PRE-START PREPARATIONS

 

 

Hedge Trimmer

450

Home Computer

150

(a)

Impact Wrench

500

Jet Pump

800

(b)

Lawn Mower

1200

Light Bulb

100

Microwave Oven

700

Milk Cooler

1100 (b)

Oil Burner on Furnace

300

Oil Fired Space Htr (140,000 Btu)

400

Oil Fired Space Htr (85,000 Btu)

225

Oil Fired Space Htr (30,000 Btu)

150

Oven

4500

Paint Sprayer, Airless (1/3 HP)

600

(b)

Paint Sprayer, Airless (handheld)

150

Radio

200

(a)

Refrigerator

600

(c)

Slow Cooker

200

Submersible Pump (1-1/2 HP)

2800 (b)

Submersible Pump (1 HP)

2000 (b)

Submersible Pump (1/2 HP)

1500 (b)

Sump Pump

600

(b)

Table Saw (10”)

2000 (b)

Television

500

(a)

Toaster

1000

Vacuum cleaner

250

VCR

70 (a)

Water Heater

3000

Weed Trimmer

500

(a)Always use a voltage surge protector between the generator and these voltage sensitive loads. To

order a surge protector call customer service at

1-

800-270-0810 and ask for item # 30793.

 

(b)Hard-starting motors require 3 to 5 times the rated running watts.

(c)These loads may require up to 15 minutes to restart due to its normal build up of compressor head pressure.

NOTE: For extremely hard to start loads such as air conditioners and air compressors, consult the equipment dealer to determine the maximum wattage.

PRE-START PREPARATIONS

Your generator has been thoroughly tested prior to shipment from the factory. A factory test report has been included with this manual. However, damage can occur during shipping, so be sure to check for damaged parts or loose or missing nuts and bolts. If the aforementioned problems occur, call customer service at 1-800-270-0810.

GROUNDING - All units must be grounded. Drive a 3/4” or 1” copper pipe or rod into the ground close to the generator. The pipe/rod must penetrate moist earth. Connect an approved ground clamp to the pipe. Run a no. 12 Ga. wire from the clamp to the generator grounding post located on the control panel. Do not connect to a water pipe or a ground used by a radio system.

CAUTION: The engine has been shipped without oil. Fill the crankcase with oil before trying to start. Low oil shut-down prevents your generator from starting without sufficient oil.

OPERATING SPEED

The generator must be run at the correct speed in order to produce the proper electrical voltage and frequency. The speed of the engine was carefully adjusted at the factory so that the generator produces the proper voltage and frequency.

The output voltage should be checked to ensure the generator is working properly before connecting a load to the generator. Failure to do so could result in damage to equipment plugged into the unit and possible injury to the individual.

All engines have a tendency to slow down when a load is applied. When the electrical load is connected to the generator, the engine is more heavily loaded, and as a result the speed drops slightly. This slight decrease in speed, together with the voltage drop within the generator itself, results in a slightly lower voltage when the generator is loaded to its full capacity than when it is running with no load. The slight variation has no appreciable effect in the operation of motors, lights and most appliances. Electronic equipment and clocks will be affected if correct RPM is not maintained. See Load vs. Output chart.

Load

 

Output

 

Percent of

Speed

Frequency

 

Generator

Generator

(RPM)

(Hz)

 

Voltage at 120V

Output

 

 

 

Receptacle

0 %

3750

62.5

 

129V

50 %

3600

60.0

 

120V

 

 

 

 

 

100 %

3540

59.0

 

112V

Output voltage should be periodically checked to ensure continued proper operation of the generating plant and appliances, it can be checked with a portable meter. Frequency can be checked using an electric clock with a sweep second hand. Timed against a wristwatch or a stopwatch the clock should be correct within +/- 2 seconds per minute. Engine speed adjustments should be done by a qualified technician.

BEFORE STARTING

1.Make sure the generator is positioned on firm level surface.

2.Check the crankcase for oil and maintain at a proper level.

3.Check fuel level and fill tank 7/8 full with fresh unleaded automotive gasoline. Never fill fuel tank completely to the top. Always wipe up and remove any spilled gasoline.

4.Make sure that the exhaust fumes are directed away from people.

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North Star 5500 owner manual Pre-Start Preparations, Operating Speed, Before Starting