correct size screw and the correct amount of blue loctite.

@@r8118830 I didn't say to *remove any screws* !! I said take _a look at the staking_ to be sure it was done correctly at the factory since I have *personally* had one that was incorrectly staked. They were never removed before, and you could tell that they did _attempt_ to stake them at the factory, but it was clearly, visually on the remaining screw, incorrectly and insufficiently staked. Properly staking a carb plate-shaft screw is not difficult, you obviously back it with a bucking bar of some type, a small rod in this case, not just smash away on the shaft and carb assembly itself. 🤦 Obviously if someone is lacking the knowledge, tools, or gentle finesse skills and therefore is not capable of doing that properly they could just loctite it, but a proper *mechanical* lock is far superior for anyone who has the capability to do it correctly. No remedial action should be required in the vast majority of cases, my point is to *check* them on these units since I've personally seen a failure!

@@drussell_ I am not attacking your skills and knowledge drussell. I never said to remove the screws. I said not to do so if you could help it. I have never liked the idea of staking screws. To me it is just damaging a well engineered part. There are other ways of ensuring that a nut or bolt or a screw do not lose tightness. Some ways are cheaper than others. At base you can use one of the many locking washers in use. Nothing wrong with a nyloc nut. Castellated nuts are good too. You can use a nut or bolt head with a split pin or use a nord lock nut. Variations of the split pin is using safety wire. Of course loctite has several varieties and can be as secure as you want it to be. Manufacturing companies always want it to be cheap. They have moved away from staking screws, which is cheap, to using loctite, which is cheap.

Thanks Ed.

that's a common issue with the newer stationary sets because they have a low speed exercise and only run for 7 minutes. (half of what they did years ago) IOW, they run too cold. On some you can change that in the menu. You can also change the auto ex program to less often (also in the menu) and do your own loaded exercise to warm it up fully.

@@rupe53 the exercise is programmed at 5 minutes I could have it exercise everyday but I am not going to. So I will just simulate a power outage.

@@er1073 ... the point I was trying to make is you can't shut the exercise off completely but you can minimize those cold runs by changing the program to once a month and raising the speed. (on some) The rest you can do manually by simulated power failure. Of course doing it that way you will also have to put up with waiting for computers and cable boxes to reboot plus flashing clocks. Oh, the issues of modern appliances!

@@rupe53 okay I will try that then and I can do that via mobile link. Yes a lot of stuff blinks and warns of impending doom etc...

⚠️Rules about generator safety: This is a very important announcement that everyone needs to know just to make sure. It is important to follow all generator safety rules whenever we use portable generators: Everyone must see this. This is just a reminder for everyone’s safety. 1) KEEPING OTHERS SAFE: Please do not allow an unqualified person or your children to operate and service the portable generator. Just because some manuals don’t say that doesn’t mean it’s safe. That is important against the generator safety rules. We also need to be keeping an eye on our children too. You need to make sure that your children are not playing near the portable generator especially when it’s running so they won’t get electrocuted. Generators pose electrical risks and they can be hot during an operation. Please keep your children away from the portable generator at all times. It is important to keep our children safe especially our little ones. Be aware of all the hazards. 2) WHERE TO RUN YOUR GENERATOR: Some people use their portable generators indoors which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s important to have a carbon monoxide if you have a gas generator. Never ever use your generator indoors even if your doors and windows are open and even in the garage is not safe to use a portable generator. Not even at your porch and your deck. It is never safe to use your generator indoors and in enclosed areas of your home. Your generator needs to be 15-20 feet away from your house. 3)🔥FIRE HAZARDS: Never refuel your generator while it’s running. You need to let your generator cool off before refueling it and before storing your generator. Never overload your generator too. Never ever back feed your generator. You should never plug your generator into a wall outlet. Also never store propane tanks indoors. Please keep flammable things away from the generator as well and please don’t smoke cigarettes near the generator. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important against the generator safety rules. 4) GENERATOR OPERATION: make sure your hands are dry before touching the generator. Never use your generator in wet conditions. Don’t let your generator get wet. You need a generator tent if you need to use your generator during wet weather. Please don’t wear loose clothes when operating the generator. Turn on your generator before plugging in appliances. Use the right cord for your generator. Please do not use worn out cords. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-I1jT3ANENvI.html and here is a video more about keeping others safe when using generators Hope this helps. Please make sure you follow all the generator safety tips. Thank you

Maybe. Generac's are infamous for having valve issues. The manual says to check after the first 50 hours then every 200 after.

ALWAYS use a stabilizer and run the set monthly under load. When done you shut off the fuel to drain the carb dry for storage. Did it that way for 30 years and NEVER had the carb off. (circa 1988 Generac / B&S engine) Oh, I only keep a gallon of fuel in the gen set, which will last a year in exercise. I store my fuel in 5 gallon cans with a date on them. If I don't use the fuel in a year I pour it in the car and get fresh.

I always use fuel stabilizer and shut the fuel valve off, drain the carb If the bowl has a drain or run it carb dry. I keep my tank full, but swap out the fuel with fresh stuff at least twice a year. Have not ever had a problem doing that.

that white stuff is from the ethanol in the fuel. When the fuel evaporates between uses it leaves a residue. (like corn starch powder)

I agree. Am surprised though the governor did not compensate for the valve issue.

eoic?

@@lordjaashin exhaust starts to open adjust intake valve, intake valve starts to close adjust exhaust. Basically the cam lobe needs to be on the base circle of the intake or exhaust lobe to adjust that valve lash correctly.

That method works much better for most. I cannot tell you how many people do not know that the piston is at TDC twice, and adjust the valves when at TDC on the wrong stroke. Causes a lot of issues doing it the "correct" way.

I do not have any experience with that engine. Misfiring can definitely be caused by a low voltage or intermittent spark. But there are other reason for that. Check to make sure both cylinders are firing and building compression.

I use hot tap water.

That is correct. Most Honda clone recoils only use 3 of the holes. The extra are there so you can remove the bolts and rotate to a different position to change the position of the start rope with having to rotate 1/3 of the way before the original holes line up again.

Derek Marshall ... Well spotted ! Perhaps that "OCD" would be the "Off Camera Detector" I reckon ! cheers

Generac uses a Honda clone on this one. Worst case find another generator that does not make power with a 420cc clone engine and you coin probably just do an engine swap.

@@jcondon1 Thanks Jim. I think something is different about the one I have though as it has a 389cc on it.

@@ericvaughn1126 .. that'd certainly a Generac engine and the factory has very few internal parts available. (China import) the 389 versus 420 is just a few years apart in production. I'd look for another used set to get parts. You might even luck out at a junk pile behind a dealer or repair shop. I can't tell you how many I threw away because the rest of the set was trash from being left outside. IOW, too expensive to fix. (Yes, I was working for a dealer)

I have not

Thanks. It was a Honda clone, probably built around 2011. It was a hemi.

@@jcondon1 Thanks

I could, but it is cheap and non toxic so easy to dispose of and start fresh. If I was cleaning multiple carbs in a day they would definitely reuse.

I have not. But most made today use the same 420cc Honda clone. Most are built by only a handful of companies and just rebranded.

He mentioned it in a different video...it is the super heavy duty degreaser found at Harbor Freight.

Thats it

@@troystanley192 Thank you so much

Running rich is usually bad carb jetting or a restricted air filter.

Harbor Freight Super Heavy Duty Degreaser

You got the right skills to save those portable power plants from going to the scrap metal place

@@Codyjrt thank you for the info

Robert ... when they first started doing that it was for California emissions. As other states picked up on the idea the factory just made 'em all the same.

@@rupe53 thank you for your reply young.man 😎

@@robertmailhos8159 ... BTW, nothing to do with EGR because small engines don't have that and probably never will.

That is the only way, unless it is an inverter. The hertz on an inverter generator is independent of engine speed.

That’s the only way you adjust the frequency….

Yes....it did appear that the tank was moving as well while it was running.

It has to do with the video speed and engine vibration. Its an optical illusion, same thing happens when I video with my phone of a running engine, looks like its wiggling all over the place when its actually not.

@@Big_Johns That makes sense.👍👍

Thanks Paul or maybe it’s one of those rare Disco Generators. 🤣

The image stabilization does make things look strange. Wish there was a way to delete that feature.

Did you determine if the tacho was faulty James? It was certainly not reading right.

Not the one I have. Echo makes a nice one.

It is a Hemi and a Honda clone.

You can spray WD40 in there or maybe some two stroke oil.

An internal combustion engine definitely needs detergents. You CAN buy SAE30 oil that doesn't have any detergents--don't use that in an ICE.

factory says you can use 10-30 from about 20 - 90 degrees ambient temp. You can also use 30 wt (detergent) if you are always above freezing, which would be indoor storage in my area. All of the major oil companies still make straight weight oil but not everyone stocks it.

SAE 30 is always best in hot weather (above 40 degrees F). Where I am though SAE30 is a problem from November though April. 10W-30 is good here year round for the most part. If above 90 degrees F, then 10W-30 mineral oil will be consumed quickly by the engine. Synthetic should do better. Ideally you should add zinc to the oil to help the flat tappets out.

@@jcondon1 ... was doing some research recently and found most mineral oils already have zinc in them, although not as much as some formulas for old engines. BTW, the zinc also helps protect during long term storage. OTOH, if you run it once a month we're not too worried about that.

Generac does sell the part you need, but it most likely costs more then the generator did when it was new. Your best bet would be to buy another working generator or look to see if anyone is selling one with a blown engine that you could steal the stator from.

@@jcondon1 Thanks for reply. I learned a ton watching your videos, super detailed and informative. Just picked up Briggs 7000 for $400...it's a shame too, as the Generac only has 89hrs on it..on the hunt for one with a blown engine to get the powerhead...