Standby generator and controls for generator exercise cycle

1. A method of exercising a generator, comprising:

detecting a temperature of the generator by a temperature sensor;

if the temperature of the generator is above a predetermined temperature, activating, by a controller, a starter motor and starting an engine of the generator, and performing, by the controller, a first exercise test; and

if the temperature of the generator is below the predetermined temperature, activating, by the controller, the starter motor without starting the engine, and performing, by the controller, a second exercise test.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

checking an exercise run schedule of the generator;

if the temperature of the generator is above the predetermined temperature and a no-start cycle is scheduled, activating, by the controller, the starter motor without starting the engine, and performing the second exercise test.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first exercise test comprises:

opening a fuel solenoid of the engine after a predetermined time period and after activating the starter motor; and

checking voltage drop and battery recover to verify health of a battery.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the first exercise test further comprises:

checking function of an oil pressure switch and an oil pump; and

checking generator sensing and rotor stator function.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the first exercise test further comprises:

verifying that the engine has started;

deactivating the starter motor; and

starting engine run timing.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the first exercise test further comprises:

verifying governor control;

verifying automatic voltage control operation; and

verifying field status.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the first exercise test further comprises:

stopping the engine; and

verifying a battery charger function.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first exercise test further comprises:

accessing a pass-fail status;

if the generator has passed the first exercise test, ending the first exercise test; and

if the generator has failed the first exercise test procedure, displaying a failure notification.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second exercise test comprises:

closing a fuel solenoid of the engine before activating the starter motor; and

checking the voltage drop and battery recovery to verify health of a battery.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the second exercise test further comprises:

verifying a cranking speed of the engine;

checking function of an oil pressure switch and an oil pump; and

verifying an ignition system of the engine.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the second exercise test further comprises:

checking generator sensing and rotor stator function; and

verifying an automatic voltage regulator control operation.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second exercise test further comprises:

accessing a pass-fail status;

if the generator has passed the second exercise test, ending the second exercise test procedure; and

if the generator has failed the second exercise test, displaying a failure notification.

13. A generator comprising:

an engine including a crankshaft;

a fuel valve configured to control a flow of fuel to the engine;

a starter motor configured to rotate the crankshaft;

an alternator driven by the engine;

a temperature sensor; and

a controller programmed to:

read the temperature sensor;

if a temperature reading from the temperature sensor is above a predetermined temperature reading, actuate the starter motor to start the engine, open the fuel valve, and perform a first test; and

if the temperature reading from the temperature sensor is below a predetermined temperature reading, close the fuel valve, actuate the starter motor without starting the engine, and perform a second test.

14. The generator of claim 13 , wherein the first test comprises:

opening the fuel valve of the engine after a predetermined time period; and

checking voltage drop and battery recover to verify health of a battery.

15. The generator of claim 14 , wherein the first test further comprises:

checking function of an oil pressure switch and an oil pump;

checking generator sensing and rotor stator function;

verifying that the engine has started; and

stopping cranking of the starter motor.

16. The generator of claim 15 , wherein the first test further comprises:

starting engine run timing;

verifying governor control;

verifying automatic voltage control operation; and

verifying field status.

17. The generator of claim 16 , wherein the first test further comprises:

stopping the engine; and

verifying a battery charger function.

18. The generator of claim 13 , wherein the first test further comprises:

accessing a pass-fail status;

if the generator has passed the first test, ending the first test; and

if the generator has failed the first test, displaying a failure notification.

19. The generator of claim 13 , wherein the second test comprises:

closing a fuel solenoid of the engine;

cranking the starter motor;

checking the voltage drop and battery recovery to verify health of a battery;

verifying a cranking speed of the engine;

checking function of an oil pressure switch and an oil pump;

verifying an ignition system of the engine;

checking generator sensing and rotor stator function;

verifying an automatic voltage regulator control operation;

checking generator sensing and rotor stator function; and

verifying an automatic voltage regulator control operation.

20. The generator of claim 13 , wherein the second test further comprises:

accessing a pass-fail status;

if the generator has passed the second test, ending the second test; and

if the generator has failed the second test, displaying a failure notification.