Generac Power Systems 05176-0 owner manual Battery Maintenance, Adjusting Valve Clearance

Section 5 — Maintenance

Air-cooled 15 kW Generators

5.7BATTERY MAINTENANCE

The battery should be inspected per the “Service Schedule”. The following procedure should be fol- lowed for inspection:

1.Inspect the battery posts and cables for tightness and corrosion. Tighten and clean as necessary.

2.Check the battery fluid level of unsealed batteries and, if necessary, fill with DISTILLED WATER ONLY. DO NOT USE TAP WATER IN BATTER- IES.

3.Have the state of charge and condition checked. This should be done with an automotive-type bat- tery hydrometer.

Lead-acid batteries present a risk of fire because they generate hydrogen gas. The following pro- cedures are to be followed:

•DO NOT SMOKE when near the battery;

•DO NOT cause flame or spark in battery area; and

•Discharge static electricity from body before touch- ing the battery by first touching a grounded metal surface.

Be sure the AUTO/OFF/MANUAL switch is set to the OFF position before connecting the battery cables. If the switch is set to AUTO or MANUAL, the generator can crank and start as soon as the battery cables are connected.

DANGER

Do not dispose of the battery in a fire. The battery is capable of exploding.

A battery presents a risk of electrical shock

and high short circuit current. The following pre- cautions are to be observed when working on batteries:

•Remove watches, rings or other metal objects;

•Use tools with insulated handles;

•Wear rubber gloves and boots;

•Do not lay tools or metal parts on top of the battery; and

•Disconnect charging source prior to connecting or disconnecting battery terminals.

Do not open or mutilate the battery. Released electrolyte has been known to be harmful to the skin and eyes, and to be toxic.

The electrolyte is a dilute sulfuric acid that is harmful to the skin and eyes. It is electrically conductive and corrosive. The following procedures are to be observed:

•Wear full eye protection and protective clothing;

•Where electrolyte contacts the skin, wash it off immediately with water;

•Where electrolyte contacts the eyes, immediately flush thoroughly with water and seek medical attention; and

•Spilled electrolyte is to be washed down with an acid neutralizing agent. A common practice is to use a solution of 1 pound (500 grams) bicarbonate of soda to 1 gallon (4 liters) or water. The bicar- bonate of soda solution is to be added until the evidence of reaction (foaming) has ceased. The resulting liquid is to be flushed with water and the area dried.

Be sure the utility power supply is turned off, and the 5A fuse is removed from the generator control panel, or sparking may occur at the bat- tery posts as the cables are attached, causing an explosion.

5.8ADJUSTING VALVE CLEARANCE

After the first 50 hours of operation, adjust the valve clearance in the engine.

Important: If feeling uncomfortable about doing this procedure or the proper tools are not available, con- tact the nearest Authorized Dealer for service assis- tance. This is a very important step to insure longest life for the engine.

To adjust valve clearance:

•Make sure the engine is at room temperature.

•Make sure that the spark plug wire is removed from the spark plug and out of the way.

•Remove the four screws attaching the valve cover with a #2 or #3 phillips screwdriver.

•Make sure the piston is at Top Dead Center (TDC) of its compression stroke (both valves closed). To get the piston at TDC, remove the intake screen at the front of the engine to gain access to the fly- wheel nut. Use a large socket and socket wrench to rotate the nut and hence the engine. While watching the piston through the spark plug hole. The piston should move up and down. The piston is at TDC when it is up as high as it can go.

•Loosen the rocker jam nut. Use an 10mm allen wrench to turn the pivot ball stud while checking clearance between the rocker arm and the valve stem with a feeler gauge. Correct clearance is 0.002-0.004 inch (0.05-0.1 mm). See Figure 5.6.

NOTE:

Hold the rocker arm jam nut in place as the pivot ball stud is turned.

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