Kohler 20--2800 kW manual Engine Backfire/Flash Fire, Exhaust System, Fuel System

Battery short circuits. Explosion can cause severe injury or death. Short circuits can cause bodily injury

and/or equipment damage. Disconnect the battery before generator set installation or maintenance. Remove wristwatch, rings, and other jewelry before servicing the equipment. Use tools with insulated handles. Remove the negative (--) lead first when disconnecting the battery. Reconnect the negative (--) lead last when reconnecting the battery. Never connect the negative (--) battery cable to the positive (+) connection terminal of the starter solenoid. Do not test the battery condition by shorting the terminals together.

Battery acid cleanup. Battery acid can cause severe injury or death. Battery acid is electrically conductive and corrosive. Add 500 g (1 lb.) of bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) to a container with 4 L (1 gal.) of water and mix the neutralizing solution. Pour the neutralizing solution on the spilled battery acid and continue to add the neutralizing solution to the spilled battery acid until all evidence of a chemical reaction (foaming) has ceased. Flush the resulting liquid with water and dry the area.

Engine Backfire/Flash Fire

WARNING

Fire.

Can cause severe injury or death.

Do not smoke or permit flames or sparks near fuels or the fuel system.

Servicing the fuel system. A flash fire can cause severe injury or death. Do not smoke or permit flames or sparks near the carburetor, fuel line, fuel filter, fuel pump, or other potential sources of spilled fuels or fuel vapors. Catch fuels in an approved container when removing the fuel line or carburetor.

Servicing the air cleaner. A sudden backfire can cause severe injury or death. Do not operate the generator set with the air cleaner removed.

Exhaust System

WARNING

Carbon monoxide.

Can cause severe nausea, fainting, or death.

The exhaust system must be leakproof and routinely inspected.

Copper tubing exhaust systems. Carbon monoxide can cause severe nausea, fainting, or death. Do not use copper tubing in diesel exhaust systems. Sulfur in diesel exhaust causes rapid deterioration of copper tubing exhaust systems, resulting in exhaust leakage.

Generator set operation. Carbon monoxide can cause severe nausea, fainting, or death. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, tasteless, nonirritating gas that can cause death if inhaled for even a short time. Avoid breathing exhaust fumes when working on or near the generator set. Never operate the generator set inside a building unless the exhaust gas is piped safely outside. Never operate the generator set where exhaust gas could accumulate and seep back inside a potentially occupied building.

Carbon monoxide symptoms. Carbon monoxide can cause severe nausea, fainting, or death. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas present in exhaust gases. Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms include but are not limited to the following:

DLight-headedness, dizziness

DPhysical fatigue, weakness in joints and muscles

DSleepiness, mental fatigue, inability to concentrate

or speak clearly, blurred vision

DStomachache, vomiting, nausea If experiencing any of these symptoms and carbon monoxide poisoning is possible, seek fresh air immediately and remain active. Do not sit, lie down, or fall asleep. Alert others to the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning. Seek medical attention if the condition of affected persons does not improve within minutes of breathing fresh air.

Fuel System

WARNING

Explosive fuel vapors.

Can cause severe injury or death.

Use extreme care when handling, storing, and using fuels.

Draining the fuel system. Explosive fuel vapors can cause severe injury or death. Spilled fuel can cause an explosion. Use a container to catch fuel when draining the fuel system. Wipe up spilled fuel after draining the system.

LP liquid withdrawal fuel leaks. Explosive fuel vapors can cause severe injury or death. Fuel leakage can cause an explosion. Check the LP liquid withdrawal gas fuel system for leakage by using a soap and water solution with the fuel system test pressurized to at least 90 psi (621 kPa). Do not use a soap solution containing either ammonia or chlorine because both prevent bubble formation. A successful test depends on the ability of the solution to bubble.

II Safety Precautions and Instructions TP-5700 7/93