Safety Precautions - Kohler l654 Service Manual

Safety Precautions
A Generator Set, like any other electro-mechanical device
can pose potential dangers to life and limb if improperly
maintained or imprudently operated. The best safeguards
against accident are to be ever mindful of the potential
dangers and to always use good common sense. In the
interest of safety, some general precautions relating to
operating of a Generator Set are presented below. Keep
these in mind.
A
WARNING
LETHAL EXHAUST GAS! An engine
discharges deadly
carbon monoxide as part of the exhaust when operating.
Carbon monoxide is particularly dangerous in that it is an
odorless, tasteless, and nonirritating gas, but be ever
mindful that it can cause death if inhaled for even a short
period of time. Have only qualified specialists install and
replace exhaust system components and have the system
inspected frequently. Be careful when parking your coach
to avoid obstructing the exhaust outlet. The exhaust
gasses must discharge freely, otherwise carbon monoxide
may deflect under and into the vehicle or enter through
open doors, windows, or vents. Also make sure that your
exhaust cannot be discharged toward neighboring RV's,
campers, or any occupied building. Be especially watchful
for exhaust accumulation under calm, windless condi-
tions.
A
WARNING
ELECTRICAL SHOCK!
Battery can cause electrical burns
and shocks. Exercise reasonable care when working near
the battery to avoid electrical connections through tools.
Remove wristwatch, rings, and any other jewelry.
A
WARNING
HIGH VOLTAGE!
Remember that the function of a genera-
tor set is to produce electricity and that wherever electric-
ity is present, there is the potential danger of electrocu-
tion. Take the same precautions with electrical appliances
in your coach that you would observe in your home. Keep
away from electrical circuits and wiring while the set is
running and have electrical service performed only by
qualified electricians. Make sure unqualified persons,
especially children, cannot gain access to your set - keep
the compartment door locked or securely latched at all
times. Be sure that generator is properly grounded. Never
touch electrical leads or appliances with wet hands, when
standing in water, or on wet ground as the chance of
electrocution is especially prevalent under such con-
ditions.
A
WARNING
UNIT STARTS WITHOUT NOTICE!
To prevent accidental
starting on units with a remote start/stop switch, always
disconnect battery (remove negative lead first and recon-
nect it last) to disable generator set before working on any
equipment connected to generator.
A
WARNING
DANGEROUS ACID!
Avoid contact with battery electro-
lyte. It contains acid which can eat holes in clothing, burn
skin, and cause permanent damage to eyes. Always wear
splash-proof safety goggles when working around the
battery. If battery electrolyte is splashed in the eyes or on
skin, immediately flush the affected area for 15 minutes
with large quantities of clean water. In the case of eye
contact, seek immediate medical aid. Never add acid to a
battery once the battery has been placed in service. Doing
so may result in dangerous spattering of electrolyte.
.A
WARNING
EXPLOSIVE t3ATTERY GASES! The gases generated
by a
battery being charged are highly explosive. Do not smoke
or permit flame or spark to occur near a battery at any
time, particularly when it is being charged. Avoid contact-
ing terminals with tools, etc., to prevent burns and to
prevent sparks that could cause an explosion. Remove
wristwatch, rings, and any other jewelry before handling
battery. Any compartment containing batteries should be
...
well ventilated to prevent accumulation of explosive gases.
To avoid sparks, do not disturb battery charger connec-
tions while battery is being charged and always turn
charger off before disconnecting battery connections.
Turn automotive test equipment off when connecting or
removing battery clips. When removing or reconnecting
battery cables, make sure ignition switch and all accesso-
ries are turned off.
A
WARNING
EXCESSIVE NOISE!
Never operate without adequate
muffler or with faulty exhaust system - exposure to
excessive noise is not only tiring but can lead to impair-
ment of hearing.
A
WARNING
HOT PIPING!
An engine gets hot while running and
exhaust system components get extremely hot. Do not
work on generator set until unit is allowed to cool.
A
WARNING
DANGEROUS
FUELS!
Use extreme caution when hand-
ling, storing, and using fuels - all fuels are highly
explosive in a vapor state. Store fuel in a well-ventilated
area away from spark producing equipment and out of the
reach of children. Never add fuel to the tank while the
engine is running to prevent spilled fuel from igniting on
contact with hot parts or from ignition spark. Keep fuel
lines and connections tight and in good condition - don't
replace
flexible
fuel lines with rigid lines. Flexiblesections
are used to avoid breakage due to vibration. Should any
fuel leakage, fuel accumulation, or electrical sparks be
noted,
DO NOT OPERATE GENERATOR SET. Have sys-