4 Generator Hacks by an Electrician
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- Опубліковано 5 лип 2024
- James Adams brings us 4 hacks you as a homeowner can do before the power goes out again.
abrelectric.com
Using and installing portable generators effectively, especially in areas prone to power outages like Texas after severe weather events, requires careful planning and preparation. Here are expanded tips and tricks to ensure you're ready for the next outage:
Installation Location:
Accessibility and Safety: Choose a location for your generator that is not only easy to access but also safe. It should be away from any windows, doors, or ventilation intakes to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. The area should be dry and, if possible, covered to protect the generator from direct exposure to severe weather.
Noise Consideration: Install the generator far enough away from living areas to minimize noise disturbance. Consider using sound-dampening enclosures or barriers but ensure they do not restrict airflow.
Cord Management:
Safety and Organization: Use heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cords and keep them organized and protected from damage. Consider using cord reels or hooks for storage. Ensure cords are not a tripping hazard and are protected from water and physical damage.
Length and Capacity: Select cords that are long enough to place the generator at a safe distance but short enough to avoid voltage drop, which can reduce the efficiency of your generator and potentially damage connected devices.
Maintenance:
Routine Checks: Regularly check oil levels, air filters, and fuel for any signs of degradation or contamination. Replace spark plugs and fuel filters as recommended by the manufacturer.
Fuel Management: Store enough fuel in a safe location and rotate it to keep it fresh. Consider adding fuel stabilizer to stored fuel to extend its shelf life. Always use the type of fuel recommended by the generator's manufacturer.
Dry Run:
Practice Makes Perfect: Conducting a dry run helps ensure that everyone in the household knows how to safely start and operate the generator. Make sure to simulate real outage conditions by disconnecting from the grid (if safe and practical) to fully understand the process.
Check Connectivity: Verify that all essential devices and appliances are properly connected and functioning as expected when powered by the generator. This includes checking that sensitive electronics are safely powered through surge protectors or UPS systems if needed.
Additional Tips:
Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Install battery-operated or battery-backup carbon monoxide detectors in your home, especially near sleeping areas, to ensure safety from generator exhaust.
Weather Preparation: In areas prone to severe weather, consider installing a permanent generator inlet box and transfer switch, which simplifies connecting the generator to your home’s electrical system and can be safer and more convenient than using extension cords.
Emergency Plan: Have a clear, written plan that includes how to safely operate the generator, what to do in case of carbon monoxide alarm activation, and emergency contact numbers. Make sure all household members are familiar with this plan. #PortableGenerators, #PowerOutagePrep, #GeneratorSafety, #EmergencyPreparedness, #SevereWeatherTips, #HomeSafety, #PowerBackup, #GeneratorMaintenance, #TexasWeather, #StormPreparation, #DIYGeneratorSetup, #SafetyFirst, #EnergyIndependence, #OutageSolutions, #HomeMaintenance, #CarbonMonoxideSafety, #ElectricalSafety, #GeneratorTips, #SurvivalTips, #EmergencyPower, #HomeGenerator, #UtilityPreparedness - Навчання та стиль
The interlock's critical role is NOT to protect your generator (although it does) it is to ensure that your generator is not back feeding on the grid while linemen are working through the snowmageddon/zombie apocalypse to get the power back on to your grid.
Especially so, given that the linesmen will usually be working on the other side of a transformer. Your little 240 V gennie can deliver ten times or higher voltage thanks to the magic of transformer action.
That’s why you need a transfer box , one switch changes from line to generator power. No back feeding with power line.
Yikes
No, it will not. Try to power the entire neighborhood with your generator and see what happens. It will shut down immediately due to overload.
@@originaLkomatoast Fine, tell that to the linesmen. I'm sure they'll agree that brief jolt is nooo problem. They like a little excitement. 😜
"Be offended". I love your directness. No fillers here. Great VIDEO! THANK YOU!
You are very kind, thank you
Great video.
But I would add a point to the maintenance section: NEVER leave untreated ethanol fuel in your generator. (Or any other small engine you have) EVER!!
Ethanol is a small engine KILLER.
Even a small engine mechanic (like me) would take a couple hours to remove the carb, clean it, reinstall it, and get the generator running again after ethanol fuel has sat inside the carb for longer than 90 days.
If you filled up your generator with untreated ethanol gas "last year" just to be ready for a power outage, you will be screwed when you need it.
My tips:
*BEST: Use non-ethanol gas if you can. (Not every area even offers it.)
*2nd: Store generator with an engineered fuel, and keep treated ethanol fuel on hand. (Treated with fuel stabilizer).
But, every 90 days dump that treated ethanol into your vehicle, and get a fresh batch.
Sound complicated? Not half as complicated as having your generator not start in an emergency..........
This has NEVER been an issue for me. Why not? Every time I run my generator, I don't just hit the kill switch when I'm done. Instead, I cut off the fuel supply to the carb. Most generators have a switch or a dial to cut off the gas going to the carb. I (once the power comes back)
1. kill the gas going to my carb by turning the dial
2. walk and unplug the generator (I have a 60 foot long cord and the generator is plugged in far from its actual location) and start rolling it up for storage
By the time I finish rolling up the cord, the generator sputters to a stop, since it has no more gas. There will be NO GAS in the carb at this point. I've done this method for 15 years and never once had an issue starting my generator and we've lost power numerous times, twice for 5 days.
I will say this much, however: running your generator on gas, in general, is too much work, and I'd advise anyone to run it on propane instead. Get yourself a nice 500 gallon tank and have a plumber run a line to where you're going to run your generator. Otherwise, you'll be doing a lot of (especially for extended outages)
1. Going to the gas station
2. Carting smelly gas in your car (your car WILL smell like gas after)
3. Setting a periodic alarm to fill up the generator
Yeah, it sucks having $2K worth of propane just sitting there (especially if you don't use it for your stove, etc). But think of it as insurance. If you were in Buffalo a few weeks ago, it could have saved your life.
I do one better. I have a fuel injected generator. I only use treated fuel in my genny. My genny has a fuel pump. It even has an after market auxiliary fuel tank that can be connected to it. I have enough fuel in my generator to run at 1/2 load for 18 hours. After I come home from work it’s nearly empty. I hook up my already full auxiliary fuel tank & refill my main tank. That buys me 48 hours of run time at 1/2 load. Mine stays in a locked enclosure on a trickle charger. I periodically will start it & run without load, sometimes with load. I have had it for five years & it always starts on the first attempt. It’s peace of mind. I think of it as an insurance policy I hope I never need? But if I do? It’s always ready.
@@johnclyne6350 That’s great. 👍🏻
@@paulmysliborski4832 I have an interlock for my generator. Your right. The interlock protects not only lineman but the general public at large.
As soon as we exit our trucks in an area without power we have a tailboard to discuss the dangers & ofcourse the issue of “backfeed”.
In all my years of doing what I do I can only think of two times where a generator was hooked up illegally through a “killer cord”. One was a state police officers house. We pulled his meter for his house. The second we placed a ground on our primary because the homeowner was hostile. That ground tripped his main on his generator. We cut off his service & called the building building dept. They came out & pulled his certificate of occupancy. They padlocked his door after everyone was out.
We got everyone else on but him.
I actually ordered a spare carburetor for my predator generator a couple days after I bought generator! Cost was less than $30! Well worth the money just in case!
I have run the same portable generator for 22 years with only one carb failure. I use only non-ethanol fuel treated with Stabil. I keep 60 gallons on hand. After 6-8 months I use the fuel in my car and refill the containers. I average 1 minimal outage a month (< 2 hours) and 2 major outages a year (over 18 hours). I learned my lesson in 1999 during an ice storm without power for 4 days and have had a generator ever since. I interlock my main and back feed from a shop. Recently I added a soft start to my heat pump and can now run my cooling during an outage. I rely on kerosene heat in the winter since the HP draws too much power for the heat strips.
Soo true!
I’m a power lineman for a local utility. I can’t tell you how often we go out to a customer’s home for a service upgrade. The electrician is there on site & we co-ordinate with them to cut the power. The customer has a generator on the property. We get the ok & cut power & we are waiting to hear the generator start? Some of the time it doesn’t. Or if they have a roll out? They wheel it out & it won’t start. You would think they would do a dry run to be sure everything is working correctly? They don’t bother. Then there is a panic that sets in. The electrician usually has battery tools so he’s not affected. The homeowner has an important business meeting. Well they will miss that meeting.
Dont be cheap, be offended is a great line.
When I wired up my Generator plug, I did one extra thing that so far I haven't heard anyone mention. In the Breaker panel I installed Two L.E.Ds that accept 110V . So they show through small holes in the outer panel cover. One is wired to the Utility power side, and one is wired to the Generator in feed wire. So... When the Generator is on and it's power is available, that L.E.D is lit, and then too, when the Utility power is on, or Back on after a failure, that L.E.D. is lit, So I know the power has been restored, and I can stop using my Generator.
Simple, and I know what power I have ready in my Panel, without even opening the door, or cycling the Generator off, and testing for Utility Power.
That is a great idea, and several clients have asked about that very thing! Thanks
@jameslester4474 , that is a great idea that I have often wondered about. Thank you for explaining how this (knowing if power from the grid has been restored after an outage) can be accomplished with wiring LEDs to the street.
Love the pix over your shoulder. Wish we had more John Waynes in our world today.
I agree
It doesn't get better than that. Short & to the point. Great video!!
Late to the party, great advice. Couple of things I want to mention. When I installed our generator built a generator shed so we could store it and protect it from weather when it was running. It is an electric start generator so purchased a battery maintainer and wired a door interlock switch to a 12V LED light. That way as soon as I open the door the light comes on so you are not working in the dark.
Not really a hack but a topic you didn't mention assuming your generator runs on gas figure out worst case usage and keep enough stabilized gas on hand. Here in NH winter snow/ice storms can result in week long outage. I maintain five 5-gallon gas cans with stabilizer. Using the genie a few hours in the morning and evening the gas should last for a week. One can is used for yard machines. The cans are numbers and rotated in order. If gas gets too old I dump it into one of our cars. Since the cans are sealed I have not had a problem with gas a year old. I keep a log book and update it each time I run the genie and track gas purchase. Probably overkill but as you posted you want to make sure your emergency generator will actually work during a power outage.
Test the generator every 3-months or so for half hour or so. I use a 1500 W space heater as a dummy load. I run the tank out of gas and then switch the fuel shutoff to off. There is always some gas in the tank and you don't want it sitting/evaporating in the carb fuel bowl.
Great advice! I let mine sit too long between testing and had to take it apart and clean the carburetor.
Just convert to propane@@abrelectric
If you can, find a gas station in your area that sells non-ethanol gas and keep a couple of 5 gal containers treated with a gas stabilizer on hand. Ethanol gas will eat up your carb in no time.
My Electrician put in a generator plug that faces downward. Try figuring out how to plug that in while it is snowing and it is dark out after you loose service. I came up with a great idea , mind you I live in a rural area and my house is 120 feet from the street. I took a 5 gallon bucket and cut a notch in the top rim and then connected cable to the box. I then curled the rest to the cable in the 5 gallon bucket and pit the cover on the bucket. So now when we loose power all I got to do is start the generator then go to the bucket and retrieve the cable to plug into it.
As for the switching at the panel, I did a dry run with my electrician but the time I used it a year later I sort of forgot the sequence. Once I figured it out I then wrote all the instructions on how to do it on the inside of the main panel door, so no more forgetting ;-)
When the Winter is over I store my cable with the generator and since ours has an electric start it also has a battery. So I also have it on a trickle charger 24/7 all year long.
Love this! Some great advice/tips from you AND your audience! Upgrading from 100 to 200 A and installing interlock in April after the worst flooding in our area since I moved here in 2019. My sump was pumping out about every minute for well over a day and continuing less frequently for the next three. Glad it held up. That's also being checked over in April. Taking all necessary precautions against basement flooding and power outages is my top priority now with the weather becoming so unpredictable. Thanks for this video.
I run my portable generators with a load for 30 minutes every month during our emergency siren checks on the first Saturday of every month. I also run the whole house on a generator for 30 minutes twice a year during each time change (you have to reset you clocks anyway).
That is a great practice. Thank you
We recently bought a generator. I also bought and installed a transfer switch.
Beginning of each month I 'exercise' the 4wd (hi & low). I have also added hooking up and running the gen.
All great points, and you are right about not wanting the generator running with the main on if the power comes back on, but the main reason is for safety. If the Main is left on while the generator is running, it will back feed the power line supplying power, once it gets to the power company transformer that normally steps the voltage from 14,400 or 7,200 volts (depending the power company) to 120 which becomes 240 when paired at the main, the transformer will step the voltage back up. This would not travel a great distance because of low amp but would be harmful to power line workers that don't know the line is hot.
I wonder how a portable generator would fair trying to energize a Xformer on the pole?
@@hottractor1999 Enough to harm a lineman that is trying to get your power back on.
LOL. My wife made me write a manual with pictures of the entire process so she can deal with the emergency when I'm not around. The plan should include how to protect the generator from rain, snow, sleet while it's running. And guess what... There will be two feet of snow exactly at the spot I need to get my power cord into the house.
Ain't that the way...
Just did all this myself to my house . The test run was critical, I discovered that my interlock plate was just a hair too big and wouldn't allow generator breaker to turn on .(just had to barely grind a side down) Glad I got that worked out while having grid power .
Try lining up the plug with the inlet at night. Take some white-out an make a line on the plug & socket to line up the two before you twist it. Keep battery charged. Install emergency lights that come on when power goes out. Install them where you set up the generator and at the panel. Maintenance is easier when using natural gas to power the generator.
Super useful tips - thank you!
dont you people have flashlights around the home for emergencies? how bout your cell phone everyone always has it in their hand or in pocket right? It has a flashlight as well, jesus....
Good advice. I do all of the above. I only use non-ethanol gas in my generator. I add STA-BIL Storage Fuel Stabilizer in all my stored gasoline. Ethanol attracts moisture. Moisture is a small engine/carb enemy.
Non-ethanol gas is the only fuel I use for all my small engines, including my generator. Thanks for pointing that out for others. The last thing you want in a snow storm without power is to have to clean the carburetor to get the generator running because you used ethanol based fuel.
The problem I have is that companies won't tell me what the ethanol content is. I wrote Shell and they told me to get in touch with their Tech dept.
@@sonnybowmanget a graduated cylinder and do the water test.
Good tips. I like the John Wayne poster from The Green Berets and the 82nd Airborne poster.
Good info BUT more needed.
Have new spark plugs, oil (and tools ) on shelf for generator BEFORE you need them, also air & gas filters have them ALREADY there. Are you going shopping when the electricity (during storm time at 2 am , in the dark ? ) is out ? How about extra large type STEP BY STEP instructions in a sheet protector BY the generator AND by the box. Make sure whole family can follow those instructions. You might be able to talk someone through it with the instructions there.
On the cords. A good place to find them is usually an RV center.
I worked many years in a telephone central office. We ran our generators monthly. I do my portable every other month, and long enough to get it nice and warm. 15-20 minutes should be good. Also, run your portable under load. A couple of hair dryers are great. Just watch your wattage.
Another point, know how to open your electric garage door opener when there is no power, otherwise one cannot get their portable generator out of the garage to connect it to the house.
if your garage door dosnt have a cord to pull to unhook it from the garage door opener i highly suggest you install one.
I do small engine repair. Number ONE issue; bad gas. People stick that generator in a corner, pull it out 2 years later, when needed, and wonder why it won't start.
That’s is true, a lot of people think(I also did) that fuel is good forever, but it can only be stored for so long(a few months) before it goes bad.
Great basic info! Makes the important distinction between *maintenance* and *repairs,* which more often than not result from lack of maintenance, and are most undesirable with emergency systems. I just had to run my generator, and intend to drain the gas tank, so I'll have fresh gas in it next time it's needed, especially since there are no sources of ethanol-free gas very nearby.
Might have be said numerous times but this video would have been enhanced by the installation of an interlock device. Some panels will not accommodate this install but many will. It insures there will not be 2 sources on the same line. Chances of that might be slim as line workers will not restore power on lines with back feed so you delay getting your line power back. As well if power were to attempt to auto restore as is the case sometimes a head to head situation will be interesting and I think your gen set will lose. Not every body has a main breaker in their panels so an inlet would be problematic without some kind of transfer switching. Being an electrician myself I would remove the main lines insulate one and tie in a lite to the other side so I would know when power was back. Now I have a new panel with a main and an interlock device with inlet. Found a good electrician.
All excellent ideas.
Dry run for sure! Helped a friend set up a generator and found out one of the circuits he thought was on the generator subpanel was not. So the second freezer in the garage was not protected.
What did he do?
@@abrelectric Nothing yet... There are other adjacent outlets in the garage that are on the generator subpanel. So he will either move the freezer about 20 feet to the desired outlets or use a good extension cord... This was all wired up 14 years ago when the house was built new. Just lacked the plug in for the generator on an exterior wall... It's in Texas so he was without power for a while like many through the big freeze in Feb 2021. That was the wake up call!... He'll likely wait another 14 years to actually hook up the generator and see if it works 😅
I have 2 transfer switches. I have a sub panel with loads like lights, fridge, freezer oil furnace and TV/ internet. I can run this on a Honda 2000 for over 10 hours on a gallon of gas. We have a 7000 k with a remote start on a whole house transfer switch when we need the pump and other high loads. It’s October and I just changed the oil and drained the old gas and put in fresh gas and ran them both with a load. These transfer switches are separate from the break box. Transfer switches like the one shown here aren’t allowed where I live and if you get caught your power will be shut off. They do not want two different energy sources in the same breaker box.
@@Chris_at_Home what kind of transfer switches are you using?
@@abrelectric I use this on my Honda 2000.
Reliance Controls CSR202 Easy/Tran Transfer Switch
The sub panel is only wired for 120 and has a 30amp breaker in the main panel.
I don’t know the brand name of the whole house one off hand but it is 3 pole 225 amp break before make type. It’s manual and it’s pretty big. It’s got a big flat bar type handle with an interlock that only lets me open it when it is in the break position.
Adding to point #1... place the hookup in a place that is good for the generator, not you necessarily. A generator is not meant to stand out in the rain/snow, so plan for a location ahead of time. An external storage shed with a door that can be left open is typically a good idea. Something that can cover the generator in that rain/snow, yet allow access and airflow to keep it cool. You may need to get an extra long cord.
Never leave it running in an attached garage and especially one that is closed or even just partially closed.
My hookup is in the garage, but I run a cord outside to a free-standing shed that I can run the generator in with its door open facing away from the prevailing wind. In Buffalo NY, everyone has them for winter "fun.".
Hey neighbor! Can I ask how much it cost to have the interlock installed? Also who did you use? I was just talking about this last night with the wife. After last years blizzard i want to be prepared.
@@SVW1976 Unfortunately, I can't. I was lucky... Mine came with the house when I bought it. The previous owner was a construction manager for Ferguson Electric and he did it.
great job covering the generators - maintaining them - some planning with the cord!! I do exactly the same thing here as you talked about, but I go a bit further with it. 1 extra 50' 12/3 cord for that neighbor that might have a gas furnace & smart enough to listen to you when installing a male plug next to their furnace to operate it in the cold. I also have 12V bulb (2) that are plugged into that 12V charger side to recharge battery - use it for actually seeing what I am doing in the dark (Also a wiser way is a 12V led lamp instead) this way you can refill the gas tank without having to worry about starting a fire or explosion!! I also have a piece of board that can be laid over the top of the generator with a tarp stapled over the edges for rain/snow protection ) I put 4 snaps on the edges of the cover to keep it in place during winds. small bag for flashlight and any tools that might be needed during operation - including 120V splitter plugs...cord ends (Male with 14" long cord tails) other bag on the generator has oil - fuel additive - paper towels & WalMart bag for garbage - chain with lock & key as well to secure it.
1 run your generator at least quarterly 1 time a month preferred. 2 mark the outside of your cord and inlet box with a sharpie or colored duct tape so you can easily line up the connection in the dark. 3 stage a good headlighted flashlight somewhere to help you in total darkness get all connected correctly. 4 if your generator has a battery to start it put a battery tender on it to keep it charged and maintained. 5 get a tent, shed, some sort of protective covering homemade or bought to keep the elements off of your generator when it is outside. 6 keep an ample supply of fuel ready to go that will last you a day at least to give you time to get more fuel in a multiple day emergency. If you run gasoline try to run non ethanol only and rotate your supply into your vehicles when it gets old then replace with fresh gasoline. This is a great video and all my suggestions may have already been mentioned here.
Good stuff, thank you!
Got a generator inlet , interlock and generator. Works great! Been using it for years, runs most of the house except oven and dryer. The only issue that I had was during a really bad rainstorm ( 12 inches ) in a 10 hour period. The power wen5bout at night and my basement flooded before I was able to hook up generator.
I solution for that is I just brought a UPS for my sump pump. Will allow me 6 hours to 2 1/2 days of power to sump pump. I should be able to get my generator up and running by then.
The best solution would probably be a whole house generator on a gas line with a by pass panel. Maybe the next house.
Very good points. I run my generator for 30 minutes on the first of the month every month. Thanks!
Excellent words of wisdom !
I use my generator to run stuff when I don’t really need it. I switched service vans and hadn’t moved it over or started it in a couple of month. Had a lot of pulls to get it running. It’s now in my new van and I make sure to start it regularly after that no start reminder!
Like clock work, 1st of every month I do the maintenance start and run, I even go so far as put a load on the generator just to make sure it’s actually producing power. At least once a year I give the generator a tune up. And if I do need it for an extended period of time, I change the oil and filters. So it’s ready for the next time. I’ve also learned to run the carburetor dry an drain the gas tank to prevent damage do to water or gummy fuel.
Last power outage my genny wouldn't start as the carb was all varnished from old gas drying out. Sat that one out in the dark. Later found out a carb is $18 on Amazon so I now have plenty of new carbs on the shelf.
I wired my backup generator to charge my backup Solar batteries. At 3 bucks a gallon for gas a kilowatt hour of gen power cost 75 cents. If our power goes off , my spouse can press a button in our utility room and our power comes back on. Without starting the generator.
Great points and Great info 👍👍👍 Although I'm well Prepared....I still missing a few points here,
Thank you
I wouldn’t call these “hacks” but GOOD, SIMPLE safety tips!!! Add a 5, keep a note card with the connect and startup STEPS written on it WITH the power cord!!!
Really great tips and advice. Thank you
Great advice. Thanks!
I use a paint marker and paint alignment marks on my cable and generator at 12 ok position for easy alignment and on the gen inlet plug the same thing. I recently installed a panel manual interlock for the sake i don't ever forget weather or not i shut the main to the line side. I get in a hurry sometimes and find myself double checking. Now with the interlock, I don't have to second guess myself.
That is a super fantastic practical idea. Thank you
Great advise about portable generator tips. I would add, a heavy long enough chain, jumbo padlock and a seriously strong anchor tang to lock the chain down to. I have a box on top of the gen set with the chain, lock with the key in the lock with a 12” long 1/5” EMT thin wall pipe holding the key ring. The thinwall is painted red and yellow stripes so you can see it in the snow. It can’t get lost. The second key marked and tagged in you house, we tape it to the house to garage door so it’s always there. You can use a 3M wall stick hook and hang a flashlight with the key. Additionally, all winter, we carry 4” long Coast flashlights in our left coat pocket. I have another in the master bed room night stand. If you can’t see, what is the point?
Great, super practical advice, thank you.
What state are you in? It sounds like you've used generators awhile:)
Dude from Europe here. Our grid is pretty stable. Last outage I experienced was pre-Covid.
I am still gonna get a small inverter generator this year.
Maintenance is super important, I couldn’t agree more. I am involved with the local VFD. We are absolutely religious about this. Our trucks have generators on board (Endress ESE607) that we use to run tools and provide lighting. We also can feed electricity to a building.
Electrical checks are at least weekly, as are checks on fuel and oil. Each generator is run for at least 10 minutes. Fuel is topped up from jerry cans. There are two of those on a truck just for the generator. The one with the „oldest“ fuel is up front so it gets used first. So far, each generator has always started on the first try.
A little fun fact: Our regulations for cabling say that we can only have continuous cable runs of 100 meters max to a consumer. If you have a 100 meter run to a junction box, you cannot have more than 10 meters from the junction box to the final consumer. Yes, the cabling theoretically supports way more.
But there is a safety margin. And not every firefighter is also a certified electrician who can do the right calculations.
Even if you are a licensed electrician, you still need to follow fire dept regulations. Because if there IS some sort of freak accident, even though it might not have been caused by or even related to some little rule bending: guess whose door officials will knock on first when they smell a safety violation.
The cable drums are all IP67. Also, even when not used fully or to capacity, a cable drum must always be unrolled completely to avoid it heating up.
I know you’re an electrician but I know a very good small engine mechanic who would say your maintenance is incomplete because an emergency household generator also needs a load test on a regular schedule. It doesn’t need to be a long test or a high load but the field in the generator needs to be excited quarterly or it can lose it’s ability to produce electricity.
I did not know that! That is a great point
Most people purchase portable generators and install generator inlets/interlock switches in case they have power outages.
People like me, apparently, do so to keep power outages from occurring. I used to have a power outage around once a month due to a tree falling, vehicle crash, squirrel having relations with the transformer, etc. Ever since buying a generator and installing an inlet and interlock switch about a year ago, I haven't had a power outage since.
Still run the generator under load for an hour once a quarter, but still.
Really nice tips. Thanks
Other advice would be to make sure
you're running a large enough inverter
generator. And put
a Micro-air Easy start on your A/C
compressor.
Other suggestions - Make sure:
1) Easy access to the generator and path to where you will run it (i.e. I stored just inside the garage door so can easily roll out when needed)
2) Fuse box and transfer switch are unobstructed with clutter
Had a few short outages earlier in the year, but didn't immediately use the generator because dreading the hassle to get it out and plug in, or the power may be back due to the time it takes. But now, am all ready for any outage (short/long).
Amazing tips!!
I recommend putting up some instructions at the panel for switching sequence and anything else. When you're under stress, you may not think straight. Also it helps for the quarterly practice runs what to do.
My electrician asked me where I wanted the inlet box. I asked him to run the conduit along the side of the house past the fence in the backyard where the generator will be secure. I like your advice on where to place the inlet box. I had mine installed at the height of a doorknob, 3 feet high, for the best ergonomics to plug in and twist the cord.
That's a great height.
Inlet box location is driven by: close to the panel longer cord or farther away, and more electrician cost
The last time I did a dry run, I couldn't get the interlock to slide over in order to switch the generator breaker on. It was frozen in place, it worked previously. I would say do a dry run periodically.
That sounds unusual. I'd make sure it is installed correctly, or uninstall then re-install it.
Outstanding video….what do you usually charge for a simple power inlet install?
Ps how do you keep gas fresh? Is using stabilizer sufficient?
My gas generator only runs 3 to 4 hours a day then I power the entire rv with my powerful solar generator which powers up everything I need for more than 20 hours a day, very cool!
I live here in south east Alabama I go out once every month start up my generator with two coffee cups full of gas and let it run out of gas I change the oil once every year we had to use it for 9 hours this past Saturday
That is super smart. I will have to try it (letting it run out) with my generator. Hopefully, I'll keep my coffee and gas straight:)
That was actually a very good video. thank you! I’m thinking about adding one of those interlocks, right now I use my 50 amp R.V breaker and plug my inverter in to it and back feed in to the house panel . FYI I do shut the main off before I plug in the inverter and starting it. I’ve always felt like it was safe but not really sure….. I want hold your opinion reliably but would love your thoughts on my setup.
Yes, buy a longer cable to your inlet box. My cable is 50 feet and that is so that the generator can be 50 feet away on the porch of our outbuilding (under a roof). The generator can not be in the rain, so build a porch on your outbuilding. It is an easy thing to do and will help you the other 364 days of the year when if you have to go to your outbuilding in the rain. Buy a larger waterproof cable because when you need power, you want it to be able to be in the rain. Put your inlet box in a sheltered place so it wont be rained on, as well as your generator. While it is raining during the disaster, plug your cable into the house inlet box and put your generator side plug in the door to your outbuilding. Start your generator, then plug in the generator with the dry plug(wear your gloves). Better yet, put your house inlet plug in your outbuilding and run a permanent cable under ground to your house. Then you dont have to worry about running around in the rain.
Good video.
Do you have any thoughts about unbonding the generator for home emergency power. Thank you for the video.
When we had our service upgraded to 200A we had the electrician add a generator transfer switch.The box is as big as the main panel with a long handle and has a three position switch, Utility-Off-Generator. No way to send power to the grid during outage. Very safe device.
Very solid too. No electronics to go out.
Guy's make sure everything is covered 3 layers of foil for the magnetic pulse bomb building a box covering the unit is a smart move . Also one for your unit in house phones etc.
Nice presentation. I would add that you should run your generator once a month to make sure it operates and perform a simulated power failure on your house once or twice a year. Your generator is known as a STABD-BY GENERATOR, not an emergency generator. Emergency generators are designated as hospital generators or other locations where life saving equipment is used.
If your home [health, from heat, humidity, supplemental oxygen, loss of food, etc] is going to suffer adverse consequences from lack of electricity, then, yeah ... your genset is and emergency one.
Picky picky…..I think we all understand the deal here
I always use non-ethanol, gas in my generator when possible. During hurricanes I have to use regular gas due to supply but after hurricane season, I change it back to non-ethanol. My Generac generator is 20 years old.
Good to know. I'm glad to hear that your Generac is still serving!
Hal what do you know about bonded vs floating neutral? I have a generac 17500 bonded. Have 400 amp via two 200 amp panels have two 50 amp interlocks propane conversion kit gen shed but the bonded vs floating confuses me for back feed. I also have the genset grounded with #10
Your main panel should be bonded so you need to make your generator floating neutral. By code you can only have 1 bonded neutral in a circuit and thats at your panel.
I was confused also but from what i gathered is if there is a short somewhere when the power coming from neutral returns to the source it may not pick it up as the electricity can split and run parallel between both bonded neutrals and not trip a breaker. Having only 1 makes it a standard circuit so if something goes wrong you still jave the neutral/ground to return back to the source and trip a breaker in the even of a short or a live wire etc..
If youre running the generator as a stand alone say running power tools and not back feeding a panel where the neural is bonded then youre okay because in your stand alone you only have the generator connections in which bonded generator is the way to go.
I'm not an electrician but this confused me also and ive spent the last week trying to figure out what the hell bonded vs floating was and when to use and not use it.
Another thing you should have mentioned is that when the main breaker is on, the back feeding can electrocute the people working on the poles.
I’m totally off grid 52,000 W of PV. I rarely use my 10 KW LP generator. I test mine once a month for 20 minutes. Thanks for the great video. If the power company would have trimmed there right of way, I wouldn’t have had to buy an off grid solar system. They like their 12 inch baseboard trim, marble floors, big salaries/benefits too much at the power co offices around the good ole greedy, corrupt USA
I was thinking the same thing. He only mentioned the less important scenario of generator damage. I recommend installing a good transfer switch. Makes things SO much simpler, and won't create a hazard for upstream repair personnel. Some jurisdictions could get around to outlawing home generator hookups through the service panel based on a few users' negligence.
#5...in addition to starting your generator monthly or bi-monthly, exercise the electronics by running something off the genny...and check the output voltage. I've had a voltage regulator go on me running an electric leaf blower. It went from 121 volts to 156 volts then 186 volts in a matter of 2 or 3 minutes. Voltage regulators are easy to replace and adjust.
That is really interesting. I have never replaced a voltage regulator
ALL SMART MOVES. KEEP IT COMING
Thank you for this video. The Square D load center cover I have is dated (1986) and I've not found an appropriate interlock but believe the one shown in this video will work; however, I cannot see a brand nor a part number. Would appreciate it greatly if you could provide same. Again, thanks.
Good tip on the length of cord, don't get cheap!
Do transfer switch installs require a permit?
I see a lot of diy install videos but never see this mentioned.
Generally speaking, yes. Best course is to ask your municipality.
For some reason, permits aren't as exciting as other topics lol
Here is a question for you. A 50amp plug on a generator can only provide 12Kw but I've seen some 20Kw portable generators with two 50amp plugs. How can both plugs be patched into the electrical panel? I was thinking that 2 inlet boxes with 2 50amp breakers would do it as long as the X and Y legs on both inlet boxes are connected to the correct buss. Your thoughts?
In theory, I agree it's possible as long as the phases are synced. I've never done it myself.
You didn’t talk about ground to neutral bonding, when to do it and when not to. Some generators have a switch for that, some are bonded and some aren’t. It is an important thing to understand.
Thank you - great point
Question for ya, I have a 12kw generator. I have a 400 amp service split into 2 200 amp panels. Can I run one 50 amp to one panel and one 30 amp to the other panel ?
Simple application: Assuming each panel has a main breaker, install an interlock switch with a 50 amp breaker.l in each panel. Both breakers feed to single generator inlet.
Mind your phasing!
The interlock is neat and all, but I'm way more concerned about backfeeding, so the linemen will be fine when I just shut off power in before the generator gets connected.
Before connecting anything to your generator, check the output voltage. My generator had a defective voltage regulator and was putting out 160/320 volts instead of 120/240.
Wow! Good call
HAL, allow me to throw the main breaker. David, I can't.
HAL is our friend, right?
I'm in the process of installing a 50amp 9500 watt unit. I had the interlock kit before the generator was even delivered. Question. I was thinking of just cutting the female end off my 50amp cord and wire directly into the 50amp breaker in the panel and leave the male end in a weather protected cover i can retract the cord into the basement to just pull out and plug in when needed. Basically just to avoid the need for an outlet on the side of the house.
So I back feed 30 amps 240 volts with a interlock, recently I’m hearing a lot about floating neutral, that if your generator is primarily used as a backup for your house you have to switch your generator to floating neutral, that you can’t have 2 bonded neutrals at once, any truth to that? And if you decide to use your generator for another use you can buy a bonding plug for that usage, and just remove plug and go back to floating neutral.
And make shore you change oil within the hour after the first time of usages because a burr can seize your generator.
It will say in your manual for 1 st time use some hour some are 2 hours. About that oil change.
After a storm you find lots of return generator because of that first oil change is not done and engine seize
Some people buy a oil stick that magnets to catch the sharp metal burrs
At least when you buy a new car the dealer ship already did that oil change. After running it.
Wow! I had no idea, thank you
I have to put my connect box at about 40 feeth from the electric box
is it ok or I have to limit the distance until I use no 10 cable for a 50 amp generator
no possibility to install the generator near the electric box ?
what the maximum distance for the connec box
Another tip no one really thinks about is with the generac automatic generators that run off natural gas. Keep a check on your Battery’s. A friend of mine was on vacation and just assumed his would kick on if something happened. He got home they are out of power basement full of water because sump pump not powered and lost everything in the freezer and fridge. So once a month check your battery and have it changed at suggested intervals
who in the world would check there battery every month. change it out every 4 years.
@@RHP2024 your supposed to start any generator at least once a month and run it for 30 minutes per maintenance manuals
Some models do auto checks.
Not mark btw. @@HappyCamper1992
I’m in south Florida. I drain the fuel and run it dry so I don’t have to worry about fuel going bad. I have a few gas cans that I can fill up ahead of time when I know a hurricane is coming. If I don’t end up using the generator then I’ll just use the gas in my truck.
My 2mw generators at work are kept in the loading dock with the exaust pumped outside and a big loovers for fresh air intake and cooling. Is it possible to do something simmilar for residential generators?
I have seen it done with a client creating a large box to reduce tge noise.
the wire is cheaper than the extension cord so uts often easier to run a uf-b out to a post and have a short extension cord.
How does this panel mod entrance work? I thought your panel tried to share the load between the two phases of 220VAC coming from the street. Do all the breakers need to be rearranged, like all generator stuff on one side non-gen on the other?
Or does the generator put out 220V two phase on the RV style jack?
I have that exact model generator, and I never thought about it being 220V.
(All I’ve ever used so far is the 110V outlet)
Buss bars are staggered in the panel. A 2 pole breaker contacts both bars no matter where it is mounted.
I store fuel for my generator for hurricanes. I always buy new gas every spring, stabilize it, and in winter after storm season I just use it in my car and refill in spring. That way i know my fuel is good. I run my generator for 5 to 10 minutes every three months to make sure the fuel is not sitting in the carb for too long. I never have a problem starting it, usually on the second or third pull. I do not try to power my entire house though my concern is being able to keep the freezer and fridge freezer cold, being able to charge cell phones for communication. Everything else i can do without.
Thank you!
I bought a propane and gas generator. I only run propane. Gas is for emergency. I also built a sealed generator house under the deck away from the house. I put in a interlock and outlet to plug it in. The cord is kept in the generator house so it does not get lost.
Sharp!
@abrelectric, Want to compare portable generator wattage output (30A plug) to house emergency circuits’ consumed wattage. Any devices/apps for this?
Accurately, no. If you need to know what the emergency circuits pull, get a generator with a watt meter built-in. Or
Kentucky windage: run the generator, run your loads and watch and listen. Adjust from there.
Tom Hanks! Good video!
How about grounding ? Also whether neutral should bonded or unbounded ?
Bonding at the generator will trip the generator main breaker if it's a GFCI style breaker. Otherwise, for a home back-up application, bonding neutral to ground on the generator is unnecessary because the house main panel should have that bonding connection
I'm not going to die if I can't find it in less than a minute lol
There's no race to restore power in the middle of the night
New homeowner sport: recreational power restoration:)
@@abrelectric Great points, Sir 👍
Thank you
Can you wire in two generator power adapter plugs and run two generators at the same time into your house panel if power goes down and you switch to an off grid mode?
You can, but you have to keep the generator output separated so they don't backfeed into each other. There is a process to synchronize them, seems like a lot of work.
Easier to split the total loads between the 2 generators with individual transfer switches
Yes but you'll need inverter generators and a combiner box then both generators will work together and even run at the same speed but you'll only have one output with double the power
Other advice would be to make sure you're running a large enough inverter generator. And put
a Micro-air Easy start on my AC
compressor.
I have a small portable generator and store it with an empty gas tank and dry carburetor. It’s mainly for hurricanes, so I have enough warning to go fill up my gas jugs.
I got my house wired up for my generator last night with a 30amp breaker. My house is all electric and I have a 9000 watt Predator with 7250 constant watt generator. We powered up all the rooms and left the water heater off, range off, and dryer off. We went to power up the heat and waited for it to cycle on. When the thermostat kicked on, the generator bogged down hard and never allowed the heater to come on. My heater has a 60 amp breaker. My house is 1800 soft. What can I do to get the heater to work? I live out in Texas too.
Very instructional.
Sir, If I install a Reliance 6 or 10 circuit circuit panel in my basement, can I also connect that panel with 2 x 30 amp inlet boxes. The reason being, I want 1 inlet box for outside for my gas powered generators, and another inlet box in the basement next to the Reliance panel to run my LiFepo4 Battery smart generators, and those generators are not rated to be outside in the elements and no worry on exhaust because they produce no exhaust, thats what I meant by rated outside.
At the same time? You can do that if you synchronize and match phasing on the 2 inputs.
Also, compare your THD on each output if you're combining inputs.
Thanks god bless