Just bought a Generac 18kw NG/LP generator from Lowes, should be delivered next week. What's the recommended method for breaking one of these in, since it's a constant engine speed? Is varying the load enough? Alternate between powering the house, then powering nothing?
Both my Generac automatic standby generator and the portable one had break-in procedures in the owner's manual. Have you looked there? Same question applies to the OP assuming he ever returns to this thread.
For example this is from the standby generator manual:
2.1 BREAK-IN PROCEDURE
Once the unit has been installed and all electrical
checks have been made, it is strongly recommended
that the following "Break-in Procedure" be completed to
ensure correct generator operation in the future.
l . Set the generator's Auto/Off; Manual switch to AUTO.
2. Turn OFF the utility power supply to the transfer
switch using the means provided (such as a utility
main line circuit breaker).
3. The unit will start, and the transfer switch will
transfer to standby.
4. Using the main distribution panel or the emergency
distribution panel (if so equipped), tum on circuits
to load the generator to approximately 25 percent
load and run the unit for one hour.
5. Run the unit for one hour at 50 percent load.
6. Run the unit for one hour at 75 percent load.
7. Run the unit for one hour at 100 percent load.
8. Turn ON the utility power supply to the transfer
switch, which will allow the transfer switch to
transfer back to utility power. The unit will continue
to run for one minute and then shut down.
9. Allow the unit to cool.
10. Drain the oil and remove the oil filter. Replace the
oil filter according to Section 3.4, "Changing the
Oil Filter" (Page 12). Replace the oil with synthetic
oil as recommended in Section 3.3, "Changing
the Engine Oil" (Page 11 ).
11. The generator is now ready for service.