Generators

[Billy Shafer]

Since it is getting cold. I have one request. If you have a generator. Please don't run it near a living space. Keep it away from any living space. So the wind can carry off the fumes. Every year I hear about people getting sick or killed. Over a stupid mistake.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

I only have portable Generators and before I use mine, I look at what direction the wind is blowing and have a 100 ft 10g extension cord.

What about people with permanent backup generators?
How far away from the house do they locate theirs?

And what do they do if the wind is blowing the exhaust towards the house??

 

[Hobo,NC]

Cool

Power was out yesterday fired mine up Winco 8KW on NG. Its the first time I needed it in several years are the first time I made a pot of coffee with it.

I went into the shop for a bit gen also powers up the shop lights and heater (NG) fan then back to the house for my coffee the first thing I noticed the old as Sam hill florescent light fixture in the kitchen was not lite. My first thought I had lost one side of the power into the house. I poured coffee its not hot hot just warm hummm...

Now I am off to checking the gen it was putting out 107 volts the amps were 7 my Fluke read 60HZ. I don't think the coffee pot was on at that time. Everything else seamed to be OK. I did not have much of a load on it I need to go back and load it more.

When I put the gen in I loaded it up good 28 amps the hz was 58. As I took the loads off around 20 amps I had 60hz. I played with the gas regulator and checked the flow but don't off hand remember what it was I guess 11 and that's all I could get out of it.

Power came back on florescent lite up, coffee hot this morning : )

Now its got me a bit worried... I don't remember checking the volts when I installed it but surely I did.

What are your thoughts.

 

[Billy Shafer]

At 100 ft you are well beyond the danger zone.

On the permanent mounted unit. Ten feet is required. Most units in use today are Propane/NG or diesel. Not the danger gasoline is. But you still need to be careful.You should always check with your local code office. They can change from town to town.

If the wind is blowing towards the house. Close all the doors and windows on the side. Leave the rest open. But the unit should be where that does not happen. A few extra feet out is worth your life.

 

[Billy Shafer]

This is what Onan recommends for the small units. 57 hertz fully
loaded. 63 hertz no load. But it is better to stay between 59-61.

Fluorescent lights have always been a problem. With generators manual
T-008. Is a short paper that explains it.

1-903-536-2816

 

[Geo-TH,In]

Propane/NG or diesel
All generators produce CO2 and CO.
No thanks...10 ft isn't enough for me..

 

[Billy Shafer]

Yes they all produce some. And no I don't agree with the 10 ft rule. I would rather see at least 50 ft. But I don't make the rules.

 

[John T]

Some years back at NASCAR if I recall a motorhome ran their genset at night and not them but in the RV next to them people woke up DEAD DUE TO FUMES FROM THE NEIGHBORS GENSET .......After that all RV with genset MUST use one of those genset exhaust pipes that carries the fumes up above the roof line. Best I recall CO is slightly lighter than air and once its exhausted above an RV roof probably won't kill the rv owners or neighbors ???

Ive used RV gensets like 50 years and I have CO detectors (plus LP gas) in the RV BUT WE WOULD NEVER GO TO SLEEP WITH IT RUNNING even if we had the proper tall above the RV vents or not

Good advice Billy

John T

 

[Copperhead don't play]

Many thanks to Billy.

He has saved many of us many Headaches and Dollars.
He saved me hundreds on where to buy a part that he diagnosed and I was able to replace it myself instead of having a service call.

 

[Jim in rush co]

Billy, I been wanting to ask you a question. Can you tell me what portable generators in the 9-10,000 range & dual fuel have 100% copper and no copper clad aluminum? I contacted Champion about one but have not heard back. Thanks Jim

 

[Billy Shafer]

Jim, I don't know of any in that range. That have pure copper windings. Most have gone to aluminum or copper clad wire. Cost is one reason. Today they build throw away units. Sell them cheap and some do not supply parts. Most shops around here have shutdown. Except for sales.

I have delt with Champion. They stand by what they sell. Some good people. At least in my dealings with them. But even they are forced to make a choice. Power Tech is another good company. Still doing business the old way. But shops like them and people like me. Are being thrown away. Because people want a cheap product.

 

[Jim in rush co]

Thanks Billy, I just got the reply from Champion and the Communication & Support Specialist in CA says theirs are copper clad aluminun, they do have a 3year warranty which may out last me and I know of few in stock close to home so I think I'll run and get the Champion, Thanks again

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

How many people have you heard dying from their standby generators?

The only time you ever hear of anyone dying from a generator is when they're running a portable unit. Usually because they're running it in their kitchen or something stupid like that.

 

[mark1955]

I am not certain, but I seem to remember that propane does not put the same type of exhaust out that gasoline puts out when running in an engine, or might be not as concentrated as gasoline.

 

[Bob Harvey]

Good recommendation. We are 'getting older' and would like your opinion on a whole house back up. Tired of power outs when it is -15. Please reply

 

[Billy Shafer]

Bob. You have Onan,Kohler,Champion,Power Tech,Honda and a few others. I don't like the speed some run at. 3600 rpm instead of 1800 rpm. But at least they are backed. By a major company.

But stay away from Generac. I have been dealing with them since 1979. Most are pure junk. To be fair they did produce one unit. That I had no problems with. But the rest were pure junk. No parts,service,support. To them it is We got your money. Now go away. This is not a I heard deal. But things I myself have gone through.Yes Generac (Genajunk) is cheaper than the rest. But remember you get what YOU PAY FOR.

 

[buickanddeere]

Some components are generic . Bearings , brushes , voltage regulators etc.
General and Briggs partnered some components , engines in particular .

 

[Butch(OH)]

Can't tell you how many times I have seen generators running inside of an attached garage with the door open a foot or so. Some people don't have the sence they were born with.
Our diesel stand by set is in an out building 150 feet from the house. The exhaust is plumbed out of the building and up. Beside the obvious health benefits we can't hear it running. Even though I have to start it and manually throw the switches I would rather have it than a screamer sitting beside the house.

 

[runwoolf]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/01/05/carbon-monoxide-poison-maryland/

 

[docmirror]

My longtime barber died last Feb during the freeze in TX. He and his 90YO father were running their gen in the garage to power the home. Overnight the fumes got into the home and they died in their sleep.

About 10 years back, some kids were playing at lake Powell under a houseboat with twin hulls. The gen exhausted there, and they died in the water, from CO fumes.

I've been so careful about this for years, but bears repeating.