How do I activate my liquid-cooled generator with a Power Zone 410 controller?

This article explains how to activate a liquid-cooled generator equipped with a Power Zone 410 controller. Activation is a warranty registration process that establishes documentation of ownership, 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

This article applies to residential liquid-cooled generators with a Power Zone 410 controller. 

Note: The Power Zone 410 is also featured on industrial generators, however this article is not applicable to Generac Industrial products (often 3-phase). For support with your industrial generator, please reach out to Generac's Industrial Support team.

If the generator is equipped with a Connectivity Cellular Accessory, this device should be installed prior to activation, which streamlines the activation process: How to install the Mobile Link Generac Connectivity Cellular Accessory

Note: To activate an air-cooled home standby generator, see here: How Do I Activate My Home Standby Generator?

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. 
• Generators that have not yet been activated will display the first-time setup menus, show the message “Activate me (ENT) or ESC to run in manual,” and will not allow the generator to be placed in automatic mode.
• Activation is a one-time process. The Power Zone 410 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.
• Generator warranty is established at the date of successful activation. Generators should not be activated and registered until installation and all required permitting is complete.
• Generators with a Mobile Link connectivity device will automatically activate when connected to either Wi-Fi or cellular for the first time.
• First time set-up: This article only applies to end users seeing first time setup menus on the Power Zone 410 controller.

Activation and startup sequence

Access the control panel

Proceed as follows to open the viewing window:

1. Remove protective film from exterior surface of viewing window.
2. Lift viewing window to access controls.
3. See Figure 3-4. To hold viewing window open, rotate prop up and insert into stop in cover (A).

Select language

When the generator starts, the LCD displays firmware and hardware version codes, as well as other system information. Then, the Install Wizard is launched and the language selection screen is displayed. Use the UP or DOWN arrow to scroll to your preferred language. Press ENTER to confirm. If you select the wrong language, you can change it later in the EDIT menu.

Activate the unit

Display reads:

Activate me (ENT) or ESC to run in manual

When prompted, press ENTER to begin activation. If you want to run in manual mode only, press ESCAPE. If NOT ACTIVATED is displayed, disconnect and reconnect the negative battery cable to restart activation. If power is removed after activation, no data is lost, but you must update the time and date.

Online activation

Display reads:

To Activate go to www.activategen.com

Go to www.activategen.com or call 1-888-9ACTIVATE (922-8482) if you do not have an activation passcode. If you have the passcode, wait for the next display.

 

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

 

To complete the registration process, 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.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.

After entering this information, click Next. You will then receive an email at the email address that was provided with the 5-digit activation code.

Enter passcode (5-digit activation code)

Display reads:

SN 1234567890 PASS CODE XXXXX

Use the UP or DOWN arrow to select each digit of the passcode (5-digit activation code). Press ENTER after each digit. Repeat for all digits. Press ESCAPE to go back and correct a digit if needed. If activation fails, verify the code and contact support at 1-888-922-8482 if necessary. For international assistance, call 01-262-953-5155

Set date and time

Display reads:

Select Hour (0-23) - 6+

Use the UP or DOWN arrow to set the hour, minute, month, date, and year. Press ENTER after each selection.

Note: If a Generac connectivity device is installed and connected, the date and time will set automatically.

Set fuel selection

Display reads:

Fuel Selection

-LP+

-NG+

Use the UP or DOWN arrow to select LP (liquid propane) or NG (natural gas). Press ENTER. Make sure to select the fuel type that matches the installation site.

Set voltage (3-phase units only)

Display reads:

Select Voltage

Set Alternator Node

Use the UP or DOWN arrow to select the correct voltage (120/208 VAC, 120/240 VAC, or 277/480 VAC). Press ENTER. This step is only available for 3-phase configurations and must match the installed voltage configuration cartridge (VCC).

WARNING: This information is provided for reference only. Generac Customer Support cannot recommend the correct voltage setting for a specific installation. Incorrect voltage (or fuel) settings can cause performance or engine stability issues and may produce improper output voltage that could damage the generator and or connected equipment. This setting should be configured by a trained independent authorized service dealer (IASD) in accordance with the installation manual. To locate an IASD, use the Generac dealer locator. 

Enable quiet test mode

Display reads:

Config Quiet Test? Yes No

Quiet Test Mode (also referred to as Low Speed Exercise Mode) runs the generator at a lower RPM during the scheduled exercise cycle, which results in a quieter run

Use the UP or DOWN arrow to select YES or NO. Press ENTER. Select YES to run the exercise at low speed, or NO for normal speed.

Set exercise time

Display reads:

Select Hour (0-23) - 1+

Use the UP or DOWN arrow to set the hour and minute. Press ENTER after each. Use the UP or DOWN arrow to select the day of the week. Press ENTER.

Frequency

Use the UP or DOWN arrow to select the frequency of exercise; Monthly, Bi-Weekly or Weekly. Press ENTER.

• If Monthly: Use the UP or DOWN arrow to select the date, 1-28. Press ENTER
• If Bi-Weekly or Weekly: Use the UP or DOWN arrow to select the day of the week. Press ENTER

Duration

Use the UP or DOWN arrow to select the duration of the runtime for exercise, in minutes. Press ENTER.

Xfer? Yes No

Use the UP or DOWN arrow to select whether the exercise should execute a transfer.

• If Yes, use the UP or DOWN arrow to select the frequency of transfer; once every 3, 6, or 12 months. Press ENTER.
  By selecting YES, the generator will transfer load from utility to generator power during the interval selected for the duration assigned in the Duration selection.  
• If No, load transfer does not occur unless utility power fails.

In AUTO mode, the engine will start and run at the selected time, frequency, and duration, then shut down. 

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).

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.