Specifications
| Fuel | Gasoline |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 60.0 Hz |
| Standby power | 1 kW |
| Prime power | 1 kW |
| Oil capacity | 0.38 L |
| Alternator | AVR |
| Voltage options | 120 V |
| Phase | Single |
| Rated current | 8.3 A |
| Max ambient | 40 °C |
| Sound level | 53.0 dBA |
| Fuel tank | 3.8 L |
| Tank runtime | 3.5 hr |
Maintenance & consumables
for the Caterpillar OHV| Item | Spec | Capacity | Part # | Interval | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air filter | — | 25 hr | |||
| Oil | 0.4 L | — | 25 hr | ||
| Spark plug | — | 100 hr |
Service intervals
11| Item | Action | Hours | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Oil | Change | 25 hr | 3 mo | First service — First Service |
| Air Filter | Check | 25 hr | 3 mo | Every 25 Service Hours or 3 Months |
| Spark Arrester | Other | 50 hr | 3 mo | Inspect/Clean/Replace |
| Spark Arrestor | Clean | 50 hr | 3 mo | Every 50 Service Hours or 3 Months |
| Spark Plug | Inspect | 100 hr | 6 mo | Every 100 Service Hours or 6 Months |
| Spark Plug | Other | 100 hr | 6 mo | Inspect/Adjust/Replace |
| Cylinder Head | Clean | 300 hr | 12 mo | Every 300 Service Hours or 1 Year |
| Engine Valve Lash | Check | 300 hr | 12 mo | Every 300 Service Hours or 1 Year |
| Fuel Line | Check | 24 mo | Every 2 Years | |
| Fuel Line | Other | 24 mo | Check/Replace if necessary | |
| Generator | Inspect | 1 mo | Every Month |
Extracted from the manufacturer documentation linked to this model. Values are copied as printed; confirm against your unit's manual and serial number.
Service specifications
8| Type | Item | Value | Unit | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clearance | Cylinder bore I.D. | 48.6 | mm | |
| Clearance | Exhaust valve clearance | 0.05 ± 0.02 | mm | |
| Clearance | Intake valve clearance | 0.05 ± 0.02 | mm | |
| Clearance | Piston to cylinder clearance | 0.010 – 0.045 | mm | |
| Gap | Spark plug gap | .024 - .028 | inches (0.6-0.7mm) | |
| Pressure | Compression (at 1400 rpm) | 0.95 - 1.25 | MPa | at 1400 rpm |
| Speed | Maximum speed (no load) | 4650 | rpm | |
| Torque | Spark plug tightening torque | 9 ± 2 | lb ft (12.5 ± 2 Nm) |
Extracted from the manufacturer documentation linked to this model. Values are copied as printed; confirm against your unit's manual and serial number.
Recommended fluids
| Fluid | Grade | Standard | Ambient | Capacity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil | SAE 0W-40, SAE 5W-40, SAE 10W-30, SAE 15W-40 | 0.38 L | Multi-viscosity options per ambient temperature | ||
| Engine oil | SAE 0W-40 | -40°C to 40°C | 0.4 quart/L | Non-detergent and 2-stroke oils must not be used | |
| Engine oil | SAE 5W-40 | -30°C to 50°C | 0.4 quart/L | Non-detergent and 2-stroke oils must not be used | |
| Engine oil | SAE 10W-30 | -18°C to 40°C | 0.4 quart/L | Non-detergent and 2-stroke oils must not be used | |
| Engine oil | SAE 15W-40 | -10°C to 50°C | 0.4 quart/L | Non-detergent and 2-stroke oils must not be used | |
| Fuel | Unleaded | 3.8 L | 1 U.S. gallon fuel capacity | ||
| Fuel | Unleaded gasoline, octane ≥87, ≤10% ethanol | 1.0 gal/L | Do not mix oil with gasoline; use fuel stabilizer for storage |
Extracted from the manufacturer documentation linked to this model. Values are copied as printed; confirm against your unit's manual and serial number.
Procedures
9Air Filter – Check maintenance
⚠ Never operate without air filter in place
- Open left service door.
- Remove air filter cover bolt and cover.
- Inspect filter; wash if dirty, replace if damaged.
- Wash with nonflammable solvent or detergent/water mixture; rinse thoroughly.
- After drying, oil filter lightly and remove excess; do not wring out.
- Wipe case and cover, reinstall filter, cover, bolt, and service door.
Engine Oil Level – Check maintenance
⚠ Non-detergent and 2-stroke oils will damage the engine
Tools: funnel
- Open right service door, remove oil level gauge, wipe clean.
- Re-insert gauge without screwing in to check level.
- If low, add recommended oil via funnel to upper mark.
- Install and tighten gauge, close service door.
Engine Oil – Change maintenance
Tools: oil funnel, drain container
- Run engine to normal operating temperature, then stop.
- Close vacuum relief valve to off.
- Open right service door, remove and wipe oil level gauge.
- Attach oil funnel, tilt generator to drain crankcase into container.
- Refill oil and check level.
- Install and tighten gauge, close service door.
- Dispose of used oil properly.
- Start engine briefly and check for leaks.
- Stop engine and recheck oil level.
Fuel Level - Check maintenance
⚠ Fuel in well-ventilated area with engine stopped and cool
- Check the fuel level gauge.
- If low, remove fuel cap.
- Check strainer; clean if dirty.
- Add fuel, using stabilizer if unit will sit.
- Install fuel cap after fueling.
Spark Arrestor - Inspect/Clean/Replace maintenance
⚠ Hot surface; do not perform until muffler has cooled
Tools: wire brush, screwdriver
- Allow muffler to cool.
- Remove screws and spark arrestor.
- Clean with soft wire brush; replace if damaged.
- Align mounting holes and reinstall with screws.
Spark Plug – Inspect/Adjust/Replace maintenance
⚠ Do not perform with engine running
Tools: plug wrench or spark plug socket, feeler gauge
- Turn generator switch off.
- Remove screws to remove outer side panel.
- Remove spark plug boot and access cover.
- Remove spark plug with plug wrench or socket.
- Visually inspect; replace if insulator cracked or electrode damaged.
- Measure gap with feeler gauge; adjust by bending side electrode.
- Check spark plug washer condition.
- Install spark plug and tighten to 9 ± 2 lb ft (12.5 ± 2 Nm).
- Reattach boot, cover, and side panel.
Storage for more than 3 months maintenance
⚠ Gasoline is extremely flammable and explosive
- Remove dirt, rust, grease, and oil; do not pressure wash.
- Inspect exterior and repair as needed.
- Drain fuel in well-ventilated area with engine stopped and cool.
- Remove fuel cap, turn generator over to drain gasoline into container.
- Reinstall fuel cap, run engine until it stops to drain remaining fuel.
- Change engine oil.
- Remove spark plug, pour small amount of oil into cylinder; reinstall spark plug without boot.
- Turn generator switch off, move to storage, cover generator.
Recoil Start operation
- Isolate generator from utility.
- Unplug electrical devices from receptacles.
- Turn Engine Smart Control Switch off.
- Open vacuum relief valve on fuel cap by rotating clockwise to on.
- Turn generator switch to choke position.
- Pull starter handle until resistance felt, then pull quickly; repeat if needed.
- After starting, turn generator switch to on position.
Stopping the Engine operation
⚠ To stop in an emergency, turn generator switch off
- Disconnect generator / unplug all electrical devices.
- Turn generator switch to off position.
- Close vacuum relief valve by rotating counter-clockwise to off.
Extracted from the manufacturer documentation linked to this model. Values are copied as printed; confirm against your unit's manual and serial number.
Common questions
What size generator is the Caterpillar INV2000?
The Caterpillar INV2000 is rated 1 kW standby.
What engine does the Caterpillar INV2000 use?
The Caterpillar INV2000 is powered by the Caterpillar OHV engine.
What kind of fuel does the Caterpillar INV2000 run on?
The Caterpillar INV2000 runs on Gasoline.
Which alternator is fitted to the Caterpillar INV2000?
The Caterpillar INV2000 uses a AVR alternator.
Troubleshooting
6Symptoms & remedies
| Symptom | Cause | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| Engine Will Not Start | Generator switch in the off “0” position | Turn the generator switch to the correct position. |
| Engine Runs Rough (no load) | Dirty air filter | Stop the engine and check the air filter. Clean if needed. Start the engine / check if it runs rough. |
| Engine Runs Rough (with load) | Dirty air filter | Stop the engine and check the air filter. Clean if needed. Start the engine / check if it runs rough. |
| Engine Shuts Down | Out of fuel | Check the fuel. Fill the tank if necessary. |
| Engine Runs, But Generator Does Not Provide Power | Generator overloaded, overload light is on | Turn off and unplug all electrical devices, shut down the engine, wait 10-15 minutes and start the engine, connect fewer or lighter electrical loads. |
| Engine Starts But Runs Rough or Does Not Have Enough Power | Dirty air filter, Generator inclined, Air in fuel line or fuel line clogged, Not enough fuel to the engine, Engine Smart Control switch on, Carbon built up in combustion chamber, Cylinder pressure, Inspect the cylinder head gasket, If the engine still has low power | Check the air filter. Clean or replace as needed., Move generator to a level position., Check the fuel line. Clear or replace needed., Make sure the needle valve is closing properly. Clean or replace as needed., Inspect the fuel nozzle. Clean if needed., Turn the Engine Smart Control switch off., Remove the cylinder head and clean if needed., Refer to the Maintenance Specifications chart for the proper value. Adjust or repair as needed., Replace if damaged., If the engine still has low power, Rebuild the engine, replace the engine, or consider replacing the unit. |
Fault codes and symptom→remedy steps extracted from this model’s service/owner documentation; verify against the official manual before servicing. Full Caterpillar INV2000 troubleshooting guide (8 entries) →
Parts
12| Part # | Description | Qty | System | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 501-5293 | RP7500 E Service Kit | 1 | Service | Amazon eBay |
| 501-5294 | RP12000 E Protective Cover | 1 | Protective cover | Amazon eBay |
| 502-3692 | Multi-Connector Power Cord (25 ft) | 1 | Power cord | Amazon eBay |
| 502-3693 | Single Connector Power Cord (25 ft) | 1 | Power cord | Amazon eBay |
| 502-3702 | RP3600 Service Kit | 1 | Service | Amazon eBay |
| 502-3703 | RP5500 Service Kit | 1 | Service | Amazon eBay |
| 502-3704 | RP6500 E Service Kit | 1 | Service | Amazon eBay |
| 502-3705 | Small Protective Cover | 1 | Protective cover | Amazon eBay |
| 502-3706 | Large Protective Cover | 1 | Protective cover | Amazon eBay |
| 517-9207 | INV2000 Protective Cover | 1 | Protective cover | Amazon eBay $39.99 |
| 517-9208 | INV2000 Service Kit | 1 | Service | Amazon eBay |
| 530-1202 | INV2000 Parallel Kit | 1 | Parallel kit | Amazon eBay $109.00 |
Service, wear & replacement parts referenced for this model and its engine — confirm the exact part for your serial number. See the full parts catalog to search and cross-reference.