Brushed and brushless portable generators

A brushed alternator uses carbon brushes and an automatic voltage regulator to regulate voltage output, while a brushless alternator uses a capacitor to regulate voltage. To visually determine whether the unit is brushed or brushless, inspect the alternator assembly. A brushless unit will have a capacitor inside the end of the alternator assembly. This capacitor will look similar to a soup can. If this capacitor is not there, that means the unit is brushed. Alternatively, checking the unit's Exploded View (EV) will show brushes or a capacitor. Documentation for your portable generator can be found via the online product lookup tool: https://www.generac.com/support/product-info-user-manuals/

If visually inspecting the unit does not net results we would recommend contacting a local certified service technician: How Can I Find a Generac Service Dealer in My Area?