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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSAND OUR ANSWERS
1. Where can I purchase a Gillette Generator ?Go to our Regional Sales Offices or fill out our Distributor Locater Form, or call 1-800-777-9639, or E-mail sales@gillettegenerators.com Back to Top2. Where do I purchase parts or service for my Gillette Generator ?Go to Parts & Service Locater, or call 1-800-777-9639, or e-mail service@gillettegenerators.com Back to Top3. What type of warranty do you provide ?Gillette's typical warranty is 2 years on generator and 2 years on engine, with modifications on some models. The engine manufactures provide their own warranty through their factory trained service centers. It's important to know, that you should contact Gillette prior to any warranty work, so that we can direct you to the closest and best service provider. See special details on "Hometown Service". Back to Top4. Which Gillette Generator model should I purchase ?This is a difficult question to answer without knowing the full application. However, if you review each generator series (Power-Pro, Gen-Pro, Sentry-Pro, etc.), plus the features of each series, and reviewing "How to Size a Generator", it will help in your selection. This information is found at the location of each series style generator. Also, contact our distributors, as listed for your area, or call Gillette, 800-777-9639, for additional help. Back to Top5. Can I reduce the noise of a generator ?No. The muffler is sized to the engine, and changing to a quieter muffler may create back pressure and harm engine. Other noise sources are air intake, engine head, valve assembly, all part of engine design. We recommend the OHV, overhead valve design, as the quietest running engine at 3600 RPM, for portable sets. For stationary, standby applications, always select Sentry-Pro series sets having sound and weather protected housings, for quiet operations. Back to Top6. Are there any specific electric loads that may become damaged or destroyed, by power from my Gillette Generator ?No. Gillette has developed a unique and exclusive design called "Kleen-Power", that allows very clean, safe emergency power. This design provides no problems with solid state, or microprocessor designed equipment, that you may choose to plug into your Gillette generator. Always ask your generator vendor to provide you with a graph showing the wave-form condition, before purchasing a generator. Back to Top7. Are there any specific loads that may be harmful to any generator?Yes, certain high horse power rated electric motors with high starting currents and fast repetitive starting cycles, may eventually damage a generator's power winding. Gillette's exclusive "Power-Assist" winding, avoids any problems with motor starting, due to extra circular mils of all copper wire. Back to Top8. Will I damage the generator if I accidentally overload it?No. Gillette has automatic trip circuit breakers with time delay of 15-20 seconds for motor starting and a 30 second delay to trip breaker when 5-10% overload happens. Back to Top9. How safe is the Gillette Generator? Could I get a shock from it?Gillette conforms to NEC, NEMA, OSHA, ASA, and IEEE standards. Following all recommendations set forth in owners guide, will prevent accident mishaps. Never operate a portable generator in rain, snow, outdoor wet areas, as the potential for shock is greater under these conditions and the winding insulation system will deteriorate, resulting in shortened service life. SEE "Exclusive Insulation System" for more details. Back to Top10. Where is Gillette Generators made?
Back to Top11. What is the average life of a portable generator?
Back to Top12. What should I do if my Gillette Generator stops working?The repair service is Two-Fold. The engine manufacturer is responsible for it's repair. This service can be found in any Yellow page advertisement or see "Parts & Service Locator". The generator repair is of the responsibility of Gillette's repair service. But how do you know which part needs service? If in doubt, call your distributor, or call Gillette at 1-800-777-9639 or email service@gillettegenerators.com and describe the symptoms, we will direct you to the right facility. Read more on Hometown Service. Back to Top13. Can I directly connect my portable generator to my home?No. To have a back-up emergency power for normal utility power, a transfer switch and special generator grounding procedures, are required. We never recommend a portable gasoline fueled generator set, to be connected directly to various receptacles thru-out the home or small business. You must use a manual transfer switch (as mandated by National Electric Code, Article 702.6) and certain safety equipment and installations are required. Our "Gladiator" series portable home standby sets, are sold in kit form, with gen-set, manual transfer switch, and all other equipment for a safe, NEC certified installation by licensed electrician. Back to Top14. Do I need to ground my generator?Yes. A portable generator has it's neutral, grounded to generator frame, ending at a ground lug. A stake should be driven into earth ground, with a #6 gauge wire from stake to ground lug of generator. This generator is now ready for use as a portable source of power, not meant for connecting to a building that has utility power. A standby generator, when connected to a building having utility power, should have it's neutral brought to the neutral connection of utility distribution panel, and not grounded to the generator frame. Always consult a licensed electrician when installing a standby generator to your home or business. Back to Top15. How do I select the correct KW generator size for my needs?Select only the emergency electric items that you will need. Calculate the watts for each item and add them up. (If items are shown in amps, multiply amps x voltage for watts) Select the closest generator watt output to that of your selected load watts. An even easier method is to review our "Sizing a generator", calculator. Back to Top16. Does the portable generator always run at top, 3600 RPM speed?Yes, most portable sets are designed to run full speed. However, some contractors and rental companies prefer to have our "Speed-Matic" automatic engine idle device, where as, the engine runs at idle until user requires power and this power demand triggers a control to raise engine speed to 3600 RPM, for full power voltage. This feature is used for commercial applications and is not recommended for home, standby, or recreation use. (see GEN-PRO series with speed-matic engine idler) Back to Top17. Can I have full power wattage out of one receptacle?Yes, all 240 Volt receptacles deliver full wattage output of the specific generator in question. The 120 Volt receptacles will typically deliver one-half total generator wattage output, on our three wire circuit, but this is complimented by our exclusive "Balanced Load" design. Back to Top18. Is there a larger fuel tank for the portable generators?No. Our contractor models (GPN and GPNR Series) have a 4 gallon tank (up to 7.5 KW) and 8 gallon tank (from 9 to 15 KW) for extended run times. These fuel tanks are always elevated above engine fuel input, and above generator end, not above the engine. Addition capacity tanks will cause more gravity feed pressure on carburetor components and may cause damage. Back to Top19. Can I run the generator inside my home or garage?No. The engine has toxic exhaust fumes that will build up and be fatal, in any habited area. Also, gasoline fuel and oil is highly flammable and could cause fire and explosion in housed environments. Always operate generator in well ventilated, open and non-habited areas. Back to Top20. What does your "Maximum" and Rated" watts specification mean?Maximum watts refers to a peak power demand for a very short period of time. (1 hour out of every 24 hour period) Rated watts refers to a continuous power demand over long periods of time. (6 hours out of every 24 hour period) Our ratings are tested at 40°C ambient temperature, and operating temperatures are: 105°C rise for 2 KW - 13 KW, 125ºC rise for 15 KW - 36 KW, and 150°C rise for 60 KW - 125 KW Back to Top21. Does electric motor starting require special consideration?Yes. All electric motors require large amounts of power for 1 to 2 seconds at initial start-up, then drops to much lower power levels when running. Many times, this huge starting demand has overwhelmed the generator and stopped all power. A motor design code has been developed to indicate this power demand and is found on name plate of most motors. The two most common electric motors, have a Code G and Code L, stamped on their name plate. A start demand is (3) times name plate running demand for code G. A code L or M motor (the hardest starting motor) requires (6) times name plate running demand, to start-up and these motors are always found on air compressors, air conditioners and submersible water pumps. See "Power-Assist" , "Sizing a Generator" , or "Sizing a generator for drop cord loads or a specific large motor load" for further details. Back to Top22. Does Gillette Generators have electronic voltage and frequency regulation?All portable gen-sets have mechanical regulation governors that yield 5% from nameplate rating for voltage and frequency. All standby generators have electronic voltage regulation for 1% from nameplate rating. All standby sets are available with electronic governors as optional equipment, that yield 1/2% frequency regulation. Back to Top23. The 240 Volt receptacles are twist-lock. Why don't you provide a loose, matching twist-lock plug?Most plugged-in equipment will have a twist-lock cap and cord on it. However, if these male caps are required, you can get them fast and reasonable from Gillette or any electrical wholesale store. (SEE "ACCESSORIES Section", Part # G-18 for a NEMA number and view of each twist-lock cap. Back to Top24. What is the sound level of Gillette Generators?Our specification sheets will show the noise level of each model. This level of noise is expressed in Decibels, db(A) and measured at 7 meters (21 feet) from source of noise. Typically, 75 db(A) measurement is equal to being very loud conversation, while 85 db(A) would equal a shouting conversation. Following is a chart giving db(A) noise level examples:
Back to Top25. What is a GFCI Receptacle?Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) have the ability to sense a leakage of 6 milliamps from a "Hot Circuit" to ground and immediately "Trip" the complete receptacle out of the electrical circuit. If this leakage is allowed to go un-detected, it may cause an electric shock to user which may result in death. OSHA and EPA require this "Shock-Proof" protection on all job-sites where workers are exposed to wet outdoor conditions. As a convenience, we install these GFCI protected receptacles, right on the generator set. The "Power-Pro" series, used for home, vacationing, or other consumer activities, does not have this GFCI protection. Back to Top26. Suppose I have additional Questions?Call us at our Gillette Hotline at 1-800-777-9639, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and we will respond within maximum 24 hours. Back to Top |