Generator Question...

JDGREEN4ME · Apr 18, 2005

I have a Yamaha 2800i portable generator that I would like to set-up in the back of our Gator. For use around the house I have it grounded per the manual (ground stake). Now I have used it with the Gator without grounding but I keep taking it out and setting it on the ground and after awhile it starts to get harder to do that! There is no direction in the manual as to how you could safely do this (grounding).

bczoom · Apr 18, 2005

Thanks for posting this. I hadn't thought about this lately and need the same advise.

I've honestly done nothing with grounding either a generator or invertor when in the box of my RTV. Never had any problems. Am I asking for trouble?

midwest · Apr 18, 2005

I am not an electrician, but I worked for Utility Company for 10 years and learned quite a bit about electricity. Enough to be able to completely wire all my new houses, when a license is not required.
With that out of the way, to my knowledge, you would not need to worry about grounding the generator when it is on your machine. If it was me, I would want to make sure the generator was actually isolated from my machine as to not a electrical spike run through my system, DC does not like AC!! It is understandable to have the generator grounded when you have it hooked to you house. For example, you have the generator hooked up to turn on in a storm when the power goes out. If lightning strikes close to your house, and surges through your house, it will most likely fry a few electronics and appliances. Well if the generator is not grounded, the lightning would assume that it is an appliance and fry that too. Having the generator grounded would protect it from lightning strike and be able to fire up when it detects the electric is out.

hope this helps

bczoom · Apr 19, 2005

Sorry midwist,

I'm electrically challenged.

On a UTV, if I have it sitting in the cargo box on the generators rubber/plastic mount so it's not touching any metal on the machine, am I in fact insulated and OK?

On a house standby generator.
( It is understandable to have the generator grounded when you have it hooked to you house.

Well if the generator is not grounded, the lightning would assume that it is an appliance and fry that too.

Having the generator grounded would protect it from lightning strike and be able to fire up when it detects the electric is out. )

In the first statement you said don't ground it but then said grounding it will protect it. Which way is correct?

Brian

JDGREEN4ME · Apr 19, 2005

My generator has rubber vibration dampers attaching it to an outer steel frame. Do the dampers isolate the generator from the frame and/or the Gator bed?

midwest · Apr 19, 2005

( Sorry midwist,

I'm electrically challenged.

On a UTV, if I have it sitting in the cargo box on the generators rubber/plastic mount so it's not touching any metal on the machine, am I in fact insulated and OK?
 Rubber is the best isolator and there would be no way for electric current to touch the rtv.
On a house standby generator.
( It is understandable to have the generator grounded when you have it hooked to you house.

Well if the generator is not grounded, the lightning would assume that it is an appliance and fry that too.

Having the generator grounded would protect it from lightning strike and be able to fire up when it detects the electric is out. )

In the first statement you said don't ground it but then said grounding it will protect it. Which way is correct?
 It was meant to be an example if you did not have it grounded what would happen. sorry if I didn't make it clear /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
Brian )

midwest · Apr 19, 2005

( My generator has rubber vibration dampers attaching it to an outer steel frame. Do the dampers isolate the generator from the frame and/or the Gator bed? )

 Yes, it would protect it perfectly, Not only are they vibration dampeners, they are rubber for that reason. Alot of generators, especially mine, have the possibility of running in mud and or water (raining on job site)

Egon · Apr 20, 2005

Think my generator has a wire from the generator base to the ground skids to ensure the rubber vibration pads do not insulate from the ground.

Egon

dbelisle · Apr 22, 2005

The 2005 NFPA 70 National Electrical Code covers Portable and Vehicle mounted Generator Grounding in Article 250.34

I says, The frame of a portable generator shall not be required to be connected to a grounding electrode under the following conditions.

1 The Generator supplies only equipment mount on the generator, or cord and plug connected equipment through recepticles mounted on the generator.

and

2 The Non current carrying metal parts of equipment and equipment grounding conductor terminals of the recepticles are bonded to the generator frame.

In Laymans turns it says

The frame of a portable generator is not required to be connected to a earth ground if your using the factory installed recepticles on the generator.

So you fine the way your using it now, power away.

Dave in NH