HW5600C Portable Electrical Generator Owner’s Manual www.honeywellgenerators.com 13
OPERATION
Generator Location
When deciding on the location to place your generator,
keep in mind the following safety rules:
Preparing for Operation
Before starting generator, complete the following prepara-
tion tasks:
Be sure generator is placed outdoors in a well
ventilated area. Using a generator indoors CAN KILL
YOU IN MINUTES.
Consult a licensed electrician or utility company if
you will be using your generator for back-up
power. The generator must be connected to build-
ing’s electrical system via a transfer switch. See
“Using Generator for Back-up Power” on page 10.
Check/add engine oil—See “Engine Oil” on page 18.
For initial start-up, follow instructions on oil container
provided with generator.
Check/add fuel*—See “Adding Fuel” on page 20.
Be sure ground terminal is properly connected to
earth ground—See “Grounding the Generator” on
page 10.
Check extension cords—be sure cords are:
In good condition.
Rated for outdoor use and match amperage and
voltage ratings of generator outlet.
Equipped with plugs that have a ground terminal.
Depressed areas such as construction foundations,
pools, or any low-lying areas, can cause carbon
monoxide to accumulate. Inhalation of carbon mon-
oxide can kill you in minutes.
• NEVER use generator inside homes, garages,
crawl spaces, sheds, or similar enclosed
spaces. Use generator only outdoors and far
away from windows, doors, and vents.
If generator is placed on an uneven or flexible sur-
face, generator could tilt or overturn, causing fuel to
spill from gas tank. Spilled fuel could ignite.
• Place generator on firm, level surface and avoid
loose sand or snow. If generator is tilted or
overturned, fuel spillage may result. Also, if
generator is overturned or sinks into a soft sur-
face, sand, dirt, or water may enter generator.
NEVER operate generator in rain or snow, or
when the generator is set on wet surface.
Keep generator at least 6 feet (2 meters) away
from buildings, other equipment, and combustible
materials during operation.
CARBON MONOXIDE
Generator exhaust contains high levels of carbon monoxide
(CO), a poisonous gas you cannot see or smell. If you can
smell the generator exhaust, you are breathing CO. But even
if you cannot smell the exhaust, you could be breathing CO.
• NEVER use a generator inside homes, garages, crawl-
spaces, or other partly enclosed areas. Deadly levels
of carbon monoxide can build up in these areas. Using
a fan or opening windows and doors does NOT supply
enough fresh air.
• ONLY use a generator outdoors and far away from
open windows, doors, and vents. These openings can
pull in generator exhaust.
Even when you use a generator correctly, CO may leak into
the home. ALWAYS use a battery-powered or battery-
backup CO alarm in the home.
If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak after the generator has
been running, move to fresh air RIGHT AWAY. See a doctor.
You could have carbon monoxide poisoning.
Before connecting to a building’s electrical system,
consult utility company and/or licensed electrician.
• Connecting to a building's electrical system
without using a transfer switch can cause elec-
trical current from generator to feed back into
utility lines, resulting in death or serious injury
to utility company workers or others who con-
tact utility lines during a power outage.
* You must add fuel before using the generator for the first time.
See “Adding Fuel” on page 20.