What the exercise cycle does (and doesn't do)
A standby generator involves utility-voltage electricity, fuel gas, moving parts, and equipment that can start automatically. This page describes what manufacturer documents say an owner can observe or set from the controls — it is not repair instructions. Follow the safety warnings and shutdown steps in your unit's manual before approaching the unit, and leave work inside the equipment, transfer switch, or fuel and electrical systems to an authorized dealer or licensed electrician.
What the exercise cycle is
- Generac's air-cooled home standby owner's manuals document a configurable exercise timer, set at the control panel or in the Mobile Link app, that runs the generator on a Weekly, Biweekly, or Monthly schedule (Monthly on a chosen day of the month, 1–28). The house is not transferred to generator power during an exercise cycle unless utility power is actually lost, and the exercise feature operates only when the generator is in AUTO. The 10–24 kW manual (A0000973303) states the unit runs approximately five minutes per exercise; the older 9–22 kW manual (0L6629) states approximately five or 12 minutes depending on the model. (Generac Power Systems, Inc. archived source 1; archived source 2, retrieved 2026-07-09; Verified Fact; EV-GEN-EVO-0002#C1)
- Kohler's RCA operation manual (TP-7092) directs owners to run the generator without load once each week for 20 minutes, and states weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly exercise is required to keep the engine and alternator in good operating condition. Three exercise modes exist for all RCA models — unloaded cycle with system diagnostics (the recommended, default mode), unloaded full speed, and loaded full speed (which requires a Model RXT transfer switch). The default unloaded cycle runs 20 minutes: about 10 minutes at reduced speed, 3 minutes at full speed while engine diagnostics run, then 5 minutes at reduced speed to cool down. An unloaded exercise does not signal the transfer switch to move the house onto generator power, and if generator and transfer-switch exercise timers overlap, the transfer switch's setting takes priority. (Kohler Co. archived source, retrieved 2026-07-09; Verified Fact; EV-KOH-ERR-0001#C1)
- Kohler's RESV operation manual (TP-6880) directs owners to run the generator without load once each week for 20 minutes, and states exercising weekly or every two weeks is required to keep the engine and alternator in good operating condition; the RDC2 and DC2 controllers can be set to run the exercise automatically at the same time and day each week. (Kohler Co. archived source, retrieved 2026-07-09; Verified Fact; EV-KOH-ERR-0003#C1)
What owners can check
Verified guidance for this section has not been published yet.
When to call a professional
Verified guidance for this section has not been published yet.