Portable generators to stay away from?

[mrmikey]

I would try flashing yours before tossing it.

SIL's boss chucked an old Coleman 5kw generator so the SIL grabbed it, said it wouldn't produce power anymore. I tried the hand turn the drill method to flash it but it wouldn't do anything. I ended up connecting the corded drill plugged into the generator to my battery drill and using that to turn it over, worked like a charm. Saying that it darn near twisted my wrist off when it started LOL.

 

[DGZRT]

He has a few good videos on generators.

 

[orezok]

Be apprised that standby generators have went WAY up in price. A 17KW Generac will set you back around 15 grand installed.

The price of generators is not the problem, gready installers are. I’m upgrading my 10 year old 8kW Generac to a 22 kW. I got a bid from a “certified” Generac installer at $15,300!

Having installed my previous generator and transfer switch, I decided to install this one also. My total cost is under $8,000.

Of course, being a licensed General Contractor for over 35 years didn’t hurt.

 

[nancyk]

I watched the 'flash" video. I cannot find any circuit breaker on the engine/generator. There should be one, shouldn't there?

 

[LittleBill21]

I watched the 'flash" video. I cannot find any circuit breaker on the engine/generator. There should be one, shouldn't there?

should be near the outlet, maybe a simple push button, post a photo

 

[nancyk]

Photos of generator.

 

[grsthegreat]

Funny thing is, nearly every defective PORTABLE generator ive run across in my generator service business has been a harbor freight, non inverter unit. These things have fried more houses than you could imagine. Usually its from outputting too much voltage on one leg and not enough on the other. I mean like one of the 120v circuits is putting out 200 volts and the other is outputting 40 volts. Generator never shuts down.

 

[grsthegreat]

The price of generators is not the problem, gready installers are. I’m upgrading my 10 year old 8kW Generac to a 22 kW. I got a bid from a “certified” Generac installer at $15,300!

Having installed my previous generator and transfer switch, I decided to install this one also. My total cost is under $8,000.

Of course, being a licensed General Contractor for over 35 years didn’t hurt.

Ive run into this also. But as an electrician, when things got so busy that i couldnt keep up, i kept raising my rates and bids. If they were accepted, it made it worth while to take on additional employee.

My rates are still pretty high, but i have more business than i can handle. And im retired to boot. No employees any more.

If you can install it yourself, more better for you. As long as its done correctly and safely. Ive seen some very scary homeowner installed jobs….i mean deadly unsafe. Including one idiot that installed an air cooled unit inside his garage.

Contractors are also burdened with overhead, work comp and contractor insurance, matching 401k, health insurance, etc. it all adds to cost.

One quick thing about your new install, read the manual closely as generac has recently added the need to run a separate control wire neutral wire that runs out to the generator T1neutral lug. There is no longer a jumper within generator. Its a new NEC rule. This has been messing up alot of recent installs. If missed, the battery charger doesnt operate.

 

[nancyk]

Just curious. The generator ran for an hour and powered the refrigerator, some battery backups, tv. Then four hours later it ran fine but would not generate electricity. Is there such a thing as generating too much electricity and not using it, in other words, under using the generator?

 

[orezok]

Ive run into this also. But as an electrician, when things got so busy that i couldnt keep up, i kept raising my rates and bids. If they were accepted, it made it worth while to take on additional employee.

My rates are still pretty high, but i have more business than i can handle. And im retired to boot. No employees any more.

If you can install it yourself, more better for you. As long as its done correctly and safely. Ive seen some very scary homeowner installed jobs….i mean deadly unsafe. Including one idiot that installed an air cooled unit inside his garage.

Contractors are also burdened with overhead, work comp and contractor insurance, matching 401k, health insurance, etc. it all adds to cost.

One quick thing about your new install, read the manual closely as generac has recently added the need to run a separate control wire neutral wire that runs out to the generator T1neutral lug. There is no longer a jumper within generator. Its a new NEC rule. This has been messing up alot of recent installs. If missed, the battery charger doesnt operate.

I got the new 9 control generator wire from Ziller. I should be OK

 

[LittleBill21]

Photos of generator.

not sure why you have 2 panels, but the breakers are circled in green.

 

[nancyk]

I had seen them previously but when pressed there was no resistance so I discounted them. Just went down again and pressed them and no resistance. Tried to see if I could access them but whatever is holding them in place needs a stronger tool. Is it worth it for me to attempt to take that panel cover off? Or am I in over my head? I feel comfortable doing that and have the tools, probably. If so, should I disconnect the battery?

 

[LittleBill21]

I had seen them previously but when pressed there was no resistance so I discounted them. Just went down again and pressed them and no resistance. Tried to see if I could access them but whatever is holding them in place needs a stronger tool. Is it worth it for me to attempt to take that panel cover off? Or am I in over my head? I feel comfortable doing that and have the tools, probably. If so, should I disconnect the battery?

they are not tripped. you should be good to flash the field.

 

[nancyk]

"should be good to flash the field". I am brave, not sure if I am that brave.

 

[RjCorazza]

not sure why you have 2 panels, but the breakers are circled in green.
View attachment 1390124

There are 2 breakers on the other panel also, which appear to be popped out in the picture (?). That panel appears to be a modification, but who knows.

 

[nancyk]

The second panel appears to be receptacles that have never been used. Attached photos.

 

[nancyk]

The drill is sitting next to the generator. If I get brave tomorrow and attempt to flash the field, just so I understand, the drill is plugged into a receptacle on the generator and put on "backwards" with one hand holding the chuck. Turn the generator on and while the generator is running hold the drill trigger so the drill direction is going backwards. I also have a droplight plugged into a receptacle. What else should I be aware of?.

 

[LittleBill21]

The drill is sitting next to the generator. If I get brave tomorrow and attempt to flash the field, just so I understand, the drill is plugged into a receptacle on the generator and put on "backwards" with one hand holding the chuck. Turn the generator on and while the generator is running hold the drill trigger so the drill direction is going backwards. I also have a droplight plugged into a receptacle. What else should I be aware of?.

my understanding is you have to turn the drill chuck by hand, as you won't have voltage. if it works let go....

 

[nancyk]

I flashed the field. Generator was running, the drill trigger depressed and hand turned the chuck backwards, numerous times. Turned it forward a few times. No response. It is now time to pop-in to Lowes and order a Duromax 13000HX. Thank you to all for your advice.

 

[masscity]

I'm not a mechanic, but what I understand, all generators should be run on half load for a half an hour once a month. I run

my generator Champion 3500/4000 on half load every three months. What I understand also is it's more for the generating

head than the engine.