Rheem GEN12S User Manual
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Manual No. 202113GS Rev. - (01/03/07)
12000 / 15000 Watt
Residential Generator
System
Installation and Start-Up Manual
GEN12S, GEN15S, GEN20B & GEN25B
Thank you for purchasing this quality-built Rheem / Ruud home standby generator. We are pleased that you’ve placed your
confidence in the Rheem or Ruud brand. When operated and maintained according to the instructions in this manual, your
Rheem / Ruud generator will provide many years of dependable service.
This manual contains safety information to make you aware of the hazards and risks associated with installing residential
standby generators and how to avoid them. Because Rheem does not necessarily know all the applications this equipment
could be used for, it is important that you read and understand these instructions thoroughly before attempting to install or
start this equipment. Save these instructions for future reference.
This home standby generator requires professional installation before use. The installer should follow the instructions
completely.
Where to Find Us
You never have to look far to find support and service for your home standby generator equipment. Consult your Yellow
Pages. There are many Rheem and Ruud authorized service dealers who provide quality service. You can also contact
Rheem/Ruud Customer Service by phone at (877) 369-9400.
Rheem Sales Company
Randleman, NC 27317
(877) 369-9400
Copyright © 2007 Rheem Sales Company. All rights
reserved. No part of this material may be reproduced or
transmitted in any form by any means without the express
written permission of Rheem Sales Company.
1
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Table of Contents
Important Safety Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Equipment Description. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Customer Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Installer Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Unpacking Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Delivery Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Shipment Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Required Specialty Tools/Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Generator Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Fuel and Electrical Inlet Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Lifting the Generator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Access Doors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
The Gaseous Fuel System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Fuel Consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Fuel Pipe Sizing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Fuel Comparison Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
System Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
System AC Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Grounding the Generator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Utility Circuit Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Fault Detection System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
System Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Before Initial Start-up. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Fuel System Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Initial Start-Up (No Load) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Engine Adjustment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Setting Exercise Timer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Installation Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Schematic and Wiring Diagram for Models GEN12S and GEN20B . . . . . . 20
Schematic and Wiring Diagram for Models GEN15S and GEN25B . . . . . . 21
2
Important Safety Rules
The safety alert symbol ( ) is used with a signal word
(DANGER, CAUTION, WARNING), a pictorial and/or a safety
message to alert you to hazards. DANGER indicates a hazard
which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
WARNING indicates a hazard which, if not avoided, could
result in death or serious injury. CAUTION indicates a hazard
which, if not avoided, might result in minor or moderate
injury. NOTICE indicates a situation that could result in
equipment damage. Follow safety messages to avoid or
reduce the risk of injury or death.
Hazard Symbols and Meanings
Save These Instructions
Explosion
Fire
Electrical Shock
Rotating Parts
Hot Surface
Toxic Fumes
Chemical BurnExplosive PressureAuto Start
Lift Hazard
Read Manual
• Operate generator ONLY outdoors.
• Install a battery operated carbon monoxide alarm near the
bedrooms.
• Keep exhaust gas from entering a confined area through
windows, doors, ventilation intakes, or other openings.
WARNING
Running engine gives off carbon monoxide, an
odorless, colorless, poison gas.
Breathing carbon monoxide can cause headache,
fatigue, dizziness, vomiting, confusion, seizures,
nausea, fainting or death.
WARNING
The engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth
defects, or other reproductive harm.
• DO NOT dispose of battery in a fire.
• Do not allow any open flame, spark, heat, or lit cigarette during
and for several minutes after charging a battery.
• DO NOT open or mutilate the battery.
• Wear protective goggles, rubber apron, and rubber gloves.
• Remove watches, rings, or other metal objects.
• Use tools with insulated handles.
WARNING
Storage batteries give off explosive hydrogen gas
during recharging.
Slightest spark will ignite hydrogen and cause
explosion.
Battery electrolyte fluid contains acid and is
extremely caustic.
Contact with battery contents will cause severe
chemical burns.
A battery presents a risk of electrical shock and
high short circuit current.
• If lifting or hoisting equipment is used, DO NOT contact any
power lines.
• DO NOT lift or move generator without assistance.
• Use lifting pipes as described in the section “Lifting the
Generator” in installation manual.
• The unit may shift on the lifting pipes during movement, which
can cause injury.
• DO NOT lift unit by roof as damage to generator will occur.
WARNING
Hazardous Voltage
Contact with power lines can cause electric shock
or burn.
Lifting Hazard / Heavy Object
Can cause muscle strain or back injury.
3
• When using generator for backup power, notify utility company.
• Do not touch bare wires or receptacles.
• Do not use generator with electrical cords which are worn,
frayed, bare or otherwise damaged.
• Do not handle generator or electrical cords while standing in
water, while barefoot, or while hands or feet are wet.
• If you must work around a unit while it is operating, stand on an
insulated dry surface to reduce shock hazard.
• Do not allow unqualified persons or children to operate or
service generator.
• In case of an accident caused by electrical shock, immediately
shut down the source of electrical power and contact the local
authorities. Avoid direct contact with the victim.
• Despite the safe design of the generator system, operating this
equipment imprudently, neglecting its maintenance or being
careless can cause possible injury or death.
• Remain alert at all times while working on this equipment. Never
work on the equipment when you are physically or mentally
fatigued.
• Before performing any maintenance on the generator, disconnect
the battery cable indicated by a NEGATIVE, NEG or (-) first.
When finished, reconnect that cable last.
• After your generator system is installed, the generator may crank
and start without warning any time there is a power failure. To
prevent possible injury, always set the generator’s system switch
to OFF, remove the service disconnect from the disconnect box
AND remove the 15 Amp fuse BEFORE working on the
equipment.
WARNING
Generator produces hazardous voltage.
Failure to properly ground generator can result in
electrocution.
Failure to isolate generator from power utility can
result in death or injury to electric utility workers
due to backfeed of electrical energy.
• DO NOT touch hot parts and AVOID hot exhaust gases.
• Allow equipment to cool before touching.
• DO NOT install the generator closer than 5 feet (1.5m) from any
combustibles or structures with combustible walls having a fire
resistance rating of less than 1 hour.
• Keep at least 3 ft. (91 cm) clearance on all sides of generator
including overhead.
• Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) Title 36 Parks, Forests, and
Public Property require equipment powered by an internal
combustion engine to have a spark arrester, maintained in
effective working order, complying to USDA Forest service
standard 5100-1C or later revision. In the State of California a
spark arrester is required under section 4442 of the California
Public resources code. Other states may have similar laws.
WARNING
Contact with muffler area can result in serious
burns.
Exhaust heat/gases can ignite combustibles or
structures causing a fire.
• Install the fuel supply system according to applicable fuel-gas
codes.
• Before placing the generator system into service, the fuel system
lines must be properly purged and leak tested.
• After the generator is installed, you should inspect the fuel
system periodically.
• NO leakage is permitted.
• DO NOT operate engine if smell of fuel is present or other
explosive conditions exist.
• DO NOT smoke around the generator. Wipe up any oil spills
immediately. Ensure that no combustible materials are left in the
generator compartment. Keep the area near the generator clean
and free of debris.
WARNING
Propane and Natural Gas are extremely flammable
and explosive.
Fire or explosion can cause severe burns or
death.
4
• Use generator only for intended uses.
• If you have questions about intended use, ask dealer or contact
Rheem.
• Operate generator only on level surfaces.
• Adequate, unobstructed flow of cooling and ventilating air is
critical to correct generator operation.
• The Oil Fill, Oil Drain and the Control Panel doors must be
installed whenever the unit is running.
• DO NOT expose generator to excessive moisture, dust, dirt, or
corrosive vapors.
• Despite the safe design of the residential generator system,
operating this equipment imprudently, neglecting its maintenance
or being careless can cause possible injury or death.
• Remain alert at all times while working on this equipment.
NEVER work on the equipment when you are physically or
mentally fatigued.
• DO NOT start engine with air cleaner or air cleaner cover
removed.
• DO NOT insert any objects through cooling slots.
• DO NOT use the generator or any of its parts as a step. Stepping
on the unit can cause stress and break parts. This may result in
dangerous operating conditions from leaking exhaust gases, fuel
leakage, oil leakage, etc..
• If connected devices overheat, turn them off and disconnect
them from generator.
• Shut off generator if:
-electrical output is lost;
-equipment sparks, smokes, or emits flames;
-unit vibrates excessively.
NOTICE
Improper treatment of generator can damage it and shorten
its life.
• See “Essential Circuits”.
• Start generator and let engine stabilize before connecting
electrical loads.
NOTICE
Exceeding generators wattage/amperage capacity can
damage generator and/or electrical devices connected to it.
• Observe that the 15 Amp fuse has been removed from the
control panel for shipping.
• DO NOT install this fuse until all plumbing and wiring has been
completed and inspected.
CAUTION
Installing the 15A fuse could cause the engine to
start.
• DO NOT tamper with governed speed. Generator supplies correct
rated frequency and voltage when running at governed speed.
• DO NOT modify generator in any way.
CAUTION
Excessively high operating speeds increase risk of injury
and damage to generator.
Excessively low speeds impose a heavy load.
• NEVER operate generator without protective housing or covers.
• DO NOT wear loose clothing, jewelry or anything that may be
caught in the starter or other rotating parts.
• Tie up long hair and remove jewelry.
WARNING
Starter and other rotating parts can entangle
hands, hair, clothing, or accessories.
5
Installation
Equipment Description
This system is intended for use as an optional residential
generator system which provides an alternate source of
electric power and to serve loads such as heating,
refrigeration systems, and communication systems that,
when stopped during any power outage, could cause
discomfort, or the like. This product does not qualify for
emergency standby as defined by NFPA 70 (NEC).
This manual contains installation, startup and adjustment
instructions for a residential generator system that supplies
120/240 Volt, single phase, 60Hz devices. The generator
system may be operated on LP or natural gas fuel. A
separate Operator’s Manual (part number 202114GS)
contains operating and maintenance instructions for this
system.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in
this manual is both accurate and current. However, the
manufacturer reserves the right to change, alter or otherwise
improve the system at any time without prior notice.
Customer Responsibilities
• Read and follow the instructions given in the Operator’s
Manual, especially the section regarding selecting
essential circuits.
• Follow a regular schedule in maintaining, caring for and
using your generator system, as specified in the
Operator’s Manual.
Installer Responsibilities
• Read and observe the safety rules.
• Read and follow the instructions given in this
Installation and Start-up Manual.
• If operating the generator below 40°F, it is
recommended that a battery and oil warmer be
installed. If operating the generator below 32°F, a
battery and oil warmer must be installed. Both items
are available at your local servicing dealer.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT OVERLOAD GENERATOR. Refer to
Essential Circuits in the Operator’s Manual and discuss
your installation plan with the owner before commencing
work.
Unpacking Precautions
The unit is shipped bolted to its mounting pad, ready for
installation. Avoid damage from dropping, bumping,
collision, etc. Store and unpack carton with the proper side
up, as noted on the shipping carton.
Delivery Inspection
After removing the carton, carefully inspect the generator
system for any damage that may have occurred during
shipment.
IMPORTANT: If loss or damage is noted at time of delivery,
have the person(s) making delivery note all damage on the
freight bill and affix his signature under the consignor's
memo of loss or damage. If loss or damage is noted after
delivery, separate the damaged materials and contact the
carrier for claim procedures. Missing or damaged parts are
not warranted.
Shipment Contents
The generator system is supplied with:
• Residential Generator System
• Pre-attached mounting pad
• One flexible hook-up hose
• This installation and start-up manual
• Operator’s manual
• Illustrated parts list manual
• Installation checklist
• Two access door keys
• Four lifting hole plugs
• Oil fill spout
• One spare 15A fuse
• 2 Pole connector (for 240V from building)
• 10 Pole connector (for sensing and control wires)
• Air intake engine cover
• Alternator cover
• Diagnostic LED kit (red LED/plate/screws (2))
Required Specialty Tools/Equipment
• Two 48” lengths of 1” pipe (NOT conduit)
• Hole punches for 16ga steel
• Torque screwdriver, 5 to 50 inch-pound range
• Observe that the 15 Amp fuse has been removed from the
control panel for shipping.
• DO NOT install this fuse until all plumbing and wiring has been
completed and inspected.
CAUTION
Installing the 15A fuse could cause the engine to
start.
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