Generac SVP5000 User Manual
Model No. 97193 (5,000 Watt AC Generator) Manual No. B4468 Revision 3 (7/11/2000)
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SVP5000
Portable Generator Owner’s Manual
DANGER! This generator is designed for outdoor use only. Never use this generator inside any building
or enclosure including the generator compartment of a recreational vehicle (RV). Carbon monoxide
poisoning, fire and/or an explosion may result. No user performed modifications, including venting of
exhaust and/or cooling ventilation, will eliminate the danger. Always have at least two feet of clearance on
all sides of the generator even while operating the unit outdoors.
DANGER! You must isolate the generator from the electric utility by opening the electrical systems 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.
The Emission Control System for this generator is warranted for standards set by the
Environmental Protection Agency. For warranty information refer to the engine owners 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.
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EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION
This generator is an engine-driven, revolving field,
alternating current (AC) generator. It was designed to
supply electrical power for operating compatible
electrical lighting, appliances, tools 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 5,000 watts (5.0 kW) of
power that pull up to 41.7 Amps at 120 Volts or
20.8 Amps at 240 Volts.
CAUTION! Do Not exceed the generators
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 5,000 watts. In most
cases rated watts of the electrical device can be
found on the device nameplate. If the device
nameplate gives only volts and amps, multiply
volts times amps to obtain watts
(volts X amps = watts).
The SVP5000 generator has the following features:
120/240 Volt AC, 20 Amp locking receptacle.
120 Volt AC, 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.
Five gallon overhead fuel tank.
The generators revolving field is driven at about
3600 rpm by a Briggs & Stratton 10HP 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 generators
application, ask your dealer 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.
The generator produces a very powerful voltage that
can cause extremely dangerous electrical shock.
Avoid contact with bare wires, terminals, etc. Never
permit an unqualified person to operate or service
the generator.
Never handle any kind of electrical cord or device
while standing in water, while barefoot or while
hands or feet are wet. Dangerous electrical shock
may result.
The National Electric Code requires the frame and
external electrically conductive parts of the
generator be properly connected to an approved
earth ground. Local electrical codes may also
require proper grounding of the generator. Consult
with a local electrician for grounding requirements in
your area.
Use a ground fault circuit interrupter in any damp or
highly conductive area (such as metal decking or
steel work).
The engine exhaust from this product
contains chemicals known to the State
of California to cause cancer, birth
defects, or other reproductive harm.
WARNING:
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Do Not use worn, bare, frayed or otherwise
damaged electrical cord sets with the generator.
Using a defective cord set may result in electrical
shock or damage to equipment and/or property.
Operate unit only on level surfaces and where it will
not be exposed to excessive moisture, dirt, dust or
corrosive vapors.
Gasoline is highly FLAMMABLE and its vapors are
EXPLOSIVE. Do Not permit 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 FIRE or 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.
Generator exhaust gases contain DEADLY carbon
monoxide gas. This dangerous gas, if breathed in
sufficient concentrations, can cause
unconsciousness or even death. Operate this
equipment only in the open air where adequate
ventilation is available.
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 or you could damage the unit.
Read Cold Weather Operation on page 7.
Never start or stop the engine-generator 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-generator. 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 Electrical Code requires that the frame
and external electrically conductive parts of this
generator be properly connected to an approved 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 1).
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. 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 dissipate static electricity, which
often builds up in ungrounded devices.
Figure 1 Grounding Wing Nut
Grounding Wing Nut
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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 circuit breaker to protect the generator against
electrical overload. Breakers are "push to reset" type.
Fuel Shut Off Controls fuel supply to engine.
Fuel Tank Capacity of 5 U.S. gallons (19 liters).
Grounding Wing Nut Provides a tie-point for
connecting the generator frame to earth ground.
Oil Fill Fill engine with oil here. See page 5 for oil
requirements.
KNOW YOUR GENERATOR
Read this owners 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 Receptacles
Grounding Wing Nut
Fuel ShutOff
Valve
Oil Fill
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BEFORE STARTING THE
ENGINE
Add Oil
WARNING! Any attempt to crank or start the
engine before it has been properly filled with
the recommended oil may result in an engine
failure.
To fill your engine with oil:
Place generator on a level surface.
Clean area around oil fill and remove oil fill cap.
Select the oil's viscosity grade and fill engine with oil
following the instructions given in the engine owners
manual. Do Not overfill!
Install oil fill cap.
NOTE: The generators 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! Explosion Hazard! 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.
WARNING! Do Not overfill the fuel tank.
Always allow room for fuel expansion.
Use regular UNLEADED gasoline with the
Generator engine. Do Not use premium gasoline.
Do Not mix oil with gasoline.
Clean area around fuel fill cap, remove cap.
Add unleaded regular gasoline, slowly to fuel tank.
Be careful not to overfill. Allow about 1/2" of tank
space for fuel expansion (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 on page 10. Never use engine or carburetor
cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent
damage may occur.
Figure 2 Fill Tank with Fuel
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