Stop skipping the MOST important step that is killing your generator every time you use it. Manufacturers clearly list this, but most homeowners have no idea that it matters. Even with the right Interlock this step MUST be done every time to reduce damage.
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Parts Used
Reliant Inlet: https://amzn.to/40SejMA
Avery Labels: https://amzn.to/4hph4L0
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Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of Silver Cymbal, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. Silver Cymbal assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. Silver Cymbal recommends safe practices when working on machines and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Silver Cymbal, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Silver Cymbal.
Do you have other tips for your generator? Parts used: Reliance Inlet https://amzn.to/40SejMA Labels https://amzn.to/4hph4L0
Decent advice with one major improvement suggestion. DO NOT handle the 240V power cord and make connections after the generator is running. That's 30-50 amps of 240V power and enough to kill. Generator connections with a 30/50 amp cord to the house inlet box should be made before the generator is started.
THANK GOODNESS. HERE'S THE RARE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE THAT SHOWS GOOD EDITING, NO WANDERING AROUND LOST IN SUBJECTS.
I seen what happens when you ignore all safety precautions by hardwired a generator into a panel and bypassing it's internal breaker. I never seen a generator throw two rods through the block like that.. Got back-fed, alternator portion completely melted.
How did you get your red and blue circuit breakers?
An important – and frequently ignored – issue I see is putting too much of the load on only one leg of your generator. If you install a transfer switch, I only recommend those with dual watt meters so you can keep track of the load on each leg. This helps you keep the load balanced between legs as well as lets you know when you begin to draw too much power overall. A good installer will arrange it so the average and max loads on each leg are as close as possible.
I thought everyone knew this! I guess some people won't read a manual.😂
Anybody have experience with these Predator generators? After the winds we’ve had this year and the fires, it’s time to start looking for one.
I thought everyone did what you suggested? It’s called cold load pick up. Anyone doing that will shorten the life of their appliances & the generator. We use non eco during day light hours & economy at night. Just before bed we shut the generator off & switch open our individual breakers for the next day.
Great tip for those not in the know! Great content!
With properly configured emergency generator to load surge of everything turning on is fine. The load pickup of the engine can take it, and the voltage regulation was tested for this. These engines often start with overspeed surge.
With those cheap small units the voltage regulation may cause significant dip and swell, because if it reacted too fast it would stall the tiny engine. These voltage fluctuation may damage your electronics.
Good advice
First thing I do on everything with an engine, check the oil level in the crankcase before starting engine. Oil leak may have occured while sitting over time.
I agree with most of your statements except the statement you make at 1:44 of the video. You state that when you connect your generator "really doesn't make any difference". That is incorrect. You should always ensure the generator is plugged in before starting it. This fact is clearly stated at 2:55 of the video … "Connect your cord and lock in place and start the generator" and also at 2:57 of the video … "Connect and start your generator". The reason you want to connect it before starting it is you want to ensure the generator is properly grounded before starting it. You should ensure that only a "floating neutral" generator is connected to your house unless you are using a "switched neutral transfer switch". A "floating neutral" generator will only be properly grounded when it is plugged in. There are some rare scenarios that can harm the operator of a "floating neutral" generator if it is not properly ground, but it is still possible. The bottom line message is, plug in your "floating neutral" generator before starting it.
They don’t idle when the eco mode is off. It’s the very thing that idles it down when power demand is low. It IS bad for any engine to start and immediately go to full throttle as you suggest is fine. You also assume that all generators are inverter style it seems. So many wrongs in this video.
You should also disconnect the neutral bonded to the generator frame when connecting to your house panel. There are videos that explain the reason for this.
While good advice remember you rarely draw anywhere near the full rated load of a circuit.
Can you advise what happens if I have a solar system on my roof, and the solar system tries to "export" to the back-up generator please? Many thanks. Oh, no battery installed here.
Great info! Thanks, always, for all your hard work.
You COULDN'T start a modern car with your foot on the floor. It'd kill spark and engage clear flood mode. I.E. it'd crank nonstop
I have instructions I typed up, laminated and stuck on the inside of my panel. This is incase someone other than me has to do this, or like you said, not fully awake or aware.
I have heard that modern high efficiency furnaces with circuit boards should never be run on a standard (non-inverter) generator, and I've heard that it doesn't hurt them at all.
What is the thinking behind the "NEVER" crowd and if you agree or disagree (and WHY)?
I have a 50A interlock and am looking for a backup power source for outages and the price difference between non-inverter and inverter generators is enormous.
How much does it cost to have an interlock installed? Just a rough estimate so I'll know what to budget for and what is reasonable.
Actually my dad did some work for a couple who really did start their cars like that and then wondered why they needed a new car every 2-4 years. Made me cringe every time I watched them start their car.
One of the things people think of in a brown-down or blackout condition is also turning off breakers to anything with a condenser, motor, compressor circuit. When the power first comes back, there is any entire grid of homes powering back on and the voltage sway seen as the grid is reenergized is something to see. When a coil is energized, until it is saturated, it effectively draws infinite current, although for just a split second. If you are simultaneously powering up multiple items within your home with motors, condensers, compressors (just as every other home on that grid is doing) you will see a ramp-up of voltage and amperage (just as you see in a brown-down) and those coils will be drawing (effectively) infinite current for more than a split second as it takes longer to saturate the coils in the device. Rather obviously, the response time on a breaker is too slow to respond to this, a coil of wire can't draw and sustain infinite current, and the coil will fry and the device will die. A lot of life is robbed from a refrigerator or AC compressor due to this. When the power goes out, I put the breakers for the AC, refrigerator and anything else with a coil in the "off" position and won't reengergize these devices until the power is restored, a minute or so has gone by to stabilize the grid throughout my neighborhood and power-up can be done, one device and breaker at a time. I can't remember how many people to whom I've spoken after a power outage who lost a refrigerator after the power came back on for this reason. Pax.
Outstanding video, clear concise and to the point! I just bought a home last year and it's wired for a generator haven't had to use it yet….but this video helps!
Good video practical advice.
Understanding VS scripting. The same applies to leaving everything turned on while waiting for power company to do repairs. It's a conspiracy to sell more circuit breakers via wear and tear! 🙂
When using the interlock device, shutting off main it may be necessary to ground your generator. If you’re not sure check with an electrician.
Love my Predator 9500. Runs our entire household. Good video.
Good advice for small generators.
The big automatic ones tend to start 30s after power loss but are pre-heated. Then they run for a little bit before the automatic transfer switch starts feeding the building.
Depending on size this can be done in a staggered fashion. This is why battery backups in setups that have a generator are usually scaled for 10-15 minutes of runtime only, as that is the time needed for the generator to (hopefully) kick in properly.