Alec Cameron said the following to MIKE ROSS on the subject of
Help Home Generator (18 Jan 98  14:41:08)
 AC> On (15 Jan 98) MIKE ROSS wrote to All...
 MR> I could really use some tips on setting up a Homelite generator with a
 MR> B&S engine.
 AC> Don't connect to load, until engine is warmed [at least 2 minutes].
That's a great piece of advice. I found this out too since the engine is
easier to stall while cold.
 AC> Preferably, run out flexible cords to the lights, TV whatever DO NOT
 AC> power up the house wiring. Maybe not real convenient but maybe you will
 AC> live a bit longer.
Not as convenient is right. In the early times I got the generator, it
was indeed connected with cords to each thing. However, this was prone
to wire losses.
 [ . . . ]
 AC> Place engine outdoors, on leeward side. NOT in basement or garage.
What I ended up doing was turning off the mains breakers and
disconnecting the electric water heater. The generator was set up in the
doorway of the garden shed well away from the house since the garage was
apt to be a fumes problem. Note that a separate ground wire went from
the generator frame to an earthing stake.
The shed's underground duplex wiring was used to transmit power to the
whole house through its own fused circuit. The losses were much lower.
Since it was only on one 120V branch, both branches of the circuit were
paralled in the main box so that every circuit in the house had power.
I finally got power back after about 2 weeks off. If there's a next
time, I'll be sending the 240 volts instead by re-channelling the shed
wires at the main box into the 240V buss directly. This will of course
mean using the ground wire of the underground run as neutral. After all
a ground exists at the generator and at the house. Otherwise I'll have
to re-thread triplex through instead. Do you think this a bad idea in a
temporary emergency situation?
 [ . . . ]
 AC> IF you insist on tinkering with the house wiring, then have an action
 AC> plan written out, like first open all switches and remove the main
 AC> fuses and give those fuses in care to a reliable adult with
 AC> instructions like "These *must* stay in your pocket until-
It was rather thoughtful and careful tinkering though...
Thanks for the really great tips!
... Ice Storm of '98 refugee.
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