OPERATE THE GENERATOR IN THE OPEN

Don’t operate the generator inside a building, vehicle, or an enclosure.

The engine’s exhaust contains poisonous carbon monoxide. If you run the generator in an area that is confined, even partially enclosed, or if the exhaust is pointed toward a partially enclosed work area, the air you breathe could contain a dangerous amount of exhaust gas. To keep exhaust from building up, operate only in open areas and provide adequate ventilation.

The generator must also breathe fresh air. Intake air for generator and engine cooling, and combustion air must no be contaminated with engine exhaust.

Operate In The Open Operate in open space.Aim exhaust outlet AWAY from working areas.Keep the area around the generator unobstructed for cooling and exhaust.

BE FAMILIAR WITH THE GENERATOR

Read the owners manual and safety precautions.

Be Familiar With The Generator Read the owner's manual.Instruct inexperienced persons on safe operation of the generator.Keep children and pets away from the generator while it is running.

KEEP THE GENERATOR ORIGINAL

Don’t make modifications to the fuel or exhaust system.

Exhaust modifications can add stress to the original equipment exhaust system which can cause breakage resulting in exhaust leaks. Elbows in the modified exhaust system will create back pressure on the engine which reduces performance and shortens the engine service life.

Larger auxiliary tanks added to the system will create more pressure on the inlet needle valve which may cause the inlet needle to lose its ability to regulate the fuel flowing into the carburetor. This may cause the crankcase engine oil to become diluted with fuel, spark plug and spark arrestor carbon build-up, and possible external fuel leaks which may result in fires.

Keep The Generator Original
	Maintain the fuel system as original equipment.
	Maintain the exhaust system as original equipment.

GENERATOR SAFETY

BEFORE YOU OPERATE ANY GENERATOR YOU MUST BE FAMILIAR WITH ALL CONTROLS AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.

READ THE MANUAL AND CAREFULLY EXAMINE ALL CONTROLS. ALWAYS HAVE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER HANDY, JUST IN CASE. SAFETY FIRST!

ALWAYS THINK SAFETY. PROTECT YOURSELF AND EVERYONE AROUND YOU. SAFETY FIRST! Become familiar with the generator by reading the owner’s manual before operation. Be sure that anyone who operates the generator receives proper instruction on its safe operation and has read the owner’s manual. Do not let children operate the generator without parental supervision. The operator is responsible for the safe operation of the generator. Know how to stop the generator quickly in case of an emergency. Understand the use of all generator controls, output receptacles and connections.

STORE THE GENERATOR PROPERLY

The majority of the generator problems occur after the generator is removed from prolonged storage. Gasoline has a very short shelf life. The fuel in the carburetor bowl is vented to the atmosphere. Evaporation of the fuel occurs quicker and will leave the heavier additives and water to plug and corrode the carburetor passages.

If the generator is to be stored for more than 2 months:

Drain the fuel from the carburetor float bowl.

Drain the fuel from the sediment cup.

Add the correct proportion of fuel conditioner to the tank and top it off.

In addition, it is also recommended:

Add a tablespoon of oil through the spark plug hole. Lubricating the valves and piston rings will help prevent corrosion during extended storage periods.

Change the engine oil. Engine oil oxidizes and breaks down like gasoline. Fresh engine oil will ensure the oil will provide proper lubrication when the engine is started after the storage period.

STORAGE
	Store the generator properly.
	Refer to the appropriate owner’s manual.

TURN OFF THE FUEL VALVE (if equipped)

Turn the fuel valve OFF when transporting or storing the generator. When the generator is being transported, the carburetor inlet needle may unseat allowing fuel to enter the engine crankcase. Gasoline will dilute the engine oil reducing the lubrication properties and cause severe engine damage.

Turn The Fuel Valve OFF
	Turn OFF the fuel valve when transporting the generator.
	Turn OFF the fuel valve when the generator is not in use.

TURN THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OFF

SAFETY PRECAUTION!

Turn the circuit breaker OFF when starting the generator.

The generator starts producing power immediately after the engine starts. Start the generator and wait 15 seconds to let it come up to speed and generate the proper voltage, then turn the loads on. If there is a heavy load connected to the generator, it may be strong enough to make the engine hard to start.

If the engine does not start, a heavy load may not allow the engine to reach operating speed. Continuous operation of the generator below normal operating speed may damage the load or the generator.

The circuit breaker should be switched OFF before stopping the engine. The generator will produce power until the engine comes to a complete stop. AVR generators will try to produce steady output as the generator winds down. This may overload the AVR circuits, which could damage the AVR.

STOPPING THE GENERATOR
	Turn OFF the circuit breaker before starting the engine.
	Turn OFF the circuit breaker before stopping the engine.

SYSTEM GROUND

The power tool has a ground wire that connects the tool body to the generator receptacle.

The generator ground terminal is connected to: the frame of the generator, the metal non-current carrying parts of the generator, and the ground terminals of each receptacle.

Before using the ground terminal, consult a qualified electrician, electrical inspector or local agency having jurisdiction for local codes or ordinances that apply.

System Ground
	Generator frame acts as system ground.
	Local codes or agencies may require further generator grounding.

NEUTRAL BONDING REQUIREMENTS

Bonding the neutral wire to ground is required on some construction sites. Industrial Generators provide neutral bonding.

Some models are neutral bonded which allows the industrial generator to pass OSHA job site inspections.

Neutral BondRequired on certain job sites.Neutral conductors bonded to ground.Standard on some Honda & Pramac ES models.

GFCI TESTING

Under normal operations, the GFCI should be tested monthly. There is a test card located on the control panel to record the date of each test. If the generator is stored outdoors, unprotected from the weather, test the GFCI receptacle before each use.

Testing - You must test it to make sure it works!

Press the TEST button. The RESET button should extend with a click.

Press the RESET button. The RESET button should be flush with the TEST button.

If either of these tests fail on a Honda generator, contact an authorized Honda generator servicing dealer.

GFCI Testing
	Test monthly normally.
	Test before each use if stored outdoors.

Honda and Other High Quality Makes
	GFCI is standard on some models.
	GFCI will protect 120V duplex receptacles.
	20, 30 and 50 Amp 120V receptacle
	Isolated ground system – no neutral bond with the frame.

GFCI OPERATION

Electric current (amperage) flow is the same in the wires going to and coming from the load. When a ground fault occurs, electric current now has another path and will take this path instead of returning to the source.

Current traveling in wires create magnetic fields around those wires. If the current is the same coming and going, the magnetic fields cancel one another. When there is a ground fault, the returning current has two paths. The returning current through the GFCI is less than the going, there is now a magnetic field difference through the transformer and the control unit will automatically open the circuit.

GFCI Operation
	Detects ground faults in tools or appliances.
	GFCI opens the power circuit.
	TEST button creates ground fault situation for testing GFCI receptacle.

GFCI APPLICATIONS

In certain applications, Honda industrial generators fall under OSHA regulations. One such regulation is that 120V, 15 and 20 ampere receptacles be protected by Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) automatically open the power circuit in the event there is a current leakage in the tool or appliance plugged into the GFCI receptacle. The GFCI will open the circuit protecting the operator from ground faults. Examples of ground fault current is the current which would flow through a person who is using an appliance with faulty insulation and, at the same time, is in contact with an electrical ground such as a plumbing fixture, wet floor, or earth.

The ground fault circuit interrupter receptacle will not protect against short circuits or overloads. The circuit breaker or circuit protector in the control panel, which supplies power to the circuit, provides that protection.

GFCIGFCI protection is required for certain applications.Must protect all 15 and 20 ampere 120V receptacles.