Fuel that is not going to used- even for short periods of time should be treated with fuel stabilizer to slow the rate of deterioration, gumming and varnish formation. Following the fuel stabilizer manufacturer's recommendations, treat the quantity of the fuel remaining in the fuel tank. Open the fuel valve, start and operate the engine for 30 minutes. Close the fuel valve and operate until the engine stops. This circulates treated fuel through lines and carburetor. The fuel can be drained or left in the tank.

We do not offer any type of fuel conversion kit for our portable generators. Aftermarket conversion kits are available on the internet. However, if a customer decides to convert the fuel using an aftermarket kit, the warranty is void.

Regular unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 and no more than 10% ethanol is preferred. Never use an E85 fuel or a mixture of oil and gasoline designated for two cycle engines. Utilizing a higher grade premium fuel will not yield any increase in power output or improved performance.

The fuel capacity listed is the total interior volume for the fuel tank. Air space is required to allow for expansion of the gasoline during warmer temperatures. So the actual amount of gasoline that will fit in the tank is typically less than the stated fuel tank capacity.

Actually, treating the fuel for storage is a better option. The treated fuel can then be left in the tank. Fuel can be removed through the fill opening using an automotive style siphon. Exercise all appropriate cautions when handling fuel.

The hourmeter will alert the owner continuously for one hour (of run time) before and until one hour after scheduled maintenance has been reached. This includes oil changes (at 100 hours) or air filter service (at 200 hours). As hours of operation continue to accumulate, the hourmeter will automatically reset itself until the next 100 or 200 hour service interval is reached. See the Hourmeter section of your owner's manual for additional information. The hourmeter on some generator models have a reset button that allows the operator to move between maintenance intervals and reset intervals by holding the reset button for nine seconds. NOTE: Not all generator models have a reset button.

Valve clearance adjustment is critical to proper engine operation and requires special tools and training. Instructions are covered in the Valve Clearance Adjustment section of your owner's manual. However, if you are uncomfortable preforming this service procedure, have your dealer maintain the generator's valve clearance at the intervals specified.

These indicate the need to balance the loads on the generator when adding the elcetrical devices. For example, if you are adding two electrical devices, plug one into a red outlet and the other into a blue outlet rather than two red or two blue outlets. This will help balance the loads on the generator. NOTE: This only applies to models with extension cords.

Portable generator should never be operated inside an enclosed space or contrary to any provision or warning contained in your Owner's Manual. However, portable generators are intended to be used during extreme weather and for the sensitive electronics on them, it is best if some sort of open covering can be used to protect it from direct rain or snow. Great options would be a car port or boat canopy with four open sides or a tarp hung from a tree. It is very important to provide adequate ventilation for the generator, so any sort of protection should be at least five feet from any side (including the top of the unit) while in use. Additionally, a portable generator should always be stored inside when not in use to prevent unnecessary wear and tear. BE ADVISED, the generator should NEVER be used in any enclosed space including, without limitation, a shed, home, garage, trailer, or vehicle, even if the doors are left open, as this can be a serious fire hazard and carbon monoxide risk.

Your generator can be operated continually. The highest priority is to maintain a proper oil level. Each time you add fuel, check the oil level as well. Add oil, if necessary, to keep the level at the upper mark on the dipstick. See the Checking Oil Level and Adding Fuel sections of your owner's manual for complete instructions on adding fuel and oil.

Yes, remove all loads before turning the generator off. First, turn off all appliances, lights and items being powered by the generator. Then, unplug the items from the generator's receptacles and allow the generator to cool. Once you've done this, it is safe to turn the generator off. NEVER turn the generator off while loads are applied. Refer to the Generator Loads section of your owner's manual for complete instruction on adding and removing electrical devices.

NEVER start or stop the generator's engine with running electrical devices plugged into the generator. When the generator is turned off, you can only connect electrical devices that are turned off. When the generator is turned on, you may connect electrical devices that are turned on or off.

Proper grounding of the generator, when used to back-up a building's utility power, will prevent electrical shock in the event of a ground fault condition in the generator or the connected electrical devices. Proper grounding also helps dissipate static electricity which often builds up in ungrounded devices. The National Electric Code requires that the frame and externally conductive parts of this generator be properly connected to an approved earth ground. Local electrical codes may also require proper groundingof the unit. for that purpose, connecting a No. 10 AWG (American Wire Gauge) stranded copper wire to the grounding lug and to an earth driven copper or brass grounding rod (electrode) provides adequate protection against electrical shock. However, local codes may vary widely. Consult with a local electrician for grounding requirements in the area.

Generac recommends starting a generator once a month and running the unit for about 30 minutes. Starting the unit monthly will help make sure that the generator is ready to turn on in the event of an outage.

Our portable generators feature a low-tone muffler straight from the factory. We do not offer a kit or recommend making any changes to the generator or exhaust system, as that can void the warranty and UL listing.

Generac does not offer any kits or accessories to add electric start to a pull start generator. Making any changes can void the generator warranty.

No. The dealer will not come out to the customer or pick up the portable generator from the customer unless the customer has paid them to do so.

Most of our portable generators do not have idle control. The engine will run at full speed in order to accept any immediate loads. Some of the new XP and XT models do offer idle control. The iX inverter series models have "eco-mode" which allows the engine to run at a lower speed.

If the starter will not turn the engine over, charge the battery using the charger provided with your generator. The charger should be connected for no longer than 48 hours.

Complete battery replacement procedures can be found in the Battery Replacement section of your owner's manual.

Most portable generators do not charge their batteries when running. Two Generac GP models, the 15,000 and the 17,500 and all electric start XP models charge their batteries while operating. Generac electric start generators, except those two GP models come with an external charger. The customer should charge the battery at least once a month for 24-48 hours in preparation for usage. If the battery is dead, most of the portables have a recoil backup (pull start). In emergency situations, the customer can charge the battery by plugging the charger cord into the receptacle on the generator while it is running. This is not recommended for typical operation.