GEN RAC °)
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Portable Generator Owner's Manual
Portable Products
Model No. 1575-0 (3,100 Watt AC Generator) Manual No. 188385 Revision0 (4/6/2001)
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_[iL This is the safety alert symbol. It isused to alert you to potential personal injury hazards.Obey all safety messages
that follow this symbol to avoid possible injuryor death.
Generac Portable Products 3,100 Watt Generator
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 agenerator that operates
120and/or 240 Volt, single phase,60 Hz devicesthat
require up to 3,100 watts (3.1 kW) of power that pull up
to 25.8 Amps at 120Volts or 12.9Amps at 240 Volts.
CAUTION! Do Not exceed the generator's
wattage/amperagecapacity.Add up the rated watts of all
devicesyou are connecting to generator receptacles at one
time. This total should not be greater than 3,100watts.
See"Don't Overload the Generator" on page8.
The 3,100 watt portable generator hasthe following
features:
• 120/240Volt, 20 Amp locking receptacle.
• 120Volt, 20 Amp duplex receptacle.
• 3 quart overhead fuel tank.
• Thegenerator's revolving field isdriven at about
3,600 rpm by a Briggsand Stratton 5.5 h.p. engine.
_ AUTION! Do Not tamper with engine
governed speed. High operating speedsare
dangerous and increaserisk of personal injuryor
damageto equipment. The generator supplies
correct rated frequency and voltage only when
running at proper governed speed. Incorrect
frequency and/or voltagecan damage some
connected electrical loads.Operating at excessively
low speeds imposesa heavy loadat such reduced
speeds,when adequate engine power isnot
available,and mayshorten engine life.
SAFETY RULES
This generator set was designed and manufactured for
specific applications. Do Not attempt to modify the unit
or useit for any application it was not designed for. If you
haveanyquestions about your generator's application, ask
your dealer/distributor or consult the factory.
The manufacturer could not possibly anticipate every
circumstance that might involvea 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 makesure that such a procedure or method will not
render this equipment unsafeor 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.
_hL ANGER! 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
adequateventilation isavailable.
The EmissionControl Systemfor this generator is
warranted for standardsset by the Environmental
Protection Agency. For warranty informationrefer to the
engine owner's manual.
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Generac Portable Products 3,100 Watt Generator
• The generator produces a very powerful voltage that can
causeserious injuryor death by electrocution. Never
touch bare wires or receptacles. Never permit a child
or anyunqualified 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 injuryfrom electrocution may
result.
• Use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) inanydamp
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 mayresult
• 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 overfllled, fuel can overflow
onto a hot engine and cause a FIRE or an
EXPLOSION.
• Never store a generator with fuel in the tank where
gasolinevapors 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 adequateflow of cooling air for its
continued proper operation. Never operate the unit
insideanyroom or enclosure where the free flow of
cooling air into and out of the unit might be obstructed.
Allow at least2 feet of clearanceon all sides of generator,
evenwhile 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 anyelectrical loads. Disconnect all electrical
loads before shutting down the generator.
• Do Not insertanyobject through cooling slots of the
engine.You could damagethe unit or injureyourself.
• Never operate the generator:
in rain; in any enclosedcompartment;when connected
electricaldevicesoverheat; if electrical output is lost;if
engine or generator sparks; if flame or smoke is
observed while unit isrunning; ifunit vibrates
excessively.
GROUNDING THE
G EN ERATO R
The National ElectricCode requires the frame and
external electrically conductiveparts of the generator be
properly connected to approved earth ground. Local
electrical codes mayalso require proper grounding of the
unit For this purpose, a grounding wing nut (Figure I) is
provided on the cradle.
Generally, connecting a No. 12AWG (American Wire
Gauge) stranded copper wire to the grounding wing nut
and to an earth-driven copper or brassgrounding rod
(electrode) provides adequate protection against electrical
shock. However, local codes mayvary 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 ifground 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.
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GeneracPortableProducts3,100WattGenerator
KNOW YOUR GENERATOR
Read this owner's manual and safety rules before operating your generator.
Compare the illustrationswith your generator, to familiarize yourself with the locationsof variouscontrols and
adjustments. Savethis manual for future reference.
Fuel
120/240Volt AC,
20 Amp Receptacle
120 Volt AC, 20Amp
Duplex Receptacle Circuit Breakers (A€ Grounding Wing Nut
120 Volt AC, 20 Amp Duplex Receptacle -- May be
usedto supply electricalpower for the operation of
120Volt AC, 20 Amp, single phase,60 Hz electrical
lighting, appliance,tool and motor loads.
120/240 Volt AC, 20 Amp Receptacle -- Maybe used
to supply electrical power for the operation of 120and/or
240 Volt AC, 20 Amp, single phase,60 Hz electrical
lighting, appliance,tool and motor loads.
Circuit Breakers (AC) -- Eachreceptacle isprovided
with a push-to-reset circuit breaker to protect the
generator against electrical overload.
Fuel Tank -- Capacity of 3 U.S.quarts.
Grounding Wing Nut -- Providesa tie-point for
connecting the generator frame to earth ground.
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GeneracPortableProducts3,100WattGenerator
CARTON CONTENTS
Check all contents. If any parts are missingor damaged,call
the generator helpline at 1-800-270-1408. Review "Cold
Weather Operation" on page6. Shippedwith your
generator are:
Main unit
Engineand generator owner's manuals
BEFORE STARTING THE
ENGINE
Add Engine Oil
• Make sure unit ison 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 hasbeen properly serviced with the
recommended oil results in an engine failure.
NOTE: The generator's revolving field rides on a
pre-lubricated and sealedball bearing that requires no
additional lubrication for the life of the bearing.
Add Gasoline
_ WARNING! Never fillfuel tank indoors.Never
fillfuel tank when engine is running or hot. Do Not
light a cigarette or smoke when filling the fuel tank.
_ ARNING! Do Not overfill the fuel tank.
Always leaveroom 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 1.5" of tank space for fuel
expansion, as shown in Figure 2.
Tank
• 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" on page 9. 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.
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