generator advice

BrunoSR · 03-10-2025, 04:29 AM

I am not an expert but I believe TOMC has it right, only half of your box is powered by the generator.

As for the size of the generator, it is a bit small but I had a 5500 for years and it powered the whole house, I just didn't use the dryer or stove other than one burner for soups. I also made sure all items and lights not needed were turned off. I have since gone with a 8500.

jeffk · 03-10-2025, 05:32 AM

I don't want to lead you on a wild goose chase but considering you have a new house and probably modern appliances and systems, I wonder if you are having a problem with "dirty" power from a typical old style generator.

For example, I can run most things off of my generator BUT NOT my microwave. Some electronics, like those in my microwave, have problems with dirty power and, these days, electronics are buried in LOTS of devices.

The answer is an inverter generator that delivers clean power. They are also quieter and more fuel efficient. The downside is they are more expensive.

Again, I'm not sure this is YOUR problem, but I know the problem exists and that newer smart appliances are susceptible.

However, as others have pointed out, the STARTING load capacity of whatever generator you have MUST meet the needs of the device. In a quick look, air handlers, for example, can have a high starting load capacity AND can be susceptible to dirty power.

PLUS, not all inverters deliver pristine power. Some are better than others so a careful choice is needed. "Pure Sine Wave Inverters" deliver the cleanest power, similar to that delivered through power lines. Also the more expensive inverters.

Since you know which systems are NOT working with your generator, you should check the startup power requirements for each system and see if that system also needs clean power. Owners manuals and customer service might have answers. It can be a real hunt to chase the information down for your whole house. It might be easier to track down and borrow a pure sine wave, high capacity inverter and see if everything works while on that power source. If so, you have your answer.

If I am correct, the "whole house generators" usually work well because they have plenty of capacity AND pay attention to clean power requirements. They add in auto start and long running capacity to provide a no hassle solution. And again, you pay for what you get.

8gv · 03-10-2025, 07:25 AM

Do you have a generator sub panel?

In that case the circuits that were chosen to be powered by it may not be to your liking.

OR...

Do you have the alternative set up which includes a movable lock out plate that, when positioned for generator use, locks out the main breaker and allows the generator breaker to be turned on?

In this case I suggest that you start with all of the breakers turned off and try each circuit individually while keeping all the others off.

This should tell you if it is a generator capcity issue of something else.

8gv · 03-10-2025, 07:28 AM

One more possibility:

Considering that the house is new, you may have arc fault breakers.

They will trip when an imbalance is detected on the neutral side of the circuit.

I once had a power failure that tripped several if these.

Try turning the affected circuits off and on again to reset them.

John Mercier · 03-10-2025, 07:50 AM

He had an outlet that ran a light, but would not run the fish filter.
That is almost a sure sign that the onboard fuse to the fish filter popped.

The USB charging ports, that would be a sine wave issue.
A dirty sine wave can damage sensitive electronics, so the manufacturers put in protections against that.

sunset on the dock · 03-10-2025, 08:05 AM

Thanks to all of you for the very informative advice. I'm going to reread all of it and then do some more investigating starting with turning off all of the breakers, running the generator, and then seeing what I can and cannot run. BTW, this was one of the more expensive generators with inverter. But it is about 15 years old. And it ran my old house (much smaller) with ease during a week long power outage about 15 years ago.

Thx again...I'll report back later!

Blue Thunder · 03-10-2025, 10:10 AM

The first thing I would check is to make sure the switch on the generator is set to 240volts. If it’s set at 120 volts that will only power half of your panel.
Secondly you stated that you turned on the generator breakers. Plural. That doesn’t sound right. The method you are using is backfeeding the panel. It should be one double pole breaker 30 or 40 amps. It should have 2 wires usually one black and one red. Each is 120v. One powers the right side of the buss bar, the other powers the left. The wires going to the plug on the outside of the house should have a white neutral and a green ground. Those connections are in the panel as well. Hope this helps.

Descant · 03-10-2025, 11:38 AM

When my stndby generator was about 15 years old, the tech said it needed ne brushes and was not putting out full power. Easy fix.

sunset on the dock · 03-10-2025, 12:39 PM

OK everyone...I'm a dope. My Honda generator has a switch....one side is 110, the other 110/220. I had not switched it over to the 110/220 side. I exercise the generator once a month, change the oil and gas, replace the battery, etc. But I messed up on this one. I tried it out on the 110/220 this AM and voila...everything in the house runs (just not all at the same time).

Thanks to all of you for responding and helping me fix the problem. Spring is right around the corner and I hope to see you on the lake.

Blue Thunder · 03-10-2025, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunset on the dock

OK everyone...I'm a dope. My Honda generator has a switch....one side is 110, the other 110/220. I had not switched it over to the 110/220 side. I exercise the generator once a month, change the oil and gas, replace the battery, etc. But I messed up on this one. I tried it out on the 110/220 this AM and voila...everything in the house runs (just not all at the same time).

Thanks to all of you for responding and helping me fix the problem. Spring is right around the corner and I hope to see you on the lake.

Sounds like something I said…lol

sunset on the dock · 03-10-2025, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

Sounds like something I said…lol

You nailed it BT. I'm happy to have a working generator; not so happy to have slipped up on such an important detail. Thx. Beautiful day out there!

Blue Thunder · 03-17-2025, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunset on the dock

You nailed it BT. I'm happy to have a working generator; not so happy to have slipped up on such an important detail. Thx. Beautiful day out there!

Glad it was an easy fix. Full disclosure….you're not alone in having that happen. I’ve done it and that’s why it was my first suggestion….

sunset on the dock · 03-18-2025, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

Glad it was an easy fix. Full disclosure….you're not alone in having that happen. I’ve done it and that’s why it was my first suggestion….

Thx again! Maybe I should put a piece of tape over the switch to keep it on 220V

ITD · 03-18-2025, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunset on the dock

Thx again! Maybe I should put a piece of tape over the switch to keep it on 220V

I was thinking it might help to just type up a checklist for the steps to run the generator. Usually when you needed the generator, it's not a casual relaxed thing to get it going. Generally easy to forget steps since conditions aren't generally great.

TomC · 03-18-2025, 04:58 PM

That's a good idea. I am a big fan of checklists. I also write notes to my future self when storing equipment. I tape them to the applicable machine to tell me what was done before putting it away and noting anything needed before putting it back into service...

03-10-2025, 10:10 AM	#7
Blue Thunder Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Eastern MA & Frye Island/Sebago Lake, Maine Posts: 951 Thanks: 252 Thanked 351 Times in 158 Posts	The first thing I would check is to make sure the switch on the generator is set to 240volts. If it’s set at 120 volts that will only power half of your panel. Secondly you stated that you turned on the generator breakers. Plural. That doesn’t sound right. The method you are using is backfeeding the panel. It should be one double pole breaker 30 or 40 amps. It should have 2 wires usually one black and one red. Each is 120v. One powers the right side of the buss bar, the other powers the left. The wires going to the plug on the outside of the house should have a white neutral and a green ground. Those connections are in the panel as well. Hope this helps. __________________ " Live for today because yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come"

03-10-2025, 11:38 AM	#8
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,383 Thanks: 1,354 Thanked 1,629 Times in 1,061 Posts	15 years old? When my stndby generator was about 15 years old, the tech said it needed ne brushes and was not putting out full power. Easy fix.

03-10-2025, 04:29 AM	#1
BrunoSR Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 43 Thanks: 0 Thanked 24 Times in 13 Posts	I am not an expert but I believe TOMC has it right, only half of your box is powered by the generator. As for the size of the generator, it is a bit small but I had a 5500 for years and it powered the whole house, I just didn't use the dryer or stove other than one burner for soups. I also made sure all items and lights not needed were turned off. I have since gone with a 8500.

The Following User Says Thank You to BrunoSR For This Useful Post:
sunset on the dock (03-10-2025)

03-10-2025, 05:32 AM	#2
jeffk Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Center Harbor Posts: 1,172 Thanks: 206 Thanked 437 Times in 253 Posts	I don't want to lead you on a wild goose chase but considering you have a new house and probably modern appliances and systems, I wonder if you are having a problem with "dirty" power from a typical old style generator. For example, I can run most things off of my generator BUT NOT my microwave. Some electronics, like those in my microwave, have problems with dirty power and, these days, electronics are buried in LOTS of devices. The answer is an inverter generator that delivers clean power. They are also quieter and more fuel efficient. The downside is they are more expensive. Again, I'm not sure this is YOUR problem, but I know the problem exists and that newer smart appliances are susceptible. However, as others have pointed out, the STARTING load capacity of whatever generator you have MUST meet the needs of the device. In a quick look, air handlers, for example, can have a high starting load capacity AND can be susceptible to dirty power. PLUS, not all inverters deliver pristine power. Some are better than others so a careful choice is needed. "Pure Sine Wave Inverters" deliver the cleanest power, similar to that delivered through power lines. Also the more expensive inverters. Since you know which systems are NOT working with your generator, you should check the startup power requirements for each system and see if that system also needs clean power. Owners manuals and customer service might have answers. It can be a real hunt to chase the information down for your whole house. It might be easier to track down and borrow a pure sine wave, high capacity inverter and see if everything works while on that power source. If so, you have your answer. If I am correct, the "whole house generators" usually work well because they have plenty of capacity AND pay attention to clean power requirements. They add in auto start and long running capacity to provide a no hassle solution. And again, you pay for what you get.

03-10-2025, 07:25 AM	#3
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,108 Thanks: 64 Thanked 747 Times in 481 Posts	Do you have a generator sub panel? In that case the circuits that were chosen to be powered by it may not be to your liking. OR... Do you have the alternative set up which includes a movable lock out plate that, when positioned for generator use, locks out the main breaker and allows the generator breaker to be turned on? In this case I suggest that you start with all of the breakers turned off and try each circuit individually while keeping all the others off. This should tell you if it is a generator capcity issue of something else.

03-10-2025, 07:28 AM	#4
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,108 Thanks: 64 Thanked 747 Times in 481 Posts	One more possibility: Considering that the house is new, you may have arc fault breakers. They will trip when an imbalance is detected on the neutral side of the circuit. I once had a power failure that tripped several if these. Try turning the affected circuits off and on again to reset them.

03-10-2025, 07:50 AM	#5
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 3,423 Thanks: 3 Thanked 600 Times in 496 Posts	He had an outlet that ran a light, but would not run the fish filter. That is almost a sure sign that the onboard fuse to the fish filter popped. The USB charging ports, that would be a sine wave issue. A dirty sine wave can damage sensitive electronics, so the manufacturers put in protections against that.

03-10-2025, 08:05 AM	#6
sunset on the dock Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 347 Thanks: 153 Thanked 106 Times in 69 Posts	Thanks to all of you for the very informative advice. I'm going to reread all of it and then do some more investigating starting with turning off all of the breakers, running the generator, and then seeing what I can and cannot run. BTW, this was one of the more expensive generators with inverter. But it is about 15 years old. And it ran my old house (much smaller) with ease during a week long power outage about 15 years ago. Thx again...I'll report back later!

03-10-2025, 12:39 PM	#9
sunset on the dock Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 347 Thanks: 153 Thanked 106 Times in 69 Posts	OK everyone...I'm a dope. My Honda generator has a switch....one side is 110, the other 110/220. I had not switched it over to the 110/220 side. I exercise the generator once a month, change the oil and gas, replace the battery, etc. But I messed up on this one. I tried it out on the 110/220 this AM and voila...everything in the house runs (just not all at the same time). Thanks to all of you for responding and helping me fix the problem. Spring is right around the corner and I hope to see you on the lake.

The Following User Says Thank You to Blue Thunder For This Useful Post:
TiltonBB (03-10-2025)

The Following User Says Thank You to Blue Thunder For This Useful Post:
Irish mist (03-17-2025)

03-18-2025, 04:58 PM	#15
TomC Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lakes Region Posts: 695 Thanks: 22 Thanked 99 Times in 68 Posts	That's a good idea. I am a big fan of checklists. I also write notes to my future self when storing equipment. I tape them to the applicable machine to tell me what was done before putting it away and noting anything needed before putting it back into service...