Portable Generator

Mrwurm · Aug 7, 2004

Ok, I'll place a load on the generator when I exercise it. Thanks for the tip. I think if I have the wife and daughter use it to power their hair dryers and curling irons, that should just about do it /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Also, I did'nt mean to contradict the original poster. I just wanted to mention that my experience has been good, so all their units can't be bad.

DK_Farms · Aug 7, 2004

I have had several portables and the the only problems for me have been engine problems. If the engine would start, the generator would run. My only experience with Generac has been with the larger units, 15kw and up. No engine problems with those which I suspect was due to the fact that engines were made by Mitsubishi. But the generators and transfer panels were always in trouble.

Here is the "Excite" procedure for my Coleman 5KW with a B&S engine. Never had any problem with it, worked through 2 hurricanes and many hours on the farm so I don't know if this procedure really even works. Steps 4 & 5 don't make sense to me. Good Luck.

If there is a loss of residual magnetism (voltage will not build up),
it may be necessary to re-excite the unit.

1. Use a 6-volt lantern battery (dry cell) or a 12-volt automotive battery.
2. Disconnect all loads from generator.
3. Remove the brush cover.
4. Plug a lamp or light into the generator before starting the
engine. The light source will illuminate when voltage has returned.
5. Start the engine with no load connected to the generator.
6. Attach the "-" lead of the battery to the negative brush. Very briefly, touch the "+" lead of the battery to the positive brush as shown. Remove as soon as voltage builds up. To measure voltage, use a plug-in voltmeter.

OhioGuy · Aug 7, 2004

Hey Jerry,
I'm not as concerned about the failure as I am about the way they just dismissed me on the phone, typical of support for so many companies today. That's why I wasn't critical of Home Depot. They at least tried to move Generac towards a better resolution. It seems like you would be compensated in some way for a device that failed twice in an hours time. Extend the warranty maybe? I'll check into that once I know what failed.

I'll need to give them another call and see if they use that tiered support so many companies do. Each level up the tier has more authority to help.

Sometiomes if you're a big enough thorn in their side, you get better results.

I can appreciate what your saying about the good service you've got from yours though. I've had some 2 cycle Homelite saws, blowers, string trimmers most people don't think too highly of. I think my gas blower is 8 years old, starts on the second pull almost every time.

Hey, how did you come up with your username?

A beautiful day here in NE Ohio, 75 and blue skies!!!! Why am I sittin here typing?
Curt

MicroPilot · Aug 7, 2004

Maybe call the customer service line instead of tech support and mention that you are dissatisfied with the support, and that if the unit is truly broken, you will NOT be considering their products for a replacement. This might get you somewhere, if not then you they don't really want you as a customer.

Mrwurm · Aug 7, 2004

( Hey, how did you come up with your username?
)

I think of the user name as 'Mister Wurm'

Wurm is the first four letters of my last name.

Soundguy · Aug 8, 2004

( but I MAY be toatlly BACKWARD on this!?!? but I BELIVE I am right as the bridge rectifiers are actually diodes which block current in one dirrection and let it pass the other )

You've kinda got the general concept.. but are missing the rest of the picture. A bridge rectifier.. also known as a full wave bridge, is simple 4 diodes aranged in a pattern so that no matter which polarity is being fed to the 2 input points, the output points are seeing a fixed polarity.. Think of it as a waveform, and the bottom of the wave.. the negative portion, is being flipped up onto the positive side, giving you a 'bumpy' unfiltered dc output. If you had an O scope it would be real easy to see.

Electrons are still flowing... When you say 'not getting back to the ac plug'.. keep in mind that current is based on electron flow ( for the EE's out there.. I'm not going into hole current theory.. ) They don't all get bunchged up and collect inside the drill.. they make the 'circuit' so to speak. If you want a real shocker ( haha ) think about this... negative.. which is used as 'ground' reference in many applications, is actually the electron source.. and current actually flows from negative to positive ( again.. electron current.. not hole current ). Positive being called 'hot' is really kind of a misnomer.. generally speaking...

electronic theory is fun. if you can digest ohms law, you can pretty much master basic DC electronics, and get you feet wet in AC electronics.

Soundguy

SPIKER · Aug 8, 2004

soundguy:

yes I do have a degree in ELECTRONICS ENGR: assoiates but has gone un-used for years and years, as I made much more by WORKING rather than the electronics stuff which after getting into it I was pretty much uninterested in! even though I graduated with honers and a 3.78 GPA I just didn't have fun doing all that math all day long /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif I like working with my hands more even though my back tells me otherwise 18hrs a day. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

anyhow I'm getting yelled at to get moving as it ia SO nice in OHio now 70 and sunny outside. got to clean house or somethign else she wants form me! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

OhioGuy · Aug 9, 2004

Dropped off the generator on Saturday, we'll see how long that takes. I talked with Generac today about purchasing an extended warranty, can't do it, not offered. Maybe that consistant with other generators on the market?

I did speak with someone today that showed some interest in helping. She took the time to take all the details down and said she'd have a supervisor call me. I'd really like to see the warranty extended. They should put hourmeters on them and base the warranty on that or at least pro-rate it somehow?

Whatever /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Another beautiful day in NE Ohio, woulda been a good day to play hookie!

Curt

OhioGuy · Aug 10, 2004

I got a call from Generac today regarding my request to extend the warranty. They agreed to extend it the length of time it's in the repair shop. Now that's really going all out for a customer!

1+ hours service on a $1100 generator.

Curt

Inspector507 · Aug 11, 2004

But doesn't that mean that Generac will have to cover the cost of fixing it..??

OhioGuy · Aug 11, 2004

Hi Inspector,

It does mean it's a warranty repair, but that was never in question. The question is, a device that failed the only two times it was needed in the first year would instill how much confidence.

And the fact no extended warranty can be purchased doesn't say much for the product?

Maybe I'm just looking at it wrong but to me, that's poor to no service. I was wanting to exchange it for any other model or at least get a 6 month extension on the warranty.

And now I'm told by Generac if Home Depot had done exchange paperwork, I would have had three months of additional warranty.

Curt

glalonde · Aug 16, 2004

I presently have an eye on this exact model (Generac 7000 EXL) because HD offers no down payment, no interest for a year on their generators using their credit card (valid until Sept. 6). What I like about this generator is its specification i.e. 7000 W with 12250 W surge. This should be plenty to switch the whole house on it.
But now, hearing the problems you're having.... I'm not so sure what to do.

KiotiJohn · Aug 16, 2004

( This should be plenty to switch the whole house on it.But now, hearing the problems you're having.... I'm not so sure what to do. )
I think I would find something with a Honda on it! John

OhioGuy · Aug 16, 2004

Hi Glalonde,
Well, I'm a pretty tolerant person, but HD and Generac didn't get one part of this debacle right.

Poor reliability, two units generated power for less than two hours, two power outages at my house, two generator failures.

I'll give HD credit for the exchange on the first one, I was just outside the 90 day window on their return policy, they exchanged it anyway, but didn't update my receipt, at least they tried. When the second one failed, they made some calls for me but ultimately said I'd have to deal with Generac.

The best I got from them was an extension on the warranty the length of time it's in the shop. Well maybe that will have value, it's been there one week, they haven't looked at it yet.

No extended warranty, no lemon clause. I'd talk to the HD folks and ask about a warranty after the factory warranty. See if any of there other products offer that, Coleman, whoever.

I bought this unit for the same reasons you're looking at it, 7Kw and 12.5 peak. Those numbers only help if it makes power! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

One good thing about the warranty, it's a full one year and second year parts only. You can bet this unit wi

Good luck to you whatever you decide!

Curt

stuart · Aug 17, 2004

Do not try running your whole house on a 7000 watt generator. It is not enough. 10k is a minimum to run most of a home. Cannot operate heat pump/ air conditioner w/o more power.

shvl73 · Aug 17, 2004

I can run most of my house on a 5000 watt unit w/ 7250 surge. You do need to calculate the draw for the circuits you hook into your transfer switch, so you don't overload the unit. Ours is only for back-up use in an emergency. It'll run the well pump, boiler, freezer, fridge, phones, & some lights. All have been tested & works great. We don't have a/c so, no problem there. Calculating the load before the purchase is important.

EdwardB · Aug 17, 2004

I too have been looking for a whole house generator and these models seemed to be a good choice. I wanted something that would run on propane so i could hook it up to my domestic fuel supply.

I'd consider other models, though. Do you know of anyone else who has a comparable house unit - ie. Honda, etc?

glalonde · Aug 17, 2004

7000 W should be OK for my house. I will not use the dryer and stove during power outage. I do not have A/C. The risk of having all appliances starting at the same time (the surge) is small.

One thing confuses me though. Honda has a 6000 W generator with 6500 W surge. How can Generac have a 7000 W generator with a 12500 W surge ? That's 5500 W more for surge (~78% more).

LarryRB · Aug 18, 2004

I don't really understand the set up. I know I have a Coleman industrial, 12,500 with 14,400 surge.. More in line with the Honda numbers.

Soundguy · Aug 18, 2004

My take on the surge numbers is a hedged bet against the component strenght and tolerance. Also.. they don't specify what effect that 12k surge does to the voltage and cycle. On equipment that is freq dependent, and voltage sensitive.. the extra surge capacity may be of no use. For instance.. we tried to power a water pump on a job with a portable genny.. the one we had was rated for the runtime load, as well as had surge capacity that would handle the startup load on the pump.. except that the freq was way off, and the volts dropped to 205 during surge... and the pump wouldn't kick in.. just far enough off for the sart and run caps I guess.

Kinda like a car charger. I've seen some units with pretty big claims.. like 2/10/100 amp.. trickle, charge, start boost.

That 100a start boost is from between 8-10v depending on the severity of the load.. but luckilly enough.. it gets the job done as it sources some current your battery couldn't.. and keeps the volts up a tad depending on load.. etc.

Soundguy