Frequently Asked Questions
| Q | How long does it take to install a generator system?
| | A |
The air-cooled 7 kW, 12 kW and 15 kW, which come equipped with a comprehensive installation kit, can take as little as 4 hours. The liquid-cooled will normally take up to 14 hours over 2 days. The reason is that while the air-cooled units include a composite mounting pad, the liquid-cooled units, because of the added weight, must be placed on a stronger mounting surface. Concrete slabs are poured and need one day to set properly, which accounts for some of the additional installation time. If the installer can source a prefabricated mounting pad that will meet the weight requirements, the installation time will be reduced accordingly. The length of time is based on a “typical application”. It does not apply to extended runs of conduit or gas piping or placement of a unit away from the incoming gas or electrical
service.
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| Q | How much fuel do the units use?
| | A | 1.47 to 6.7 gal/hr at full load, depending on size of unit.
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| Q | Sizing your generator: Air-cooled or Liquidcooled?
| | A | Air-cooled: The CARRIER air-cooled generator comes equipped with an automatic transfer switch and emergency distribution panel to power specific circuits in your home. The 7/6 kW is equipped with 8 circuits, the 12/12 kW with 10 circuits and the 15/13 kW comes equipped with 12 circuits in the transfer switch. You can determine your CARRIER size requirement by identifying what circuits from your home's main distribution panel you wish to supply with back-up power. Simply choose the circuit from your home
that you wish to provide with CARRIER power and match it to a same amperage circuit on the CARRIER transfer switch. A 15 Amp circuit for your living room can be matched to a 15 Amp circuit on your CARRIER transfer switch and emergency distribution panel.
Liquid-cooled: The only completely accurate way is to have an electrician apply an amp meter to the circuits or appliances that are intended to operate under backup power. It is recommended that the amp draw be measured as the appliance “starts up” when that appliance uses an inductive or resistive motor.
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| Q | Why should I buy one instead of a portable generator?
| | A | While portable generators are effective in terms of backup power, a home standby generator produces higher quality electricity, operates automatically and exercises weekly to ensure proper response to your needs. There are no extension cords to plug in, no gasoline to retrieve and fill and will protect your home or business while you’re away.
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| Q | What do you do if you have a 200 Amp service in your home?
| | A | It is always recommended that emergency circuits be isolated into a sub panel with its own breakers.
That way there isn’t any possibility that the generator will be overloaded and the system is able to operate as intended truly automatic.
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| Q | Why aluminum enclosures?
| | A | In coastal communities, salt air can destroy steel in a short period of time. Aluminum is corrosion resistant, so it prolongs the life and look of the generator.
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| Q | What is the maintenance schedule?
| | A | The maintenance schedule is in the owner’s manual. The schedule varies between the aircooled and the liquid-cooled models.
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| Q | What is the expected life of the engine?
| | A | A properly maintained engine should provide over 20 years of operation under standby conditions.
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| Q | How much oil does the engine crankcase hold?
| | A | Air-cooled: 7 kW = 1.5 qts
Air-cooled: 7 kW, 12 kW, 15 kW = 1.7 qts
Liquid-cooled: 25 kW & 40 kW = 4.5 qts.
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| Q | What type of oil is recommended?
| | A | For air-cooled units: After the break in oil, an all season synthetic oil 5W-30 should be used. API
Service Class SG, SH or SJ should be used in all cases. The recommended oil for the liquid-cooled units is 15W-40. All oils should be high detergent oil that meets or exceeds API Service Class SG, SH or SJ requirements for gasoline engines.
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| Q | What kind of warranty does Carrier provide?
| | A | The home standby generator is backed with a 2-year limited parts and labor warranty. Extended warranties are also available.
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