I fool with generators often. First one is an Allis Chalmers 50 kw at my shop. It does single and three phase with a brushless generator. Second one I just put a circuit board in because it wasn't coming on weekly for its self check, 175 kw. Then after I had it working, the power went off two days later. The pull on solenoid was not holding throttle open. It was 21 years old, so I had a dandy of a time finding one. Finally did, but it was different. Had to use the guts out of old one and magnet coil from new one to make it work. Had to fix it, farm owner was ready to pull the trigger on another lightly used one for 30 grand. Third one is fine. Welder needed a circuit board. I have another welder, a few years older, that needs an exciter or stuck brushes, have not investigated it yet. Runs fine but no weld, only sparks. Electricians call me to go on big farm generator calls, because they don't know much about them. So when you have 25,000 chickens that Tyson wants $23.00 each for, it becomes critical. Generator runs two houses. 12,500 birds in each house. If you get them automatic transfer switches, ants love them things. They won't work with ants around. Just had two houses die a few months ago, not me, a customer. Chickens dead in 30 minutes. Their houses are full tunnel and don't have the side curtains like the one pictured. Side curtains have an automatic drop in case of a no power situation. So, power went off, gen was not on, no fans moving air, all birds died. Generator did not come on. Turns out they were using fuel from generator tank to run the tractors. Plus the weekly self check uses fuel too. Generator tank was empty and I can't fix that problem. That is their responsibility as a farm owner to keep the tank full. Which, they had 6 houses, I just tore down three of theirs that collapsed in the 18" snow we had. I'm fine with them using fuel out of gen tank because it keeps fresh fuel in there. But, it has to be kept topped off.
I don't see a problem with the situation you have. Maybe look into understanding it instead of undoing it. Since generators became popular, power companies ground out the wires they are working on. That will toast your generator. Just turn utility main off on your side of meter. Crank generator and turn the breakers on that you need. When power comes back on, turn off generator breakers, turn on utility breakers. I see no problem with that. Seems a simple trouble free experience. Or, you can go automatic, and it gilflirts when you need it, and you wait on a "specialized technician" that can figure out all the load sensors. Then when it (technician) shows up, you done froze for a week and power is back on anyway. That 1979 stuff ain't so bad. I drove to Alaska and everywhere else I want to go in a 1976 pickup, recently. If I leave my driveway and turn south, 21 miles to Louisiana.
quote): "I'd decide what you want to do and have an electrician do it. My 2c."
