Disconnect load before stopping generator?

After you have to replace a rotor at $1000 just for the part made a believer out of me.

I shut off the ACs before unplugging too.

The idea that load must be removed prior to starting/stopping a generator seems to fly in the face of AGS systems used to keep an RV cool (for pets, for example) while the owner is not there.

With ship-board generators, unloaded spin down was a law, not just a recommendation. Gagging and surging from a stopped-up fuel filter was mitigated by placing a primary filter between the bulk and day tanks.

When a voltage regulator on a regular generator encounters <55 Hz it goes into "forcing mode" which tests regulator strength. The Delco H9000 regulator I love so dearly could withstand 20 amps of field current at 180 volts. This is rotor current nothing to do with generator current.

A mistreated component takes its revenge out by having a short lifespan.

My AC system controls are always placed chest-high including the breakers. I have sold aftermarket small generator voltage-regulators down here because owners simply shut off the generator and then wondered why it would not re-start unless the load was disconnected.

The custom with generator loading

Switch the largest load first upon starting
Then progressively smaller loads


When unloading

Switch off largest load first
Then progressively smaller loads.

If a Ferro resonant line voltage transformer is present
Switch it off first

Its best long term to cut the load and then shut the gen set down. I never unplug cords from my gen set. ...unless moving to the next job.

Gen humping along under load....heat
Best practice is to unload and let gen set cool down before shutting down

Tripping ...out of gas, overloaded etc are NOT normal operating conditions

If trips.start back up and let it cool down then secure it.

Like thousands of other things out there,,,,, If you have the option, this is preferred. But I dont think it is ever prescribed as mandatory or your unit will blow up.

Not a clue. Ran my Champ dry under load with no ill effects.