Portable generator maintenance timer reset

Portable generator models with an hour meter (or maintenance timer) fall into one of two categories:

• Models that automatically reset themselves after a maintenance interval has been reached (no reset button)
• Models that have an hourmeter with a reset button, which allows the maintenance timer to be reset by pressing and holding the button.

To determine whether your generator has an hour meter with or without a reset button, look at the control panel or consult the owner's manual on our product lookup page.

Portable generators without a reset button

The hour meter will alert the owner continuously for one hour of run time before and until one hour after a scheduled maintenance interval has been reached.

Example: If your generator model has a 100 hour oil change maintenance interval, the hour meter will display a maintenance reminder at 99 hours of run time. This reminder will remain for the next two hours of run time (or until 101 hours of run time has been reached). After 101 hours of run time, the reminder will clear. It is recommended that maintenance be performed promptly when the maintenance reminder appears.

Common maintenance intervals include oil changes (at 100 hours) or air filter service (at 200 hours). For most generator models, as hours of operation accumulate, the hourmeter will automatically reset itself every time a 100 or 200-hour service interval is reached. See the hour meter section of your owner's manual for additional information. 

 

An example of a portable generator that features an hour meter without the reset button functionality is the XT8500EFI:

Portable generators with a reset button

The hour meters on some generator models also include a reset button which is located close to the hour glass. This allows the operator to toggle between screens by pressing the reset button, and to reset the hour meter manually.

To reset a maintenance reminder or alert:

1. Toggle to the alert that you wish to reset by pressing the reset button.
2. Press and hold the reset button for nine seconds. The maintenance hours are reset when the display shows "0000.0".
   

An example of a portable generator that features an hour meter with the reset button functionality is the GP17500:

See also 

• How Often Should I Perform Routine Maintenance on My Portable Generator?
• How Do I Install a Portable Generator Maintenance Kit?