Your last generator Maintenance Run

[grsthegreat]

Yeiks….that sucks.

it sure seams like some utility power got back thru switch, but that should not happen.

 

[kirkawilson]

We've lived in this house since 2008 and this is my 2nd portable generator that failed. The first was a 'standard' (non-inverter) generator that failed mechanically with a bad valve on one cylinder, so I replaced it with the B&S inverter gen. that just fried. All wiring to and from the transfer switch was done by a licensed electrician and has worked properly since 2008. The transfer switch circuit breakers never tripped and all looks normal at the box (see below). The ground fault protection unit never tripped. My only clue is that the kitchen flourescent lights were flickering slightly while on gen. power during this entire outage. I'm not sure that the power quality from the B&S inverter was ever that good, but it still ran the microwave, heating units, and lighting circuits fine during multiple previous outages. The engine on this B&S generator still runs great, so it's a shame to scrap the whole unit if the inverter can be replaced for a reasonable cost. I hope none of the other power electronics in the generator were damaged.

 

[grsthegreat]

That transfer switch is pretty foolproof. They have positive separation between utility and Gen power. I suspect the 6000 watt may not have been large enough for the load Or just not as good of quality as the Honda inverters.


I personally love the Honda inverter, but their prices suck.


A microwave itself can draw 1500 watts. I usually recommend at minimum a 7500 watt running load gen for my customers with portable gens.
but then again, in my area of country most of these people want to run a well.

 

[kirkawilson]

Thanks grsthegreat! This outage was mid-afternoon and only lasted about an hour. We ran errands during the first part of the outage and only cranked the genny when the power was still out upon returning to the house. We never ran the microwave during this outage, but ran it successfully in previous outages. The meters (A & B) on the switch never reached 50% when I switched to genny power, so I don't think it was an overload condition that caused the failure.
I'm wondering if something failed in the generator windings, or other internal parts, and fried the caps in the inverter. While running the genny after the failure, I tried to push the 'Overload Reset' button and it attempted to reset. It sounded like a gang of switches (crickets) trying to engage and the engine reved up, but returned to the idle speed with 100% load LED lit again in about 5 seconds. Really don't know what to try next. B&S factory service is non-existent and local shops will not return my calls. Any help is appreciated.

 

[WinterDeere]

If you're saying kitchen lights were flickering before utility came back on, then I'd agree that the inverter was already on its way out. From your prior description, probably only because I read it too quickly, I had thought everything was working fine prior to that point.

 

[3930dave]

Thanks grsthegreat! This outage was mid-afternoon and only lasted about an hour. We ran errands during the first part of the outage and only cranked the genny when the power was still out upon returning to the house. We never ran the microwave during this outage, but ran it successfully in previous outages. The meters (A & B) on the switch never reached 50% when I switched to genny power, so I don't think it was an overload condition that caused the failure.
I'm wondering if something failed in the generator windings, or other internal parts, and fried the caps in the inverter. While running the genny after the failure, I tried to push the 'Overload Reset' button and it attempted to reset. It sounded like a gang of switches (crickets) trying to engage and the engine reved up, but returned to the idle speed with 100% load LED lit again in about 5 seconds. Really don't know what to try next. B&S factory service is non-existent and local shops will not return my calls. Any help is appreciated.

Sorry about your luck..... seems to be one of those weeks..... (one of my vehicles had an automatic fail..... model that usually has no issues, in a non-abused vehicle)...... "Stuff" Happens, don't it ! Haven't looked @ forecasts lately, perhaps Solar Flares were kicking up this week.

No experience with this one, but I came across this model during one of my What Do I Read To Pass Time During Long Canadian Winters glomming, one-three Winters back.....

Powering your home, your business, your world.

Given what happened, you may want to back away from the electronics on-board, but if you want EFI, it may be a lower cost option to consider, if your budget doesn't support a large Honda etc....

As with any EFI in a high-reliability application, I'd plan on changing-out the battery @ no more than 5 years..... Thoreau Wasn't Wrong.....

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

 

[3930dave]

^ In case the posted link drops.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Not really for this crowd here, (preaching to choir), but if you have anybody in your circle who would benefit from listening to a layman's summary of Carrington 2.0.

I will end up watching the Grid Down, Power Up movie that Dennis was in - if anybody has seen it pls post up your comments.

Rgds, D.

 

[90cummins]

If/when that happens how long would the (lucky ones) with backup plans last before those that don’t have plans try to take what you’ve got??
Unless you’re part of a secluded community with like values & skills to contribute to preparations & protect you wouldn’t last long before you were overrun.
It hurts thinking of the circumstances that all must align for survival.
Where you live, what natural resources you have available, what you know, what you have prepped for and support system (like minded community) are essential to survive. We would have
to use our stockpiled resources wisely to get in position to survive when the fuel runs out and or spare parts become unavailable.
Dark times.
90cummins