Kohler Residential Generators FAQs
If your Kohler home generator has been operating during an extended power outage, here are a few tips from our service team to keep handy. Please note that these are merely suggestions and maintenance guidelines. Please refer to your owner’s manuals for exact specifications and maintenance schedules. It’s very important to service your generator correctly and in a timely manner.
Q: How do I open the unit?
A: When you purchased your generator, you get a literature packet that contains the key. Insert the key into the lock and turn it 45° to unlock. Lift the hood.
Q: How do I turn off my generator?
A: Open the hood. Move the circuit breaker to the OFF position to stop powering the house. The circuit breaker is located below the black controller. Once switched OFF, let the generator run for 2‐5 minutes then press the blue OFF button located on the controller.
Q: How long can it run before I need to check the oil?
A: Be sure to check the oil every 8 hours and change the oil after every 100 hours of use. If this is not possible, at the very least, check the oil every 24 hours. It’s very important that the oil is checked and changed correctly in a timely manner to avoid damaging your generator. It’s important not to rely on the low oil pressure switch (which is very different from a low oil level switch) to shut the machine down. The damage will most likely already be done by the time this occurs.
Q: How much oil will my generator consume?
A: Since variables such as engine hours, load, model, and other factors influence fuel consumption, there is no standard amount of oil being consumed. As long as you check the oil level and change the oil as instructed then your generator should be in good condition.
Q: What type of oil do I put in the generator?
A: We recommend 5W30 Full Synthetic Oil. If that’s not available, then you may also use conventional mineral base oil. If the engine has been serviced before and filled with conventional oil, then refill it with conventional. It’s important not to mix the synthetic and conventional oil. It can damage your engine.
Q: Where is the dipstick?
A: The dipstick is located on the back of the engine and has a yellow ring or handle on the end of it.
Q: How do I check the oil?
A: After you turn off the generator, allow the engine to sit for 2 minutes to let the oil settle. To check the oil level, pull the dipstick from the back of the engine, wipe it with a clean rag and place it back into the dipstick tube. Pull the dipstick back out and examine the end of the dipstick. The end of the dipstick has crosshatching between an ‘F’ (full) and an ‘L’(low). The oil level should fall between these two markings. If it is towards the low end, add oil.
To add oil, find the yellow cap (that’s engraved with a picture of an oil can) on the front of the engine. Add a few ounces of oil then check the oil level again by inserting and removing the dipstick. Repeat these steps and continue adding oil until the level is at or near the ‘F’. Do not overfill the engine. If the engine has been serviced before and filled with conventional oil, then refill it with conventional oil and NOT synthetic oil. It’s important not to mix the two oils. Once oil is at a desirable level, start the generator by pressing the AUTO button. After the generator is started, flip the circuit breaker to the ON position and the generator should be supplying power to the house.
Q: What do I do when the water rises above the generator?
A: If it’s safe to go outside, turn your generator OFF. If you can’t get to your generator and it continues to run while submerged in water, there will most likely be internal damage. There is not much else you can do. Remember, water and electricity can be very dangerous and if the generator is submerged, you will have both conditions.
For immediate assistance, contact your local Kohler Generator dealer or distributor. To locate your nearest Kohler Generator dealer or distributor, enter your zip code here: http://khlr.co/b9Uy.
Kinda hard to believe that we can’t get a 20kw with 200 amp ats in Norfolk untill Jan 2013. I know people
bought generatoer’s on and after the storm however, not all Home Stand-by Generators…
LeRoy Dunn
Norfolk VA
Hi LeRoy, we’re sorry for the inconvenience and are working to meet the increased demand from the storm. Please keep in contact with your local dealer who will have the most timely information regarding availability. If you have trouble connecting with someone near you, please let me know. Thank you. – Cindy
While our local Kohler service dealers failed us, Grant at Kohler parts was able to take responsibility and deliver! All during our post Sandy time we never were able to get anyone to say “Im going to help you…”
Grant did and we’re grateful to him.
Now we need to find a reliable service center for maintenance and emergency service in the northern NJ area.
We’re happy to hear that Grant was able to assist you! Please let me know if you need help with anything else. – Cindy
can i use a 100 amp transfer switch for a 20kw gen
Hey Anthony, it is possible to equip a Kohler 20 kW generator with a 100 AMP automatic transfer switch. Just be sure to check your local codes and regulations. Your local Kohler dealer or distributor can help you further, and you can enter your zip code here to locate one nearest you: http://khlr.co/b9Uy. Please let me know if you have any trouble connecting with someone and I’ll be sure to follow up. –Cindy
Joe my company installs, and services these units after Irene I installed 57 and after sandy total sold is 76 getting more this week in stock.
If you need help 201-800-1139
Informations should be spread regarding the safety usage of generators. It is very vital that you know that generators might expel carbon monoxide that are very poisonous aside from that generators can also cause fire. This Kohler power supply looks very nice and I hope this is safer from other generators
I really like this kohler generator. I’m planning to get one for my parents house. Thanks for sharing this.
WE WOULD LIKE TO RECON OUR 265 KVA 6 CYL IN LINE DIESEL GENSET BUT WE ARE HAVING A HARD TIME DISTINGUSHING THE MODEL . IT CAME FROM ASTRON (AKAI PHIL .) IF YOU HAVE RECONDITIONING SERVICES , PLEASE LET ME KNOW . I AM LOCATED IN CALAMBA CITY , LAGUNA
Hi Lorenzo, Power Systems, Inc. is the dealer that serves your area and they can help you further. You can contact them with the information below:
Power Systems, Inc.
2/F Topy Commercial Building
Industrial Cor Economia Street, Libis
Quezon City 1100
Philippines
Phone: 63-2-637-8317-22
Fax: 63-2-637-8311
Email: avaquino@i-manila.com.ph
Please let me know if you have trouble connecting with someone, and I’ll be sure to follow up. – Thanks, Cindy.
Do you still have promotion to give free OnCue software for the people that will buy your 48RCL generator now? I travel a lot and need to check on the house from time to time.
I have freezer with a lot of food in it and big aquarium with small scarlet sharks in it.
My electricity has to be ON all the time.
I downloaded the demo version of OnCue and I love it!!
Exactly what I need.
Andrew
Hey Andrew, thanks for reaching out to us! We’re glad you’re enjoying our OnCue Home Generator Management System. Sales and promotions vary by dealer, so you can enter your zip code here to find the Kohler generator dealer nearest you: http://khlr.co/b9Uy.
Please let me know if you need help connecting with someone and I’ll be sure to follow up.
-Cindy
How do I reset the time & date for it’s weekly test run? I’ve got the OnCue Program but don’t have any areas I can enter or change the day or time. Look in the OnCue Manual but not sure if it’s the ATS Exercise or what
Hey Ron, the OnCue Home Generator Management System doesn’t set the test time, but it can make your generator run another exercise.
To change the exercise time, you’ll need to set it manually on the generator or with the ATS controller. Each generator and ATS is different, so please email your generator’s spec and serial numbers and your ATS model to GPGsocialmedia@kohler.com so we can better assist you.
Please let me know if you’re having trouble identifying that information and I’ll be more than happy to help. – Cindy
I had a 20 RESAL installed in December 2012. On 04/08/13 it did not run it’s exercise cylce. I contacted the Kohler installer about this issue. There is a red blinking light on the generator and the display says main power overload. Still waiting for the installer to schedule an appointment to come to my house. What could cause this? Right now I have a generator that is useless.
Hey Gina, sorry for the late reply. Your dealer will be able to help you further. It’s difficult to know what’s going on without physically looking at your generator. Rest assured you’re in good hands. Please let your dealer or us know if you have anymore questions.
If you can reply back and tell us the name of your dealer, we can followup with them. -Cindy
Is there limitations on the warranty if any licensed electrician installs the generator?
Hey Bill, the Warranty Startup procedure that Kohler recommends ensures that you receive the full five-year warranty that is available when you purchase your generator.
Technically, the warranty starts on the day the unit ships from the factory. If the unit sits in a warehouse or on a dealers floor prior to being installed at a customer’s home, this could mean a loss of warranty coverage (from a time standpoint) because the only date on file Kohler has is the date it left the factory.
However, when a Warranty Startup is performed by a Kohler dealer or distributor, the warranty start date gets bumped up to that day and the paperwork with the Warranty Startup date is filed at Kohler. The best way to avoid paying extra for this option is usually to have the local Kohler dealer perform the installation so the Warranty Startup is part of the installation package.
If you have your own contractor installing the generator and transfer switch, your local Kohler dealer or distributor for a nominal fee (depending on distance traveled) can come out and perform the Warranty Startup as a way of updating your warranty start date and ensuring that the unit was installed properly.
Although these units are not complicated to install, even licensed contractors can make mistakes during the installation process because they are not familiar with the technology.
If you need a list of authorized Kohler dealers in your area or have price questions, your dealers can help you out. You can enter your zip code here to find the dealers in your area: http://khlr.co/b9Uy.
I hope that answers your question. Let us know if you need anything else.
-Cindy
NEED HELP WITH KEY FOR KOHLER MODEL 20RES SN2330051
LOCK H701D
THANKS
Hey Paul, sorry for the late reply. Your local Kohler Generator dealer can help you further. You can enter your zip code to locate the one nearest you: http://khlr.co/b9Uy.
Please let us know if you’re having trouble getting in touch with someone. –Cindy
If I self install a 14RESAL, will Kohler honor the warranty on the unit?
Hey John, thanks for reaching out to us. If you read some of the comments above, you’ll see that Bill asked the same question. Please refer to those comments for more detail.
In a nut shell, in order to get the full warranty for your generator a Warranty Startup procedure must be performed by a Kohler Generators dealer or distributor when you purchase your generator.
If you or your own contractor installs the generator and transfer switch, your local Kohler Generators dealer or distributor (depending on distance traveled) can come out and perform the Warranty Startup as a way of issuing your warranty and ensuring that the unit was installed properly for a nominal fee.
If you need a list of authorized Kohler dealers in your area or have price questions, your dealers can help you out. You can enter your zip code here to find the dealers in your area: http://khlr.co/b9Uy.
-Cindy
I have a 20kw Kohler and one of the Kohler transfer switches. I have it set to exercise weekly in the unloaded mode. The transfer switch has forgotten to exercise after many weeks of doing it on schedule. This occurred immediately after running for 3 days. There are no error codes. I reset the exercise cycle and it ran successfully, but I am not confident that it will run again on schedule next week. Any thoughts why the transfer switch forgot to exercise?
Hey Travis, thanks for reaching out to us. We’d like to help but we’ll need a little more information.
Please email us at generator.feedback@kohler.com. Be sure to include what kind of transfer switch and generator you have. For example, an RDT transfer switch with a 20 RESA generator.
We’ll be looking out for your e-mail.
-Cindy