Generac 3500XL Generator
Generac 3500XL Generator
Generac 3500XL Generator
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Model No. 9441–5 (3500 Watt AC Generator) Manual No. 99112 Revision 4 (9/8/2000)
Visit our Generac website: www.generac–portables.com
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.
• The generator produces a very powerful voltage that can • Never operate the generator:
cause serious injury or death by electrocution. Never in rain; in any enclosed compartment; when connected
touch bare wires or receptacles. Never permit a child electrical devices overheat; if electrical output is lost; if
or any unqualified person to operate the generator. engine or generator sparks; if flame or smoke is
• Never handle any kind of electrical cord or device while observed while unit is running; if unit vibrates
standing in water, while barefoot or while hands or feet excessively.
are wet. Death or serious injury from electrocution may
result. GROUNDING THE
• Use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) in any damp
or highly conductive area (such as metal decking or steel
GENERATOR
work). The National Electrical Code requires that the frame and
• Never use worn, bare, frayed or otherwise damaged external electrically conductive parts of this generator be
electrical cords with the generator. Death, serious injury properly connected to an approved earth ground. Local
and property damage from electrical shock may result. electrical codes may also require proper grounding of the
• Gasoline is highly FLAMMABLE and its vapors unit. For that purpose, a GROUNDING WING NUT is
are EXPLOSIVE. Never allow smoking, open provided on the generator end (Figure 1).
flames, sparks or heat in the vicinity while Figure 1 — Grounding Wing Nut
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 a FIRE or an Grounding Wing Nut
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.
Generally, connecting a No. 12 AWG (American Wire
• The unit requires an adequate flow of cooling air for its Gauge) stranded copper wire to the grounding wing nut
continued proper operation. Never operate the unit and to an earth-driven copper or brass grounding rod
inside any room or enclosure where the free flow of (electrode) provides adequate protection against electrical
cooling air into and out of the unit might be obstructed. shock. Be careful to keep the grounding wire attached after
Allow at least 2 feet of clearance on all sides of generator, connecting the stranded copper wire. However, local codes
even while operating unit outdoors, or you could damage may vary widely. Consult with a local electrician for
the unit. grounding requirements in your area.
• Never start, or stop the unit with electrical loads Properly grounding the generator helps prevent electrical
connected to receptacles with the connected devices shock if a ground fault condition exists in the generator or
turned ON. Start the engine and let it stabilize before in connected electrical devices. Proper grounding also helps
connecting any electrical loads. Disconnect all electrical dissipate static electricity, which often builds up in
loads before shutting down the generator. ungrounded devices.
• Do Not insert any object through cooling slots of the
engine. You could damage the unit or injure yourself.
12 Volt DC, 10 Amp Receptacle — Use this receptacle Circuit Breakers (AC) — Each receptacle is provided
with battery charge cables to charge a 12 Volt battery. with a circuit breaker to protect the generator against
120 Volt AC, 15 Amp Receptacles — May be used to electrical overload. Breakers are "push to reset" type.
supply electrical power for the operation of 120 Volt AC, Fuel Shut Off Valve — Controls fuel supply to engine.
15 Amp, single phase, 60 Hz electrical lighting, appliance, Fuel Tank — Capacity of 4 U.S. gallons.
tool and motor loads.
Grounding Wing Nut — Provides a tie-point for
120 Volt AC, 30 Amp Locking Receptacle — May be connecting the generator frame to earth ground.
used to supply electrical power for the operation of
120 Volt AC, 30 Amp, single phase, 60 Hz electrical Idle Control Switch — The idle control runs the engine
lighting, appliance, tool and motor loads. at normal (high) speeds when there is a load present and
runs the engine at idle (low) speeds when a load is not
120/240 Volt AC, 20 Amp Locking Receptacle — present. This feature greatly improves fuel economy,
May be used to supply electrical power for the operation extends the life of the engine, and reduces engine noise.
of 120 and/or 240 Volt AC, 20 Amp, single phase, 60 Hz
AC electrical lighting, appliance, tool and motor loads. Run/Stop Switch — Must be in “Run” position to start
engine. Set to “Stop” to stop a running engine.
BEFORE STARTING THE • Use regular UNLEADED gasoline with the Generator
engine. Do Not use premium gasoline. Do Not mix oil
ENGINE with gasoline.
• Clean area around fuel fill cap, remove cap.
Add Oil • Add unleaded regular gasoline, slowly to fuel tank. Be
careful not to overfill. Allow about 1/2" of tank space for
WARNING! Any attempt to crank or start the fuel expansion (Figure 2).
engine before it has been properly filled with the
Figure 2 — Fill Tank with Fuel
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 owner’s
manual. Do Not overfill!
• Install oil fill cap.
NOTE: The generator’s revolving field rides on a pre-
lubricated and sealed ball bearing that requires no
• Install fuel cap and wipe up any spilled gasoline.
additional lubrication for the life of the bearing.
IMPORTANT: It is important to prevent gum deposits
Add Gasoline from forming in essential fuel system parts such as the
carburetor, fuel filter, fuel hose or tank during storage.
DANGER! Explosion Hazard! Never fill fuel tank Also, experience indicates that alcohol-blended fuels (called
indoors. Never fill fuel tank when engine is running gasohol, ethanol or methanol) can attract moisture which
or hot. Do Not light a cigarette or smoke when leads to separation and formation of acids during storage.
filling the fuel tank. Acidic gas can damage the fuel system of an engine while in
storage.
WARNING! Do Not overfill the fuel tank. To avoid engine problems, the fuel system should be
Always allow room for fuel expansion. emptied before storage of 30 days or longer. See “Storage”
on page 11. Never use engine or carburetor cleaner
products in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur.
OPERATING THE 6. Move the choke lever to “Half” choke position, and
pull recoil handle twice.
GENERATOR • If engine fails to start, repeat steps 4 thru 6.
CAUTION! Never start or stop, the engine with 7. Move choke lever to “Run” position. If engine falters,
electrical loads connected to the unit and with the move choke lever to “Half ” choke position until the
connected devices turned ON. engine runs smoothly and then to “Run” position.
NOTE: If engine still fails to start after 3 pulls, check for
Starting the Engine proper oil level in crankcase. This unit is equipped with a
Low Oil Shutdown System. See engine manual.
Disconnect all electrical loads from the generator. Use the
following start instruction steps by numerical order: Refer to the engine owner’s manual for complete
1. Make sure the Idle Control switch is in “Off” position. starting instructions.
2. Turn the fuel valve to the “On” position. • Grasp starter grip and pull slowly until you feel slight
resistance, then pull quickly. Ease the starter rope back
3. Set the Run/Stop switch to “Run” position (Figure 3).
into the engine.
Figure 3 — Run/Stop Switch
• When engine starts, move choke lever to “Run”
position” by sliding it all the way to the right (away from
the valve cover and under the arrow).
NOTE: If engine fails to start after 3 pulls, move the choke
lever to “Half” choke position and pull starter rope again 2
times.
NOTE: If the engine still fails to start, check for proper oil
level in crankcase. Unit is equipped with a low oil
shutdown system. See engine owner’s manual for
information regarding the low oil shutdown system.
4. Place the choke lever in the “Full” choke position
(Figure 4). Connecting Electrical Loads
Figure 4 — Choke Lever • Let engine stabilize and warm up for a few minutes after
starting.
Full Choke
• Plug in and turn on the desired 120 and/or 240 Volt AC,
Position
single phase, 60 Hertz electrical loads.
• Do Not connect 240 Volt loads to 120 Volt receptacles.
• Do Not connect 3–phase loads to the generator.
• Do Not connect 50Hz loads to the generator.
• DO NOT OVERLOAD THE GENERATOR. Add up
the rated watts (or amps) of all loads to be connected at
one time. This total should not be greater than the rated
wattage/amperage capacity of the generator. See “Don’t
5. Grasp the recoil handle and pull slowly until slight Overload the Generator” on page 10.
resistance is felt. Then pull rapidly one time only to
start engine.
• If engine starts, proceed to step 7.
• If engine fails to start, proceed to step 6.
Charging a Battery
DANGER! Storage batteries give off explosive
hydrogen gas while recharging. This explosive
mixture will remain around the battery for a long
time after it has been charged. The slightest spark
can ignite the hydrogen and cause an explosion. Such
an explosion can shatter the battery and cause • Connect battery charge cable clamp with black handle
blindness or other serious injury. to the negative (–) battery terminal (Figure 5).
• Start engine. Let the engine run while battery recharges.
DANGER! Do Not permit smoking, open flame, • When battery has charged, shut down engine
sparks or any other source of heat around a battery.
Wear protective goggles, rubber apron and rubber NOTE: Use an automotive hydrometer to test battery
gloves when working around a battery. Battery state of charge and condition. Follow the hydrometer
electrolyte fluid is an extremely caustic sulfuric acid manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Generally, a battery is
solution that can cause severe burns. If spill occurs, considered to be at 100% state of charge when specific
flush area with clear water immediately. gravity of its fluid (as measured by hydrometer) is 1.260 or
higher.
Your generator has the capability of recharging a discharged
12 Volt automotive or utility style storage battery. Do Not
use the unit to charge any 6 Volt batteries. Do Not use
the unit to crank an engine having a discharged battery.
Wind
120/240 Volt AC, 20 Amp Locking 120 Volt AC, 30 Amp Locking
Receptacle Receptacle
Use a NEMA L14-20 plug with this receptacle. Connect a Use a NEMA L5-30 plug with this receptacle. Connect a 3-
4-wire cord set rated for 250 Volts AC at 30 Amps (or wire cord set rated for 125 Volts AC at 30 Amps to the
greater) (Figure 8). You can use the same 4-wire cord if plug (Figure 9).
you plan to run a 120 Volt load. Figure 9 — 120 Volt, 30 Amp Locking Receptacle
Figure 8 — 120/240 Volt, 20 Amp Locking Receptacle
This receptacle powers 120/240 Volt AC, 60 Hz, single Use this receptacle to operate 120 Volt AC, 60 Hz, single
phase loads requiring up to 2,400 watts of power at phase loads requiring up to 3,500 watts (3.5 kW) of power
20 Amps for 120 Volts OR 3,500 watts of power (3.5 kW) at 29.2 Amps. The outlet is protected by a push-to-reset
at 14.6 Amps for 240 Volts. The outlet is protected by a circuit breaker.
push-to-reset circuit breaker.
CAUTION! Although this outlet states it has a
120 Volt, 30 Amp rating (up to 3,600 watts), the
generator is only rated for 3,500 watts. Powering
loads that exceed the wattage/amperage capacity of
the generator can damage it or cause serious
injuries. Loads of 120 Volts powered through this
outlet should not exceed 29.2 Amps of current.
DON’T OVERLOAD THE • If the appliance, tool or motor does not give wattage,
multiply 120 Volts times ampere rating to determine
GENERATOR watts (volts x amps = watts).
• Some electric motors, such as induction types, require
Overloading a generator in excess of its rated wattage about three times more watts of power for starting than
capacity can result in damage to the generator and/or for running. This surge of power lasts for only a few
connected electrical devices. Observe the following, to seconds when starting such motors. Be sure you allow
prevent overloading the unit: for this high starting wattage when selecting electrical
• Add up the total wattage of all electrical devices to be devices to connect to your generator. First figure the
connected at one time. This total should NOT be watts needed to start the largest motor. Add to that
greater than the generator’s wattage capacity. figure the running watts of all other connected loads.
• The rated wattage of lights can be taken from light bulbs. • Items in the wattage reference guide (Figure 10) are
The rated wattage of tools, appliances and motors can provided to help you to determine how many items the
usually be found on a data plate or decal affixed to the generator can operate at one time.
device.
10
11
TROUBLESHOOTING
Problem Cause Solution
1. Circuit breaker is open. 1. Reset circuit breaker.
2. Poor connection or defective 2. Check and repair.
Engine is running, but no AC cord set.
output is available. 3. Connected device is bad. 3. Connect another device that is in good
condition.
4. Fault in generator. 4. Contact Generac service facility.
1. Short circuit in a connected load. 1. Disconnect shorted electrical load.
Engine runs good but bogs 2. Generator is overloaded. 2. See "Don't Overload the Generator" on
down when loads are page 10.
connected. 3. Engine speed is too slow. 3. Contact Generac service facility.
4. Shorted generator circuit. 4. Contact Generac service facility.
1. Run/Stop switch set to "Stop". 1. Set switch to "Run".
2. Dirty air cleaner. 2. Clean or replace air cleaner.
3. Out of gasoline. 3. Fill fuel tank.
4. Stale gasoline. 4. Drain gas tank and fill with fresh fuel.
5. Spark plug wire not connected to 5. Connect wire to spark plug.
spark plug.
Engine will not start; or starts
6. Bad spark plug. 6. Replace spark plug.
and runs rough.
7. Water in gasoline. 7. Drain gas tank; fill with fresh fuel.
8. Overchoking. 8. Put choke lever to "no choke" position.
9. Low oil level. 9. Fill crankcase to proper level.
10. Excessively rich fuel mixture. 10. Contact Generac service facility.
11. Intake valve stuck open or closed. 11. Contact Generac service facility.
12. Engine has lost compression. 12. Contact Generac service facility.
1. Out of gasoline. 1. Fill fuel tank.
Engine shuts down during
2. Low oil level. 2. Fill crankcase to proper level.
operation.
3. Fault in engine. 3. Contact Generac service facility.
1. Load is too high. 1. See "Don't Overload the Generator" on
page 10.
Engine lacks power.
2. Dirty air filter. 2. Replace air filter.
3. Engine needs to be serviced. 3. Contact Generac service facility.
1. Choke is opened too soon. 1. Move choke to halfway position till
engine runs smoothly.
Engine "hunts" or falters.
2. Carburetor is running too rich or 2. Contact Generac service facility.
too lean.
12
NOTES
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SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM
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WIRING DIAGRAM
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18
NOTES
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GENERAC PORTABLE PRODUCTS (hereafter referred to as the COMPANY) warrants to the original purchaser that the
alternator and control panel for its portable generator will be free from defects in materials or workmanship for the items
and period set forth below from the date of original purchase. This warranty is not transferable and applies only to
portable generators driven by a GN-Series engine.
Consumer* Commercial*
Alternator 2 years (2nd year parts only) 1 year
Engine Warranted solely by the engine manufacturer
With the exception of European Community Countries, all units bound for export shall be warranted for One (1)
Year in Consumer applications, and 90 days in Commercial applications as defined below.
*NOTE: For the purpose of this warranty "consumer use" means personal residential household use by
original purchaser. This warranty does not apply to units used for Prime Power in place of utility.
"Commercial Use" means all other uses, including rental, construction, commercial and income producing
purposes. Once a generator has experienced commercial use, it shall thereafter be considered a
commercial use generator for the purposes of this warranty.
During said warranty period, the COMPANY will, at is option, repair or replace any part which, upon examination by the
COMPANY, is found to be defective under normal use and service**. Starting batteries are not warranted by the
COMPANY. All transportation costs under warranty, including return to the factory if necessary, are to be borne by the
purchaser and prepaid by the purchaser. This warranty does not cover normal maintenance and service and does not apply
to a generator set, alternator, or parts which have been subjected to improper or unauthorized installation or alteration,
misuse, negligence, accident, overloading, overspeeding, improper maintenance, repair or storage so as, in the
COMPANY’s judgement, to adversely affect its performance and reliability.
**NORMAL WEAR: As with all mechanical devices, the generator need periodic parts service and
replacement to perform well. This warranty will not cover repair when normal use has exhausted the life of
a part or generator.
THERE IS NO OTHER EXPRESS WARRANTY. THE COMPANY HEREBY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL
IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THOSE OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. THE DURATION OF
ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES WHICH CANNOT BE DISCLAIMED IS LIMITED TO THE TIME PERIOD AS
SPECIFIED IN THE EXPRESS WARRANTY. LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL OR SPECIAL
DAMAGES UNDER ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES IS EXCLUDED. THE COMPANY ALSO DISCLAIMS
ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SUCH AS THE LOSS OF
TIME OR THE USE OF THE POWER EQUIPMENT, OR ANY COMMERCIAL LOSS DUE TO THE FAILURE
OF THE EQUIPMENT: AND ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES ARE LIMITED TO THE DURATION OF THIS
WRITTEN WARRANTY.
Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, or the exclusion or limitation of incidental or
consequential damages, so the above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal
rights and you may also have other rights, which vary from state to state.
For service, see your nearest COMPANY authorized warranty service facility or call 1-877-544-0982. Warranty service
can be performed only by a COMPANY authorized service facility. This warranty will not apply to service at any other
facility. At the time of requesting warranty service, evidence of original purchase date must be presented.