Specifications
| Fuel | Gasoline |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 60.0 Hz |
| Prime power | 3.6 kW |
| Voltage options | 120 V |
| Phase | Single |
| Sound level | 62.0 dBA |
| Fuel tank | 17.0 L |
| Tank runtime | 7.5 hr |
Filters & service parts
model family| Item | Spec | Capacity | Part # | Interval | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air filter | Check and clean as needed | — | |||
| Oil filter | Inspect and clean as needed | — | |||
| Oil | Check before each start | — | |||
| Spark plug | Gap .028 - .032 inches (0.7 - 0.8mm) | — |
Compiled from this model's family documentation — may include parts for closely-related variants. Confirm the exact part for your serial number.
Service intervals
1| Item | Action | Hours | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Oil Level | Check | First service — Before each start |
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
1| Type | Item | Value | Unit | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gap | Spark Plug Gap | 0.7 - 0.8 | mm |
Extracted from the manufacturer documentation linked to this model. Values are copied as printed; confirm against your unit's manual and serial number.
Procedures
7Add oil maintenance
Tools: oil funnel
- Add oil to level indicated
- Use included oil funnel
Starting the Engine - Electric Start operation
- Turn fuel valve to ON position
- For cold engine, pull choke knob out
- Turn generator switch to START position
- Release switch when engine starts
- Once engine starts, slowly push choke knob in
Starting the Engine - Recoil Start operation
- Turn fuel valve to ON position
- For cold engine, pull choke knob out
- Turn generator switch to ON position
- Slowly pull starter handle until resistance felt
- Quickly pull the handle with full force
- Once engine starts, slowly push choke knob in
Starting the generator operation
- Open fuel valve to OPEN position
- Open choke
- Rotate start switch to START position
- After 10-15 seconds close choke
- Pull recoil cord to start
Stopping the Engine operation
- Turn generator switch to OFF position
- Turn fuel valve to OFF position
Stopping the generator operation
- Remove all devices connected to unit
- Rotate start switch to OFF position
- Close fuel valve
- Engine will stop
Using the generator operation
⚠ Do not connect to building electrical without approved device
- Ensure generator can supply running and starting watts needed
- Start generator with nothing connected
- Plug and turn on first load (largest first)
- Wait for output to stabilize
- Plug and turn on next load
- Repeat for each additional load
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
Which engine powers the Caterpillar RP3600?
The Caterpillar RP3600 is powered by the Caterpillar OHV engine.
What fuel does the Caterpillar RP3600 use?
The Caterpillar RP3600 runs on Gasoline.
How loud is the Caterpillar RP3600?
The Caterpillar RP3600 is rated at 62.0 dBA, per the manufacturer specification sheet.
How big is the fuel tank on the Caterpillar RP3600?
The Caterpillar RP3600 has a 17 liter (4 US gallon) fuel tank, giving about 7.5 hours of runtime.
What voltage does the Caterpillar RP3600 produce?
The Caterpillar RP3600 is offered in 120 V, Single-phase.
Troubleshooting
31Symptoms & remedies
| Symptom | Cause | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| Engine will not start | No fuel | Fill fuel tank |
| Engine will not start | Stale gasoline or water in gasoline | Drain entire system and refill with fresh fuel |
| Engine will not start | Lubrication level is low | Engine is equipped with protection shutdown when oil level is too low. Check oil level and fill as necessary. |
| Engine will not start | Fuel valve is OFF | Turn fuel valve to ON position |
| Engine will not start | Spark plug is faulty, fouled or improperly gapped | Replace spark plug |
| Engine will not start | Choke is open and therefore in ON position | Close the choke to OFF position |
| Engine lacks power | Engine stored without treating or draining gasoline, or refueled with bad gasoline | Drain fuel and carburetor. Refuel with fresh gasoline. |
| Engine lacks power | Water in gasoline | Drain entire system and refill with fresh fuel |
| Engine lacks power | Weak spark at spark plug | Inspect spark plug and replace if necessary |
| AC receptacle does not work | Circuit breaker is OFF | Turn ON the AC circuit breaker |
| AC receptacle does not work | Connected device is not working | Connect a different device to test |
| Generator makes a "spark knock" or "pinging" noise | Engine stored without treating or draining gasoline, or refueled with bad gasoline | Drain fuel and carburetor. Refuel with fresh gasoline. |
| Generator makes a "spark knock" or "pinging" noise | An occasional light "knocking" or "pinging" under heavy load is not a cause for concern. However, if the knocking or pinging occurs under normal load at steady engine speed, the problem may be with the quality of the gasoline used. | Switch to a different brand of gasoline, making sure that the octane rating is 86 or higher |
| Engine Will Not Start | Generator switch in the off “0” position | Turn the generator switch to the correct position. |
| Engine Will Not Start | Choke knob in the wrong position | Place the choke knob in the correct position. |
| Engine Will Not Start | Bad or contaminated fuel | Check the fuel. |
| Engine Will Not Start | Not enough oil in the engine | Check the oil level. If low, add the recommended oil. |
| Engine Will Not Start | Dirty air filter | Clean the air filter. |
| Engine Will Not Start | No fuel at the carburetor | Make sure the fuel switch is in the on "I" position. |
| Engine Will Not Start | Engine flooded | Wait 5 minutes. |
| Engine Will Not Start | No spark | Replace the spark plug. |
| Engine Will Not Start | For electric start, start the engine using the recoil starter | If the generator starts, check the battery. If the battery is providing less than 12.4 volts, replace the battery. |
| Engine Runs Rough (no load) | Dirty air filter | Stop the engine and check the air filter. Clean if needed. |
| Engine Runs Rough (no load) | Choke knob in the wrong position | Place the choke knob in the correct position. |
| Engine Shuts Down | Out of fuel | Check the fuel. Fill the tank if necessary. |
| Engine Shuts Down | Not enough oil in the engine | Check the oil level. If low, add the recommended oil. |
| Engine Shuts Down | Dirty air filter | Clean the air filter. |
| Engine Shuts Down | Generator overloaded | Unplug some of the devices. |
| Engine Runs Rough (with load) | Dirty air filter | Stop the engine and check the air filter. Clean if needed. |
| Engine Runs Rough (with load) | Generator overloaded | Unplug some of the devices. |
| Engine Runs Rough (with load) | Defective device plugg |
Fault codes and symptom→remedy steps extracted from this model’s service/owner documentation; verify against the official manual before servicing.
Repair guides
5- Starting the Engine - Electric Start
- Starting the Engine - Recoil Start
- Starting the generator
- Stopping the generator
- Using the generator
Step-by-step procedures compiled from the Caterpillar service manual for this model.
Parts
12| Part # | Description | Qty | System | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 501-5293 | RP5500 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 | RP12000 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.
Available documents
This page was generated from the 4 manufacturer documents above by automated extraction; every figure shown is copied from one of them. How the data is compiled.