Generac 5244 DOA

 

I have just installed a Generac 5244 generator.  I bought it from a
dealer that does not service in my area (I know, I know....).

I hooked it up (and made absolutely sure everything was done according
to the specs...)

About two hours into the break-in phase, it failed.  The windings
apparently failed (according to a service tech I talked to on the
phone).  The breaker on the genset never tripped, and I had a Fluke
Clamp meter on it the whole time.  It is a 16kw LP and 15kwNG unit.  I
never got above 7.5kw.  The generator produces no AC output, and in the
bottom of the unit there are pieces of copper wiring that have
apparently been burned off.

I live in an area hit by hurricane Rita last year, and the local
Generac service people I have had contact with have waiting lists of up
to 6 months.  The only company that has agreed to take a look at it
wants a credit card on file for trip charges ($75 and "fuel surcharges"
just to take an initial look at it) and estimates it will take 6 weeks
to get it operational (2 weeks to make the initial service call, part
needs to be sent to Generac, tested, sent back, schedule follow up).

The dealer, who will remain unnamed at this point, has been of little
help.  It seems to me that a brand new generator that fails initially
should be replaced.  I purchased the unit on May 2nd, and still have no
resolution.  Has anyone had a similar experience, or does anyone have
any advice?  I just get the runaround with the dealer...

Thanks,
Brad

 


Sorry to hear about your Generac experience.

I would start with trying to make a detailed diagnosis. Trace what is
working and what is not, open stuff up, take pictures, post them,
etc. Try to make fewer assumptions and prove everything, as you go.

A few burned wires do not mean the end of the unit, maybe something
rubbed together, caused a short and burned -- and could be replaced.
That you say that they are "on the bottom of the unit" suggests that
it is auxuliary wiring, not burned out generating head. How is the
smell? etc.

How is the generator end coupled to the engine end, are they supported
separately with a flexible coupling, or tied together in a rigid object?

If it is the former, you could possibly find yourself a different
generator head that could be fitted.

I also suggest to include alt.energy.homepower in your
crossposts. When I was restoring my Onan diesel generator

            http://igor.chudov.com/tmp/onan/Diesel/

it was very helpful. rec.crafts.metalworking is also full of very
experienced people.

Here, unlike with Onans or Kohlers, you are dealing with some very
cheap design "for homeowners", everything overrated and undersized, so
be careful about throwing good money after bad. Either a quick fix, or
else I would sell it on ebay as "known broken".

Some other desperate people whose engine heads failed on similar
units, may be happy to buy yours.

i

 

Ignoramus11754 wrote:

More importantly, contact Generac directly with a detailed explanation
of the problem. I contacted them years ago about ordering a wheel kit
for one of their 5kw units since I couldn't find it locally and they
just sent me one, no charge. Just because it's a "consumer" line doesn't
mean the manufacturer doesn't support it.

Pete C.

 

jbgreig@gmail.com wrote:

Contact the factory directly, they should either rattle the dealer's
cage for you or help you get it fixed (or get you a new one, or take
yours in for factory repair, or something).

Is it possible you had all of your 7.5KW load on one phase?  Not that
it _should_ fail, but that kind of unbalance can't be good...

 

On 30 May 2006 20:03:02 -0700, jbgreig@gmail.com wrote:

Welcome to the club I bought a generator from a dealer out of town and
have been unable to contact them every since.
 I scrapped a $ 600.00 generator ( Well actually I gave it to a friend
that likes to tinker with things) .
 I will never buy a generator or as a matter of fact anything
mechanical from a company that does not have a dealer in my
town ( I live in Kansas City)

Lots of luck !