Kohler Power Systems is the name that appeared for decades on Kohler’s generators, spec sheets and service manuals, and it now belongs to a company called Rehlko. If you own a Kohler generator, or you are trying to buy one, that change raises fair questions. Who makes the generator now? Who honors the warranty? And where do you go for a manual or a part?
The short answer is reassuring. The generators still carry the Kohler name, the same dealers sell and service them, and the support lines are open. What has changed is the name of the company behind them and where you find things online.
This guide is a practical map. It explains what Kohler Power Systems was and what it is today, how Kohler’s model codes and document numbers work, which controller and transfer switch go with which generation, and exactly what to have in your hand before you call for support. Company facts come from Kohler’s and Rehlko’s own websites. We have not tested any of this equipment.
Kohler Power Systems at a glance
Same generators, same dealers, a new company name
Dates and figures come from Kohler’s and Rehlko’s own websites, checked October 2026.
Quick answer
Kohler Power Systems was the generator business of Kohler Co. In 2024 the energy business became a separate company, now named Rehlko, with Kohler Co. keeping a minority stake. Home generators are still sold under the Kohler name through the same dealer network, with the same warranty and support. For help with a home generator, Kohler lists a support line at 1-833-393-6650 on weekdays. Have your model, specification and serial numbers ready.
How we put this guide together
We have not tested Kohler products, and we have no business relationship with Kohler or Rehlko. Company facts come from the Kohler home energy website and from rehlko.com. Model code and document details come from Kohler specification sheets and an operation manual that we read for our other Kohler guides. Phone numbers and hours were correct on Kohler’s website in October 2026. They can change, so check the site before you call.
In this guide
- What Was Kohler Power Systems?
- What Happened in 2024?
- Which Kohler Power Product Do You Have?
- How to Read a Kohler Home Generator Model Name
- How to Read Kohler Document Numbers
- Controllers and Transfer Switches by Generation
- How to Get Support for a Kohler Home Generator
- What Owners Can Do Themselves
- Buying a Kohler Generator Today
- Common Mistakes When Dealing With Kohler Power Systems (and the Fix)
- Pro Tips for Kohler Owners
- Real-Life Scenarios: Where Do You Go?
- Kohler Power Systems FAQ
- Your Kohler Support Checklist
What Was Kohler Power Systems?
Kohler Co. is best known for kitchen and bathroom products. For more than a century it also had a second business: engines and generators.
Kohler Power Systems was the name of the part that built generators. You will find it printed on older spec sheets, where a footnote often tells buyers to consult “a Kohler Power Systems professional” about their power needs. It covered home standby generators, large industrial generators for buildings such as hospitals, and the switchgear and controls that go with them.
Kohler’s own history page tells the story. A few of its milestones:
| Year | What Kohler reports |
|---|---|
| 1920 | Kohler Co. enters the power business with the Kohler Automatic Power and Light |
| 1929 | Kohler generators power Admiral Byrd’s Antarctic base camp |
| 1948 | Kohler begins making and selling small engines |
| 1976 | A fast-response alternator is patented, and the first microprocessor-based generator controller appears |
| 1980 | PowerBoost technology debuts |
| 1986 | Command engines arrive, with overhead valves and hydraulic valve lifters |
| 2009 | OnCue remote monitoring is launched |
| 2020 | The business marks 100 years |
That long record is the reason the name still matters to owners. A generator installed fifteen years ago carries Kohler Power Systems paperwork, and it still needs parts and service today.
What Happened in 2024?
In May 2024, the investment firm Platinum Equity became the majority owner of Kohler’s energy business. Kohler Co. kept a minority stake. In September 2024, the new company was given its own name: Rehlko.
On its home generator website, the company puts it this way: Kohler Generators is part of Rehlko, formerly Kohler Energy. It says customers get the same generators, the same nationwide dealer network, the same warranty and the same customer support.
The website footers now read “Discovery Energy, LLC dba Rehlko”. That is the legal name behind the brand.
What Rehlko does
Rehlko’s own website describes three areas of business.
| Business area | What it covers | Who it serves |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Energy Systems | Industrial generators, uninterruptible power systems and microgrids | Data centers, hospitals and other large sites |
| Powertrain Technologies | Engines, including combustion, hybrid and electrified systems | Equipment makers |
| Home Energy | Home backup generators | Homeowners |
The site also lists the companies in the group: Power Systems, Engines, Clarke Energy and Kohler Home Energy. So the old “Kohler Power Systems” name lives on inside Rehlko as its Power Systems business, alongside a separate Home Energy business for houses.
What this means for you
- Your generator is still a Kohler. The name on the enclosure has not changed.
- Your warranty stands. The company says the warranty and support are unchanged.
- Your dealer is the same. Kohler states that its dealer network spans the United States and Canada, with over 3,000 dealers.
- The web addresses are different. Home generator pages now sit on a Rehlko domain. Old bookmarks may redirect.
- Kohler plumbing is a different company. A Kohler kitchen and bath showroom cannot help with a generator.
Key insight: for an owner, the name on the invoice changed but the path to help did not. A certified Kohler dealer is still the first call, and the model and serial numbers on your nameplate are still the key to everything.
Which Kohler Power Product Do You Have?
“Kohler Power Systems” covered several very different kinds of equipment. Where you go for help depends on which one you own.
| What you own | Typical size | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| Home standby generator | 8 to 150 kW, natural gas or propane | The Kohler home energy website and a certified residential dealer |
| Industrial generator | Larger sets for businesses and institutions | Rehlko’s industrial pages and its distributor network |
| Kohler engine in other equipment | Mowers, pumps, small machines | The equipment maker first, then a Kohler engine dealer |
| Transfer switch | 100 to 800 amps | The same dealer who services the generator |
This guide concentrates on home generators, because that is what most readers own.
How to Read a Kohler Home Generator Model Name
Kohler’s model names look like alphabet soup. They follow rules, and once you know them you can tell a lot from the name alone.
The number is the size. A 20RCA is a 20 kW generator. A 14RESA is 14 kW. The rating is the propane figure. On natural gas, most models make a little less.
The letters are the family and the package.
| Letters | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| RES | Residential standby, earlier generations | 8.5RES |
| RESA | An earlier air-cooled generation, generator only | 14RESA, 20RESA |
| RESAL | The same, with a transfer switch included | 14RESAL, 20RESAL |
| RESV | Smaller air-cooled models with a steel enclosure | 8RESV, 10RESV, 12RESV |
| RCA | Current air-cooled models, generator only | 14RCA, 20RCA, 26RCA |
| RCAL | Current air-cooled models with a transfer switch included | 20RCAL, 26RCAL |
| RCL | Current liquid-cooled models | 24RCLA, 30RCLA, 48RCLC |
The pattern to remember is the L on the end. Kohler’s FAQ confirms it for the current range: an RCAL includes a transfer switch, and an RCA has the transfer switch sold separately. The same rule applied to the older RESA and RESAL.
You will also see extra codes after a dash, such as 20RCAL-200SELS or 20RESAL-SA2. These describe the bundle a retailer is selling, usually the size and type of transfer switch. The generator is the same.
How to Read Kohler Document Numbers
Kohler numbers its documents, and the numbers tell you what kind of document you have. This helps a great deal when you search for paperwork.
| Number style | What it is | Example |
|---|---|---|
| G4 followed by a number | A specification sheet | G4-210 for the 14 and 20 kW RESAL, G4-272 for the 20RCA |
| TP followed by a number | An operation or service manual | TP-6804 for the 14/20RESA and RESAL |
| GM followed by a number | A part or kit number, or an engine specification number | GM62346 maintenance kit |
A specification sheet gives ratings, fuel use, sound levels and dimensions. An operation manual gives the service schedule, the oil type, the controller instructions and the fault messages. If you have lost your manual, a dealer can find the right one from your serial number.
Document numbers end with a date and a revision letter. Later revisions sometimes change details. We found one example ourselves: two Kohler documents for the same 20 kW generator list different oil capacities. When paperwork disagrees, trust the dipstick and the newest manual for your serial number.
The three numbers on the nameplate
Every Kohler generator has a nameplate with three numbers. All three matter.
- Model number. The name, such as 20RESA.
- Specification number. This identifies the exact build. Kohler’s own spec sheets show why it matters: one feature of the 8RESV applies only to units with a certain specification number or higher.
- Serial number. This identifies your individual generator and its date of manufacture.
Photograph the nameplate and keep the picture on your phone. Do the same for the transfer switch, which has its own nameplate.
Controllers and Transfer Switches by Generation
Two parts of a Kohler system changed from one generation to the next: the controller on the generator and the transfer switch beside your electrical panel.
| Controller | Display | Found on | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADC 2100 | LED display with fault codes | Earlier models such as the 8.5RES and 30RESA | A master switch with RUN, OFF/RESET and AUTO |
| DC2 | Two-line text display | RESAL packages | Four buttons: OFF, AUTO, RUN, EXERCISE |
| RDC2 | Two-line text display with menus | RESA, RESV and the current RCA models | Prompts for date, time and exerciser when the battery is connected |
Kohler’s website lists two families of residential transfer switch.
- RXT. Offered in 100, 200 and 400 amps, in standard and service-entrance versions. Kohler’s spec sheets say the RXT is designed for use with generators that have the RDC2 or DC2 controller. The generator’s controller runs the switch.
- RDT. These have their own controls and signal the generator to start through a two-wire connection. Kohler lists a 200-amp service-entrance RDT with a 42-space load center.
Kohler calls the transfer switch the brain behind the home generator. It also notes that most regions require an automatic transfer switch for a standby installation.
How to Get Support for a Kohler Home Generator
Before you call
Good preparation turns a long call into a short one. Collect this first.
- The model, specification and serial numbers from the generator’s nameplate.
- The model number from the transfer switch’s nameplate.
- The run hours shown on the controller.
- The exact fault message or code on the display, written down before any reset.
- The fuel you use: natural gas or propane.
- The date of installation and the name of the installing dealer, if you know them.
- A short description of what happened and when.
Who to contact
| Need | Route | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Service, repair or a manual | Kohler home generator support line | 1-833-393-6650, Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Central |
| Buying a new generator | Kohler sales line or the quote form | 1-844-731-7989 |
| A local visit | A certified Kohler dealer | Found through the dealer search on Kohler’s website |
| Industrial products | Rehlko | 1-800-544-2444 |
Kohler’s service request form lists three options: generator service or repair, renewing a cellular data plan for remote monitoring, and extended warranty cover.
What a dealer service includes
Kohler says a comprehensive maintenance visit typically includes a full inspection by a trained technician, oil and air filter replacement, battery testing, a check of the automatic transfer switch and a diagnostic review. Maintenance plans usually mean one or two scheduled visits a year, and Kohler says they can include priority service in storm season.
Warranty basics
Kohler lists a five-year or 2,000-hour limited warranty on its home generators. Its spec sheets for current air-cooled models say this covers parts, labor and travel for the full period, and the website mentions dealer travel of up to 200 miles.
Two conditions are worth knowing. First, the standard rating and warranty are written for standby use at a home served by a reliable utility. Second, Kohler says authorized installation matters for keeping the warranty valid. If you bought the generator from a retailer, use a certified dealer to install it.
Tip: register and keep the paperwork
Keep the purchase invoice, the installation permit, the start-up record and every service receipt in one folder. If a warranty question ever arises, dated records answer it quickly. They also add value when you sell the house.
What Owners Can Do Themselves
Kohler publishes simple owner guidance on its service pages.
- Check the oil after every 8 to 24 hours of running, depending on the model.
- Use 5W-30 full synthetic oil, which Kohler says its generators ship with. Kohler says not to mix synthetic and conventional oil.
- To shut down by hand, switch the generator’s circuit breaker off, let it run with no load for 2 to 5 minutes, then press OFF on the controller.
- Leave the weekly exercise on. It keeps the engine ready and runs diagnostics.
- In cold climates, Kohler recommends cold weather accessories when temperatures fall below 32°F.
Know where the line is
A standby generator is tied into your home’s electrical service and gas supply, and it can start by itself. Before any owner maintenance, press OFF, disconnect the utility power to the generator and remove the battery cables with the negative lead first. Do not open the transfer switch. Electrical faults, gas work and repeated fault shutdowns belong to a certified dealer or a licensed professional. Keep working carbon monoxide alarms in your home.
Our generator maintenance checklist covers the general routine, and our emergency power outage checklist helps you prepare the rest of the house.
Buying a Kohler Generator Today
Kohler describes a four-step path on its website: contact Kohler by phone or the quote form, get connected to a local certified dealer, receive a no-obligation quote for installation, and have the dealer install the system.
You can also buy the equipment from a retailer. Kohler’s site names several, including Acme Tools, Amazon, Costco, Home Depot, Lowe’s and Menards. Kohler is clear that a standby generator is not a do-it-yourself project. Certified installers handle local permits and bring in licensed electricians and pipefitters.
Here are Kohler products that were listed on Amazon when we checked. We have not tested them.
Most popular size
Kohler 20RCAL-200SELS 20 kW Standby Generator with 200-Amp Transfer Switch
The 20 kW size suits most family homes. This package includes Kohler’s RXT 200-amp, service-entrance rated automatic transfer switch.
- Rating20 kW on LP, 18 kW on NG
- EngineKohler CH1000, 999 cc V-twin
- Transfer switchRXT 200-amp, service-entrance rated
- Sound64 dB(A) exercise, 69 dB(A) full speed
- Warranty on listing5-year limited
- Response time10 seconds
- Why it works: generator and switch arrive as a matched pair, run by one controller.
- Who it is best for: homes with 200-amp service that want most of the house backed up.
- What it solves: choosing and matching a switch separately.
- Keep in mind: installation is a separate cost and should be done by a certified dealer. Stock was limited when we checked.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Specs come from Kohler’s product page and the Amazon listing, checked October 2026.
Largest air-cooled Kohler
Kohler 26RCAL-200SELS 26 kW Standby Generator with 200-Amp Transfer Switch
Kohler’s most powerful air-cooled home generator, with a 200-amp automatic transfer switch. It is the quietest of the air-cooled range during its weekly exercise.
- Rating26 kW on LP, 24 kW on NG
- EngineKohler CH1006, 999 cc V-twin
- Transfer switch200-amp automatic, included
- Sound56 dB(A) exercise, 67 dB(A) full speed
- Warranty on listing5 years
- Weight625 lb
- Why it works: 109 amps on propane gives room for a second air conditioner or an EV charger.
- Who it is best for: larger homes that want to stay with an air-cooled unit.
- What it solves: overload shutdowns on a whole-house switch.
- Keep in mind: it needs a larger gas supply. Have the meter, regulator and pipe size checked first.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Specs come from Kohler’s product page and the Amazon listing, checked October 2026.
For 17 to 20 kW owners
Kohler Maintenance Kit for CH1000 Generators (17, 18 and 20 kW)
A genuine Kohler kit for generators with the CH1000 engine. Kohler’s listing says it includes the recommended air and oil filters and the correct amount of oil.
- FitsKohler CH1000 engine
- Generator sizes17, 18 and 20 kW
- IncludesAir filter, oil filter, oil
- BrandKohler
- UseRoutine yearly service
- Stock on listingIn stock when checked
- Why it works: one box covers a routine service with genuine parts.
- Who it is best for: owners who service their own generator, or who want a spare kit for a long outage.
- What it solves: hunting for the right filters when stores are busy or closed.
- Keep in mind: check the engine model on your nameplate and the kit number in your manual before you order.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Details come from the Amazon listing, checked October 2026.
For 12 and 14 kW owners
Kohler GM62346-SKP1-QS Maintenance Kit for 12 and 14 kW Residential Generators
The matching genuine kit for Kohler’s 12 and 14 kW residential generators, with air and oil filters and oil.
- Part numberGM62346-SKP1-QS
- Generator sizes12 and 14 kW residential
- IncludesAir filter, oil filter, oil
- BrandKohler
- UseRoutine service
- Stock on listingIn stock when checked
- Why it works: the right parts in the right quantities for the smaller V-twin.
- Who it is best for: owners of 12 and 14 kW Kohler home generators.
- What it solves: a mid-outage oil change. The 14 kW models have a 100-hour oil interval.
- Keep in mind: confirm the kit number against your own manual and nameplate.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Details come from the Amazon listing, checked October 2026.
For buying advice by home size, see our guides to Kohler generators and Kohler generators for home use. If you own the older 20 kW package, see our guide to the Kohler 20RESAL.
Common Mistakes When Dealing With Kohler Power Systems (and the Fix)
Pro Tips for Kohler Owners
- Save the dealer’s number in your phone before storm season, not during it.
- Ask for the start-up record. A dealer completes one when the generator is commissioned.
- Know your controller. DC2 and RDC2 instructions differ, and the manual covers both.
- Check your remote monitoring plan. Kohler’s service form includes an option to renew a cellular data plan.
- Ask about extended warranty before the five years end.
- Keep one spare maintenance kit if you live where long outages happen.
- Read the spec sheet for your fuel. Most models make less on natural gas than on propane.
Real-Life Scenarios: Where Do You Go?
These are typical situations. They are examples to help you find the right door, not reports from real customers.
📞 The fault at 2 am
Your generator shut down with a message on the display during an outage.
Write the message down. Check the oil, the battery connections and the gas supply. Call your dealer in the morning with the numbers from the nameplate.
Go to: your certified dealer
📄 The lost manual
You bought a house with a Kohler generator and no paperwork.
Photograph the nameplate and call the support line or a dealer. Ask for the operation manual that matches your serial number.
Go to: support line
🏠 The new purchase
You want a 20 kW generator and you have seen it online and at a dealer.
Compare like with like: RCA or RCAL. Ask the dealer for an installed quote, and check who handles permits.
Go to: a certified dealer quote
Kohler Power Systems FAQ
Is Kohler Power Systems still in business?
Yes, under a new company name. Kohler's energy business became a separate company in 2024 and was renamed Rehlko. Home generators are still sold as Kohler, and the company says the dealers, warranty and support are the same.
Who owns Kohler generators now?
The business is majority-owned by the investment firm Platinum Equity, with Kohler Co. keeping a minority stake. It operates as Rehlko. Its websites show the legal name Discovery Energy, LLC.
How do I contact Kohler about my home generator?
Kohler's home generator website lists a support line at 1-833-393-6650, open Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Central time. You can also contact a certified Kohler dealer. Have your model, specification and serial numbers ready.
What is the warranty on a Kohler home generator?
Kohler lists a five-year or 2,000-hour limited warranty on its home generators. Spec sheets for current air-cooled models say it covers parts, labor and travel. It applies to standby use at a home with utility power.
What does RCAL mean on a Kohler generator?
RCA marks Kohler's current air-cooled home generators. An L on the end, as in 20RCAL, means a transfer switch is included in the package. An RCA model has the switch sold separately.
Where are Kohler home generators made?
Kohler states that its residential standby generators, including their engines, are designed, engineered and assembled in the USA, with some components from global suppliers.
Your Kohler Support Checklist
- Photograph the generator’s nameplate: model, specification and serial numbers.
- Photograph the transfer switch’s nameplate.
- Find or request the operation manual for your serial number.
- Save the support line and your dealer’s number.
- Keep invoices, permits and service records in one folder.
- Write down any fault message before resetting.
- Check your remote monitoring plan is active.
- Book a yearly dealer service.
- Ask about extended warranty before the standard one ends.
- Use a certified dealer for installation and electrical or gas work.
The bottom line
Kohler Power Systems has a new parent name, but the route to help is the one it has always been: a certified dealer, a support line and the three numbers on your nameplate. Keep those close and the rest is simple.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Sources: Kohler home energy website (kohlerhomeenergy.rehlko.com): home page, Why Kohler, FAQ, history, service and maintenance, transfer switch and retailer pages; rehlko.com company pages; Kohler specification sheets G4-167, G4-210, G4-252 and G4-272 and operation manual TP-6804; Amazon listings for the Kohler 20RCAL-200SELS, 26RCAL-200SELS and Kohler maintenance kits. All checked October 2026.
