Another generator query

[SRX]

Hello,

I am looking for any insight on a portable generator I purchased for our new home. We are in New England and are only looking to use it for the well, gas furnace, microwave, fridge, PC and wifi, and some lights, in the case of an outage. I have attached pics of the geney and the exterior outlet at the garage.

The model is a Generac 10000EXL
https://manualzz.com/doc/2051518/generac-10000exl-portable-generator-user-manual

 

[SRX]

Here are pics of the electrical box

 

[SRX]

I have a few questions as this is the first time I have owned/needed(possibly) a generator.

It came without a cord; I figured I would pick one up.

I believe that I connect the geney to the house outlet via the 120/240 Volt A.C. four prong outlet (second from the right in above pic). Is that correct?

Since the geney is upwards of 10000W, but I do not believe we would ever pull all of that at once, would this cord be safe?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075FSF1WL/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[SRX]

Just trying to get alot of things sorted before our first winter in the new home.
Any insight or feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[AP514]

I can not tell from the pic. Is that outlet 50 AMP and 30Amp.....
After looking at the manual Yes that second plug is for a L14-30 cord and the one 1st from Right is your 50AMP outlet. looks like you are all set even the C/B in house are 30 AMP.

Here is a good Video of that Generator if you ever need to repair it.
Super good Info and Videos..
only problem is they no longer make a AVR for it so if it goes..Ugg (REF 59:21ish in video)

 

[PelicanPines]

Remember... when you switch over the INTERLOCK in your breaker box... have all the LOAD breakers OFF... and SLOWLY turn ONLY the breakers on you want to use. It's a pain but safe.

Nice generator !

 

[Noltz]

Very nice generator indeed! Everything looks right (and I've done a LOT of research lately). You want a L14-30 cord which will be 10 gauge. Generator must be 5' from the house when running, so size your cord accordingly. Other than that the startup instructions are on your interlock plate.

You're in good shape for backup power. The Microwave will be a big inrush current, so you might have an issue with that. Keep in mind a generator that big can supply more than 30A, so if you want to run a 120v extension cord you could power something directly to the generator.

 

[SRX]

AP514, thank you for the vid!


Pelican, we recently saw that very advice in a youtube vid. I wasn't aware, but makes total sense after hearing, thanks!


Noltz, thank you as well. I was thrilled to stumble across this geney on craigslist. I picked it up for approximately what it would be to purchase the largest box store version. It is in amazing shape for it's age. I believe there is a number on the side that tells what year it was built; will have to recheck. The quality motor build is what attracted me to it. It did not come with a cord, but it did come with a 200 amp breaker box/switch; which I do not need.

 

[SRX]

Here is a quick pic of the extra transfer switch

 

[PelicanPines]

Yea... Three avenues to connect a generator.

1. Switch (your extra box)
2. Interlock (it's installed in your breaker box)
3. Extension cables

Interlock is the best... congrats. A switch is nice but requires work to setup, wire etc. Extension cords are for the ones that have only small power outages.

I have a Honda EU2200i generator. It can only put out 120volts. But with creative wiring, can work with an interlock setup. BUT WILL NOT power 240 volt breakers... In a lot of cases, that would be enough.

I require a generator for medical reasons. CPAP & Supplemental Oxygen. It's why I went with a Honda.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I havent looked at the manual for the generator but you want to make sure the neutral is unbonded.

 

[SRX]

wylie I will take another look at the manual, but wouldn't that be more necessary with a manual transfer switch "seeing" to many grounds for neutral?

 

[SRX]

I should also ask, as every outlet in our new build is supposed to be GFCI, will that be an issue as well?

 

[AP514]

You need to UNBOND the Generator if connected to the House C/B panel. I am at that stage right now..see my post

 

[PelicanPines]

A nice reference to Bonded vs Floating neutral <LINK HERE>

 

[AP514]

Not so sure I like that Advice. In Video ."It does not matter if your Generator has a Bonded Neutral or not unless it is a GFI switch".

Think I will have mine UnBonded when hooked to house Panel....

 

[nadogail]

If I read this correctly are you going to use a 7500 watt cord to connect a 10,000 watt generator?

That, IMHO, is like putting 1/2 ton tires on a 3/4 ton truck.

 

[AP514]

If I read this correctly are you going to use a 7500 watt cord to connect a 10,000 watt generator?

That, IMHO, is like putting 1/2 ton tires on a 3/4 ton truck.

If you read through the post and looked at the Pics his House C/B is 30 AMP
His connect from Generator and Cord are all 30 Amp. Sometimes you got to go with what you got set up already. Plus a Deal on a 10K Gen was a No brainer.

 

[slow]

1/2 ton tires work great, if you are just driving around unloaded. In this case, figure out the running watts of the items you need to operate. MANY houses especially not running AC run just fine on 30 amps. A larger generator will drink the fuel, but will likely be able to handle the inrush current of high loads better than a smaller one. Personally, I used to be in the overkill camp for generators, had a 50 amp inlet and a 15,000 watt generac portable gasoline generator. It drank 36 gallons of gas a day, I sold it and replaced it with a EU2000 honda and a 8000 watt honda powered black max. These 2 give me much better flexibility and most important a couple of 5 gallon gas cans give a couple of days of run time vs less than 10 hours of the 15kw unit.

 

[checkthisout]

That thing is huge but might be what is needed for a well pump.

I would seriously consider getting a fuel cell or drum to keep that thing gassed up during long outages.

 

[theoldwizard1]

That thing is huge but might be what is needed for a well pump.

IMHO, OP would be better off with a SMALLER generator based on the loads he described. Probably around 5,000 watts.

I would seriously consider getting a fuel cell or drum to keep that thing gassed up during long outages.

And this is why !

That generator will drink a lot more fuel, even with a light load, compared to another generator 1/2 the size.

As for fuel storage, how many days supply so you want on hand ? 5 (2-3 days) or maybe even 10 (4-5 days) five gallon jugs is a reasonable amount. The key to fuel storage is ROTATE YOUR SUPPLY !

Monthly, dump one 5 gallon container into your vehicle and refill that container. Next month, move to the next container.

 

[Noltz]

Yes you'll need to unbond your generator with that transfer switch or an interlock with a cord. If you had a neutral switching transfer switch you could leave the generator as is. I'm certain with such a nice Genset you'll be able to find someone or instructions on how to unbond it yourself. I'm guessing it's for home backup only? As Wylie said to me earlier if you do unbond it and find yourself needing to use it as a portable somewhere you can make a "Bonding Plug", which is just an male 120v plug end with the neutral and ground terminals connected. You plug it into an unused outlet in the genny, and you're bonded again.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

wylie I will take another look at the manual, but wouldn't that be more necessary with a manual transfer switch "seeing" to many grounds for neutral?

NO! youre mixing things up here.

not even sure what you mean by the switch seeing too many grounds for neutral. That makes no sense.

It also shows a lack of knowledge on the subject.

A neutral bond is so a breaker can clear fault current. You dont want more than one neutral bond per electrical system. The neutral bond is already done on the main service panel on your house. The reason you need to unbond the neutral at the generator is so you dont have neutral return current flowing on unintended pathways such as the generator frame, EGC, and anything else bonded to the neutral. Having a bonded neutral creates a potential for shock hazard.

I should also ask, as every outlet in our new build is supposed to be GFCI, will that be an issue as well?

A GFCI does not care about whats going on ahead of it on the line side. The GFCI only cares about whats going on on the load side of the GFCI. Also, a GFCI doesnt care about the ground wire.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

A nice reference to Bonded vs Floating neutral <LINK HERE>

that is a horrible article. So many things I could pick apart on there.

So the electricity flows through you instead of directly into the ground.

no the electricity doesnt flow into the ground.

 

[SweetD]

Yes you'll need to unbond your generator with that transfer switch or an interlock with a cord. If you had a neutral switching transfer switch you could leave the generator as is. I'm certain with such a nice Genset you'll be able to find someone or instructions on how to unbond it yourself. I'm guessing it's for home backup only? As Wylie said to me earlier if you do unbond it and find yourself needing to use it as a portable somewhere you can make a "Bonding Plug", which is just an male 120v plug end with the neutral and ground terminals connected. You plug it into an unused outlet in the genny, and you're bonded again.

I'm doing this next week with help from my friend and co-worker that has the same genny as I have and has done the mod. Cheap insurance.