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MODEL 5500
13 HP Generator
Item # 56551
Owner’s Manual
Manual del Propietario
DO NOT RETURN TO STORE
Questions? Problems?
Please call our customer help line:
(888) 315-3080
M-F 8-5 CST
FEATURES
• 5500 Surge Watt Output
• 5000 Rated Watt Output
• Powerful Enough to Run Essential Appliances During Power Outages
• 120 and 240 Volt AC Outputs
• Low Oil Automatic Shutoff
• Circuit Breaker for Overload Protection
• 6.5 Gallon Fuel Tank Capacity
• Engine Hour Counter
• Cigarette Lighter Style 12V DC Outlet
• Spark Arrester
• Meets EPA Emission Standards
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GENERATOR IDENTIFICATION
For information and questions, please contact the Customer Service Help Line by calling 888-315-
3080. Certain information will be requested by the Customer Service Representative and to facilitate
that, please fill in the information below.
Refer to the illustration below for the location of Serial Number. Record generator information in the
spaces provided below.
DATE OF PURCHASE: ______________________________________________
PURCHASED FROM: ______________________________________________
GENERATOR MODEL NUMBER: ____________________________________
ENGINE SERIAL NUMBER: _________________________________________
ENGINE SERIAL NUMBER
SERVICE RECORD
Record Service Dates:
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
GENERATOR IDENTIFICATION ................................................................................................ i
SERVICE RECORD ......................................................................................................................... i
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................ 1
SAFETY INFORMATION .............................................................................................................. 2
GENERAL SAFETY PROCEDURES ........................................................................................... 3
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ................................................................................... 5
PACKAGE CONTENTS ................................................................................................................. 8
GENERATOR COMPONENTS ..................................................................................................... 9
ASSEMBLY .................................................................................................................................... 10
Attach Feet ................................................................................................................................ 10
Attach Handles ......................................................................................................................... 11
Attach Wheels........................................................................................................................... 11
GENERATOR PREPARATION .................................................................................................. 13
Using the Generator for the First Time ........................................................................................ 13
Step 1 - Fill Oil ......................................................................................................................... 13
Step 2- Add Gasoline ................................................................................................................ 14
Step 3- Ground the Generator ................................................................................................... 15
STARTING THE GENERATOR ................................................................................................. 16
SUBSEQUENT STARTING OF THE GENERATOR ............................................................... 17
Step 1- Check the Oil................................................................................................................ 18
Step 2 – Check the Gas Level ................................................................................................... 18
Step 3- Ground the Generator ................................................................................................... 18
USING THE GENERATOR ......................................................................................................... 20
AC Usage ...................................................................................................................................... 20
DC Usage ...................................................................................................................................... 23
STOPPING THE GENERATOR ................................................................................................. 23
MAINTENANCE / CARE ............................................................................................................. 24
Cleaning the Generator ................................................................................................................. 24
Checking the Oil ........................................................................................................................... 24
Changing/ Adding Oil .................................................................................................................. 25
Air Cleaner Maintenance .............................................................................................................. 26
Fuel Filter Cup Cleaning .............................................................................................................. 26
Spark Plug Maintenance ............................................................................................................... 27
Draining the Fuel Tank ................................................................................................................. 27
STORAGE / TRANSPORT PROCEDURES .............................................................................. 28
SPECIFICATIONS ........................................................................................................................ 29
TROUBLESHOOTING ................................................................................................................. 30
EXPLODED VIEW AND PARTS LIST ...................................................................................... 31
WIRING DIAGRAM ..................................................................................................................... 35
WARRANTY STATEMENT ........................................................................................................ 35
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INTRODUCTION
Thank You for Purchasing a WEN PowerTM Product.
.
This manual provides information regarding the safe operation and maintenance of this product.
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this manual.
WEN Power
TM
reserves the right to change this product and specifications at any time without
prior notice.
Please keep this manual available to all users during the entire life of the generator.
Special Messages
This manual contains special messages to bring attention to potential safety concerns, generator
damage as well as helpful operating and servicing information. Please read all the information
carefully to avoid injury and machine damage.
Questions? Problems?
DO NOT RETURN TO STORE
Store personnel where the generator was purchased are not trained to handle technical
questions or problems.
In order to answer questions and solve problems in the most efficient and speedy manner,
contact Customer Service at:
(888) 315-3080
M-F 8-5 CST
NOTICE REGARDING EMISSIONS
Engines that are certified to comply with U.S. EPA emission regulations for SORE (Small Off
Road Equipment), are certified to operate on regular unleaded gasoline, and may include the
following emission control systems: (EM) Engine Modifications and (TWC) Three-Way Catalyst
(if so equipped).
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2
SAFETY INFORMATION
Before operating this generator read and observe all warnings, cautions, and instructions on
this sheet, on the generator, and in the Owner’s Manual.
NOTE: The following safety information is not meant to cover all possible conditions and
situations that may occur. Read the entire Owner’s Manual for safety and operating
instructions. Failure to follow instructions and safety information could result in serious
injury or death.
This safety alert symbol is used to identify safety information about hazards that can result in
personal injury.
A signal word (
DANGER, WARNING
, or
CAUTION
) is used
with the alert symbol to indicate the likelihood and the potential severity of injury.
In addition, a hazard symbol may be used to represent the type of hazard.
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.
CAUTION
, when used without the alert symbol, indicates a situation that could
result in damage to the engine or generator.
SAFETY SYMBOLS AND MEANINGS
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3
GENERAL SAFETY PROCEDURES
For any questions regarding the hazard and safety notices listed in this manual or on the
product, please call
(888) 315-3080
M-F 8-5 CST
before using the generator.
DANGER
: CARBON MONOXIDE. Using a generator indoors CAN KILL
YOU IN MINUTES.
Generator exhaust contains carbon monoxide (CO). This is a poison gas you
cannot see or smell. If you can smell the generator exhaust, you are breathing CO.
But even if you cannot smell the exhaust, you could be breathing CO.
• NEVER use a generator inside homes, garages, crawlspaces, or other partly enclosed
areas. Deadly levels of carbon monoxide can build up in these areas. Using a fan or
opening windows and doors does NOT supply enough fresh air.
• ONLY use a generator outside and far away from windows, doors, and vents. These
openings can pull in generator exhaust.
Even if you use a generator correctly, CO may leak into the home. ALWAYS use a batterypowered or battery-backup CO alarm in the home.
If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak after the generator has been running, move to fresh
air RIGHT AWAY. See a doctor. You may have carbon monoxide poisoning.
WARNING
: The exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the
State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
WARNING
: This generator may emit highly
flammable and explosive gasoline vapors, which can
cause severe burns or even death, if ignited. A nearby open flame can lead to
explosion even if not directly in contact with gasoline.
• Do not operate near open flame.
• Do not smoke near generator.
• Always operate on a firm, level surface.
• Always turn generator off before refueling. Allow generator to cool for at least 2
minutes before removing fuel cap. Loosen cap slowly to relieve pressure in tank.
• Do not overfill fuel tank. Gasoline may expand during operation. Do not fill to the
top of the tank. Allow for expansion.
• Always check for spilled fuel before operating.
• Empty fuel tank before storing or transporting the generator.
• Before transporting, turn fuel valve to off and disconnect spark plug wire.
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4
WARNING
: This generator produces powerful voltage, which can
result in electrocution.
• ALWAYS ground the generator before using it (see the “Ground the Generator”
portion of the “GENERATOR PREPARATION” section).
• Generator should only be plugged into electrical devices, either directly or with an
extension cord. NEVER connect to a building electrical system without a qualified
electrician. Such connections must comply with local electrical laws and codes.
Failure to comply can create a back-feed, which may result in serious injury or death
to utility workers.
• Use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) in highly conductive areas such as
metal decking or steel work. GFCIs are available in-line with some extension cords.
• Do not use in rainy conditions.
• Do not touch bare wires or receptacles (outlets).
• Do not allow children or non-qualified persons to operate.
WARNING
: This generator produces heat when running. Temperatures
near exhaust can exceed 150º F (65º C).
• Do not touch hot surfaces. Pay attention to warning labels on the generator identifying
hot parts of the machine.
• Allow generator to cool down after use before touching engine or areas of the generator
that become hot during use.
CAUTION: Misuse of this generator can damage it or shorten its life.
• Use generator only for its intended purposes.
• Operate only on dry, level surfaces.
• Allow generator to run for several minutes before connecting electrical devices.
• Shut off and disconnect any malfunctioning devices from generator.
• Do not exceed the wattage capacity of the generator by plugging in more electrical devices
than the unit can handle.
• Do not turn on electrical devices until after they are connected to the generator.
• Turn off all connected electrical devices before stopping the generator.
• Turn engine switch to “off” position when the engine is not running.
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5
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
• SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS – This manual contains important instructions for WEN
Power 5500 generator that should be followed during installation and maintenance of the
generator.
• Generators vibrate in normal use. During and after the use of the generator, inspect the
generator as well as extension and power supply cords connected to it for damage resulting
from vibration. Have damaged items repaired or replaced as necessary. Do not use plugs or
cords that show signs of damage such as broken or cracked insulation or damaged blades.
• For power outages, permanently installed stationary generators are better suited for
providing backup power to the home. Even a properly connected portable generator can
become overloaded. This may result in overheating or stressing the generator components,
possibly leading to a generator failure.
•
WARNING:
When this generator is used to supply a building wiring system:
Generator must be installed by a qualified electrician and connected to a transfer switch as
a separately derived system in accordance with the National Electrical Code, NFPA 70.
The generator shall be connected to a transfer switch that switches all conductors other than
the equipment grounding conductor. The frame of the generator shall be connected to an
approved grounding electrode.
In addition to the previous safety notices, please become familiar with the safety and hazard
markings on the generator.
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8
PACKAGE CONTENTS
Your generator comes with the items listed below. Please check to see that all of the following
items are included with your generator.
If there are any damaged or missing items, please call
(888) 315-3080
M-F 8-5 CST for
customer service. DO NOT RETURN TO STORE. Store personnel are not trained to assist
with damaged or missing items.
Set of four
wrenches
for
assembly
Instruction
manual and
registration
card
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9
GENERATOR COMPONENTS
Please familiarize yourself with the locations and functions of the various components and controls
of your generator.
.
(1) Fuel Gauge- Indicates the amount of fuel in the
tank.
(2) Fuel Cap- Access to the fuel tank for adding
fuel.
(3) Circuit Reset Buttons- Reset buttons that protect
the generator from electrical overload.
(5) Power Indicator-Green lights that turn on to
indicate the output of power to each receptacle.
(6) 240/120 Volt AC Receptacle- To connect
electrical devices that run 120 and/or 240 Volt, 60
Hz, single phase, AC current.
(7) Ground Terminal- Connect grounding wires
here to properly ground unit.
(8) 12V Cigarette lighter Style DC Receptacle.
(9) Engine hour counter.
(10) 120 Volt AC Duplex Receptacle- To connect
electrical devices that run 120 Volt, 60 Hz, single
phase, AC current.
(11) Wheels- For easy transport.
(12) Oil Fill and Dipstick- Location for checking and
filling engine oil.
(13) Recoil Starter- Pull-cord for starting engine.
(14) Fuel Filter Cup- Traps dirt and water from fuel
before it enters the engine.
(15) Choke Lever- Adjusts the amount of air let into the
engine.
(16) Handles- For easy transport.
(17) Air Cleaner- a removable, cleanable, sponge-like
element that limits the amount of dirt pulled into the
engine.
(18) Fuel Valve- Allows fuel to enter engine.
(19) Engine Switch- Used to start/stop engine.
(20)Spark Plug- Provides proper engine ignition.
(21) Muffler- Reduces engine noise.