Dude thanks for Sharing This ! I have a 2003,15 K unit and have been able to diagnose the first problem when I first got it installed . One cylinder not firing ! The certified Repair man WAS CLUELESS. I found the spark plug wire was pinched under the cylinder shroud. I replaced the coil and I’ve been maintaining it since 😎 a starter failed, the replacement was Updated! No Warranty 2 or 3 years old. I’ve been maintaining it the coil issue. Now it’s time for a replacement regulator at the unit 😎21 years old yeah finally something lasted its life cycle. But not a lot of information about that. I thought it was strange the LP co put a 1/2 valve in and then had installed a 1:2” to 3/4 “ 90 to the 3/4 inch flex line supplied with the unit ! After researching this on U tube I’m replacing the regulator with a Same brand with the proper WC going to the unit . Again TY for posting your video. FYI I had already Requested my primary tank valve be replaced last year 🤢 LP co never considered the expiration date on the valve I I kept getting a whif of gas around the 500 gallon tank
Great catch! As a generac tech intermittent problems are a pain in the arss. They also piss customers off when you show up and cant find anything wrong. For RPM sense loss fuel is my first check. I believe the book tells you to check wire 4 and 4a, magnitos, server motor and linkage. With the gen starting and putting out good voltage that pretty much eleminates these items as well as the controller itself. Wire 18 would probably be another check. Its hard to find the problem when everything is working properly. Then you end up making multiple visits to find the problem.
Yes , Ck are By the book, but you still have to START WITH THE MOST Necessary thing for a combustion engine, air and fuel then and spark if it’s not a diesel, are OK. Then go by a Flow chart for other things to Ck
Got a similar problem as well. Also believe it is a propane issue thanks for the insight. I too am a mechanic. Fault codes were irrelevant because was doing a load test at the time and it would auto restart then die off after a minute or two.
Hi and thanks. I do have a question. Did you notice whether your generator was putting out any power at the unit while in its short run time. / while in a failing scenario/
Did you change that regulator when you installed your generator? You should have. If that's a 22k, it is rated at ~355,000 btu/h, and requires 10-12 IWC propane @ 142 CuFt/H @ full load. Now you need to add in the flow rate requirements for all your other gas appliances: furnace, water heater, stove, dryer, space heaters, etc. The tank regulator needs to be sized for your total flow rate with the proper size orifice and the tank valve and whip also need to be sized appropriately. Next figure out what the highest pressure required for your home is (usually furnaces at around 14 iwc) and set the static pressure (no gas flow) at the regulator to that, then turn everything on (including the generator) and recheck pressure at the tank regulator. You will likely need to increase the pressure slightly which is done by turning the set screw clockwise. After readjusting the tank regulator (and with everything still running) check pressure at the generator and at the furthest appliance (longest pipe run from tank) to ensure they are in fact receiving sufficient pressure. Now here is where the problems come in, because to get proper pressure AND flow to the furthest appliance you may end up with a static pressure at the tank regulator as high as 18 - 20 iwc. That might (likely) kick out the high pressure limits on some appliances. That would require intermediate regulators for those appliances. If you would have put a T at the tank with a dedicated regulator and run a dedicated line to the generator you probably could get away with the 3/4", but they way it is, you need to try to balance the system for everything on a single regulator. Had you called your propane supplier with the generator specs, they could have told you whether the tank outlet is capable of providing the flows required, and what size regulator and pipe would be required. The 3/4" pipe is definitely undersized the way you have it plumbed off of your main house feed. You also should have a drip-leg and shut-off valve at the generator where the flex-line connects to your rigid pipe. That allows the generator to be serviced without shutting down gas supply to the whole house as well as keeping the shut-off valve in line of sight for anyone who needs to service the generator.
@antoniosagamuccio7370 this is great input and I see you spent a lot of time writing this so thank you. A couple things to clarify for my particular application: I pulled all my propane appliances out and did electric. All I have on there is the stove and a BBQ, and of course the generator. I do have a shutoff for the generator, but you are right, it's not in line of sight. Calling the propane provider makes a lot of sense, but thats not really something that is done here. The general contractors pipe everything and the propane company just sets the tank. It seems how they do it here is probably abnormal. What you are describing makes a lot of sense. As for the 3/4 size, I did extensively read the generac installation manual and it specified a length/distance from tank or propane feed (I don't recall the length spec) Plus a factor for 90's and I was actually right in spec. My advice to anyone going forward though would probably be just to oversize, I should have run 1 inch. BUT it has been 100% perfect and reliable since fixing this regulator so I'm great with the 3/4 in my case. Understood on the pressure and volume, test it dynamically (under load, all appliances running) and measure pressure l. Got it. That's great insight. I would have been happy to work with you on this install, don't know of any propane specialists in this area.
I do this stuff all day long for a propane provider. Your gas system is configured completely wrong. You can’t run anything bigger than 7 kw on a twin stage regulator. You need a first stage at the tank and a second stage near the generator and you’ll never have that problem again
