Generac 1658-0 Owner’s Manual

Owner's Manual

Generator
Engineoil

Owner's manual

Enginemanual

If any parts are missingor damaged, call 1-800-270-1408.

Questions? Help is just a moment away!

Call: Generac Generator Helpline - 1-800-270-1408 M-F 8-5 CT

Web: www.generac-portables.com or www.briggsandstratton.com

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

SafetyRules.................................... 2-3

Assembly ....................................... 4

Know Your Generator ............................. 5

Operation ..................................... 6-8

Product Specifications.............................. 9

Maintenance..................................... 9

Storage......................................... 9

Troubleshooting ................................. 10

Notes ......................................... II

Schematic...................................... 12

Wiring Diagram ................................. 13

Replacement Parts............................. 14-15

Warranty ................................. Last Page

EQUIPMENT

SAFETY RULES

DESCRIPTION

This generator is anengine-driven, revolvingfield,alternating
current (AC) generator. It was designedto supply electrical
power for operating compatible electrical lighting,appliance,

tool and motor loads.
This manual contains informationfor agenerator that

operates 120and/or 240Volt AC, singlephase,60Hz devices
that require up to 5,000watts (5.0 kW) of power that pull

up to 41.7Amps at 120Volts or 20.8Amps at 240Volts.
CAUTION! Do Not exceed the generator's

wattage/amperage capacity.Addup the rated watts of all
devicesyou will connect to generator receptacles at one
time.This total should not be greater than 5,000 watts for
this generator. Review"Don't Overload the Generator" on
page 8.

The generator's revolvingfield isdriven at about 3,600 rpm
by a single-cylinder engine.

Every effort hasbeen madeto ensure that informationin

this manual isaccurate and current However, Generac

reservesthe right to change,alter or otherwise improvethe

product and this document at anytime without prior
notice.

_ AUTION! Do Not tamper with engine

The Emission Control System for this generator is
warranted for standards set by the Environmental

Protection Agency.For warranty informationrefer to the

engine owner's manual.

governed speed.High operating speeds are
dangerousand 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 voltage can damagesome
connected electrical loads.Operating at excessively
low speedsimposesa heavy load.When adequate
engine power isnot availableengine life may be

shortened.

Thisgenerator set was designed and manufactured for
specific applications. Do Not attempt to modify the unitor

use it for anyapplication it was not designedfor. If you have
anyquestions about your generator's application, askyour

dealer or consult the factory.
The manufacturer could not possibly anticipate every

circumstance that might involvea hazard.For that reason
warnings in the manualand warnings on tags or decals
affixed to the unit are not all-inclusive. If you intendto
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 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.

or other re

_, ARNING! You must isolatethe generator

from the electric utility usingapproved transfer
equipment 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 isproviding backup power, the
electric utility must be notified.

_ik DANGER! Generator exhaust gases contain

DEADLY carbon monoxide gas. If breathed in
sumcient concentrations, carbon monoxide

can cause unconsciousness or death. Operate

this equipment outdoors where adequate ventilation

isavailable.

• The generator produces avery 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 handleany 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 useworn, bare,frayed or otherwise damaged
electrical cords with the generator. Death, serious injury
and property damagefrom 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 handlingof 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 (ason 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

inside anyroom or enclosurewhere the free flow of
cooling air into and out of the unit might beobstructed.

Allow at least2 feet of clearanceon all sidesof generator,
evenwhile operating unit outdoors, or you could damage

the unit

• Never start, or stop the unit with electrical loads
connected to receptacleswith 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 anyobject through cooling slots of the
engine.Youcould damagethe unit or injure yourself.

• Never operate the generator:
inrain; inanyenclosedcompartment;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

G EN ERATO R

The National Electrical Code requires that the frame and
external electrically conductive parts of this generator be
properly connected to anapproved earth ground. Local
electrical codes may also require proper grounding of the
unit. For that purpose,a GROUNDING WING NUT is
provided on the generator end (Figure I).

|||

Grounding Wing Nut

Generally,connecting a No. 12AWG (AmericanWire
Gauge) stranded copper wire to the grounding wing nut

and to an earth-driven copper or brassgrounding rod
(electrode) provides adequateprotection againstelectrical

shock. Be careful to keep the grounding wire attached after
connecting the stranded copper wire. However,local codes

may vary widely.Consult with a local electrician for
grounding requirements in your area.

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

Yourgeneratorisreadyforuseafterit hasbeenproperly
servicedwiththerecommendedoilandfuel.

Add Gasoline

If you have any problems with the generator, please

call the generator helpline at 1-800-270-1408.

IMPORTANT: Any attempt to run the unit before it has

been serviced with the recommended oil will result in an
engine failure.

REMOVE G EN ERATOR

FROM CARTON

• Set the carton on a rigid flat surface with "This SideUp"

arrows pointing upward.

• Carefully open the top flaps of the shipping carton.

• Cut down corners at one end of carton from top to
bottom and laythat side of carton down flat

• Removeall packingmaterial, carton fillers, etc.

• Removethe generator from the shipping carton.

CARTON CONTENTS

Check all contents. If any parts are missing or damaged,call
the generator helpline at 1-800-270-1408.

• The generator

• Generator and engine owner's manuals

• Engineoil

BEFORE STARTING THE

ENGINE

Add Oil

CAUTION! Any attempt to crank or start the engine

before it hasbeen properly filled with the recommended
oil may result in an engine failure.

To fill your engine with oil:

• Place generator on a level surface.

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

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

_hL ARNING! Never fill fuel tank indoors. Never

fill fuel tank when engine is running or hot.Allow

unit to cool for two minutes before refueling. Do
Not light a cigarette or smoke when filling the fuel

tank.

_hL WARNING! Do Not overfill the fuel tank.

Always allow room for fuel expansion.

• Use regular UNLEADED gasolinewith the generator
engine.Do Not use premium gasoline.Do Not mix oil
with gasoline.

• Clean area around fuel fill cap,remove cap.

• Slowly acidunleaded regular gasolineto fuel tank. Be
careful not to overfill.Allow about 1.5"of tank spacefor
fuel expansion (Figure 2).

Fuel

• 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 fuel 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.

KNOWYOUR 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.

Rocker Switch

FuelTank

Recoil Starter

Oil FillCap
(not shown)

Choke Lever

Air Cleaner

Circuit
Breakers

(AC)

120Volt AC, 20 Amp

Duplex Receptacle

Grounding

Wing Nut

(not shown)

120/240Volt AC,

20 Amp Receptacle

120Volt AC, 20 Amp, Duplex Receptacle -- May be

used to supplyelectrical power for the operation of

120Volt AC, 20Amp, singlephase,60 Hz electrical lighting,

appliance,toot and motor loads.

1201240Volt AC, 20 Amp Locking Receptacle -- May

be used to supply electrical power for the operation of

120and/or 240Volt AC, 20 Amp, singlephase,60 Hz

electrical lighting,appliance,tool and motor loads.
Air Cleaner -- Uses a dry type filter element and foam

pre-cleaner to limit the amount of dirt and dust sucked
into the engine.

Choke Lever -- Used when starting a cold engine.
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 five (5) U.S. gallons.
GroundingWing Nut -- Used for proper grounding of

unit.
Oil Fill Cap --Add oil to engine here.

Recoil starter -- Used to start the engine.

Rocker Switch -- Set this switch to "On" before using
recoil starter. Set switch to "Ot_' to switch off engine.