Generac Load Manager

[Travelover]

I may be wrong, but it looks like each panel has 6 single pole circuits. That means you have a maximum of 12 with the two panels, not 16.

It also looks like the installer used the factory cable to feed two units from the outside plug. It is meant for one unit. I think that exceeds the factory cable rating. The factory cable could melt before any of the breakers trip, especially if you use a generator that exceeds the cables rating.

Actually if the generator output does not exceed the amperage rating for the input cable you are OK. Some codes call for a circuit breaker on the input side to foolproof this. Usually the sum of all your individual circuits will exceed the main breaker rating - you don't expect to run everything at once.

I agree with other posters that you should remove the cover and see if the transfer switch wires were not pulled off or bypassed. The TS wiring is very simple.

 

[MossRoad]

Actually if the generator output does not exceed the amperage rating for the input cable you are OK. ....

I believe that's what I said.

"especially if you use a generator that exceeds the cables rating."

 

[Diesel-ME]

Check the cable that goes from the generator to the outside plug. I'll bet that the nuetral wire came loose from the screw or something like that.

~paul

 

[ray66v]

Check the cable that goes from the generator to the outside plug. I'll bet that the nuetral wire came loose from the screw or something like that.

~paul

This would not however, explain why none of the circuits go dead when he switches them from the line to the generator side.

If the generator was not feeding the transfer switch, there would be no power on the generator side.

When he throws the switches, nothing happens.

This leads to the only possible conclusion, the switches are not tied in.

 

[Diesel-ME]

This would not however, explain why none of the circuits go dead when he switches them from the line to the generator side.

If the generator was not feeding the transfer switch, there would be no power on the generator side.

When he throws the switches, nothing happens.

This leads to the only possible conclusion, the switches are not tied in.

oh ya....I see what you mean.... I was focused on the statement "When I plug the generator into the house recepticle, nothing registers on the Generac Load Manager watt meters. ".....

I had that very same thing happen to me and it was the plug wiring

~paul

 

[Kubota L5030]

This would not however, explain why none of the circuits go dead when he switches them from the line to the generator side.

If the generator was not feeding the transfer switch, there would be no power on the generator side.

When he throws the switches, nothing happens.

This leads to the only possible conclusion, the switches are not tied in.

I have to apologize for my faulty trouble shooting and wrong assumption. I had assumed that the sump pump and refrigerator would DEFINITELY be tied into the load manager. Last night I literally turned every light in the house on, the flipped the load manager switches to "off". The only things that went off were lights. Previous owners must have been afraid of the dark. Well pump, refrigerators, microwave, etc.. all kept running. Everyone's advice is very much appreciated. Next I will verify the generator powers the lights and then try to move some critical circuits (fridge, well pump) into the load managers.

 

[ray66v]

People do strange things. At least the problem can easily be corrected.

 

[Travelover]

I believe that's what I said.

"especially if you use a generator that exceeds the cables rating."

Sorry, my bad. I was rushing to reassure OP that cable would be usable as long as generator was kept small.

 

[RonMar]

12 circuits for lights? Well there are 2 panels I guess, this must be a big house. I think I would forgo some lights to keep the frig, freezer and the TV/sattelite on line. 5KW isn't a very large generator but you can do quite a bit with it. I backup all my necessities with 3KW...