Customer Tutorial and Information Guide for your Grasten Generator:Use this helpful online guide to not only get acquainted with your new standby generator, but refer back to it often and especially before severe weather is forecasted so that you can help ensure your generator is ready to go when you need it most.

Alarm/Fault Codes


How To Clear An Alarm


Checking and Adding Oil


Manually Testing System


Cellular & WiFi Monitoring


Frequently Asked Questions

Alarms/Fault Codes

When Alarms/Fault Codes are Present: Your generator will not come on during an outage. These are “latching” alarms that must be acknowledged and reset manually. An alarm or fault code will be displayed on the generator control board, and a red light will indicate the unit is in alarm.

Common Fault Codes:

• Overcrank (1100): Unit tried to start 3 times and alarmed to prevent starter from burning up.
  • Possible Cause: Gas line off/vapor locked.
  • Resolution: Ensure gas valves/lines going to generator are turned on (valve parallel with the line).
• Overspeed (1200/1205): Unit started and engine revved too high and shut off or tried to start but speed signal was lost to the controller.
  • Possible Cause: Bad stepper motor on the mixer.
  • Resolution: Call Grasten.
• RPM Sense Loss (1505): Either the battery voltage is too low or the starter motor is intermittently faulting.
  • Resolution: Press Off then Enter and try starting in Manual. If the unit does not start, call Grasten.
• Auxiliary Shutdown (2800): The auxiliary shutdown rocker switch located on the back panel of the generator and inside the engine wall of the generator has been depressed.
  • Possible Cause: Inadvertently bumped (typically by landscapers or contractors & sometimes pets).
  • Resolution: Ensure both rocker switches are in the “I” position. Hit the Off button on the controller, then Enter, then Auto.
• Low Oil Pressure (1300): Unit tried to start or started and shut down due to insufficient oil pressure detected.
  • Possible Cause: Low on oil/bad oil pressure switch.
  • Resolution: Check the oil dipstick and ensure oil level is at/near full line. Add 5W-30 synthetic oil only if necessary to full line. If the problem persists, call Grasten.
• Underspeed (1600): Unit tries to start and it takes a few attempts. Runs rough or shuts down when load is applied.
  • Possible Cause: Bad stepper motor on mixer.
  • Resolution: Call Grasten.
• Overload (2100): Unit is overloaded.
  • Possible Cause: Too much load on the generator or multiple larger loads came on simultaneously.
  • Resolution: Turn off all larger draw appliances. Clear the alarm on the generator and restart. One at a time, turn on one large load at a time.
  • **You may need to incorporate automatic load management modules to automatically manage larger loads based on priority. Call Grasten!
• Undervoltage (1900-1906): Unit starts then shuts down after 10 seconds or when load is applied.
  • Possible Cause: Bad voltage regulator in control board/bad rotor or stator.
  • Resolution: Call Grasten.
• Fuse Problem (2400): Appears in control board display.
  • Possible Cause: Blown 7.5A fuse on control board/outdated firmware.
  • Resolution: Replace fuse/call Grasten.
• Low Battery (Warning): When battery is bad or getting weak or when battery charger is not outputting DC voltage to charge.
  • Possible Cause: Bad battery/bad battery charger in control board.
  • Resolution: Replace battery/call Grasten.
• Wiring Error (2098): Insufficient DC voltage on transfer power output.
  • Possible Cause: Bad control board in generator or in transfer switch. Control wire may be bad or broken between generator and transfer switch.
  • Resolution: Call Grasten.
• Inspect Battery/Air Filter/Oil Filter/Spark Plugs (Warning): Comes on as a maintenance reminder every 4-6 months and initiates a green and yellow light on the sight window on the right side of the generator.
  • Possible Cause: Maintenance reminder.
  • Resolution: See How to Clear Alarms/Fault Codes section.
• Service Schedule A/Service Schedule B (Warning): Comes on as a maintenance reminder every 4-6 months and initiates a green and yellow light on the sight window on the right side of the generator.
  • Possible Cause: Maintenance reminder.
  • Resolution: See How to Clear Alarms/Fault Codes section.

How to Clear an Alarm/Fault Code

1. Lift the lid of the generator and locate the controller on the right-hand side.
2. Hit the “Off” button on the controller.
3. Hit the “Enter” button on the controller. The display should read “Switched to Off”.
4. Hit the “Manual” button on the controller. The unit should start up and run for at least 30 seconds.
5. Hit the “Off” button again.
6. Hit the “Auto” button. The display should read “Ready to Run” and the green light should be on the side of the unit.

Manual Choke Engine Procedures 

1. Locate and remove air filter cover and air filter
   (located on top of engine)
2. Hit the “Manual” button on controller and
   while engine is cranking, use your palm/fingers
   to lightly cover the two visible holes on the
   inside of the air box (where air filter was removed) until the engine starts and runs.

   Note: Do not completely cover holes. Remove your palm/fingers as soon as engine starts and runs

3. Hit the “Off” button on controller.
   (display should read “Switched to Off”)
4. Replace the air filter and resecure cover
   (ensure tabs on base insert into cut outs on cover)
5. Hit the “Auto” button on controller
   (display should read “Ready to Run” hours of protection) and light should be green on side unit
6. Close lid

Checking/Adding Oil

1. Lift the lid of the generator and locate the circuit breaker (above the controller on the upper right-hand side).
2. Turn the circuit breaker “Off” (like a light switch).
3. Hit the “Off” button on the controller. The unit will shut off and the display will read “Switched to Off”.
4. Wait 3-5 minutes for the oil to settle in the engine for the most accurate level.
5. Remove the front door from the unit by pulling up and out.
6. Pull out the dipstick, wipe off, reinsert, then pull out the dipstick again and view the level. (Note: Examine both sides of the dipstick and use the lowest reading. Full is the top hole, add is the bottom hole.)
7. If the level is below full, remove the oil fill cap and add oil in small amounts at a time, each time checking the dipstick level until you have reached the full hole on the dipstick. (Note: Use only 5W-30 synthetic oil)
8. Do not overfill. Reinstall the oil fill cap snugly.
9. Reinstall the front door.
10. Hit the “Auto” button on the controller. The display will read “Utility Loss Delay” and will count down from 10 seconds. The engine will start and run.
11. Let the unit run for at least 5 seconds before the next step.
12. Turn the circuit breaker “On”. Power to the house should resume.
13. Close the lid.

Manually Testing System/Equipment

Manually testing your generator and transfer switch periodically will help ensure your system is fully functional and can also identify problems or issues before an outage.

Weekly 12-minute exercise cycles do not check the functionality of the transfer switch or the communication between the generator and the switch.

Testing Before a Storm: Manually test your system at least a week before a storm is forecasted. Run on generator power for at least 5 minutes.

Testing Monthly: Manually test your system monthly. When you have errands to run, it is usually the best time to manually test your system. Run on generator power for at least one hour.

How To Manually Test Your System

1. Check the indicator window on the side of your generator (green = ready to run, green/yellow = ready to run/maintenance reminder, red = alarm).
2. Open the lid on the generator.
3. Check the display on the controller (display should read “Ready to Run” hours of protection).
4. Check the oil level by pulling out the dipstick, wiping off, reinserting the dipstick, removing again, and viewing the level (oil level should be at or near the full/top hole).
5. If the level is below full, remove the oil fill cap and add oil in small amounts at a time, each time checking the dipstick level until you have reached the full hole on the dipstick. (Note: Use only 5W-30 synthetic oil)
6. Visually inspect for any obvious damage or oil leaks.
7. Locate the transfer switch(s) (usually located next to the electric meter on the side of the house) and remove the front cover.
8. Turn the breaker labeled “Utility Service Disconnect” off (green off will be visible on top of the breaker).

   Note: Your generator should start within 5-7 seconds and should transfer to generator power 5 seconds later (the green light on the right side of your generator will be flashing during this time).

9. Through the indicator cutout on the inside panel of the switch, verify the “yellow square with the hole in the middle” is in the down/generator position.
10. Reinstall the cover and let the unit run for at least 1 hour under load.
11. After an hour of testing, remove the cover on the switch and turn the breaker labeled “Utility Service Disconnect” to the on position (red on will be visible under the breaker).
12. After 10 seconds, the switch will transfer back to utility power. Through the position indicator window, verify the “yellow square with the hole in the middle” is fully up in the utility position.
13. Verify you still have power in the house.
14. After approximately 1-2 minutes of cooling down, your generator will shut off and “Ready to Run” hours of protection will be visible on the display of the controller.

    If you have questions or there is something wrong with your equipment, call Grasten Generators at 281-259-6500.

Mobile Link 4G Cellular Monitoring

• Can be used with Evolution Series and Nexus Series controllers only
• Has smart phone app for quick status checks
• Real time reporting of generator activity (With Subscription)
• 24/7 monitoring available

   

MobileFleet WiFi Monitoring

• Can only be used with Generac WiFi capable units
• Has smart phone app for quick status checks
• Real time reporting of generator activity (With Subscription)
• 24/7 monitoring available
• WiFi must be available and connected

   

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I have/continue my maintenance plan with Grasten?

Answer: Grasten is one of the top service providers in the state with over 10,000 maintenance customers. Our technicians are factory certified and dedicated to quality and keeping your system operational. Additionally, manufacturers recommend equipment be on a routine maintenance plan through an authorized provider, especially while under warranty. Anyone can change oil and filters; however, Grasten Power Technology performs preventative maintenance so we can identify and address issues early at little or no cost so they do not turn into costly repairs later.

How often should my battery be changed?

Answer: Manufacturers recommend batteries be changed every two years. Unlike a regular car battery that gets a workout many times per day, generator batteries sit and charge with a load put on them once per week in most cases therefore are not determined to last as long as batteries used in vehicle applications. Your generator is based around the 12V battery so having your battery changed every two years will help ensure your generator comes on when the power goes out!

How often should my oil/coolant be changed?

Answer: Manufacturer recommends engine oil change once a year or every 100-200hrs. (depending on type of engine) Coolant in liquid-cooled generators should be flushed every 2-3 years to prevent particle build up due to coolant breakdown from clogging up the radiator and restricting air flow and engine overheating.

What do I do if I lost the key to my generator?

Answer: Call our office and we can mail you a key (see contacts)

Why do my engine motor mounts need to be changed?

Answer: Due to the area we live, humidity and temperatures can cause various components such as rubber motor mounts to wear. Combined with the weight of the engine, motor mounts can dry-rot and compress causing the front of the engine to sag. This shift in the engine can cause the fan to hit the shroud and damage it or cause the front bearing to go out causing damaging vibration when the engine is running. It is less costly to have the mounts replaced at the first sign of wear rather than waiting until costly damage has occurred.

Why is there a Generac Smart Management Module installed on my air conditioner?

Answer: Generac Smart Management Modules are installed as a time delay and automatic load manager in the event your generator gets overloaded and cannot support the current load. When utility power is lost and the generator comes on, there will be a 5-minute delay before the management module will allow power to the air conditioner(s) being managed. Smart Management Modules can also be installed on ovens, dryers, electric heaters, pools, etc.

Why is my air conditioner not working?

Answer: The Smart Management Module (if installed) on the air conditioner in question could be bad. There should be an orange light present in the upper right-hand corner of the module. If there is no light present at all, do not call your AC company! Call Grasten Power Technologies first!