diff --git a/src/reactor_sim/dashboard.py b/src/reactor_sim/dashboard.py
index 8736048..f4b38f7 100644
--- a/src/reactor_sim/dashboard.py
+++ b/src/reactor_sim/dashboard.py
@@ -425,7 +425,6 @@ class ReactorDashboard:
         )
         right_y = self._draw_section(right_win, right_y, "Generators", self._generator_lines(state))
         right_y = self._draw_section(right_win, right_y, "Power Stats", self._power_lines(state))
-        right_y = self._draw_section(right_win, right_y, "Generators", self._generator_lines(state))
         right_y = self._draw_section(right_win, right_y, "Maintenance", self._maintenance_lines())
         self._draw_health_bars(right_win, right_y)
 
diff --git a/src/reactor_sim/reactor.py b/src/reactor_sim/reactor.py
index 0d49793..c7ab3bb 100644
--- a/src/reactor_sim/reactor.py
+++ b/src/reactor_sim/reactor.py
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ class Reactor:
     turbine_unit_active: list[bool] = field(default_factory=lambda: [True, True, True])
     shutdown: bool = False
     meltdown: bool = False
-    generator_auto: bool = True
+    generator_auto: bool = False
     poison_alerts: set[str] = field(default_factory=set)
     maintenance_active: set[str] = field(default_factory=set)
 
@@ -95,6 +95,7 @@ class Reactor:
         self.control.rod_fraction = 0.95
         self.shutdown = True
         self.meltdown = False
+        self.generator_auto = False
         self.primary_pump_active = False
         self.secondary_pump_active = False
         self.primary_pump_units = [False] * len(self.primary_pump_units)
@@ -201,7 +202,9 @@ class Reactor:
             self.secondary_pump_active and idx < len(self.secondary_pump_units) and self.secondary_pump_units[idx]
             for idx in range(2)
         ]
-        aux_base = constants.BASE_AUX_LOAD_MW
+        any_units = any(primary_units_active) or any(secondary_units_active) or any(self.turbine_unit_active)
+        any_generators = any(getattr(g, "running", False) or getattr(g, "starting", False) for g in state.generators)
+        aux_base = 0.0 if (self.shutdown and not any_units and not any_generators) else constants.BASE_AUX_LOAD_MW
         aux_pump_primary = constants.PUMP_POWER_MW * sum(primary_units_active)
         aux_pump_secondary = constants.PUMP_POWER_MW * sum(secondary_units_active)
         aux_demand = aux_base + aux_pump_primary + aux_pump_secondary
diff --git a/tests/test_simulation.py b/tests/test_simulation.py
index fd1e2ab..483457e 100644
--- a/tests/test_simulation.py
+++ b/tests/test_simulation.py
@@ -127,7 +127,10 @@ def test_secondary_pump_unit_toggle_can_restart_pump():
     reactor.secondary_pump_active = False
     reactor.secondary_pump_units = [False, False]
 
-    reactor.step(state, dt=1.0, command=ReactorCommand(secondary_pumps={1: True}))
+    cmd = ReactorCommand(secondary_pumps={1: True}, generator_units={1: True})
+    for _ in range(5):
+        reactor.step(state, dt=1.0, command=cmd)
+        cmd = ReactorCommand(coolant_demand=0.75)
 
     assert reactor.secondary_pump_units == [True, False]
     assert reactor.secondary_pump_active is True
@@ -140,11 +143,9 @@ def test_primary_pumps_spool_up_over_seconds():
     reactor.secondary_pump_units = [False, False]
     # Enable both pumps and command full flow; spool should take multiple steps.
     target_flow = reactor.primary_pump.flow_rate(1.0) * len(reactor.primary_pump_units)
-    reactor.step(
-        state,
-        dt=1.0,
-        command=ReactorCommand(primary_pumps={1: True, 2: True}, generator_units={1: True}, coolant_demand=1.0),
-    )
+    cmd = ReactorCommand(primary_pumps={1: True, 2: True}, generator_units={1: True}, coolant_demand=1.0)
+    reactor.step(state, dt=1.0, command=cmd)
+    reactor.step(state, dt=1.0, command=ReactorCommand(coolant_demand=1.0))
     first_flow = state.primary_loop.mass_flow_rate
     assert 0.0 < first_flow < target_flow
 
@@ -164,6 +165,8 @@ def test_full_rod_withdrawal_reaches_gigawatt_power():
     reactor.secondary_pump_active = True
     reactor.primary_pump_units = [True, True]
     reactor.secondary_pump_units = [True, True]
+    reactor.generator_auto = True
+    reactor.step(state, dt=1.0, command=ReactorCommand(generator_units={1: True}))
 
     early_power = 0.0
     for step in range(60):
@@ -184,6 +187,8 @@ def test_partially_inserted_rods_hold_near_three_gw():
     reactor.secondary_pump_active = True
     reactor.primary_pump_units = [True, True]
     reactor.secondary_pump_units = [True, True]
+    reactor.generator_auto = True
+    reactor.step(state, dt=1.0, command=ReactorCommand(generator_units={1: True}))
 
     for _ in range(120):
         reactor.step(state, dt=1.0)