Your last generator Maintenance Run

[grsthegreat]

OK, guys here’s the problem. I have a Kohler 17 kW automatic standby generator, and twice now the generator has started up without sending power into the house.

The last time was just a couple of days ago, and what I did was go out and cycle the 70 amp circuit breaker. I did it while the generator was running, and I flipped it off and on once. Nothing. Then a second time, and Presto! Power was delivered to the house.

Any ideas why this happened? Should I install a new circuit breaker?

it is probably the circuit breaker. You need to test it by placing a meter on both ends if it fails again. See if theres power on one end but not the other with handle is showing on. Problem is that next time it may not reset during an outage. I usually just replace breaker. The other problem is the generator may be overloaded. How old is the unit and have you had many long outages to see if its lugging out.

 

[3930dave]

OK, guys hereç—´ the problem. I have a Kohler 17 kW automatic standby generator, and twice now the generator has started up without sending power into the house.

The last time was just a couple of days ago, and what I did was go out and cycle the 70 amp circuit breaker. I did it while the generator was running, and I flipped it off and on once. Nothing. Then a second time, and Presto! Power was delivered to the house.

Any ideas why this happened? Should I install a new circuit breaker?

If all the wiring in that circuit is verified/secure, then I'd change the breaker. (Assuming the breaker is the cheapest of the Control components).

^ just a guess by a guy who does not do this for a living ...... this does sound a bit familiar; if so, I'd go back and see what the guys who actually do this for a living had to say, or wait for them to chime in.

Rgds, D.

(Edit - what grs said ^ )

 

[Chilliwack Murray]

Fleetguard Compleat ethylene glycol from Cummins.

Actually, that’s blue. Propylene Glycol is purple and considered low toxicity though I haven’t tried drinking it myself.

Funny side note, the antidote for antifreeze poisoning is a bottle of rye. If you ingest ethylene glycol they feed you some less toxic alcohol so you absorb that and less of the toxic stuff. We’ve had people want the company to supply them with a bottle in their service truck... just in case.

 

[Fallon]

Actually, that’s blue. Propylene Glycol is purple and considered low toxicity though I haven’t tried drinking it myself.

Funny side note, the antidote for antifreeze poisoning is a bottle of rye. If you ingest ethylene glycol they feed you some less toxic alcohol so you absorb that and less of the toxic stuff. We’ve had people want the company to supply them with a bottle in their service truck... just in case.

It can be pink too. Its the pink stuff RV antifreeze you use on the water lines when winterizing RVs or houses. Its also an ingredient in many candy bars & other processes foods. So polypropylene glycol can be food safe. Probably not in coolent formulations though. Less effective than ethylene glycol as a coolant for heat transfer though.

 

[3930dave]

Safety First. One of the reasons I hang out on TBN.

Now adding Crown Royal to my First-Aid kit :drink:

Rgds, D.

 

[Chilliwack Murray]

Yeah, that argument never worked for me.

 

[3930dave]

Yeah, that argument never worked for me.

JK .

Never had a issue with alcohol, but pretty much gave it up the last 10 years or so. I get more enjoyment from not giving the govt those taxes.

Rgds, D.

 

[check]

it is probably the circuit breaker. You need to test it by placing a meter on both ends if it fails again. See if theres power on one end but not the other with handle is showing on. Problem is that next time it may not reset during an outage. I usually just replace breaker. The other problem is the generator may be overloaded. How old is the unit and have you had many long outages to see if its lugging out.

Thanks, grs. The generator is about 7 years old, and in fact it did trip twice this summer. (SWMBO and daughter overloaded it.)

Will ask my serviceman to bring a new beaker with him. Due for annual service anyway.

 

[Industrial Toys]

In my mind that's dangerous and I try and make people understand that. Breakers and their ratings. First of all, they don't make breakers in all current ratings. So you have to go to the next size up. Then you need to accomodate brief motor starting loads.

So, what I am trying to sy is that your generator (Big or Small) may have breakers that if run at their maximum allowable current, for a length of time may fry your generator. It's why I run Motor Overloads on my generators that you can dial in precisely for trip current AND have the ability to allow brief starting currents.

 

[shaeff]

Rusty: I didn't want to quote your entire post- but thank you for the detailed pictures! That's an incredible enclosure you've put together and obviously a lot of thought went into it!