Generator Issues

[TheMan419]

We had a random power outage this AM. As I write this the power outage is on going. Should be resolved in a couple hours per the power company.

In any event becuase I needed to dress up for work today I had to fire up the generator to shower and such. When I ran the microwave to heat some food the generator did not seem to be able to deliver sufficient power. It always has in the past.

Generator is "powered by Honda" but is not a honda. It is 6900 running watts, 8500 peaking watts. Running at the time were two coffee pots, fridge and a couple lights. Should have been more than enough power left for the microwave.

We use the L14-30R plug. We have one of these on the side of the house https://www.lowes.com/pd/Reliance-3...uJgL-1LYSKhIGDvjlTMaAvokEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

One change we have made since the last time we used the generator is going from a 40 foot cable to a 100 foot cable so we could put the generator in a more convenient spot. Could that longer cable cause such a power drop?

I'd like to use the multi meter to test the thing. Which holes in the end of the cable would I put the leads of the multi meter into to test how much power I am actually getting at the end of that cable?

Yes I am also googling it, but the experts here are good

Thanks in advance for advice.

TM

 

[workinonit]

Do you have it wired for 240 or 120?

 

[workinonit]

My experience is that coffee pots and microwaves are pretty stout loads. Couple those with the fridge and you could be close considering the voltage drop at 100 feet of cable.

 

[TheMan419]

Do you have it wired for 240 or 120?

Wired for 240 to power the well.

Wire is 10 guage.

EDIT - and as I think about it the coffee pots were OFF. I was using the microwave to reheat the coffee to put in a to go cup to head to work.

 

[Diggin It]

I wouldn't try to run much of any kind of load over 100' of extension cord off a smallish generator.

 

[TractorGuy]

Not enough juice to power a well and two coffee pots IMO.

 

[John_Mc]

What gauge wire did you use for the 100 ft run? I try to keep the voltage drop below 3%. For 100 ft, 12 gauge wire (the gauge commonly used for home wiring) is too small. You really should be using at least 10 gauge wire, and the conductors should be copper (not aluminum).

If you might go to a larger generator some day, consider running heavier gauge wire. (Note that some L14-30 plugs may have a problem accepting heavier gauge wire.)

 

[LittleBill21]

at full load, at 100 feet (don't know internal wiring distance) its only a 5% drop or a 6v drop, you should have been just fine. measure at the outlet where the microwave is, if your above 108V you should be fine.

 

[orezok]

Microwave electronics are notoriously fickle on “dirty” power from small generators. It’s a very common problem with RV’ers.

 

[grsthegreat]

A microwave can suck 1500 watts of power. Was well running at the time. A well can draw a lot of power depending on the depth.

i never would use a 100’ cord on a generator. But that’s just me. I have installed lots of portable back up systems and stick with 10’ cordsets.

but given your situation, I don’t see why the generator was struggling. Did any appliance you didn’t think about cycle, like a water heater or ac unit left on?