Owner`s manual

14 Owner’s Manual
Voltmaster Engine-Driven Generators
3.1.3 Oil
To avoid engine damage, always check oil level and refill oil if
necessary before starting engine:
■ Crankcase pressure can blow hot engine oil out the fill tube, causing
severe burns. Always stop the engine before removing the oil cap,
and remove the cap with caution.
■ Fill the oil sump to the full mark on the dipstick. Check oil level while
filling and DO NOT overfill. If accidentally overfilled, drain extra oil.
For diesel engines, overfilling will damage engine beyond repair.
■ To avoid air bubbles pour oil slowly.
Keep oil level between the minimum and maximum marks on the
dipstick. Engine damage caused by low oil level is not covered by
the engine manufacturer’s warranty.
Low-oil shutdown
Most generator models are equipped with automatic low-oil
shutdown systems. Insufficient oil volume (on low-volume systems)
or pressure (on low-pressure systems) will cause the engine to stop.
For more information, see the engine manual.
Oil type
To select the proper oil:
■ For diesel engines, see the engine manual.
■ For all other engines, see Table 3-1 for oil grade.
■ For gasoline engines, use API Class SG or SH oil (also SG/CD, SG/CE,
SH/CD or SH/CE).
Changing the oil
Change the engine oil as specified in the engine manual. Oil should
be drained while the engine is slightly warm.
Table 3-1. Recommended oil grade
Expected ambient temperature SAE viscosity grade
32°F (0°C) or higher 30
10 to 100°F (–12 to 38°C) 15W-40
0 to 80°F (–18 to 27°C) 10W-30 or 10W-40
–20 to 50°F (–28 to 10°C) 5W-30