Migliaccio & Rathod LLP is investigating a potential controller firmware defect affecting certain Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect home standby generators that may interfere with scheduled exercise cycles or generator operation.
Briggs & Stratton has issued Service Bulletin DSB1163 concerning PowerProtect generators equipped with GC-1032 controllers running firmware versions R4.00, R4.01, or R4.02. The bulletin states that affected generators may experience performance issues, including scheduled exercise cycles that do not execute properly, and provides for installation of corrected controller firmware. Pasted markdown
The affected generator families include certain 13 kW, 18 kW, 22 kW, and 26 kW Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect models. A standby generator’s exercise cycle is intended to periodically operate the unit so that it remains ready to provide emergency power.
There are also reports of Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect generators failing to operate when utility power was actually lost, including an owner who was reportedly told after an outage that a software update was necessary and responsible for the generator’s failure to operate. Pasted markdown
Migliaccio & Rathod is investigating whether affected Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect owners experienced missed exercise cycles, failure to start or transfer power during an outage, controller problems, or expenses associated with obtaining the necessary firmware correction.
Owners May Have Experienced:
- Scheduled exercise cycles failing to occur;
- A generator appearing ready despite failing to properly exercise;
- Failure to start during an actual power outage;
- Failure to transfer backup power to the home;
- Controller lockups or other controller problems; or
- A dealer installing a firmware or SmartFlash update to correct the problem.
Potential Claims May Include:
- Defective controller firmware;
- Breach of express or implied warranties;
- Failure to adequately notify owners of a necessary correction;
- Failure to provide an effective repair;
- Loss of use or diminished product value; and
- Violations of applicable consumer-protection laws.
Signs You May Be Affected:
- You own a Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect 13, 18, 22, or 26 kW generator;
- Your generator uses a GC-1032 controller;
- Your generator failed to complete scheduled exercise cycles;
- Your generator failed to start or provide power during an outage;
- A dealer told you that your generator required a firmware update; or
- Your generator received a SmartFlash or controller firmware update.
If you have encountered these issues, we would like to hear from you. Please complete the contact form on this page, send us an email at [email protected], or give us a call.