Construction
- Thread starter JHDK
- Start date
This has been a nightmare.
I had the electrician over to my house to start it up and hook it up to the house and it wouldn't start. 3 people told me it's likely the battery. I borrowed a battery charger and it reported an F03 error. I called Generac 3 times, twice they hung up on me (call disconnected), the other time I waited 25 minutes (until 5pm) then gave up. I emailed them, they said to bring the battery to a certified partner shop. As I undid the screw connecting the wire to the positive pole a big orange spark shot out at me. I emailed them to say it's defective and dangerous. They said to bring the whole thing to the service dealer. I said I can't bring the whole 10 ton frickin unit in my Honda Civic, and even if I had a big ol' truck I couldn't get the thing in it. Waiting for a response. If it isn't resolved by the 9th I'm returning it on the 10th (the return window ends the 11th)
That's a lot of stressful shit to go through. But I'm thinking that if you step-off the hamster wheel (the return window) for a minute, it's very likely that there is a fix for the unit you have. That fix may be frustrating to get done, and it may take longer than you want. It even might cost you something. Certainly if needed, someone from a place that services these (like any small engine or outdoor equipment place) can come out and resolve the issue.
Right now, you have the temptation to return it, because they delivered a defective unit to you, and the company is being a bunch of assholes, so get this piece of shit out of here. But it sounds like you might have to pay to have it picked up, and then you'll be back at square one (a guy with no generator). So as hard as it is, I'd try to put aside the desire to get retribution from the shitheads who delivered a defective generator to you.
I'm sure if you went online, you'd find plenty of people who had the same problems you're having, and maybe some of them returned it, but most of them probably got it fixed. I think it would be interesting and enlightening to see others' experiences.
Right now, you have the temptation to return it, because they delivered a defective unit to you, and the company is being a bunch of assholes, so get this piece of shit out of here. But it sounds like you might have to pay to have it picked up, and then you'll be back at square one (a guy with no generator). So as hard as it is, I'd try to put aside the desire to get retribution from the shitheads who delivered a defective generator to you.
I'm sure if you went online, you'd find plenty of people who had the same problems you're having, and maybe some of them returned it, but most of them probably got it fixed. I think it would be interesting and enlightening to see others' experiences.
IdRatherBeSkiing
Sherbert is NOT and NEVER WILL BE ice cream.
First off that's awesome! Second off no pantry window pics so those pictures actually kind of suck.
Real question though and I was asking my aunt and uncle about this because they have basically the same setup as you... When the power goes out will the Wi-Fi stay on once the generator kicks in? None of us were sure about that and fortunately they've never had to test it yet. I was saying no but they were saying maybe.
IdRatherBeSkiing
Sherbert is NOT and NEVER WILL BE ice cream.
It depends whether the router is plugged into a plug which is powered by the generator. I have my WiFi on a UPS. If it power cycled it is out for 5 minutes when it restarts. We get enough blips to make me bite the bullet.
Router/modem have to be on the generator circuit (or UPS). But also, some outages are local, so the internet via cable will still be running. However with widespread outages, that will go down too. Then it doesn't matter if you have power.
Update
Generac support kept saying I need to bring the whole unit to a dealer in their database on their website, and call them (instead of email) if I need more help. I keep telling them I can't get through to them on the phone, and I can't transport the whole 10-ton thing and it's unsafe to keep trying to remove just the battery. I called a dealer in their database and they said "We're not a Generac dealer". The next one said they won't go to anyone's house. So I did my own research and found someone who will come to my house today and try to get it running. I passed that along to Generac and finally got a person who has half a clue. His "half-not-a-clue" was "I'll send you a new battery" followed by another email saying "My mistake we can't ship that kind of battery. We'll work with the person you found and if it is the battery, we'll help them get it replaced for you." Finally some common frickin sense! Hopefully the guy replaces the battery today and the thing fires right up.
IdRatherBeSkiing
Sherbert is NOT and NEVER WILL BE ice cream.
I will watch the news about explosions in New Hampshire.
So.....if they can't ship batteries......
How do they ever leave the factory?
How do they ever leave the factory?
Mark,
I apologize but my previous email stated that I would ship you a replacement battery. That style battery is not able to be shipped due to its size. If the battery is the problem, we will work with Irish to get it replaced for you. Sorry for the confusion and hope they get it fixed for you in a timely manner. Please let me know if you have any questions.
They can only ship it if it's attached to a 3 foot tall generator.....?
I apologize but my previous email stated that I would ship you a replacement battery. That style battery is not able to be shipped due to its size. If the battery is the problem, we will work with Irish to get it replaced for you. Sorry for the confusion and hope they get it fixed for you in a timely manner. Please let me know if you have any questions.
They can only ship it if it's attached to a 3 foot tall generator.....?
Seems like 90% of men in South Louisiana drive ridiculously big pick up trucks. They spend a fortune on them then they complain about gas prices all the time.
I’m happy to drive my Accord getting 35 mpg
What are they hauling all the time?
I don’t get it.
IdRatherBeSkiing
Sherbert is NOT and NEVER WILL BE ice cream.
That’s the advertising slogan for the Dodge Compensator 450 XL.
I think the same thing when I'm down in Florida, and driving around towns. Everybody's got these giant 4-wheel drive SUVs, while tooling around the flattest and least snowy state in the US. But I've held off on criticizing, because I know some people tow boats, or trailers, or maybe they go muddin' in the Everglades. However, I bet 90% of them don't tow anything.
And yes, it's a very American thing to bitch about the price of gas when it's 2023 and you're driving a vehicle that gets worse mileage than a car from the 70's. And being totally ignorant of how the US keeps the price of gas artificially low compared to inflation, as well as the rest of the world. In this chart, the occasional peaks aren't that far off from the average, and the trend is generally down.
Another update
The electrician got the battery out of the unit for me (it was 'pinched' in there). I ran to a battery store and they said it was dead (not enough CCAs). I bought a new one and installed it and fired the generator up... literally. Within seconds my entire front yard was filled with grey smoke. Almost had a heart attack. I shut the thing off and it was still smoking. Took video of it and sent to Generac. Waiting on a response.
The electrician got the battery out of the unit for me (it was 'pinched' in there). I ran to a battery store and they said it was dead (not enough CCAs). I bought a new one and installed it and fired the generator up... literally. Within seconds my entire front yard was filled with grey smoke. Almost had a heart attack. I shut the thing off and it was still smoking. Took video of it and sent to Generac. Waiting on a response.
Dafuq?
A little smoke might not be unexpected when it heats up for the first time and burns off any residue that may have gotten on the thing, but that's a lotta smoke.
A little smoke might not be unexpected when it heats up for the first time and burns off any residue that may have gotten on the thing, but that's a lotta smoke.
IdRatherBeSkiing
Sherbert is NOT and NEVER WILL BE ice cream.
Maybe you should leave it plugged in and let it burn down your house. It may be easier to deal with your insurance company. I am sure they would enjoy talking to the manufacturer about liability. Save you the trouble.