Read the manual thoroughly and understand all of the instructions, cautions, and warnings before using this equipment. If any section of the manual is not understood, contact your nearest authorized dealer, or contact Generac Customer Service at 1-888-436-3722 (1-888-GENERAC), or www.generac.com with any questions or concerns.  

Maintenance timer vs. maintenance alarm

The article explains the differences between the maintenance timer and the maintenance alarm in Generac home standby generators. The maintenance timer tracks operational hours and automatically resets after maintenance is completed, alerting owners when scheduled intervals are reached. The maintenance alarm serves as a visual reminder when maintenance is due, but it does not stop the unit from running and can be reset at the controller once acknowledged.

Environment

This article applies to Generac air and liquid-cooled home standby generators. 

Maintenance timer

The maintenance timer tracks the unit's operational hours to alert the owner when a predefined minimum maintenance interval has been reached. Intervals may vary depending on the type of unit and are outlined in the maintenance schedule of the owner's manual. 

• Automatic tracking: The timer automatically tracks the hours between intervals and run hours.
• Interval scheduling: Maintenance intervals vary by unit. Refer to the maintenance schedule for specific details in your owner's manual. 

• • Where Can I Find the Maintenance Schedule for My Generac Home Standby Generator?

• The timer does not need to be reset: It resets automatically after the maintenance alarm is cleared, no user reset is required.
• Preemptive maintenance: Maintenance intervals are a minimum requirement, but maintenance can be performed earlier if conditions require it. 

• • Extreme weather may require an air filter change sooner, or you may choose to change the oil slightly earlier if visiting a secondary home. You do not need to reset the TIMER in these cases—just keep detailed records of any maintenance, including dates, tasks, and receipts. Regular inspections and proactive maintenance are recommended to help protect your investment. 
  • Viewing, Adding, Deleting, & Exporting Maintenance Schedule Records in Mobile Link

Maintenance alarm

The maintenance alarm serves as a reminder when scheduled maintenance is due, based on the maintenance timer. 

• Trigger notification: The alarm activates when the timer reaches a maintenance interval, and a yellow LED light provides a visual reminder. 
  • Maintenance intervals are based on hours elapsed and run hours, whichever occurs first. 
• Reminder only: The alarm is a warning that does not prevent the unit from running; however, following the maintenance schedule is a minimum requirement.
• Resetting the alarm: The alarm can be reset simply by pressing ENTER at the controller and pressing ENTER again to acknowledge it. Alarms can not be cleared remotely. 

Maintenance best practices

• Dealer support: Generac recommends consulting a Generac Independent Authorized Service Dealer (IASD) for maintenance: How Can I Find a Generac Service Dealer in My Area?
• Follow the maintenance schedule: At minimum, always follow the maintenance schedule in the owner's manual: Where can I find a user manual or other documentation for my home standby generator?
• Proactive maintenance: While the maintenance schedule sets minimum requirements, regular inspections and early maintenance based on conditions help keep your unit in the best possible condition.