An automatic standby generator is a back up electrical system that operates whether you are at home or away. It automatically supplies power to essential circuits of your home within seconds of a utility outage. After utility power returns, the generator shuts itself off and awaits the next outage. It operates on natural gas or liquid propane and sits outside just like a central air conditioning unit.
Generators supply electricity to the electrical panel circuits of your home through a built-in load center. You select the number of circuits you want to protect and match it to the appropriate generator system. Everything on that circuit will be protected. A generator also powers furnaces, air conditioners, well pumps, water heaters, and other appliances that are hard-wired into your electrical panel.
While portable generators do supply power, an automatic standby generator produces a higher quality of electricity. It operates automatically and runs a weekly self-test to ensure a proper response to your needs. There are no extension cords to plug in and no gas tanks to fill. It operates automatically so it protects your home even when you’re away. When utility power returns, the standby generator shuts itself off.
Establishing wattage requirements of the appliances you want to power during an outage is difficult because those appliances can be plugged into various outlets in your home. That’s why we have simplified the process. By allowing you to protect everything on chosen circuits, you no longer have to worry about individual items.
Air-cooled units use engines we design and manufacture specifically for our smaller generators. Volume production helps us to keep the cost down, making our air-cooled generators the most affordable for our customers. They cover essential circuits and back-up power needs in most residential applications. Liquid-cooled units use automotive engines for increased horsepower. This makes them ideal for larger requirements such as whole-house power coverage, larger homes, and commercial applications.
Just like your car’s engine, generators need periodic tune-ups, oil and filter changes. Many customers rely on preventative maintenance kits to satisfy routine maintenance requirements. Refer to your owner’s manual for routine maintenance procedures and schedules. Kits can be purchased here at A.P. Electric & Generators.
Aluminum is corrosion-resistant, so it prolongs the life and look of the generator, particularly in salt air communities.
Whisper-Test is a feature that reduces noise by up to 50% during the generator’s weekly self-test cycle. That makes it as quiet as a car idling in your driveway. The generator starts up and operates at a reduced speed, lowering sound output by as much as 12 decibels for units that normally run at higher speeds under load. This allows for near-silent operation in test mode and satisfies all known sound ordinances.
The most accurate way is to have an electrician apply an amp meter to the circuits or appliances that will operate with emergency backup power. Measurements should be taken as the appliance starts up. That’s because start-up requires the greatest amount of power.
Generac air-cooled generator models, which come equipped with a comprehensive installation manual, can take as little as four hours to install. They come mounted on a composite pad to further simplify installation. Liquid-cooled generators normally require up to 14 hours to install. Because of their additional weight, liquid-cooled units must be installed on a stronger mounting surface such as a concrete slab.
Note: Time estimates are based on typical applications. Additional time may be required to run gas conduit or gas piping or to place the unit far from the incoming gas or electrical service.
For safety reasons and to be sure of adherence to local, state, and national codes Generac recommends the generator be installed by an Authorized Dealer or licensed contractor. However, the air-cooled systems are prepackaged, pre-wired, and come with comprehensive installation instructions to enable a competent Do It Yourself-er to participate in the installation process.
• Starting battery – Automotive type Group 26 negative ground. Refer to the Owner’s Manual for additional details
• Double pole circuit breaker (Refer to the Owner’s Manual for the required breaker size.)
• Grounding rod with a grounding strap
• Padlock (To lock external connection box)
• Crushed stone or pea gravel (approximately 10-12 cubic feet)
• Black poly-film or other vegetation blocking fabric (5-1/2′ x 5′)
• Silicone caulk
• Pipe sealant (suitable for gaseous fuel connections)
• Fasteners (to mount external connection box and automatic transfer switch with built-in emergency load center)
Drill, drill bits, hole saw (type and length will be determined by the materials you will be drilling and cutting), open-end wrenches or adjustable wrenches, socket wrenches or nut drivers, standard and Phillips screwdrivers, level, sledgehammer, channel-lock pliers, spade shovel, pencil and safety goggles.
| 7-20 kW Air-Cooled | 18-45 kW Liquid-Cooled | 60-150 kW Liquid-Cooled | |
| Natural Gas (cu ft/hr) | 100-265 | 275-725 | 960-2061 |
| LP (cu ft/hr) | 54-104 | 110-273 | 375-830 |
Please refer to the individual model’s specification sheet for the exact figures.
Note: Figures are based on continuous operation at full load. It is unlikely that the generator will run at full load for an extended period, therefore, consumption decreases accordingly.
Emergency circuits should always be isolated by the emergency load center. An isolated sub-panel helps to prevent overload situations.
Parts can be purchased through A.P. Electric online or by calling (847) 516-8882. Part numbers are located in the owner’s manual.
Costs are determined by the installing dealer and are based upon service levels. The cost will also vary based on hourly labor rates in your local area.
15W-40 to 5W-40 Synthetic is recommended for all liquid-cooled units. The oil should be a SAE rated high detergent oil that meets API Service Class SF requirements for gasoline engines.
Propane tanks are usually rated by pounds. Is there a conversion that can be applied to the fuel consumption numbers?
Yes. For general conversion, propane weighs 4.24 pounds per gallon. 1 lb. = 8.58 cu. ft. 1 gallon = 36.39 cu. ft.
Any Authorized GUARDIAN Service Center can perform warranty service. To locate a dealer near you, please refer to our Dealer Locator section of the Web site or call our Automated Dealer Locator at 1-800-333-1322. The automated dealer locator is available 24/7/365. Our Authorized Service Centers provide parts, service, and information on Generac generator equipment, regardless of where it was purchased.
Generac generators and Kohler generators are made in the United States. Both manufactured in Wisconsin.
When you install your air-cooled or liquid-cooled generator you must be mindful of the required clearances. Depending on the size and style of your unit you will find a different clearance.
Most home standby generators are air-cooled units. These units typically have steel or aluminum enclosures. These units require at least and 18” clearance from non-combustibles. Non-combustibles consist of anything that is not flammable. This would be your garden hose, a concrete stoop, or a wooden patio for example. When you are dealing with combustible items, such as a storage facility for a lawnmower that contains gas, you must maintain a 36” clearance. The last required clearance is from windows and doors. You must maintain a 5’ clearance from your windows and doors. Mostly because of the decibel rating of the generator. It is also a fire hazard to have it any closer to a window or door.
Local codes require “generator on-premise” stickers for your main breaker panel and utility meter. These stickers warn an emergency responder to be careful of the large units that contain gas. In the event of an emergency, they would disconnect the fuel for the unit to prevent serious damage.
Composite plastic enclosures are usually found on the smaller 7kW air-cooled units. Most recently manufacturers have started to phase this type of enclosure out. Generac, for example, replaced the enclosure on the CorePower 5837 with steel. They redesigned the model completely. The new PowerPact models all have steel enclosures. The clearances for composite plastic enclosures are 36” from non-combustibles and 5’ from windows, doors, and combustibles.
Liquid-cooled generators are a much more complex unit. They are larger externally and contain larger internal pieces that work faster and harder than the smaller air-cooled models. This affects the required clearances. For steel and aluminum enclosures, the required clearance is 5’ regardless of combustibility. And, as with the air-cooled models, there is a required 5’ clearance from windows and doors.
Once you need more than the 30ft of cabling that comes with your generator, code says you have to remove the 30ft whip and replace with 2-conduits. One for the low voltage and one for the line voltage. (Once the plug and play plugs are not able to be used, and/or wire needs to be spliced/extended, this code takes effect).
Brushed brands include Generac Portables, Generac Air-cooled, all PowerMate, and Kohler Air-cooled. Brush-less brands include Winco Portables (except models WC6000H and WC6000HE) and all other Winco generators are brush-less. Brands that have both brushed and brushless models include Generac Liquid-cooled and Kohler Liquid-cooled.
The recommended wire sizes for a 460 feet (140m) length wire is No. 18 AWG. For wire in length of 461 to 730 feet (223m) you should use No. 16 AWG. For wire in length of 731 to 1,160 feet (354m) you should use No. 14 AWG. For wire in length of 1,161 to 1,850 feet (565m) you should use No. 12 AWG.
746 Watts = 1 HP
Yes, except in the initial 20 seconds of a power outage.
It is fed from the main panel just like a sub-panel.
The genset starts after 10 seconds and then 10 seconds later after the engine starts, the transfer switch transfers to generator power.
The utility power will come back on and after 10 seconds the transfer switch will transfer back to utility power. (Only if the voltage is steadily above 85% for 10 seconds) 2 minutes after the transfer switch transfers back to utility, the genset will shut down and wait for another outage. (Note: when this occurs a flicker of the lights will happen but will not affect any of your appliances or devices.)
When an emergency strikes there is not much time to think. An emergency checklist including emergency phone numbers are documents that should be kept available where every family member easily can find them. You are less likely to panic when you are prepared.
Keep your Emergency Checklist in an easily accessible place. Gather as many of the items you can on the Emergency Checklist and store it in a central location. Be sure to periodically review the status of items on your checklist and update emergency information.
Natural Gas – If you have a high-pressure system, it’s always best to install the step-down regulator as close to the genset as possible instead of at the gas meter. This will let you size down the gas piping diameter from the gas meter to the regulator/genset.
LP Gas – All the generators we sell are Liquid Propane Vapor and all Propane Tanks will require a step-down regulator for the generator. (11-14 inches of Water Column for every generator we sell). It is always best to install the step-down regulator as close to the genset as possible instead of at the Propane Tank. This will let you size down the gas piping diameter from the Propane Tank to the regulator/genset.
1 Kilowatt = 1.5 HP (Rule of thumb is to divide cc’s by 30 = HP)
There are two major differences. One, portable generators create D/C voltage via the voltage regulator and engine. D/C is delivered to the rotor/stator via the use of brushes and the rotor/stator converts the D/C to A/C. Second, inverter generators change from D/C to A/C using an electronic microprocessor. No brushes nor rotor/stator is used, which helps produce a cleaner A/C output.
There are two major differences. One, portable generators create D/C voltage via the voltage regulator and engine. D/C is delivered to the rotor/stator via the use of brushes and the rotor/stator converts the D/C to A/C. Second, inverter generators change from D/C to A/C using an electronic microprocessor. No brushes nor rotor/stator is used, which helps produce a cleaner A/C output.
Using a generator indoors CAN KILL YOU IN MINUTES. The exhaust contains carbon monoxide, a deadly poison gas you cannot see or smell. NEVER run a generator indoors or in partly enclosed areas such as garages.
ONLY use outdoors and far from windows, doors, vents, crawl spaces, and in an area where adequate ventilation is available and will not accumulate deadly exhaust gas. Using a fan or opening doors and windows will not provide sufficient ventilation. It is recommended that you install battery operated Carbon Monoxide alarms/detectors indoors according to the manufacturer’s instructions/recommendations.
YES! Gasoline is extremely flammable and explosive. If the tank is over-filled, fuel can overflow onto a hot engine and cause fire or explosion. Do not overfill the fuel tank. Always allow room for fuel expansion. Never add fuel while the unit is running or hot. Allow generator and engine to cool entirely before adding fuel. Do not smoke near fuel or generator. Many generator parts are hot enough to burn you during operation and while the generator is cooling after turning off. Avoid coming into contact with a hot generator.
The generator must be properly grounded. If the generator is not grounded, you run the risk of electrocution. We strongly recommend that you check and adhere to all applicable federal, state and local regulations relating to grounding.
No, do not operate the generator in wet conditions such as rain or snow. You can be electrocuted and/or damage the unit.
Connecting a portable electric generator directly to your household wiring can be deadly to you and others. A generator that is directly connected to your home’s wiring can ‘back feed’ onto the power lines connected to your home and injure neighbors or utility workers.
Overloading your generator can seriously damage your valuable appliances and electronics. Do not overload the generator. Do not operate more appliances and equipment than the output rating of the generator. Prioritize your needs. A portable electric generator should be used only when necessary, and only to power essential equipment.
Plug individual appliances into the generator using heavy-duty, outdoor-rated cords with a wire gauge adequate for the appliance load. Overloaded cords can cause fires or equipment damage. Do not use extension cords with exposed wires or worn shielding.
Allow at least five feet of clearance on all sides of the generator when operating.
Operate the generator only on level surfaces and where it will not be exposed to excessive moisture, dirt, dust, or corrosive vapors. Always keep the generator away from children
Inspect the generator regularly and contact the nearest authorized dealer for parts needing repair or replacement.
Always disconnect the spark plug wire and place the wire where it cannot contact the spark plug to prevent accidental starting when setting up, transporting, adjusting or making repairs to the generator.
Most Winco products have a 2-year warranty. For more information contact Winco via phone at 800-733-2112, fax at 507-357-4857, or Email WINCO Support.
Power Plus Energy Solutions is an authorized WINCO Dealer. We will be happy to help you find the best product for your application. You can Email Us, Call us at 847-516-8882 or go to the Winco Product Page.
You can contact Service/Tech Support via phone at 507-357-6831 or fax at 507-357-4857
The WINCO Dealers page can help you find products that aren’t offered by Power Plus Energy Solutions as well as service providers.
Our gear is meant to power you anywhere you need it. We make sure to test it in some of the toughest environments possible, from Everest basecamp to remote villages in Kenya, so we know it’ll work whenever, wherever you need it. That being said, we recommend checking the details of each product for durability ratings. For example, the Venture Power Banks feature advanced ruggedizing techniques used in manufacturing to withstand the elements; the Goal Zero Yeti Portable Power Stations should be kept dry at all times. All of our solar panels are designed to be outside soaking up as much sun as possible, even if that means withstanding a storm (or several). Check the individual product user guides for more information.
Lifecycles refer to how long batteries maintain their rated capacity. When you completely drain a battery from 100% to 0%, you’ve gone through one cycle, and the lifecycle rating for batteries is dependent on its type, or chemistry. Lead-acid batteries are rated for 200-300 cycles, lithium batteries for 500-800 cycles. Now, at the end of these rated lifecycles, most batteries will continue to function, meaning they’re still usable; however, you will notice a decrease in total capacity due to battery degradation, so your runtimes won’t last as long as they used to. Think of your cellphone after two or three years of use - same idea. Again, battery chemistry will affect the amount of usable capacity after rated lifecycles. It’s always a good idea to maintain the health of the batteries inside your Goal Zero products, check user guides for specifics.
We use a variety of different battery technologies. We use the following types: Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH), Li-NMC, and Sealed Lead Acid batteries (AGM Lead-Acid). Check the product technical specifications on the product page to view for a particular product.
Visit our blog post “Lithium Explained” to read more about lithium.
We have a robust Q & A section on each product page. Go to the product in question and most likely your answer will be found here. If not, live chat, email or phone support is always an option.
If unused, power packs are typically capable of holding a full charge for 4-6 months. However, we highly recommend charging the battery every 3-4 months for a healthy lifespan and storing the power pack plugged into the wall or solar panel.
First, you’ll need to determine the amount of power your device requires. This may require some research on your end, a good online search, or examining the user guide for your device should suffice.
For example, to be compatible with the Yeti 400, you should use devices that require less than 300W. Second, you will need to check the capacity for the individual output ports. For example, the AC port of the Yeti 400 is monitored by an inverter that allows for 300W of continuous power. This means if your device is pulling more than 300W for an extended period of time, the Yeti’s inverter will shut off. Once you know your device is compatible, you’ll want to determine how long you’ll be able to power your gear from the Yeti.
You can do this online, visit product registration in our support area to fill out your information.
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Peace of Mind Anytime Anywhere Monitoring
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Need to quickly charge a Yeti Lithium Power Station while on the move? We’ve got you covered. Goal Zero Product Manager Robbie Kerback walks through how to charge right from your vehicle’s alternator using the Yeti Link Car Charging Kit.
Introducing Goal Zero’s Yeti Home Integration Kit. An easy-to-install way to use your Yeti Portable Power Station to keep up to four essential circuits in your home running, even when the power isn’t. Whether it’s the food in your fridge or a good night’s sleep, there’s a lot you can lose during a power outage. So stop anxiously wondering when the power will come back on – simply flip the switch and you’re running on Yeti power.
