Only have power to half my breaker box.

[duke7595]

Yeah, glad you figured it out. I knew it had to be something simple like that. Especially when you had no issues off the genny. BTW my parents house is wired like that too with 3 wire for 220 with white wires being hot. Done MANY years ago. Sure the ends should be colored red or black with tape or marker, but if that is the worse of it you are ok

Thank you very much.

 

[GPintheMitten]

You're welcome Duke. Just trying to help when I can.

 

[GPintheMitten]

I think the picture was misinterpreted. I had to zoom in and look closely. At first blush it did look wrong.

Even though some posts were harsh, I think people were trying to help by trying to keep you safe because they thought you were over your head. In reality, even though you might not know all the terminology, you did it right.

But had you wired a hot leg of the generator to neutral or other mistake it could have caused a problem , perhaps a serious one.

But once I saw the whites were on 240 volt circuits and black and red on your generator breaker, I figured I could talk you thru a trouble shooting process.

Anyway, it's a good feeling to get it working and know that you actually did it right, isn't it.

 

[duke7595]

I think the picture was misinterpreted. I had to zoom in and look closely. At first blush it did look wrong.

Even though some posts were harsh, I think people were trying to help by trying to keep you safe because they thought you were over your head. In reality, even though you might not know all the terminology, you did it right.

But had you wired a hot leg of the generator to neutral or other mistake it could have caused a problem , perhaps a serious one.

But once I saw the whites were on 240 volt circuits and black and red on your generator breaker, I figured I could talk you thru a trouble shooting process.

Anyway, it's a good feeling to get it working and know that you actually did it right, isn't it.

I do agree most were sincere, in that they were concerned for my safety and I do thank them. However, Texas John who I have a great deal of respect for spoke of me in the third person, which at the time i found insulting and out of form for John. Don't get me wrong I'm not whining it's that Texas John has helped me and many others in the past and i feel he should have directed his comment to me. That said, I can put this post to bed. Once again thank you for your support.

 

[aczlan]

Swap the red and black wires on the breaker that will back feed the panel.
If the 1/2 of the panel that was dead now works the breaker is OK. Then you will know problem is from that breaker out to the generator.

Not if the backfeed breaker is bad and is preventing a connection from the lugs on the breaker to the bus bar (as was the case here)

Aaron Z

 

[DuckSlayer1017]

I agree, I would check the breaker and make sure both poles are locked in. If so work back to the generator. You could also unhook the generator, turn on the main and make sure you have 240 between both sides of the breaker. Be careful since the panel will be live.

 

[GPintheMitten]

I agree, I would check the breaker and make sure both poles are locked in. If so work back to the generator. You could also unhook the generator, turn on the main and make sure you have 240 between both sides of the breaker. Be careful since the panel will be live.

He has already found the problem and fixed it.

 

[Todd727]

The breakers with the white and black wires are 120 volt, wired w/ 12/2 with ground. 12/2 w/ ground only has white and black wires and used for 120 volt only.
Thanks for your input, it's appreciated.

Bit scary to give bad advice as well, especially when you don't know what you are talking about. White wires are permitted for some 240 volt applications.

You have culpability in the confusion. You stated you were using the white wire on a 120V circuit, when in fact you were using as the second hot wire in on a 240V circuit as stated in your follow up. Those white wires should have tape or paint on them (other than white, gray or green) to identify that you are using the white wire as a hot. NEC 200.7(C)(1).

 

[Coyote machine]

Here is something else to consider, using myself as the example. You, the OP came to a tractor website for electrical panel advice, and got a mixed bag of advice, including some incorrect advice from me, and possibly others. Nothing wrong with asking for the help, BUT anyone might have to consider if TBN is the best place to seek electrical issues troubleshooting. Fortunately there are some here who clearly know their stuff when it comes to electrical problems.
But again, what if the only advice given was incorrect, and a bad outcome occurred? Not everyone with the correct answers always chimes in on issues as serious as this issue, whereas on a site dedicated to electricity there is likely to be a higher likelyhood of those skills on that type of site/forum. JMHO.

 

[dave1949]

Thank you for your information but you are very wrong and should not give out bad information, IMHO.

" I see what looks like a white wire leading to the generator breaker." I can only give advice based on what you say, and what I think I can see. From what you said, it didn't sound at all like you understand the common terminology involved.

Your sour grapes are unwarranted. It took you 22 posts to tell us you have a volt meter. I am going to be harsh again: if you knew how and where to use the volt meter, you wouldn't have needed help, or at the very least you would have presented the problem much differently with a lot more detail.

Excuse me for badgering you, as I admit I did, but it's not personal or about your pride. I, and others here, are more concerned about your safety and those who depend on you for their own safety.

I'm glad you got it fixed, but "safety first" means something.