Generac 13050 User Manual

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Questions?

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back to the store,

call the generator

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M-F 8-5 CT

Portable Generator Owner’s Manual

This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you to potential personal injury hazards. Obey all safety messages
that follow this symbol to avoid possible injury or death.

Model No. 1305–0 (4200 Watt AC Generator) Manual No. B4242 Revision 2 (9/6/2000)

Visit our Generac website: www.generac-portables.com

4200WATT

Generac Portable Products 4,200 Watt Generator

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EQUIPMENT

DESCRIPTION

The generator is an engine-driven, revolving field,
alternating current (AC) generator. It was designed to
supply electrical power for operating compatible electrical
lighting, appliance, tool and motor loads. This manual
contains information for a generator that operates
120 and/or 240 Volt, single phase, 60 Hz devices that
require up to 4,200 watts (4.2 kW) of power that pull up
to 35 Amps at 120 Volts or 17.5 Amps at 240 Volts.

CAUTION! Do Not exceed the generator’s

wattage/amperage capacity. Add up the rated watts
of all devices you are connecting to generator
receptacles at one time. This total should not be
greater than 4,200 watts. See “Don’t Overload the
Generator” on page 9.

The 4,200 watt portable generator has the following
features:

• 120/240 Volt, 20 Amp locking receptacle.

• 120 Volt 30 Amp locking receptacle.

• 120 Volt, 20 Amp duplex receptacle.

• Low Oil Shutdown: Automatically shuts down the engine
if oil drops below safe operation level.

• 1.6 gallon overhead fuel tank.

• The generator’s revolving field is driven at about
3,600 rpm by a Honda 8 h.p. engine.

DANGER! Do Not tamper with engine governed

speed. High operating speeds are dangerous and
increase risk of personal injury or damage to
equipment. The generator supplies correct rated
frequency and voltage only when running at proper
governed speed. Incorrect frequency and/or voltage
can damage some connected electrical loads.
Operating at excessively low speeds imposes a
heavy load at such reduced speeds, when adequate
engine power is not available, and may shorten
engine life.

SAFETY RULES

This generator set was designed and manufactured for
specific applications. Do Not attempt to modify the unit
or use it for any application it was not designed for. If you
have any questions about your generator’s application, ask
your dealer/distributor or consult the factory.

The manufacturer could not possibly anticipate every
circumstance that might involve a hazard. For that reason
warnings in the manual and warnings on tags or decals
affixed to the unit are not all–inclusive. If you intend to
handle, operate or service the unit by a procedure or
method not specifically recommended by the manufacturer,
first make sure that such a procedure or method will not
render this equipment unsafe or pose a threat to you and
others.

Read this manual carefully and become familiar
with your generator set. Know its applications, its
limitations and any hazards involved.

DANGER! You must isolate the generator from

the electric utility by opening the electrical system’s
main circuit breaker or main switch if this unit is
used for backup power. Failure to isolate the

generator from the power utility may result
in injury or death to electric utility workers
and damage to the generator due to a backfeed

of electrical energy. Whenever unit is providing
backup power, the electric utility must be notified.

DANGER! Generator exhaust gases contain

DEADLY carbon monoxide gas. Carbon
monoxide, if breathed in sufficient
concentrations, can cause unconsciousness or
death. Operate this equipment outdoors where

adequate ventilation is available.

The Emission Control System for this generator is
warranted for standards set by the Environmental
Protection Agency. For warranty information refer to the
engine owner’s manual.

The engine exhaust from this product contains

chemicals known to the State of California to

cause cancer, birth defects, or other

reproductive harm.

WARNING:

Generac Portable Products 4,200 Watt Generator

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• The generator produces a very powerful voltage that can
cause serious injury or death by electrocution. Never
touch bare wires or receptacles. Never permit a child
or any unqualified person to operate the generator.

• Never handle any kind of electrical cord or device while
standing in water, while barefoot or while hands or feet
are wet. Death or serious injury from electrocution may
result.

• Use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) in any damp
or highly conductive area (such as metal decking or steel
work).

• Never use worn, bare, frayed or otherwise damaged
electrical cords with the generator. Death, serious injury
and property damage from electrical shock may result.

• Gasoline is highly FLAMMABLE and its vapors

are EXPLOSIVE. Never allow smoking, open
flames, sparks or heat in the vicinity while
handling gasoline. Avoid spilling gasoline on a hot

engine. Comply with all laws regulating storage and
handling of gasoline.

• Do Not overfill the fuel tank. Always allow room for
fuel expansion. If tank is overfilled, fuel can overflow

onto a hot engine and cause a FIRE or an
EXPLOSION.

• Never store a generator with fuel in the tank where
gasoline vapors might reach an open flame, spark or pilot
light (as on a furnace, water heater, clothes dryer). FIRE
or an EXPLOSION may result.

• The unit requires an adequate flow of cooling air for its
continued proper operation. Never operate the unit
inside any room or enclosure where the free flow of
cooling air into and out of the unit might be obstructed.
Allow at least 2 feet of clearance on all sides of generator,
even while operating unit outdoors, or you could damage
the unit.

• Never start, or stop the unit with electrical loads
connected to receptacles with the connected devices
turned ON. Start the engine and let it stabilize before
connecting any electrical loads. Disconnect all electrical
loads before shutting down the generator.

• Do Not insert any object through cooling slots of the
engine. You could damage the unit or injure yourself.

• Never operate the generator:

in rain; in any enclosed compartment; when connected
electrical devices overheat; if electrical output is lost; if
engine or generator sparks; if flame or smoke is
observed while unit is running; if unit vibrates
excessively.

GROUNDING THE

GENERATOR

The National Electric Code requires the frame and
external electrically conductive parts of the generator be
properly connected to approved earth ground. Local
electrical codes may also require proper grounding of the
unit. For this purpose, a grounding wing nut (Figure 1) is
provided on the cradle.

Generally, connecting a No. 12 AWG (American Wire
Gauge) stranded copper wire to the grounding wing nut
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 your area.
Be sure to keep the ground wire attached while you
connect the electrode.

Properly grounding the generator helps prevent electrical
shock if ground fault conditions exists in the generator or
in connected electrical devices. Proper grounding also helps
dissipate static electricity, which often builds up in
ungrounded devices.

Figure 1 — Grounding Wing Nut

Grounding Wing Nut

Generac Portable Products 4,200 Watt Generator

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120 Volt AC, 20 Amp Duplex Receptacle — May be
used to supply electrical power for the operation of
120 Volt AC, 20 Amp, single phase, 60 Hz electrical
lighting, appliance, tool and motor loads.

120 Volt AC, 30 Amp Receptacle — May be used to
supply electrical power for the operation of 120 Volt AC,
30 Amp, single phase, 60 Hz electrical lighting, appliance,
tool and motor loads.

120/240 Volt AC, 20 Amp Receptacle — May be used
to supply electrical power for the operation of 120 and/or

240 Volt AC, 20 Amp, single phase, 60 Hz electrical
lighting, appliance, tool and motor loads.

Circuit Breakers (AC) — Each receptacle is provided
with a push-to-reset circuit breaker to protect the
generator against electrical overload.

Fuel Tank — Capacity of 1.6 U.S. gallons (6 liters).
Grounding Wing Nut — Provides a tie-point for

connecting the generator frame to earth ground.

KNOW YOUR GENERATOR

Read this owner’s manual and safety rules before operating your generator.

Compare the illustrations with your generator, to familiarize yourself with the locations of various controls and
adjustments. Save this manual for future reference.

Circuit Breakers (AC)

Fuel Tank

120 Volt AC, 30 Amp
Receptacle

120/240 Volt AC,
20 Amp Receptacle

120 Volt AC, 20 Amp
Duplex Receptacle

Grounding Wing Nut

Generac Portable Products 4,200 Watt Generator

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CARTON CONTENTS

Check all contents. If any parts are missing or damaged, call
the generator helpline at 1-800-270-1408. Review “Cold
Weather Operation” on page 7. Shipped with your
generator are:

• Main unit

• Engine and generator owner’s manuals

• Muffler exhaust deflector

BEFORE STARTING THE

ENGINE

Add Engine Oil

• Make sure unit is on a level surface.

• Follow the oil recommendations and oil fill instructions
given in the engine owner’s manual.

CAUTION! Any attempt to crank or start the

engine before it has been properly serviced with the
recommended oil results in an engine failure.

NOTE: The generator’s revolving field rides on a
pre–lubricated and sealed ball bearing that requires no
additional lubrication for the life of the bearing.

Add Gasoline

DANGER! Never fill fuel tank indoors. Never fill

fuel tank when engine is running or hot. Do Not
light a cigarette or smoke when filling the fuel tank.

DANGER! Do Not overfill the fuel tank. Always

leave room for expansion.

• Use regular UNLEADED gasoline in the generator.
Do Not use premium gasoline. Do Not mix oil with
gasoline. Do Not overfill the gas tank.

• Clean area around fuel fill cap; remove cap.

• Fill fuel tank with clean, fresh, unleaded gasoline. Be
careful not to overfill. Allow 1/2" of tank space for fuel
expansion, as shown in Figure 2.

• Install fuel cap and wipe up any spilled gasoline.

IMPORTANT: It is important to prevent gum deposits
from forming in essential fuel system parts such as the
carburetor, fuel filter, fuel hose or tank during storage.
Also, experience indicates that alcohol–blended fuels
(called gasohol, ethanol or methanol) can attract moisture,
which leads to separation and formation of acids during
storage. Acidic gas can damage the fuel system of an engine
while in storage. To avoid engine problems, the fuel system
should be emptied before storage of 30 days or longer. See
“Storage”. Never use engine or carburetor cleaner
products in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur.

IMPORTANT: When running your unit in cold weather
be sure to shelter the unit from the wind.

Figure 2 — Typical Tank Expansion Space