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Running Refrigerator on A Generator

Mac74

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Jun 19, 2013
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Hello all! It’s been a while since I visited this site. I actually forgot I had created an account with the site until last night. I’m on several automotive forums but I think the question I have can best be answered on this forum.

So, I have a 6250 Briggs and Stratton generator. Luckily, I haven’t had to use it often, and when I have it’s only been for a day or so. And since it doesn’t get much use, I never had the wiring done to plug it into my house panel. I just run two extension cords from the 120v receptacles and power a few things.
I recently just had to use it and I quickly found that the refrigerator my wife recently bought keeps tripping the GFCI on generator. Both 120v plugs on the generator are GFCI protected and after doing a little research, I found the most refrigerators don’t work well with GFCI receptacles. The fridge is fairly new. My wife bought it last year and its one of those Samsung family hub deals.

Anyway, my question is about replacing one of the receptacles with just a regular receptacle that’s not GFCI protected. Some have said just run down to the store and buy a regular receptacle and replace it. Others have suggested I take the receptacle that’s in it and rewire it to bypass the GFCI protection. What would be the best way to go about this? I’m pretty handy in the garage with a carbureted gas engine, but when it comes to electrical wiring, I like to ask the experts. I’ve found a lot online about fridges tripping a GFCI in a home or building, but not much about a generator.

The generator is about 4-5 years old and only has 100hrs of use. I’m pretty sure its not a bad GFCI because everything else runs just fine. I read a post somewhere online that said to break the ground prong off the extension cord and that would fix the problem. I also read something else that said the generator needed to be grounded. Those two recommendations just didn’t seem like they would really address the problem. So, the basic question is how I stop the fridge from tripping the GFCI on the generator when it’s plugged in?
 
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nadogail

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In my studies 25 plus years ago I learned that the allowed leakage current on a refrigerator defroster exceeds the trip current for many GFCI receptacles. Consequently I have been installing refrigerators on dedicated circuits with the receptacle high on the wall behind the refrigerator.

I am sure that the current code has changed and have not consulted my local inspection office.
 

wyliesdiesels

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Fridges work just fine with GFCIs, when theres nothing internally wrong on the fridge.

If the fridge is tripping the GFCI, that means its alerting you to an internal issue. Get the fridge fixed. Usually its the defroster bulb in the freezer...
 

wyliesdiesels

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Modesto, CA
In my studies 25 plus years ago I learned that the allowed leakage current on a refrigerator defroster exceeds the trip current for many GFCI receptacles. Consequently I have been installing refrigerators on dedicated circuits with the receptacle high on the wall behind the refrigerator.

I am sure that the current code has changed and have not consulted my local inspection office.
Current code does not allow exception to the GFCI requirement for single receptacles anymore...
 
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Mac74

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Jun 19, 2013
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Thanks for the responses. I will take a look at the fridge again. When you say defrost bulb, are you speaking of the heater itself. From looking at my fridge and the manual, it has a heater but there's no bulb.
 
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dcg9381

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I've owned one of these. It's been my least favorite generator of all time. Largely as I found the breakers to be pretty poor and subject to frequent faults.

If you want to work around the GFCI, you can adapt the 30A 240A locking outlet down to 120V. I don't think that outlet is GFCI protected. People gonna say "that's bad" powering a 20A appliance on a 30A circuit, but if I recall correctly, the breaker on that circuit is oddball and is under 30A, maybe something like 25A.

There may be something wrong with the refrigerator, you could try it on a household GFCI outlet and see if you get the same results.
 
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Mac74

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Jun 19, 2013
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I was looking at a cord earlier. It was a 25ft., heavy duty Generator Adaptor Extension locking cord, NEMA L14-30 that split off into 4 110v outlets. And the 120/240 plug on the generator is not GFCI protected so that may be the route I go. My wife keeps saying we should go with one of the Generac standby generators. One of those would be nice to have , but I don't think we loose power enough to invest that kind of money. Not to mention I would have to figure out the gas source. Thanks for the response.

Quick question, as I stated before, I'm not too familiar with electrical wiring. If I did run a extension cord from the NEMA plug, would I still be able to use the other two 120v plugs at the same time?
 

dcg9381

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Quick question, as I stated before, I'm not too familiar with electrical wiring. If I did run a extension cord from the NEMA plug, would I still be able to use the other two 120v plugs at the same time?

Yes.
 

nadogail

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Coronado, CA
I was looking at a cord earlier. It was a 25ft., heavy duty Generator Adaptor Extension locking cord, NEMA L14-30 that split off into 4 110v outlets. And the 120/240 plug on the generator is not GFCI protected so that may be the route I go. My wife keeps saying we should go with one of the Generac standby generators. One of those would be nice to have , but I don't think we loose power enough to invest that kind of money. Not to mention I would have to figure out the gas source. Thanks for the response.

Quick question, as I stated before, I'm not too familiar with electrical wiring. If I did run a extension cord from the NEMA plug, would I still be able to use the other two 120v plugs at the same time?
Yes as long as you don’t overload the generator.
 

theoldwizard1

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SE MI
Anyway, my question is about replacing one of the receptacles with just a regular receptacle that’s not GFCI protected. Some have said just run down to the store and buy a regular receptacle and replace it. Others have suggested I take the receptacle that’s in it and rewire it to bypass the GFCI protection. What would be the best way to go about this?
First, Wylie is 100% correct. To be code legal, you must have GFCI.

Your generator probably has a 240VAC outlet. Buy the appropriate plug, 3' of 10-4 SJOOW cordage, a metal handi box and make your own adapter.

FYI - GFCI outlets don't care about ground. They simply measure the power going in and the power going back out. If they are different, they trip. Code allows you to install a GFCI on an old 2 wire circuit, but the receptacle must be labeled as UNGROUNDED.
 
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