grsthegreat
Super Star Member
I just did yearly maint on both my standbys. Did loaded simulated power runs on them also for 30 minutes. Always good to check outputs under load.
Your last generator Maintenance Run
- Thread starter 3930dave
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+2
I think you switch in normal House Loads (?), or do you have a mobile Test Load you use ?
Rdgs, D.
grsthegreat
Super Star Member
House loads.+2
I think you switch in normal House Loads (?), or do you have a mobile Test Load you use ?
Rdgs, D.
bdhsfz6
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Using house load is fine for generator maintenance as long as you have a transfer switch designed for regular use. Either manual or automatic, these switches are meant for this purpose.
Over the years, I've worn out a few household circuit breakers by using them to switch load for monthly tests. Replacing them is fairly easy, but it can be a different story if you regularly switch the main breaker on and off. Most are not easily replaceable and some could require replacing the entire breaker panel.
Over the years, I've worn out a few household circuit breakers by using them to switch load for monthly tests. Replacing them is fairly easy, but it can be a different story if you regularly switch the main breaker on and off. Most are not easily replaceable and some could require replacing the entire breaker panel.
check
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Wow I didn't know that! So how are we supposed to exercise the generator?
Although my ATS can be programmed to automatically run a regular test/exercise run, I do a manual test instead once a month and this is primarily so that I can arrange to put a heavy load on the generator.
The exercise run is a good time to take a shower (deep well pump plus electric water heater) and I will generally have a load of clothes in the electric dryer so that it contributes a load. In the summer, I will set the thermostat down on both central AC systems and in the winter time I will use multiple space heaters in the basement and in my garage workshop.
If the turbo doesn't sing a little when a heavy load is added, it isn't loaded heavily enough The generator is rated at 167 amps continuous and 187 amps for 1 hour; I try to load it to a little over 100 amps sustained which isn't as easy as it sounds. So much for conserving energy... It is the opposite problem I had from when I used to use a portable generator just for required stuff (central heat, refrigerator and freezer, and dumping other loads when the deep well pump needed to cycle).
Rodger
The exercise run is a good time to take a shower (deep well pump plus electric water heater) and I will generally have a load of clothes in the electric dryer so that it contributes a load. In the summer, I will set the thermostat down on both central AC systems and in the winter time I will use multiple space heaters in the basement and in my garage workshop.
If the turbo doesn't sing a little when a heavy load is added, it isn't loaded heavily enough
The generator is rated at 167 amps continuous and 187 amps for 1 hour; I try to load it to a little over 100 amps sustained which isn't as easy as it sounds. So much for conserving energy... It is the opposite problem I had from when I used to use a portable generator just for required stuff (central heat, refrigerator and freezer, and dumping other loads when the deep well pump needed to cycle).Rodger
If your generator setup requires switching the main breaker, instead you need to have a properly installed shutoff switch ahead of the main breaker and use this instead since it is intended for this type of high cycle service. But with the expense of this, it would be worth looking into a proper transfer switch instead.
IF you install this switch yourself, pay careful attention to where in your setup that neutral is tied to ground. It should be done only at one point in your electrical service and in most cases the shutoff switch will have separate neutral and ground buses so that they remain separate at the switch (of course, neither of these is switched).
Breakers of the type used in household circuit panels weren't intended to also act as a regularly used power switch and this is also true of the expensive main breaker. There are purpose designed units, typically for industrial use, that are intended to function both as the equipment switch and also as an overload breaker but they are designed for mounting in equipment and not a standard breaker panel. And they are also expensive compared to a regular breaker. I used one of these devices as the power switch/twin pole breaker on a high power amplifier I built for my amateur radio station; there were cheaper solutions but I was looking for quality and convenience over cost for that construction project.
Rodger
grsthegreat
Super Star Member
In 35 years as an electrician, ive replaced 1 main breaker. Ive replaced quite a few individual breakers though.
Some people install a switch to break one of the power sensor leads of a transfer switch. Me, my Genmon system allows for a loaded test electronically. No breakers to switch.
Also, no one needs to test an air cooled generator under full load every month. Once a year before winter is all i suggest. On mine, i usually wait until november for service, however i was showing someone just starting out in generator maintenance how to do general service. I used both mine for training.
We also get enough real blackouts here not to really need a yearly test most of the times.
Diesel liquid cooled generators generally require load banking.
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LittleBill21
Elite Member
my parents use to turn off their water heater everyday for 30 years. still the original breaker.