Preditor generator

[waugh621]

I Recently bought a harbor freight generator and have been very pleased with it up untill yesterday. I went to start it and it ran for about 30 seconds then died. The CO sensor is blinking yellow and says it needs service. My 2 questions are
1. What is the service or do they mean repalce
2. How do you by pass the whole thing. I keep it in my truck bed (no cap or cover) so i am not worried about CO build up.
Thanks Nate

 

[timcasbolt]

First I've heard of this. Here's the number for Predator generator support: 888-830-0321

 

[wp6529]

Download the manual for your generator model. Locate the carbon monoxide detector module in the parts diagram. Locate the module on the machine. While they don't include a diagram in the manual I looked at I expect the module will have three or four wires connecting to it which should be 12V power (probably via the run/stop switch), the 12V ground, and a wire or two connecting to the engine ignition. Typically you shutdown the engine by providing a ground to the ignition circuit. You may be able to bypass by simply disconnecting the wire to the ignition. If they tried to get smart they may have run an ignition enable through the module so you may have to bypass that around the failing CO module. Not really difficult but you have to dig in and see exactly hot they have it setup. An no you certainly don't need a CO detector on a generator, millions of people operate generators every year without a problem and adding this "nanny" nonsense to try to "save" the dozen a year that are too stupid to keep a generator outdoors in not in any way justified.

 

[waugh621]

I Recently bought a harbor freight generator and have been very pleased with it up untill yesterday. I went to start it and it ran for about 30 seconds then died. The CO sensor is blinking yellow and says it needs service. My 2 questions are
1. What is the service or do they mean repalce
2. How do you by pass the whole thing. I keep it in my truck bed (no cap or cover) so i am not worried about CO build up.
Thanks Nate

Update. I just took the 2 main wires off (8 total wired to/from sensor) and put them in the same end of a butt connector and that solved my problem. Must have been fault i have only had the thing 3 or 4 month.
Thanks for the responses, Nate

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

Even though you're not concerned with CO, it can still build up in your truck bed and trip the sensor. CO sinks and your truck bed is a nice bowl to catch it. Right on page 1 of the manual it says "Danger do not use in trailers, truck beds, or tents."

This is what the manual states about the flashing yellow light BTW:
"FLASHING YELLOW LIGHT: Carbon monoxide sensor malfunction. Sensor needs service. Call 1-888-866-5797 as soon as possible. Do not use the Generator until the sensor is working properly. NOTE: Yellow light flashes once after starting to indicate passing self check and is functioning normally."

Being as new as it is and considering the legal liability they'd probably send you a new sensor.