Category: Service School & Training

How We Prepare for Service School

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When we developed service school many decades ago, our concept was simple; to assist our Service Dealers on becoming more familiar with our product line.

Today, we continue to evolve Service School courses that teach best practices to our Service Dealers. These in-depth courses should give peace of mind to WINCO generator owners that with proper servicing, they can expect years of dependable power.

Creating Courses

Classroom
Courses include in-depth discussions based on course content, depending on the generator grouping. It is our goal to teach an understanding of how our generators work and are maintained. Instructing departments include service, engineering, and sales.

Snip-it from the load balancing course

Hands-On Planning
Coming up with the best and most beneficial hands-on labs is a crucial part of planning. Our technical support team uses feedback from the field to get and accurate picture of what our Service Dealers are facing.

We team up with our Engineers to create training aids that get our course participants working on actual equipment that is found in the field.

In this picture, we installed two ASCO transfer switches that are fully operational. This set-up is designed to simulate failures, test operation sequences, test operations, and help find faults.

There are similar set ups for other generator components that require troubleshooting.

Our generator end and controller labs will assist with testing and how to service them.

Scheduling

Theses are a few factors when scheduling Service Schools throughout the year.

Weather

First off, we are located in Minnesota, weather is a constant factor; especially the snow. While it can be a better time for some, not everyone wants to enjoy a Minnesota winter.

Factory

Heavy coordination from all other departments is needed when setting dates. Our factory stays live during service school, allowing us to provide tours throughout the entire facility. We take pride in what we do and enjoy showcasing our growing capabilities.

How To Sign Up

The best way to get our Service School announcements is to be subscribed to our emails. If you would like to be added, contact your Account Manager at WINCO.

We will also make announcements on our LinkedIn and Facebook pages. Be sure to follow us so you don’t miss out!

Be on the lookout for me at Service School. See you soon!

– BIG DOG

ATS Troubleshooting

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Automatic transfer switches transfer power from the utility to a backup generator. Over the years, WINCO has offered a few different brands and models including our own proprietary transfer switches and ASCO 165 and 185 series switches for residential applications.

WINCO
ASCO 185
ASCO 165
Automatic Transfer Switch
ASCO 185

Like anything mechanical, sometimes transfer switches fail. That is why we added new troubleshooting sections to our Transfer Switch Help Topics. We are confident these guides will help you properly identify the problem and get your system back running in no time.

What should I do if my standby generator doesn’t crank or generator cranks and doesn’t run?
What if my standby generator doesn’t transfer and/or generator light doesn’t come on?
What if my transfer switch won’t transfer to utility and/or the utility acceptable doesn’t come on?
What if my transfer switch won’t transfer to utility and/or the utility acceptable doesn’t come on?
What if my transfer switch won’t transfer?
What if my transfer switch goes back to utility, but my standby generator keeps running?
What if my transfer switch goes back to utility, but my standby generator keeps running?
What should I do if my transfer switch exercise is not working?

You can find other helpful topics on engines, circuit breakers, generator ends, installation here! Want to talk to our technical support? Call 507-357-6831 select prompt 3.

– Big Dog

Service School 2022

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June Service School

Our next Service School will be June 1st – 2nd, 2022
We promise the weather will be warmer than it was during our January Service School!

Our Service experts have been working hard to create the best techniques to keep you current on how to service our generators.
• More hands-on training
• We focus on current and past models
• Take a tour and meet our staff
• Air-Cooled models

To register for June Service School, email [email protected]

January Service School Recap

We had a great turn out for our January Service School. Thank you to all that were able to attend!

Classroom

Our service team and engineers discuss the ins and outs of engines, generator ends, engine controls, and transfer switches.

We were grateful that legend-that-is JR, was able to share his wisdom. We tapped into his many years of experience to bring knowledge of the older models. Since we still have older models working hard, it is important to train how to keep them at top notch for use for many years.

Classroom

Transfer Switches

Product Review

Hands-On Training

We added in more time for hands-on experiences. Troubleshooting generator ends, in-depth power distribution, and engine labs.

Power Distribution

Generator Ends

Engines

Factory Tour

We love showing off our factory! New machines, new spaces, and meet our amazing employees!

Sub-Assembly

Paint Department

Liquid-Cooled Test Bay

Stay tuned for our liquid-cooled service school announcement!

See you soon!

– Big Dog

Service School Recap

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June 16th was the first Service School we were able to host since 2019. We were excited to open our doors up and welcome our partners to our factory.

This Service School focused on the basics of air-cooled units. Using surveys from past schools, we scheduled much more hands on training.

The 3D’s of our Service Department, Dan, Dwight, and Dale, did a great job preparing and teaching the classes. Courses were about engines, generator ends, engine controls, and power distribution. Our President, Dan, also brought his knowledge of transfer switches and sizing in his own classes.

ENGINES

We learned the proper servicing of the Honda, Vanguard, and Kohler engines. In the engineering lab, we were able to practice setting the governor speed.

GENERATOR ENDS

There are different types of gen ends. In this class we learned the workings of the rotating fields, stators, capacitors, and AVRs. We are able to train on how to find faults in capacitors.

ENGINE CONTROLS

Our standby units have had a couple of different controls in them, 2-wire, 4-wire, and currently we use the DSE3110 controller. Hands on training included using the DSE software to change alarms.

POWER DISTRIBUTION

This class touched base on load balancing, GFCI and the WINCO YourGen Meter.

TRANSFER SWITCHES

We had WINCO and ASCO 165 and 185 series switches set up for hands on training. This class took us into troubleshooting and the inner workings of a switch.

SIZING

Sizing a generator can sometimes be tricky, but it is very important to make sure you properly size your generator for the load. This class taught proper sizing for motor starting.

A big thank you to everyone who were able to make the trip to Minnesota!

We enjoy being able to help our dealers and service centers get to know our generators. Stay tuned, we are scheduling our next Service School soon!

– BIG DOG