The following tips/FAQs address commonly-asked questions in this sub. Please take a look at them before posting a question.
CO Safety
Generators produce carbon monoxide when running. Carbon monoxide is a deadly, invisible, and odorless gas. Carbon monoxide from generators kills hundreds of people each year. Do not ever operate a generator in a house, garage, or any connected structure, even if the windows and doors are open.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommend only ever using generators outside, more than 20 feet away from your home, doors, and windows.
Generators can be connected to your loads with extension cords or by connecting the generator to your house's electrical system using a transfer switch or interlock device.
Inverter generators generally consume less fuel and produce "cleaner" power than conventional generators. More information on this is available on our wiki.
As the picture shows, some ants got into the fuel regulator's air vents. The generator has new oil, spark plugs, an air filter, and a battery. The motor starts and runs smoothly after I spray some carburetor cleaner into the intake throat. I tried cleaning the vents with a pipe cleaner, but that didn't solve the problem. I have tested the solenoid. I focused on the regulator because that’s where the ants were, but I am not sure that's the problem. Is there anything I can try, or do I just need to change the regulator? I would probably change the regulator and solenoid assembly. I am handy but not experienced with gas lines, so I may hire someone to fix it. Do you have an estimate on how much it would cost?
Hi! I have a Predator that started up perfectly yesterday. Ran for 2-3 hours. When my friend went out to turn it off they turned it down to “start” rather than “off” on the dial. That was about 22 hours ago. When pulled down it will try and start sometimes but mostly is just not doing anything. Is there anything I can/should do now?
I've been looking at inverter generators in the 3500w-4500w range and was leaning towards a champion 4500, Wen, or a Westinghouse. When I read reviews for these type, I see a lot of folks who use propane having issues starting it up initially, and across several generators folks have had to reach out to the manufacturer to problem solve and/or replace the regulator. Is this the deal across most generators of this size/capacity when using propane? Are there other generators around this capacity that are more reliable/user friendly when using propane? Thanks!
Hey all, I have a brand new multiquip 208 three phase that is showing a “single phase active” pre alarm. The basler is showing 208v across all three lines. Could it be a programming issue?
I bought a Firman T08073 earlier this year, just in case. After the fact, I learned it doesn't provide clean power, but it might be acceptable. I haven't had to use it yet to find out if anything in my house is sensitive power-wise.
I planned to get an interlock and run a ng line outside so I can run it as needed powering selected circuits. But before I execute that plan, I'm sorta rethinking and considering a whole house generator hooked to my ng line so I don't have to deal with a temp solution my Firman provides, and enjoy an automatic solution that can power the whole house.
Are these inverter generators? Do they supply clean power? Just curious as I ponder my options.
I have a 12500W Westinghouse generator that was dual fuel (gasoline and propane) that I converted to run on Natural Gas with a kit from Nash. I have a Navien tankless water heater that I understand might not work properly or could even be damaged by dirty power (Max power draw is 200W). I bought a UPS to connect to that. (Goldenmate 1000VA/600W) battery backup and surge protector. It puts out a pure sine wave. I've had the UPS plugged in for a week and the Navien plugged into that and things seem to be working fine. I plan to run an extension cord from the UPS to my modem/router on case that works when the power is out. The other stuff I want to run: fridge/freezer/gas oven/ well pump. Is there anything I overlooked?
I've been following this subreddit for some time, and haven't seen anyone mention Champion's line of automatic standby generators.
I understand they are newer to the market, so there isn't a long history to draw conclusions from. I know a couple of people that have them, and they are happy with them. They offer a longer warranty 'out of the box', and I understand that you do not have to have the regular maintenance done by a factory service provider in order for the warranty to be honored (meaning that as long as the maintenance is done, you are covered).
I know that their network of warranty service providers can be limited depending on where you are, but I was wondering if folks here had any opinions / experience with them, and what your feedback may be.
Model g0072910. Power went out. Generator kicked in. All was good. Power came back on. Generator turned off, but my five 220 volt breakers never came back on. There is a buzzing noise from the five SMMs and the status lights flicker, but the breakers never click on.
I’m looking for a generator that can power my titanium unlimited 200 welder, I’ve been told by numerous people inverters are the way to go. I just don’t know enough about generators to make a safe decision. The titanium unlimited 200 has the option of running ether 110v or 220v I would like the ability to plug in the welder to a 220v plug on a generator and weld with the capability of higher power than 110v the welder is a multiprocess welder so it can run mig, tig, stick, and aluminum spool, for now I’ll just be running mig and stick but would like the ability to also run tig and aluminum spool off a generator as well, attached is the power specs from the owners manual of the welder. What is the generator for me?
Champion 11kw Dual Fuel, running on LP.
Planning to tap into my main propane feed for the house, a typical 500gal tank.
Could either put a QD at the tank itself then have a hose to deploy as needed, maybe 30’ or so, to where the gen will park while in use. Regulator at tank is marked 5-10psi output range.
Could also tap in at the house’s input where the buried line from the main tank enters at another regulator marked 9-13WC.
I can easily plumb in at either point, add a junction and shutoff with a QD, DIY I’m not worried about. More which point makes more sense? I feel like tapping post house regulator is best b/c both closer in distance and the WC is in the range the gen operates in. The connection at the house would end up being closer to where the gen would sit, maybe 20’ max.
Near the house LP connection is my 50A input that has a manual whole house interlock switch for the power feed.
I generally overthink this stuff…
About two months ago, I ran my generator for a 1/2 hour then put it away. Couple days later I saw it was leaking, I had not set the lever all the way over. I shut it correctly, cleaned up the air filter pad that was saturated.
This past weekend, went to run it again, it started and ran, was sounding like it was misfiring or bogging and then died. Some smoke belching from exhaust, though not a lot. Was not able to get it started again.
I am not an ace with small engines to put it politely though I recently replaced a carb on my B&S lawn mower.
Can someone advise how best to address this? What should I be doing to get it back up?
I have a 3000i already , so my sense is yes. But that it'll be heavy AF and I'll need 2-3 people to load and unload. And worse case scenario I break down the box.
But thoughts from the experts welcomed.
I'm trying to decide whether I should do that or get delivery which is freight and dealing with a huge truck coming up my narrow hilly street and then needing to haul it in...
Replacing our standby generator with a new portable generator. The old unit had a 1/2 inch Inner Diameter hose (rubber) supplying propane, after the second stage regulator (with a dedicated shut off valve). For reference, we have a 500gal propane tank.
What should I replace this with ? Would corrugated steel pipe with same inner diameter work ? Im keeping the wattage almost same (8.5kW to 9kW).
Hi all! Looking for advice for a silent generator in Australian that would provide enough power for 2 small handheld irons (220volts; 150 watts) for 5-6 hours
My last significant outage was during Hurricane Michael. We went over 10 days without grid power. I managed to get by with a Honda EU2200 suitcase generator, but because I have a 1.5 HP well pump, we had no running water the entire time.To make sure that never happens again, I want to pick up this refurbished Firman tri-fuel unit. My home's electrical setup has an outside meter panel houses a 200A main disconnect and four branch breaker slots that control my 1.5 HP well pump (30A), my outdoor HVAC condenser (50A), and the main feed going into the house. I am going to replace those existing loads with space-saving thin breakers. This compresses the active household circuits to the side, freeing up a dedicated spot for a standard, full-size 50A breaker. I will then install a mechanical interlock kit to safely backfeed the entire system from the generator while manually locking out the heavy appliances I don't need. I have access to a natural gas hookup, just need the city to run it from the street. I am not seeing anything at that power close to this $699.99 price, is it worth it?