Questions tagged [generator]
The generator tag has no usage guidance.
387
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How to provide backup power to a three-phase European home?
I have a home (in Ukraine) which is wired for three phases, but only ever use the three together for the electric heating system (which, for obvious reasons at this point we are not using).
So, I ...
29
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10
answers
16k
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Propane appliances throwing orange flames suddenly and generator's back firing
So here's the deal: about 1.5 to 2 weeks ago, our generator started backfiring like crazy and our cookstove, water heater and heater are throwing yellow orange flames intermittently as well as ...
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21
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8
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Can I backfeed a portable generator into my house's electrical system?
Is there a safe way to power my house using a portable generator? The power rating for the generator is 6kW, and I want to run my electric water heater (4.5kW) and my refrigerator (0.5kW) and possibly ...
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14
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1
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Is oil normally this dirty after a 5-hour break-in period of a small inverter generator?
I bought a small inverter generator, filled it with SAE10-30 oil that shipped with it, taking care to check with the dipstick several times so as not to overfill it (though it did take the full bottle)...
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13
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7
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142k
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Can I plug a generator into a dryer outlet [duplicate]
I have an electric dryer with a 30 amp circuit running to it. If I had a male-male plug to run from a portable generator to this outlet, would it be safe to run essential appliances (water pump, ...
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4
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What happens if you connect the same phase AC (from a generator) to both sides of an electrical panel?
I have seen a variety of postings on similar questions online, but there seem to be different people replying with the exact opposite answers. It is, ahem, apparently contentious.
So I am going to ...
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10
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2
answers
3k
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New house generator AC breaker tripping
I have been in our new house less than 1 year. Yesterday we had a a prolong power outage so I decided to test the generator I got for hurricane season to the house existing generator inlet. I turned ...
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10
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2
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359
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Why did my generator, with neutral/ground separated, almost start a house fire?
My 23 year old house has a manual transfer switch, a Gen Tran (now Reliance Controls) unit, which I’ve used off & on for 20 years. My generator is a portable 7500 watt that I purchased in 2018. I’...
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9
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4
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3k
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Does the NEC allow a sub panel to be powered by a generator and an automatic transfer switch?
I plan to install a sub panel next to my main panel. Mainly because as I do electrical upgrades, I'm accumulating more circuit breakers. Since I need one anyway, I'd like to be able to power it with a ...
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8
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6
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2k
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How can I ensure a level 2 EV charger will not run while my standby generator is running?
I have a standby generator with an automatic transfer switch. It is set up to power all the circuits in my house. It does not have high enough wattage to power an EV charger in addition to the current ...
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8
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4
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6k
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Can I run my 40 Amp Range Stove partially on a 30 Amp generator
I plan to buy a 7500/9500 Watt generator with a L14-30 hookup, rated for 30Amps.
The breaker for my Stove Range is a 40 Amp. I don't know the actual Amps required by my Stove; it's not in the manual ...
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8
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3
answers
2k
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How can I ensure portable generator success during a long natural disaster?
I live in the SF Bay Area. My house is blocks from the Hayward Fault, where a large earthquake is likely during my lifetime. Along with the usual disaster-prep things (water, food, etc.) I'm ...
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8
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1
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2k
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Is it reasonable to create a 30amp branch circuit for the purpose of feeding the panel from a generator?
I recently purchased an 8kW generator (Briggs and Stratton). It has a 4-wire twist lock outlet that can handle 30 amps.
Suppose I were to:
Run a 10/3 NM cable from the panel in the basement out to ...
- 153
8
votes
4
answers
15k
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Generator tripping GFCI breakers in main panel
I recently had some electrical work done on my home to bring it up to code - there was no GFCI protection in the kitchen or bathroom when we bought the house, so our electrician fitted GFCI breakers ...
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8
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3
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Are generator interlock kits permitted in residential applications?
There have been some questions on the site lately, that reference using interlock kits with portable generators.
This has inspired me to read through article 702 Optional Standby Systems of the NEC (...
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7
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Can my generator power my deep well water pump?
I have a 120/240 volt generator with an output of 3250 watts peaking at 3750. I want to be able to power my well water pump but I'm getting conflicting answers on whether this generator packs enough ...
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3
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3k
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What's the best way to connect transfer switch and sub panel?
I purchased a used Generac 10kva with a transfer switch and am in the final stages of getting things setup. The generator itself has a 45a breaker on it and I've got 6 ga wire running from it to the ...
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6
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3
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9k
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What is a good generator for emergency backup?
So recently, during Irene, I learned that my car's lighter outlet was insufficient to power a sump-pump (hello, two inches of water in the master bedroom) Thankfully, the car's circuitry was fine but ...
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6
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2
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4k
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Portable generator won't start
Cliched story, I know: I didn't use the generator (4 Stroke Briggs & Stratton) for a long time, and when I tried it, it wouldn't start.
I'd pumped the gas out of the tank after I last used it, ...
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6
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3
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2k
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Portable power distribution box
A power distribution box would be nice for connecting different loads to a generator at an off-grid job or camp site. But commercial units are big, heavy, and expensive, and they offer some features I ...
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5
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2
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2k
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How could this "extension cord" ever be sold? [closed]
OK, I know this isn't a DIY question, but had to ask it and to point out the horrible things that get sold. Who in their right mind would use this? It completely bypasses all safety mechanisms. ...
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5
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1
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871
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Trying to determine how large a generator I need for my minisplit HVAC system
I have a Mitsubishi Minisplit HVAC system. The compressor is a MXZ-3C24NA2 and the 3x head units are MSZ-GL12NA.
When I pull up the wattage of the compressor I see a "rated total output" of &...
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1
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2k
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8500 W generator with L14-30 plug.. How to access full capacity for house?
As an emergency generator I purchased a Wpro8500 from Westinghouse. My house has a transfer switch and the wiring supports 240V 50A. The generator has a few outputs, but the 240V is a 30A. This limits ...
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5
votes
2
answers
8k
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Are the wires for my generator transfer switch undersized?
I purchased a Reliance Q510-C transfer switch to use with a 50 amp generator at my house. The transfer switch is rated at 50 amps. I have wired it into my main electrical box.
I also wired a 50-amp ...
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5
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3
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3k
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How can I loosen a hard-to-reach square nut whose holder is broken?
I've been attempting to disassemble a generator at work to replace the starter cord. Being a suitcase-type generator, it's proved to be excessively painstaking. However, it's almost apart - I just ...
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5
votes
1
answer
24k
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How can I get a standby generator with GFI to work with a 2-pole transfer switch?
I have a home standby generator that is equipped with a GFI, and my original electrician (who has long since flaked out on me leaving me in a lurch with this) installed a standard 2-pole transfer ...
- 153
5
votes
1
answer
245
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How can I check my generator to see if its ok?
I let a friend of mine use a 6500 watt generator that ran my house great, when he brought it back he said it was getting hot and stalling but could run 110 plug. He blew up lots of appliances, how can ...
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4
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7
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49k
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Can I connect a portable generator to a subpanel to backfeed my house?
I have a portable 6500 W generator. I have a main house electrical panel and a subpanel in my garage, which are on opposite sides of the house. My subpanel is on the outside wall of my garage. The ...
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4
votes
2
answers
642
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How can I extend #6 wire in a service panel?
I need to move a 50A generator breaker in my service panel from one side to the other to match the configuration of the interlock switch. I will need another 12" of cable to move it where it ...
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4
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4
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18k
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Does "inverter generator" mean it is a "pure sine wave" generator?
I know that an inverter alone can be a "modified sine wave" or "pure sine wave", but the price difference is huge. Does this apply to "inverter generators"?
When these companies market it as "...
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4
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3
answers
68k
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Why won't my portable generator start?
With a storm bearing down on the mid-Atlantic US and robocalls from the local power utility warning of the possibility of extended power outages, I figured tonight would be a good time to check the ...
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4
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2
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315
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What Good and Affordable Alternative Power Source Would You Recommend?
I am woking on a startup (read: using my computer always). 80% of the time, I generate my own electricity with a petrol/gas generator.
On new years day, the Nigerian government increased the price of ...
4
votes
3
answers
14k
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How can I shut off circuits when I have a generator with an automatic transfer switch?
We had professionals install a generator with an automatic transfer switch. I showed them our circuit-breaker box and told them which circuit numbers should be on generator power. Okay, everything's ...
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3
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10k
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Bonded neutral generator - connecting to house and removing bond in main panel instead of within generator
When connecting a generator to a house, since it's a bonded neutral generator, I was told that I need to first remove the bond within the generator since there's already a house bond.
I was going to ...
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4
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1
answer
232
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Can I retrofit a wind-power system for my home?
I live in a VERY windy place. My neighborhood is a new development of your typical suburban single family homes. There isn't really room for a full windmill, nor would it look very well. But there has ...
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4
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2
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613
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Need dead time before transfer back to utility from Generac
I have a 25kW liquid cooled Generac for whole house, using transfer switch RXSW200A3 (200A, service rated). Is there a way to get a "dead time" before the transfer back to the utility ...
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4
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1
answer
1k
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Enabling heat-pump load shedding when running on generator power
I electrified my heating system by replacing my air conditioning condenser with a heat pump. I hired a contractor to install a Trane variable speed heat pump and matching air handler. The air handler ...
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3
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6k
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Are generator "bonding plugs" safe and legal?
I've been researching portable generators, and I have learned that models with a floating neutral need to be grounded. Some people say you can bypass this requirement by plugging a "bonding plug&...
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4
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1
answer
400
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How to upgrade generator socket from 20A to 30A?
I just replaced a 20A generator with a 30A one, and I need to upgrade the generator socket.
The context is a 100% off-grid cabin with two solar panels, a small battery bank, and a 120VAC inverter ...
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4
votes
3
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1k
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Should I bother with this 10-20 plug or replace it?
I have a water pump, it works fine. Motor is rated for 115/230 and draws 9.6 or 4.8 full-load amps depending on voltage. Its cord has a plug that appears to be vintage NEMA 10-20, but I'm not certain ...
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2
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15k
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Can I use a generator with a bonded neutral with my interlock switch?
My house has a separate electrical panel w/interlock switch for my generator that was installed by an electrician. I've used my current generator fine but am looking at a new one. I'm confused by the ...
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4
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31k
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Why is my emergency generator hard to pull for starting?
My portable generator ran fine for 5 hours, then ran out of gas. I refilled the tank but now the pull is excessively hard and the unit will not start. I removed the spark plug and the pull was ...
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1
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2k
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Does a replacement propane supply line have to be made of a special material?
One of the propane rubber hoses in a portable generator has cracked and broken in several spots while the other one is in fine condition. As a stop gap a washing machine supply line was cut and used. ...
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2
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3k
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How should I hook up my generator to a manual transfer switch?
I have a couple of questions about hooking up a generator to a manual transfer switch and I'm really hoping somebody with knowledge can help guide me here. The idea is I will have an exterior weather-...
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3
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5k
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Will my wood platform support my generator?
I built a wood platform out of pressure treated lumber 6ft X 4ft 2x6 with beams every 16 inches and 2x6 deck. It is bolted into the house 2x10 on the 6 ft rear wall and carriage bolted to an existing ...
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3
votes
1
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4k
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using two outlets as extension cord
I'm helping a friend build a cabin and we have a generator. I was wondering if I could wire an outlet on the outside of the cabin and another inside. The outside outlet would be for power in and the ...
3
votes
2
answers
19k
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How can I plug my portable generator into a "wall outlet"?
Ok, before everyone starts immediately telling me "NO" let me explain. I bought a new house last year and the original owner had installed a brown wall outlet in the garage. Now, there are also 2 ...
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3
votes
2
answers
546
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How to connect a generator without neutral to work with 5 pin 3-phase outlet
I have an older diesel generator, with an old panel, from an older ship, that i want to connect to use as a backup power supply.
Generators specifications:
The problem that I have is that there is no ...
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3
votes
3
answers
6k
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Can I power a two-phase home service with a single-phase generator?
It is hurricane season here in Florida, so naturally I pulled out the generator to check it and had a question.
The generator I have says it can output 30amp single phase.
Let's say you wanted to ...
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7
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12k
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Why won't my furnace complete the startup sequence when powered by a portable generator?
We recently had a power outage that lasted several days and the house was down to 41 degrees and expected power restore was several days in the future.
I purchased a 3500 watt (5250 starting watts) ...
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