Need generator help

[Glenn W]

Something is wrong with my generator and I can't figure it out-- I checked the circuit breakers and transfer panel-- amp meters say AOK, but something just ain't right.

The kids and their families are all camping out at my place due to no electricity. We have a small 5k generator and are on a well and this is hooked up to the transfer panel. I can heat hot water as long as nothing else is on, so I get up early and heat up a tank of water each day.

So here are the symptoms--- 0745 this morning 4 females are getting ready for their days--- 2 in the showers and 2 blow drying their hair--- all with TV's on and lights burning in various bedrooms/bathrooms. Daughter #1 complains the water presure is low--- daughter in law complains her hair dryer is not getting hot--- wife complains that the TV in the bedroom is "fuzzy" all odf a sudden, son #2 complains the coffee maker isn't working right .---- damnifino, all I can figure is that something has gone wrong with my generator.

[HOLWACHAGOT]

Something is wrong with my generator and I can't figure it out-- I checked the circuit breakers and transfer panel-- amp meters say AOK, but something just ain't right.

The kids and their families are all camping out at my place due to no electricity. We have a small 5k generator and are on a well and this is hooked up to the transfer panel. I can heat hot water as long as nothing else is on, so I get up early and heat up a tank of water each day.

So here are the symptoms--- 0745 this morning 4 females are getting ready for their days--- 2 in the showers and 2 blow drying their hair--- all with TV's on and lights burning in various bedrooms/bathrooms. Daughter #1 complains the water presure is low--- daughter in law complains her hair dryer is not getting hot--- wife complains that the TV in the bedroom is "fuzzy" all odf a sudden, son #2 complains the coffee maker isn't working right .---- damnifino, all I can figure is that something has gone wrong with my generator.

Coffee mist.........I need a towel. You need a Nuclear Power plant.
Have any of your neighbors requested you let your freezers thaw so they can sleep without the sound of generators running?
Holwachagot

[billschwabe]

It's a wonder that generator hasn't melted down already! The 4500watt water heater element you probably have uses up all but 500 watts of what it can produce. What brand is it? I've got to get me one of those!

[Glenn W]

It's a wonder that generator hasn't melted down already! The 4500watt water heater element you probably have uses up all but 500 watts of what it can produce. What brand is it? I've got to get me one of those!

You nailed it to the tee--- the watt meters show 2300 on one side and 2200 on the other when the water heater (only) is kicked in. It struggles for sure, but hasn't tripped an internal breaker and hasn't melted (yet). It's a cheap Home Depot "Husky" 5 kw (6250 starting) w/ a Suzuki gas engine. But for the H2O heater, it works very well (even the 220v well pump) for the frig/freezer, a few lights, microwave, coffeemaker, and way too many electronic appliances (TVs, cordless phone, fans ,etc.).

[clt_capt]

Dude - your genset is pegged - Buy a bigger one or a couple more - A whole house Genset - with automatic transfer and diesel or propane is gonna run you $10K

[HOLWACHAGOT]

Glenn.....I seriously thought you were joking with your post and were fully aware of the issue. If that's not the case....please excuse the sarcasm.
Holwachagot

[marine4003]

Ok, so here's what you do...wait till everyones asleep...bury the hairdriers, toss curling irons in woods...unplug HWH....unscrew all lightbulbs..unplug TV..
Now run a 3-10 to beer cooler..
problem solved.

[Glenn W]

Glenn.....I seriously thought you were joking with your post and were fully aware of the issue. If that's not the case....please excuse the sarcasm.
Holwachagot

Geoff, it is all in jest. I'm well aware of the capacities of the portable unit I have. Frankly, it does an amazing job at keeping me comfortable.
No diesel or propane unit in my future--- I can think of alot better things to spend $10 grand on than something I only use for a few hours a year and then once every 5 or so years for a week or so constantly. The manual transfer panel I have works perfect--- 10 circuits and the 30amp cord plugs right in just like marine reciptical. With 2 fireplaces and propane heaters, I'm good to go in the winter--- a small window AC unit would be nice and I might check into seeing how much current a tiny unit draws for the bedroom--- hey, I even figured out how to get over-the-air TV reception.

[Hatterized]

hmmmm.......no electricity.......Did you pay your power bill..??....


sounds like time for a new gen......

[clt_capt]

You could take your generator out to the garage - have a small fan blow on a cooler of ice - keep you and the beer cool - and have enough left to run the portable TV...