Home standby generator activation

Activation is a warranty registration process that establishes documentation of ownership in the event of theft, ensures the warranty is properly assigned, and enables automatic generator operation.

Note: This process does not set up a Mobile Link account for generator monitoring. For information about setting up a Mobile Link account, see the How Do I Set up a Mobile Link Account? article. While useful, creating a mobile link account is not required for activation.

Environment

• Guardian-series home standby generators: This article applies to generators with Evolution controllers.
• PowerPact 7.5 kW generators
• First-time setup: This article only applies to end users seeing the first time setup menus on the Evolution controller.

Note: Activation of the Next Generation Air-Cooled Standby Generator is performed during commissioning within the Field Pro app: How Do I Commission a Generator in the Field Pro Application?

To activate a liquid-cooled generator with a Power Zone 410 controller, see here: How do I activate my liquid-cooled generator with a Power Zone 410 controller?

Activation facts

• The controller must be activated before the generator can be set to run automatically in the event of a utility power loss or for the regular exercise cycle. See What is a generator exercise? and How Do I Put My Home Standby Generator Into Auto Mode? for more information. 
• Activation is a one-time process. The Evolution controller will NOT prompt again once activated, even if the battery, fuse, or battery charge circuit (T1) is disconnected.
• The generator can still run in manual mode without being activated.
• The 7.5 kW PowerPact activation consists of a 6-button sequence using the auto, off, and set exercise buttons.
• The warranty is established at the date of successful activation for current model generators. Generators should not be activated and registered until installation and all permitting is complete. Please check your warranty statement to ensure accurate details based on your unit.
• Generators with onboard Wi-Fi will automatically activate once connected to Wi-Fi for the first time. See How do I connect my generator to a home Wi-Fi network? for more information.
• Adding a generator with onboard Wi-Fi to a Mobile Link account for the first time will register it for the warranty. 

Note: This article applies to Generac home standby generators during first-time setup. If the generator was previously powered on and the first-time setup menus were bypassed without activation, then the generator control panel will need to be reset. See the How Do I Perform a Hard Reset on a Home Standby System? article for steps to reset the generator.

Sections

Activation for Guardian series generators (Evolution controller)

Activation for the 7.5 kW PowerPact

Activation for the Next Generation Air-Cooled Standby Generator (no display)

Activation process for Guardian series generators (Evolution controller)

1. Open the lid to access the generator's control panel. The display interface will launch the Install Wizard upon the first power-up of the generator.

2. Use the up or down arrows to navigate, and press ENTER to make selections.

3. Select the language.

4. Select the fuel source type. NG = natural gas, LP = liquid propane.
5. Select a cold smart start option. To learn more about Cold Smart Start, see here: What is Cold Smart Start?
6. The activation screen will now appear, requesting an activation code. To obtain this code, complete the activation online by navigating to Activategen.com.

Note: Generators with onboard Wi-Fi will automatically activate once connected to Wi-Fi for the first time. See How do I connect my generator to a home Wi-Fi network? for more information.. Alternatively, generator owners and technicians can call 888-922-8482 to obtain a 5-digit numerical activation code. 

7. If owner, make sure to select "Yes, I am the owner of this unit." If installer, select "No, I am installing the unit for the owner."

 

 

8. To complete the registration process and finish activation, provide the following information: 

• First & Last Name
• Mailing Address
• Country
• City
• State/Province
• Postal (zip) code
• Phone Number
• Owner E-mail Address
• Site Address (If same as above, check the "Use Owner Address" box.)
• Fuel Type
• Proof of purchase (in some cases)

Note: If you are the installer, enter your information under the "INSTALLER" section at the top. If you are the owner, these fields are not required.
Note: If the serial number on the control panel display does not match the serial number on the data label, register the serial number on the data label. Contact Customer Support at 888-436-3722 to request the activation code for the control panel's serial number.

9. After entering this information, click Next. You will then receive an email with the 5-digit activation code.

10. Using the up and down arrows and the enter button to select one digit at a time, input the activation code into the control panel and press ENTER. The activation process has been performed successfully, and the generator is ready to operate.

Note: If you see the WRONG PASSCODE message while trying to activate the generator, see Why Am I Getting a Wrong Passcode Error When Attempting to Activate My Home Standby Generator? for more information.

WARNING: All electrical checks outlined in the installation manual must be completed before placing the unit in automatic mode. Failure to complete electrical checks could result in damage to the generator and anything it may be powering. We strongly recommend installation and initial start-up be performed by an independent authorized service dealer (IASD).

 

Activation process for the 7.5 kW PowerPact

1. Navigate to Activategen.com.

2. Complete steps 5 and 6 from above to receive your activation code. For PowerPact units, the activation code consists of a sequence of six (6) button presses using the AUTO, OFF and SET EXERCISE buttons. These buttons must be pressed in the exact and correct sequence in order to activate the generator.

3. Begin the activation sequence by holding the OFF button for 3 seconds. All the LEDs will flash twice, indicating that activation mode has begun.

Note: You now have 20 seconds to correctly enter the press sequence, or the unit will "time out" and not accept the activation code. If this occurs, you must begin the activation sequence again.

4. Enter the activation code by pressing the AUTO, OFF and SET EXERCISE buttons in the 6-press sequence you were given. (Example: AUTO / OFF/ OFF/ SET EXERCISE / SET EXERCISE / SET EXERCISE). The yellow maintenance LED will blink each time a button is pressed.

5. If the sequence is incorrectly entered, the AUTO / OFF / MANUAL buttons will flash 3 times together. Return to Step 2 and continue.

6. If the sequence is correctly entered, all the LEDs will scroll from bottom to top 5 times. The OFF button will light. The activation process has been performed successfully, and the generator is ready to operate.
WARNING: All electrical checks outlined in the installation manual must be completed before placing the unit in automatic mode. Failure to complete electrical checks could result in damage to the generator and anything it may be powering. We strongly recommend installation and initial start-up be performed by an independent authorized service dealer.

 

Activation process for the Next Generation Air-Cooled Home Standby Generator

Activation of the Next Generation Air-Cooled Standby Generator is performed during commissioning within the Field Pro app. The Cellular Accessory Antenna must be installed first: How Do I Commission a Generator in the Field Pro Application?

Troubleshooting

There are scenarios where the system may not accept an activation code. 

• What Can I Do If A Generator Says It Is Already Registered During Activation?
• Why Am I Getting a Wrong Passcode Error When Attempting to Activate My Home Standby Generator?
• If you continue to experience issues with generator activation, please contact Generac Customer Support.