Adding Gasoline; Starting The Engine (Electric Start Only) - Generac Power Systems Portable Generator Reference

Operation
Any attempt to crank or start the engine before it has
‹
been properly serviced with the recommended oil may
result in an engine failure.
1. Place generator on a level surface (not to exceed 15° in any
direction).
2. Clean area around oil fill and remove oil dipstick
3. Slowly fill engine with oil through the oil dipstick tube. Stop
filling occasionally to check oil level. The engine is full when
the oil reaches the full mark on the dipstick.
4. Install the oil fill cap or oil dipstick (depending on the type of
generator you have). For an oil fill cap, finger tighten securely.
5. Check engine oil level before starting each time thereafter.

1.4.2 ADDING GASOLINE

Use care when fueling the generator. Only fill the fuel tank when the
generator has cooled entirely. Use fresh unleaded gasoline with a
minimum Research Octane Number (RON) of 87.
Do not use any gasoline containing more than 10% Ethanol.
NEVER fill the fuel tank with E85 or a mixture of oil and gasoline
designated for two-cycle engines.
NEVER light a cigarette or smoke when filling the fuel
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tank.
$
Gasoline is highly FLAMMABLE and its vapors are
EXPLOSIVE. Do not permit smoking, open flames, sparks
or heat in the vicinity while handling gasoline.
$ Never fill fuel tank indoors. Never fill fuel tank when
engine is running or hot. Avoid spilling gasoline on a hot
engine. Allow engine to cool entirely before filling fuel
tank.
$
Do not overfill the fuel tank. Always allow room for fuel
expansion. If the fuel tank is overfilled, fuel can overflow
onto a hot engine and cause a fire or an explosion. Wipe
up any fuel spills immediately.
• Use regular UNLEADED gasoline with the generator engine. Do
not use premium gasoline. Do not mix oil with gasoline.
1. Clean area around fuel fill cap, remove cap.
2. Slowly add unleaded regular gasoline to fuel tank. Do not fill
above inner lip. Be careful not to overfill (Figure 17).
3. Install fuel cap and wipe up any spilled gasoline.
IMPORTANT: It is important to prevent gum deposits from forming
in fuel system parts such as the carburetor, fuel hose or tank
during storage. 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 the "Storage" section. Never use engine or carburetor
cleaner products in the fuel tank as permanent damage may occur.
6
NOTE:
Figure 2 - Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank
Fuel
1.5 STARTING THE ENGINE
+ Never start or stop engine with electrical devices plugged
into the receptacles AND devices turned on.
1. Unplug all electrical loads from the unit's receptacles before
starting the engine.
2. Make sure the unit is in a level position (not to exceed 15° in
any direction).
3. If your generator is equipped with an idle switch, locate the
idle control ON/OFF switch on the control panel and set it to
the "OFF" position. (Figure 3).
4. Open the fuel shut-off valve.
Figure 3 - Idle Control Switch
5. Put the CHOKE in the "Full Choke" position.
6. For electric start generators, press and hold the Start/Run/
Stop switch in the "Start" position. The engine will crank and
attempt to start. When the engine starts, release the switch to
the run position.
7. When the engine starts, push choke knob in to "1/2 Choke"
position until the engine runs smoothly and then fully in to the
"Run" position. If engine falters, pull the choke knob back out
to "1/2 Choke" position until the engine runs smoothly and
then to "Run" position.
8. Some models are also equipped with a manual recoil starter
which may be used if the battery is discharged.
IMPORTANT: Do not overload the generator. Also, do not overload
individual panel receptacles. These outlets are protected against
overload with push-to-reset and 2-pole type circuit breakers. If
amperage rating of any circuit breaker is exceeded, that breaker
opens and electrical output to that receptacle is lost. Read "Don't
Overload the Generator" carefully.
DO NOT Fill Above Lip