Generator issues?

opps, I just started a topic similar to this one, I was delayed and didn't post until after this one. Please do what you desire with the generator topic I started

Flyer5,

In another thread I posted the following issue I had with a generator.

I have a troybuilt 5500 watt electric start alternator type generator.

Last year we had a power outage. I hooked up the generator to our house transfer switch which does power the AA 260.

I also ran an extension cord across the driveway to my SIL's house to power her Alaska Cast Console with the Alaska controls (rheostats only). Shortly thereafter she experienced issues with her stove. We had to replace the stoker motor on the Alaska. All other motors on it appear to still be fine.

Coincidence ????? I don't know but it does make you think.



Rick

cmperry wrote:

cmperry wrote:Deleted .This thread is for gathering information only all other posts will be deleted .

including those with information

This thread is for experiences with using a generator good or bad , with or without coal troal . If you have something else to say please start a new thread . I am not trying to moderate the heck out of this but I do want to understand what is going on with this issue . Off topic posts only confuse the situation. Again this thread is just for experiences while running on a generator only Not what we should do . It is meant as nothing personal toward anyone and I hope it is not taken that way . Thank you

100% success with a Yamaha EF5200DE (bushless voltage regulated alternator) with transfer switch powering a Pioneer LE Top Vent, lights, fridge, freezer, TV and computer as well.

Also 100% success with a Statpower PROsine2.0 2000 watt inverter, Pioneer stove and a couple lamps.

I owned a Chinese gen set I bought at a Cummins Tool sale. 6500W peak, 5500 nominal. Came with 2 duplex 120V outlets, & one 3-pronged 120V twistloc. Had a clone of a Honda GX190 engine (13HP, overhead valve, electric start) I only paid $325 for it, as it fell out off a loading dock & was all bashed up -- tank mashed in, gen vibration isolators snapped of the gen housing. I blew the tank back into shape with compressed air, & threw a rubber exhaust hanger under the gen housing to support the unit.

First thing I did was ditch that 120V twistlock for a 30A 4-prong 220V plug ... and wired it in after fumbling around with strange Chinese wiring practices.

Now I was able to plug it into an outdoor plug which is connected to my transfer panel, & power my well pump, fridge, boiler, certain lights & everything in the TV room including the computer. It ran everything without a problem ........ UNTIL I ran an extension cord out the window, plugged into one of the duplex outlets, & ran my washing machine. It ran that fine too, but I forgot to turn off the WATER HEATING feature it has ... which I would imagine draws some big amperage! Well once that kicked in, some lights in the house got REAL BRIGHT ... & I thought oh sh**!! Figured my spankin new fridge was toast. Then I heard a loud POP, & the kitchen light was out ..... then heard another smaller more muffled POP .... and my motion light on my porch was toast. I checked on the fridge, & the light inside was flickering super bright, then back to normal. This also happened later when I ran the dishwasher with the hot water feature on also.

I later realized that if I drew too much current off one leg of the generator (two 120V legs together are 220V), it would cause a voltage spike as high as 140V ... or higher if I drew more of a load on the other leg!!

This gen powered everything fine -- including the blower fan motor on my Mark III .... as long as both legs were reasonably balanced.

I tested out my new inverter generator that I recently bought on the same circuits, & it too ran all of them fine ... although I did not attempt to run the washing machine or dishwasher. The gauge on the gen said 3 bars out of 10, with every possible circuit running everything at once. (Yamaha EF6300iSDE)

I have a Devilbiss Generator. 6500 surge, 5250 running. I own a LL Econo 1 stoker **with out a Col-Trol**. It says brush less alternator. I dont think this generator is of any quality. I bought about 8 years ago. It powered my house for 1 week during an ice storm and as far as I'm concerned paid for it self. It was able to run the well pump, fridge, oil burner, PC tv and satellite Rcv'r.

Because of the many questions on the board lately, I pulled it out. Didn't have much fuel in it. It started and I connected the LL to it using 2 heavy ext cords. Stove was powered by the generator for just under 3 hours without an issue. I used an IR temp reader and temps were the same on all motors as before I switched the power sources. Just an FYI. I hope others have more input and the issues can be resolved.

Powermate 5000 watt/6300 surge w/10 hp subaru engine.

Generator is hardwired to the house feeding the main panel and is to code (I am an electrician).

Econo with coal trol will not run.

Alaska Channing III does run off the generator without issue.

Johnshan wrote:Powermate 5000 watt/6300 surge w/10 hp subaru engine.

Generator is hardwired to the house feeding the main panel and is to code (I am an electrician).

Econo with coal trol will not run.

Alaska Channing III does run off the generator without issue.

I sent you a PM to call us at the factory ,Thanks ,Dave

We had a recent power outage and have a Generac/Guardian (or is it the other way around??) whole house generator, hardwired in. The generator kicked on after about 30 seconds and the stove continued working, never skipped a beat. We have a Coaltrol with the Hyfire II.

I just hooked up my Homelite 3500w (HOME DEPOT SPECIAL), with a 50 foot orange extension cord to check things.

129.1 Volts (No Load) at the end of the extension cord.

Hooked up to my CoalTrol running my Hyfire I, didn't even flinch. No Strange sounds or humming or buzzing. Ran it for a 10 minutes or so. Watched the stoker, blowers, etc...no problems. Forgot to put my KIllaWatt meter on it to check everything while the stove was running. But will next time I run it.

My house on line voltage only has 117 - 119 at the wall outlets in the house & in the barn. 129 is pretty good!

I built a 50 foot cable to connect my new gen to the house without leaving it out in the nasty weather. It's 8 gauge, 4-conductor wire.

SMITTY wrote:My house on line voltage only has 117 - 119 at the wall outlets in the house & in the barn. 129 is pretty good!

I built a 50 foot cable to connect my new gen to the house without leaving it out in the nasty weather. It's 8 gauge, 4-conductor wire.

Smitty, what connectors did you use for the 8/4 ? L14-30 twist-lock?

Yep ... I took them from my old 10 foot 10/4 stiff Romex cable that I used prior. I bought the plugs at Home Depot with that Romex a few years ago. Got the new cable off Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150313926454&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

Please keep the thread on topic . I am just trying to gather data from experiences of using a generator.I understand some of this is related and good info but for discussions please move to another thread . Thanks ,Dave

I am looking to buy a generator to run my LL Pocono with Coal-trol.
I just tried an almost new Duromax Elite MX4500 generator and it is NOT compatible
with my stove. I'll just have to find a generator that works with the Coal-trol.
Does anyone else have a good recommendation for a portable generator?