The 12V starter battery in my Kohler has catastrophically exploded three times in a row with less than 2 year service life each time. PLEASE SHARE THIS VIDEO!!! Your friends may have this generator and not know about the updated part.

I had previously contacted Kohler after the 2nd battery exploded and was told my battery was defective without any additional info. This time I contacted Kohler and was given helpful information. I DID tell them I was making a video about my experience, but due to a snafu I was forwarded internal communication and they decided to help me because I am a customer like any other and my youtube channel has 'very low views'. Hahaha

Kohler says this is a known problem that affects certain years of their generators. The controller charges the battery at too high of a voltage resulting in risk of boil off. This leads to gas build up inside the battery which can result in explosion. Kohler insists this is NOT a safety issue, so there is no recall, but they do provide an updated harness to lower charging voltage at no charge for owners of this year generator. Dealers are suppose to install without owners asking. I decided to service my generator myself and complained to my local dealer for hard selling me yearly service with the false claim my warranty would be voided if I didn't. I hope they don't leave other customers in the cold. Generators sold now have an updated design that charges the battery at a lower voltage to mitigate this issue. The Kohler rep told me battery explosions after 2-4 years of use in a generator is common industry wide and they officially recommend a new battery every 2-4 years as normal maintenance due to the nature of a generator being for 'emergency use.' I think a battery should last 6-10 years, but I don't find their statement unreasonable.

I am IMPRESSED they agreed to send me the updated part at no charge and I decided to remake this video from being a complaint to a PSA with purpose of other customers knowing an updated part is available FREE OF CHARGE. If you aren't sure if you need this or not, contact Kohler with your serial number found near the controller control pad.

The part arrived before releasing this video, and it is a simple electrical device that reduces the voltage of the always-on trickle charger. To install you must turn off the generator, cut power from your house to the generator at the breaker box, disconnect the 12V battery, open the controller box, disconnect the engine harness, and install the new part between the controller and engine harness connections. To finish the installation you must reconnect the 12V battery and lastly restore power at the breaker box. THIS REPAIR PROCEDURE DISCONNECTS YOUR HOUSE'S POWER!

The updated part is a piggyback harness containing a diod
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0QLDOyiDvg