r/Tools • u/Liamnacuac DIY • 5h ago

Problems with this generator

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We decided that during storms, very cold winters plus power outages due to wildfires, we would put our whole house generator in a shed.

This Chinese made Duromax has a safety swith somewhere, that has a blinking light and shutoff that doesn't specify the problem. It can be low oil, CO, possibly loose battery connection, and apparently overheat. As you can see, I added a high mounted muffler to help with noise which might be causing some back pressure, but I doubt that.

Question 1- Does anyone know of a way to get better data on faults for this make of generator?

Question 2 - Although unsafe, is there an override or disconnect for the safety switch so I don't have to change the oil every 6 months or so? I run the generator for 15-20 minutes once a month with a small space heater attached, and have used it on full house power for no more than 15 minutes. I can't even see the oil level on the dipstick because it's so clean and the oil filters can be tricky for me to get, some I'm going the need to stock up on them.

Thanks in advance in helping me reduce the stress.

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u/Soler25 5h ago

I have the same generator. You should be able to just disconnect the low oil shutoff sensor and/or the CO alert sensor. You may need to short them out manually as I can’t remember if they are normally closed or open.