Manual download for Porter Cable BSI550 W 5,500 Watt Generator With 10 Hp Engine

SOURCE: Porter-Cable generator won't power anything; engine runs, low rpm

You have a simple problem and it has nothing to do with the octane, honda's love better gas, thats all I use in all my equipment and even my 4000 psi pressure washer runs better and cooler with higher more efficient octane, Your problem is in the carb, clean and service it, make sure the air breather is clean (soap and water only if it is a foam unit and do not spray it with any oil) then check for water in the gas by draining the tank into a large clear glass container 1/2 gal at a time. and after all this is done and needs to be done anyway, change the spark plug run the unit and make sure the throttle up solenoid is adjusted properly or even working if this unit is equipped with one. good luck

SOURCE: My porter cable generator 3000 wt will not stay running once star

Hi,
If this generator has been stored for any length of time with fuel in the carb you probably have a plugged main jet in the carb. As joboo1 says there are a few other things that could cause this behavior, but most often I see dirty carbs, water in the fuel, and plugged/dirty air filters. Get a flashlight and look into the fuel tank thru the filler hole, if you see anything floating in there you've got water in the fuel. Look at the ari cleaner, oil and fuel on the element indicate a dirty carb. Of course check the oil level. Lastly, take the bowl off the bottom of the carb (shut off the fuel valve first), if you see debris in there the carb needs a good cleaning.

Regards,
Carl

SOURCE: no electricity from generator

If you have a voltmeter, you can check the voltage coming out of the outlet. If you have some kind of residual voltage, such as 25 Volts AC or 10 volts ac, then you probably have a voltage regulator problem and your regulator will need to be replaced. If you read 0 volts then you you have an open between the output (outlet) and the windings of the stator.

SOURCE: Porter Cable Generator does not produce electricity

Here are a a few possibilities to look at:

1) Bad connection at the outlets themselves (loose wire) regarding neutral, hot wires.

2) Bad Excitation Capacitor. The Exc. Cap. is responsible for energizing the field wiring of the alternator. If the field is not energized, there will not be a magnetic field developed, therefore, no electrical output.

3) Open Field / Stator winding. If Field winding is open, no magnetic field will be developed. If Stator winding is open, no voltage will be induced.

4) Generator speed is too slow. If the RPMs of the engine are too slow, the output of the alternator will fail as well. Note that from normal speed, voltage output will occur but at reducing frequency until ouput ceases altogether, usually at about 47Hz. If your alternator is a 2 pole, engine speed should be 3600 rpm nominal. If alternator is a 4 pole (most aren't), engine speed would need to be about 1800 rpm nominal.

5) Generator speed too fast. If RPMs are too fast, output may fail as well. See above.

6) Excitation Fuse has blown. There is sometimes a fuse in the excitation circuit. To check this, you will likely need to pull the end housing off the alternator. Pay attention to bearings / bushings.

SOURCE: what type of oil do

Your generators take ordinary 10W30 motor oil.
We use these things on the job.
Don't turn engine upside down or on its side to drain oil, or oil will run into carburetor