90% Don't Know About This Fatal Generator Connection

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I was one of your subs who pointed out the interlock issue. As an electrician who has installed many genset systems that is perhaps rule number 1 to keep everyone safe. Shame on the contractor who skipped that rule.

As a retired Lineman, working storms in Florida 1st thing I did was make note of any engines running when I pulled into an area " ground it or glove it"

From a now retired lineman of 30 years this is a much needed video...

We did the same thing a few years ago with the same duromax gen and we love it! Our electrician installed the interlock switch and it works well. Last year our electric went out in 107 degree weather, our duromax ran our freezers, ac, and kitchen appliances without missing a beat. We turned everything off and then turned on the circuits one by one so we didn’t overload the generator.

One thing to remember with dual-fuel generators is when you run with propane as opposed to gasoline you lose approximately 9-11% of the rated output of the generator. A 5,500 watt generator will only provide around 4,850 watts on propane.

Besides not wanting to fry a lineman, there is another reason why the interlock is a must. If you leave the main breaker on after loosing street power, and then connect and start the generator, when street power comes back on, it is very probable that the phases will be out of sync. These are the sine waves of AC current. This could very easily (and probably ) destroy your generator.

Last year I had my son (he is an electrician) hook a 6 breaker manual transfer box to main panel (R306A Pro/Tran Outdoor 30-Amp 6-Circuit 2 Manual Transfer Switch with L14-30 Power Inlet). I hook up to my 3500 generator and it has no problem. I just choose the six breaker I needed. It pretty much runs every thing except oven and A/C. I like this set up because it’s easy to use and no need for the interlock. It took my son about 45 min to an hour to hook up. As for my generator, it’s gas so I run it for 30 min once a month and I have fuel stabilizer mixed into the gas. I have never had a problem.

I asked a lineman buddy of mine about the generator back feed issue and he replied that the company and crew he works for ground the lines to the utility poles so they don't have to worry about that. Either way its always good to consider everyones safety and more home owners hopefully become aware of potential hazards and issues. Great video!

All good information. We don't have the same systems here in Australia but could I suggest you get a permanent ink pen and write the procedure on the panel next to the switches in case you are not home when your family might need to use the generator. Also put some concrete blocks down for the generator to rest on. If you need to use it then your garden will probably be soaked and it might settle off level which could affect oil pick up in the engine. Keep up the good work.

If that is an electric stove, I would be very careful about using it, or just don't use it. You can probably get way with running one burner if you cut back on other loads. Also, that generator may (depending on the size of the AC) run your AC, but again it will take most of the capacity. AND, speaking of AC, I would strongly recommend getting a soft start kit for the AC. That reduces the start up current needed.

You have probably saved a lot of lives by posting this video! Thanks for sharing!

Consider adding a small solar panel with a trickle charger for your battery on the generator. If you forget to shut the battery switch off you will drain the battery. I learned this the hard way. ( Test start the generator at least once a month) Good times!!

Please, be aware. After you have start your portable generator before you flip on the generator main breaker, always unload your main panel before and put back one by one each breaker. It help the generator and also it is written in the manual. Read it 😊

We did the same thing last month. Peace of mind and safely done. Great video.

Excellent video Sir. We have a small home so I have a Pulsar 6500w dual fuel generator($550) with a 30amp connection to a Reliance 6 circuit transfer switch( $300) and use a 50' 30amp RV extension cord($250). It will run all my essentials. I installed the system myself with the directions and google videos. It took a minute as I wanted to be cautious, but overall it was fairly straight-forward. $1100 + tax in equipment and about 5 hrs total labor including several test runs($500) So I figure about $1800 all in.

Good for you for providing this info. Just to add... the lineman won't see just the 120v or 240v your generator makes. Those step-down transformers that feed your house are just as happy to "step-up". They will step the gen's voltage up to the line voltage of your neighborhood, albeit with far fewer amps. But it takes as little as 0.1 amps to kill and at line voltage, that's easily done.

If an electrician forgot that important part they should be coming back to fix the mistake. Look, everyone makes mistakes. Now, if he refuses to come back to fix the mistake then the authorities need to be contacted and his license revoked. Excellent demonstration on how to run the generator. I wasn't aware that a generator of that size could run an air conditioning unit for a house. Especially that amount of ton.

Absolutely fantastic video! Informative and entertaining at the same time! Thanks!

Awesome of explaining the DO''S & DONT'S. Well DONE.👍