How To Fix a Generator That Won't Put Out Power
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- Опубліковано 21 жов 2024
- How To Fix a Generator That Won't Put Out Power. Portable generator runs but fails to produce electricity? A likely cause is from the loss of residual magnetism. Try this Fast Fix first before taking your generator into the shop for lack of power. There are a couple of methods to restore the residual magnetism, I’m going to show you the quick and easy way. This is called flashing your generator.
This problem typically happens naturally from not being used or from the load on your generator being connected when the generator is shut off. It can also happen from running a generator with no load for too long. A generator needs a small amount of magnetism left over from the last time the generator was running in order to produce an even stronger power output.
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Check out these other informative videos:
👉How To Fix A Generator That Won't Stay Running ➜ ua-cam.com/video/16z1zd4kUKI/v-deo.html
👉How To NOT Emergency Start Your Generator ➜ ua-cam.com/video/qUPlS__HuSA/v-deo.html
👉Biggest Mistake You Will Make When Adjusting The Valves ➜ ua-cam.com/video/77K5U08TMp8/v-deo.html
👉How to Start an Engine Without A Starter ➜ ua-cam.com/video/yCOeazQbiFc/v-deo.html
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Mate. You are a legend. Got the gene producing power. I’ll add, mine needed more of a kick than spinning with my hand provided. I connected my battery drill to a drill bit that could also be attached to the corded drill. I made sure the torque was set low and did exactly as you said but spinning the corded drill with the battery drill.
Steve, you're amazing! I live in California and PG&E, Just turned almost the entire states power off, to "prevent wildfires" due to their lack of past maintenance, and a major lawsuit, from a neighboring PH&E CAUSED wildfire(Paradise camp fire) causing a huge devastating loss, of a beautiful mountain community, and a gruesome, death and experience, for many people. I dont have a husband, to do the repairs you reviewed, but thanks so much yo your channel, Mom and I ( ages 60 & 79) I can do the repairs, that you so kindly have taken time to inform us! SO GREATFUL, THANK YOU!!CHEERS, AND HAVE ANOTHER BEER FOR US!
You're Welcome...and Thank You...
Just went outside to check my generator and sure enough it was not producing electricity, it hasn't been used or fired up for 6 years, thanks for the tips and tricks. It works again!!!
Right on Buddy! You're Welcome...
If you run it once in awhile (monthly ) under a load it will be able to maintain residual magnetism.
If it was a Briggs they have an updated regulator that "wakes up" at a lower voltage from low residual magnetism though.
Yes it really works
Is the gas in that tank 6 years old too? 😨 If it's diesel, is there bacteria growing in the tank? Both are big problems. :( It's best to run a generator every month or two and put a space heater or something on it for a bit to draw power. Even "stabilized" gasoline won't last over a year though.
@@mannys9130 unfortunately it was pulled the tank an drained it filled it up with some good ol sunoco 93 octane an boom fired right up on 4th pull. Smoked a bit at first then ran like a top.
"Generator's not working" "Well, you know the drill"
LOL! Right on Buddy..
YUP...LOL
Fire drill
A pun how shocking!
@@richarddicktaylor219 lol
Now that is a good easy trick to try. A neighbor called me and told me that his Honda generator isn't charging or it's tripping the breaker. I need to make sure what its doing. I appreciate your channel Steve. It's been awhile since I have been able to make a live feed when you and the others had gotten together for my Echo issue. That hand held blower still doesn't run...lol
I just went outside and tried this drill trick. And it worked! I was about to give up spinning the drill, and then it took off. Before my generator stopped producing power, I observed some smoke out of it and smelled electrical. When it fired up right now, I smelled the same thing. I suppose it's the brushes. Multiquip 6000. Thanks man!
What did we do before UA-cam? I have to say - I thought that this seemed way too simple to work, especially since the video didn't show the actual flashing of a generator with this corded drill technique.
Yet - seeing the positive comments - I grabbed a drill and it was worth a try.
About 10 seconds after starting the process the generator was producing power.
Thanks for the video. I'm grateful to be able to fix my generator by myself, for free!
You're Welcome...
Good tip Steve! Much safer than shocking the generator coils which could possibly damage electronic regulation circuitry in the generator.
Always enjoy your videos. Full of good, solid and sensible down-to-earth practical advice.
Thank You...
Just tried this on a old generator I was going to toss and now it’s working thanx Steve
You're Welcome...
better send Steve a case of Molson
I just drove 20 miles to pick up a 5000 W generator for free. I really hope a drill fixes the problem.
Just went out and bought a multi-meter and got mentally prepared for a long drawn out day. Stumbled across this video and figured what did I have to lose. Well, wouldn't you know, it worked. Saved me a ton of time and aggravation. Great video, thanks!
You're Welcome...
I make a habit of starting every small engine I own at least every couple months, and letting them run for a few minutes. I will put a load on the generator to keep everything clicking. Good video, cheers.
Right on Marty...
I do the same thing. But never knew this trick on flashing
Doing this keep your equipment on good mechanical condition and ready
That's what your supposed to do there built to run not and not just sit.
Great tips Steve I don't think I have ever seen this trick
Right on Mike...
Just bought a Coleman powermate 5000 not running for $20. Cleaned out the carb, fresh gas, and new air filter. Fired up and had no output power. Tried the drill method and BANG! She’s working great now. Thank you so much!!!
You're Welcome...
I use a 4 inch grinder and run the wheel on the ground for 2 or 3 feet. Same idea, just a bit easier than a drill chuck. Keep the vids coming!!
Awesome idea....
I’m going to do this tomorrow but my grinder is 115mm 110v, the gen is 110/230v so obviously I’ll use the 110 socket, not done this before or heard of it until Utubing tonight... let’s see what happens ? Just bought this generator, £50 been out in the rain for 3yrs, had to clean carb and rust off fly wheel/contacts, engine now runs fine, Honda gx160 🇬🇧
Backwards i take it, in the opposite normal rotation
Safer-and, if you bring your generator to a help-a-buddy job and it won’t output power, you can get him with the WORKING version of the “kickstart the saw” trick!
@@StevesSmallEngineSaloon Yeah Steve, UNTIL the genset suddenly starts making Pixie Juice and the grinder goes for a run. 😲 - Joe -
WOW! I found this Kohler 1750 MBM25 along the hwy. I watched a couple of your videos on cleaning the carburetor of a Briggs and Stratton 4hp, replacing the fuel tank, and replacing the fuel pump diaphragm, and now the motor runs great. The generator did not have any power output. Hmm, I wonder... yes you did. Followed instructions and now the genny is putting out power. Thanks so much.💯
Great to hear!
I believe it's called exciting the field.
Yup! I have heard that too...
I thought "exciting the field" was when you start a race at the back, and pass everyone going into the first corner! 😁
I thought it was when you are at a sporting event and someone streaks across the field naked
The Reading Channel (nnn
I'm an electrician and we call it flashing the field, basically attempting to induce a voltage into an old electromagnet
Hey Steve, great video dear friend. I just got done with restoring an old generator from 1991, and she runs like a champ. I love your Canadian accent, I have family in Canada. Keep up the great work. Love and light to you my friend. Paul.
Right on
@@StevesSmallEngineSaloon well Steve I think what you are doing is great. I find your videos very good and informative. I feel that if I can save something from going to scrap with it being repairable I'll give it a go. Love and light from Bonnie Scotland. Paul.
Great info Steve, you have saved several marriages with this one. - Eric
I tried this drill hack on 07 September 2022 - it worked....!!! Thank you for the tip advice
Excellent!
The one dislike is the person that had a spade bit in the chuck when they tried the drill technique.
Said the same thing before I read the comments. I could imagine how much that would hurt with a 1" paddle bit.
That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. They obviously had a wire wheel in the chuck. :-)
I would like to see someone do it with a metal wire fly swatter in the truck with just a little Bend in The Wire😳😵😳🤪😳
No it was the guy that gave me his old generator that didn't work and watched me flash it in front of him and drove away with a working generator. Lol
@@MrPaco1013 😁
Thanks for teaching me this I am planning to open a generator shop.
Best of luck!
Steve, love your videos! I have been watching your videos on generators. Excellent information! I also am an ex-electrical lineman here in Texas. The only thing that I wish had been mentioned when talking about using generators during an electrical power outage, is to warn folks about the possibility of a back feed onto the power company side of the electrical system! During extended outages, we have experienced situations where someone had rigged an extension cord from their generator to a wall plug so it would backfeed the house electrical system and they could run different appliances without unplugging them! If they do not open the main circuit coming from the power company side of the system (either disconnecting the electric meter, opening the main breakers, or another means of keeping backfeed from going out to the main line servicing the house) there is a possibility of placing high voltage onto the lines that power company linemen are working on! Transformers step high voltage down to low voltage supplied to the house. Fed back through the low voltage side steps it back up to high voltage! I know this is long and drawn out and that most probably know this and linemen try to protect from thi, but it has happened and lives were lost! Again, I apologize for the length.
Steve knows his STUFF! Drill worked. This is AFTER 47 minutes on hold with Champion and them pushing over to JUSTASK for $5. Although it only sat at the cabin for a couple of weeks unused at a time, it would not produce power and lost
its charge. Thank you sir! Your my go to guy!
You're Welcome...
From the UK I thank you sir!!! My Briggs 5hp is now running your a Legend. 🍻
I bought a 4500 watt generator for $20 today. Runs but doesn't make power. It took me longer to watch your video than to fix the generator. Thank you so much
Right on Danny! You're Welcome...
OMG. I went right out with my drill, and in TWO minutes I had fixed the problem. THANK YOU THANK YOU. I had to return a woman's money because I sold it to her and it didn't work. So I took a chance and this video was the first one. SO happy. Now I can sell it again as a working generator.
Excellent!
Hey Steve. Love your channel and have learned a lot. I took my generator apart to rebuild my motor and when i assembled it, no power output. i did the re energize with a car battery and it started producing power. I ran it for a while, shut it off, then started it back up after 10 min. or so. no power again. Should it be keeping its stored power or will I have to go through this process each time. Thank again. Love your content. Matt
We need to get this guy a beer sponsorship
Variety is the spice of life.
😂😂😂😂
@@mikebidus7166 ....hm ?? had turmeric and cumin in my eggs this morning....
I had an old Coleman generator that no one wanted to work on. Has not worked in years . I tried your suggestion and it started working right away, including the 12 volt DC plug . Thanks a lot......
Great to hear!
Thank you so much Steve. Once again you have proven that you care more about helping people than you do about making every last dime. May God bless & prosper you!
You're Welcome...and Thank You...
Right on Steveo. Thx. I'm grabin a tall Bud -n- heading out 2 shed rite now 2 try it . Then I'll work on generator
Thank you for this easy fix. My generator was pulling power, but not much. I did this trick, and now it is running 🙂. Lifesaver for a hot desert night!
Excellent!
An interesting way to "flash" a generator. I have restarted a 200KW ship's service generator by flashing. But never thought to use something so simple. I love it. Been an "old school" electrician for well over 50 years. How about starting the gen-set and have that spin the drill. Then plug the drill into the power plant. The day I don't learn something(!), I'll go out to the back yard and start digging the 6 foot deep hole. Keep up the good work!
Been a mechanic for a long time....I was very skeptical that this would work but damn it did! Thanks Steve!
You're Welcome...
Nice video. I have been energizing (or Polarizing) generators on old tractors, cars & harley's for years. It is simlpe but alot of people get scared by electricity. Keep up the good work. You are helping a lot of people.
Thank You...
Worked like a charm. Saved me a two hour drive into town and a repair bill. Many, many thanks.
You're welcome!
Awesome. Hope your legacy survives the test of time. Tons of thanks. This video will probably save lives. Cheers.
Hope so!
Had to come back to say it worked. Took about a dozen spins with the drill and it jumped back to life.
Green light popped on and the voltage shot up.
Great tip!
Right on
I had no idea that would work. I have had my generator not put out juice before. Now I know how to fix it. Thanks so much.
You're Welcome...
Hey Steve I just did the drill trick n wow, it worked. Thank you very much.. allready telln people about that trick n they are like , wow too !
That's awesome to hear!
Thank you so much! I just picked up a really nice generator for cheap and did this trick using an angle grinder! Been watching your videos for awhile and I appreciate you putting out more content
Great to hear!
Thank You for reminding me of how we took care of this issue on the Cattle Ranch equipment ! I didn't remember until I watched your Video! IT DOES WORK !
Our pleasure!
Damn it Steve, I hope my usual Garage sale people don't watch your channel or I'll lose out on the "Broken generators" I could have purchased cheaply in the future lol. I've been doing this for years.
Thanks for the video Steve! I finally got it to work when I rotated the chuck with a cordless drill.
Excellent!
Steve, as an old, retired phone guy, I've been using generators for a long time. We (the phone company) hasve big generators. The one in my office was 600KW. We routinely ran them once a month under load. When I bought my home generator, I started running mine monthly. I have a 5.5 KW. I plug in a couple of hair dryers to give a load. Not using it is the worst thing you can do.
Living near Buffalo, NY I EASILY recognized your Canadian accent ! Living near the lake, we sure do depend on our generators. I didn't even know such a problem existed. Thanks for the heads up and thanks for hockey & curling. It's all good stuff !
Haha, you caught me! I can't hide my Canadian accent, eh? But I'm glad I could share some useful insights about generators with you. And hey, hockey and curling are just a little bonus for being Canadian!
Thx Steve! I’m a detailer and you just solved my problem and help me up and goin for tomorrow’s work! Try it guys!
Great to hear!
Thanks, Steve. It worked for me just in time. We expecting another hurricane soon, and we just went through one a few weeks ago, and my big Honda generator wouldn't power up. Thanks again
Glad it helped
Screw the microwave. Keep the freezer running.
You can't eat a hair dryer.
But you can eat a hairy pie lol
I disagree! let's get the water flowing first so fire up the well pump, then the furnace, then the freezer.
Priority: 1. Keg cooler. 2. Old garage beer refrigerator. 3. All other ancillary items...
I will just add my thanks. This sounded too good to be true but it worked great. Only 1 turn in REV and the drill started and the genny is alive! Thank You very much
Nice work!
I've heard this called "flashing the field." When I did it, I chucked a buffing attachment into the drill to give me something soft to hold onto. Unfortunately, I told my neighbor about "flashing the field" and he went out to the nearest pasture and opened his trench coat. I don't think that helped his generator at all...
Probably scared the hell out of the cows and made the bull laugh.
I bet he "generated" a lot of interest lol
Thanks for this Steve..I'm in Cape Town and hadn't switched on my generator in a while. Used the coded drill trick and wala. 3mins is all it took. I'm back up and wify is happy 😅
Fantastic!
That was EXCITING!
Thank you very much for your tip. It worked, I took 2 drills and I put a wooden dial and started spinning it backwards with the other drill and it took right off. Thank you again.
You can also use another cordless drill and a 1/4 inch extension to turn the corded drill. Just lock the extension in the chucks and make sure your drills are going opposite directions and you wont have to do it by hand!
What happens if the corded drill takes off on you with the other drill attached?
@@JoshWahl-b5v
Don’t be skeered son
I never, ever would have thought of that . Great tip !
Thank You...
Great video Steve. I've gotten that stank eye you speek of. Upon storing my generator from its last use - I failed to drain the last aprox. quart of fuel still in the tank and carb. Had to clean and flush everything in a cold garage under flash light and candle light 1130 at nite. But I went from zero to hero in no time.
Thank You!!!! I used the power drill and a battery operated drill with a drill bit. it took 2 mins and it WORKED!!!! Thank you so much!!!
You're Welcome...
Another thing learned, another thumbs up! I knew about generating a bit of current with a corded power tool, but had no idea it could be used like this. Cheers, Steve.
Hey, I went on a date last weekend, but didn't ask for another one, because there was NO SPARK!
Dude so sorry to see you're gonna shut down. Just took your advice on flashing my generator, worked a charm! Much thanks from Down Under!!!
This works. I've had to do it a couple times before .
Right on Buddy...
Steve - Had a older Honda EB 5000 that was running, but not producing power. I found this video and fixed the problem using the corded drill method. Thank you!
Glad it helped
Nice drill. Looks like mine.
WOW!! Great video and valuable technique. It worked for us today. Generator worked well over the weekend during a power outage due to high winds. Shut generator off to refuel and it wouldn't produce power when started up again. Tried this technique and it worked!! Wish we could buy you a six pack!
Great job!
Great segment.
You can do the same thing but use a angle grinder and board. Just roll the edge of the grinding wheel backwards on the board a couple of feat. Then release the trigger switch and engage it. You may have to do this multiple times but at least you don't have your hand on the service end of a drill if it starts working.
Can't wait to try this. My generator is brand new, sat for years then when I finally tried it, it puts out 1.8 volts! Changed the AVR, brushes & cleaned the contacts & put out 3.8 volts, not enough to run a single LED. So hopefully this will save some money, Well worth a shot.
Well?
Used to do this with car generators by momentarily connecting the battery to the field terminal and starting the engine later when things were not yet moving. We called it polarizing the generator. Alternators do not need polarizing as if in a car as the battery supplies the field voltages and it supplies, of course, alternating as opposed to direct current.
Wonderful tip.....my 20 year old 8.5kva generator, which is just the thing for blackouts , hadn't been used for two years.....when I started it, motor perfect but no power......the nearest repair depot was 30 miles away and the thing is quite heavy....looked up youtube in desperation and saw this tip.....didnt do it for a couple of months because I thought it wouldn't possibly work......but yesterday, gave it a try ....it only took two flicks backwards with the drill, and the thing suddenly burst into life.......Thanks so much for the tip....even tried the generator with a welder on big power and it worked perfectly........Dont buy a newie or start dismantling without trying this
Thank You...
The drill method restores the residual magnetism in the laminated metal of the rotor and stator. When the generator starts, the residual magnetism generates a small voltage to a capacitor which is repeatedly fed back to the stator coils and generates a larger voltage until it levels out at 240 V AC. The 240 V output voltage is split with a neutral wire connected to the center of the output coil and makes two 120 V outputs.
Currently having this issue. Almost new generator turns on but there no power out of any outlets on it. The meter reader screen says 240v+ while it’s running. Do you think it’s a magnetism issue? Im going to try the drill trick tomorrow.
Glad I found this video. I do HVAC and today a customer asked if I wanted there old generator said the motor runs fine but it had an electrical issue as it won't produce power. I'm going to go pick it up and how this is the issue. Its a briggs and stratton 5000 watt 6250 start watts generator.
Good luck!
Generator needs a very small magnetic field on the armature to get the controller feedback and start to magnetize the armature coils. 2 ways to lose this field is ether you drew to many amps or sitting to long.
I am currently getting a 2 year old generator tuned up here myself and going through the whole thing before seeing it it'll run and put out. I was also informed of the same trick there Steve with having to "Flash" the alternator & electronics to turn it on. I was however informed that life is much easier if you have one round sanding disc connected into the generator drill and another disc connected onto a cordless drill. This way if & when it does fire up and the drill takes off - your fingers will not be lost..... the discs just run, plus you get a much higher spinning rate from the generator drill out put then cranking by hand. thanks for the video and information.....now get in the house - the Mrs. will have chores for you too do. lol
Just take a candle with you to the workshop, crack open a beer and sit in silence with your best friend.... a Krombacher beer. No need for power in the workshop.
Cheers mate, my 20 yr old Honda suitcase genny only ever tested and put away until required, was required today and it didn't work. I knew about exciting the field windings from my old dad, but didn't remember how to do it. Electric drill worked for me.
Awesome! Thank You...
Hi Steve,
Older generators had an exciter switch on them. This is to provide stationary rotating magnetic field.
DC power is given to the exciter and the exciter is nothing but a coil and the exciter creates a magnetic field.
I laughed 😂 so hard, when you said the stink eye!
When I was married, all I got was hot tongue and cold shoulder 😂😂
Steve, I have a Honda generator right now that is putting power to the 120 V two prong outlets, but no power going to the 240 V four prong outlets. I know the multimeter probes sometimes have a finicky time touching the points on the 4-prongs, but If it works correctly for mine, will this method of flashing the generator help with the 240 outlets?
This is an Electric Beer video with power being generated by the wife peddling the bike hooked up to the generator, exercise and power all while you drink the beer.🤣🤣🍺🍺
Worked on my generator thanks alot saved me alot of time and money replacing parts that I didn't need to replace
You're Welcome...
I heard two other methods. One is to have the breaker on as you indicated with the corded power drill attached and attach a shaft to a cordless drill and trigger the cordless drill and corded drill at the same time, doing this with the generator OFF and NOT RUNNING. Talk about zero effort! - There is another way... IF, under that generator shroud there are terminals marked "F+ and F-" these are the field winding connections from the generator to the regulator. Flash the field by placing the F+ to the positive of the battery and the F- to the negative of the battery for only 5 - 10 seconds. Done deal. The WARNING to this is not to hookup the battery to the regulator as it may turn it to toast. Here is how dieselduck describes the procedure for a 12V battery...
To restore the small amount of residual magnetism necessary to begin voltage buildup, connect a 12 volt battery to the exciter field while the generator is at rest, as follows:
Remove exciter field leads F+ and F- from the voltage regulator. CAUTION: Failure to remove the field leads from the regulator during flashing procedures may destroy the regulator.
Measure the exciter field resistance from the F+ to the F- lead. You should be able to read some resistance as you are measuring a continuous winding. An infinite resistance reading would indicate an open in the exciter field. Also check to be sure there is no path to ground.
Connect F+ to the positive pole of the battery.
Hold the F- lead by the insulated portion of the lead wire, touch F- to the negative pole of the battery for about 5 to 10 seconds, then remove.
Reconnect F+ and F- to the regulator. Repeat the procedure if the generator fails to build voltage.
Remove Regulator leads first.
Good god to technical. Do the drill.
Never new that they might need to be excited, I’ve excited alternators so it makes sense. Got a brand new generator never been used and it’s 6 years old and would suck if it wouldn’t work, good advice.
I picked up a Free 6500w generator along the road. Took about 10 minutes to get to run had a bead of water in carb bowl. Ran but no power output. So I flashed as you said and I'm golden.
Thanks
Right on Buddy! You're Welcome...
Lost power in Maine and no output power. Saw your video and try it, now have output power !!!! Thank you!!!
You're Welcome...
Let me put a voltmeter on my Makita drill and see if it produces voltage.....be right back. You're right! It made 3.5 volts ac if I spun it as fast as possible.
Awesome! Thank You...
Worked for me! Gave up on a generator like two years ago when it stopped putting out power but ran fine. Had an ice storm today and lost power. Having a hook up to power my house off off the generator I gave this method a shot. Worked almost immediately
Right on
We call it re-exciting the generator. Happens every time my gen runs out of gas with a load on it. Can also be re-excited with a battery thru the power outlet.
That would be thru the 12 volt outlet?
@@grantw.whitwam9948 no i do it thru the 110v outlet. All it needs is a flash, you don't want to hold it on the battery as that could bad. Just a swipe across the terminal is all it takes. Have even done it with a 9v battery.
@@basails45 Hope I don't have to do it, but I always have a 110v drill.
@@grantw.whitwam9948 ha ha ha and that's why this is such a great channel! Steve really knows his stuff!
just tried this technique...... worked. TY
That's awesome! So glad to hear that the technique worked for you! Keep up the good work!
The REAL unstated reason you need to start your Harbor Freight "Tailgater" generator every quarter. Reminds me, Its time.
Thanks for your very helpful video. Fourth turn on the drill and we had power. My son is amazed.
Awesome!
So this doesn’t work on inverter version of these generators?
Great tip Steve. I have used a 9 volt battery before to restore the residual magnetism
Right on ....
What is the proper procedure when using a 9v battery ?
Then after you successfully Flash your generator, you can return to your wife and see if she will Flash you
Ben Sanders lmaoooo
Thanks Steve! It worked! Happy New Year!🎉
You're welcome!
The first time I saw That, I was like" NO WAY!" The generator worked fine after that. The problem now? Cordless drills. I suggest every guy buy a yard sale corded drill just for this reason.
Right on Buddy...
Saving this video for my Son, will come back and comment if it works❤
I believe it worked, YAY!
I have heard this before. The reason this works is because the drill works like a squirrel cage motor energize the magnetic field.
Thanks so much, this just fixed my DEK generator after replacing the bad carb. Engine ran but no power. After this trick, just a couple of spins on the drill, power again. it works great. Time to take down the craigslist ad!
Awesome! You're Welcome...
would love to see how you pressure test chainsaws.
Doug Brazell LOL.
Terrific and smart tip!!! Will certainly try this and pass on the info. Thanks Steve!!!
Everytime you get a power bill, go start your generator, let it run for 15 minutes.
🤣🤣
Haha yes !!
The cost difference is horrifying though ,dollars an hour to run a gen vs pennies from the grid
@Mr Ed That's my thought too. The bill reminds you to do the generator test. 😁
This is why I watch your channel . Just learned something good 👍👍
Thank You...