Guardian: Won't shut off

[Synthetickiller]

I do not have an extensive understanding of generators, so please bare with me.

I own a Generac Gaurdian 0047252 (single phase power) that worked beautifully during Hurricane Gustav. Halfway through the storm, the generator shut off. I discovered that the maintenance guy who services the generator did not put the oil cap on and it came off due to pressure and oil went everywhere. I managed to refill the generator w/ SAE 30 & locate the cap.

Once my area recieved power, the generator would not shut down. It will stay on during manual, off in the off position, but the auto setting leaving the generator in an on mode and will not shut off.

Does this sound like a controller board issue for the unit? Maybe oil spilled on it?

I have no idea when or if the service guy will return to the area (frankly, after this incident, I don't trust him to service the generator properly) and I wanted to know if this sounds like the issue.

I need to learn how to service most of the unit myself since during a hurricane, I can't call anyone.

What do you guys think?

(Sorry for the drawn out explanation.)

[Kelly Myers]

When you put the generator into auto mode, does the green light on the display blink, or is it solid? The green light should be above the "system set" wording.

[Synthetickiller]

The only light I know of is the fault indicator light (red if there's a problem) by the toggle switch. That light doesn't change color when the unit is working to my knowledge.

Where is the green light located?

[NYS SitePower Corp.]

You're right, in your case, all you'll have is a single red indicator lamp to indicate a fault on that unit.

I would start by ensuring that you actually have both legs of the incoming 120/240 power at the utility side with a voltmeter; measure from leg to ground to verify each leg has appx. 120VAC. If you do, next locate two small fuses in the transfer switch, pull those out & check them for continuity to see if they are good. If one, or both are blown, this will cause the generator to remain running as it sees only half, or none of the utility power.

Start there and let us know what you find..... good luck!

[Synthetickiller]

I don't mean to trouble you guys too much, but I'm in the dark here.

Think you could provide a picture of exactly what I should be testing for voltage? That would really be helpful since I'm not a pro at this. :D (Model number is (0047252 incase anyone needs to reference it.)

Edit:

I thought I had a voltmeter, but it may have been ruined in Katrina, so I don't have one. Can you guys recommend a good one (on the cheaper side) that'll work?

Edit 2:

Nevermind, I just need a cheap one since its 120. Now I just need to know what I'm testing.

[Kelly Myers]

Sorry, I didn't look at your model number properly :(

You need a tester for 240v. You have two wires coming from the transfer switch, N1 and N2. These two wires go to the generator for voltage monitoring. Verify that you have 240V at the generator from n1/n2..

[Synthetickiller]

I'm sorry to bother you about this, but where are the N1 & N2 lines? Better yet, where in the booklet can I find them to see the location?

I'm really a newbie at this, so bare with me.

[Kelly Myers]

I'm sorry to bother you about this, but where are the N1 & N2 lines? Better yet, where in the booklet can I find them to see the location?

I'm really a newbie at this, so bare with me.

I'm not sure what wire colors are going to your generator, but the terminals should be plainly labeled N1/N2 inside the generator termination box. If your electrician used multicolored wires, you can open up the transfer switch and see what colors they used for the N1/N2 because I know the transfer switch will be easy to read.

I'll attach your generation termination schematic.

[Synthetickiller]

I will take a look and see what I can do. I'll report back with whatever findings I have.

Thanks for the schematic.

[Synthetickiller]

Edit: I actually see N1 & N2 on the diagram for the generator booklet.

So where do I ground one of the ends or am i complete the circuit from N1 to N2 through the volt meter.

I'm a little confunsed

[pcfrisch]

Edit: I actually see N1 & N2 on the diagram for the generator booklet.

So where do I ground one of the ends or am i complete the circuit from N1 to N2 through the volt meter.

I'm a little confunsed

You would put one probe on N1 and the other on N2. Between the two you should get around 240 V.
If you put one probe on N1 and the other on ground, you would get half of that or 120V. Same for N2 and ground.

[Synthetickiller]

You would put one probe on N1 and the other on N2. Between the two you should get around 240 V.
If you put one probe on N1 and the other on ground, you would get half of that or 120V. Same for N2 and ground.

Thanks. I'll test it tomorrow when I get the time.

The hurricane has left me a lot of work to do.

Thanks buddy!

[Synthetickiller]

Comes up at 240v. So the fuses are not the issue.

[pcfrisch]

Comes up at 240v. So the fuses are not the issue.

You don't know that yet, you still need to check the fuses for continuity after you pull them.

You're right, in your case, all you'll have is a single red indicator lamp to indicate a fault on that unit.

I would start by ensuring that you actually have both legs of the incoming 120/240 power at the utility side with a voltmeter; measure from leg to ground to verify each leg has appx. 120VAC. If you do, next locate two small fuses in the transfer switch, pull those out & check them for continuity to see if they are good. If one, or both are blown, this will cause the generator to remain running as it sees only half, or none of the utility power.

Start there and let us know what you find..... good luck!

[Synthetickiller]

Do you guys think that the generator is safe to run considering that it only doesn't shut off once power comes back on?

Ike is on the way and I can't get anything fixed on it before then.