90% Don't Know About This Fatal Generator Connection

WARNING! Don't make this mistake when connecting a generator to your home. I wanted to save money on a backup generator but this setup could have killed someone. Whole-house backup generators are awesome but very expensive. You can purchase a portable generator for a fraction of the price and with an interlock kit you'll be safe. If you're not used to working with electricity make sure you have a professional install your transfer switch. With the correct backup generator setup, you'll never be without power and still save a bunch of money.

As we journey from home to homestead, I'll teach you how to become self-reliant. When the systems we rely on fail, know that you'll have the skills to provide for your family. Oh, and we'll have fun doing it! 👊

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Be sure to watch: "DIY Storage Solution With A Secret (You Won't Believe How It Works!)"
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[HAXMAN]

Thanks for watching! You can feed a HAXMAN child by purchasing a shirt at www.thehaxman.com.

[Zappy]

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.

[Harleyever]

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"

[AmericanOne]

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

[sunshinegardener]

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.

[chaspfrank]

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.

[denisdesmarais]

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 😊

[antoniosagamuccio]

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.

[catbranchman]

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!

[kimpost]

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.

[zacandmillie]

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.

[BryanTorok]

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.

[frankenprepper]

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!!

[RhondaAlbash]

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

[beebob]

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.

[fasnuf]

Look into a soft start for your a/c unit, It'll make it super easy on your generator at startup from the inrush current. Mine went from 77amps at startup to 19amps.

[ericbraun]

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.

[projectswithjw]

That generator has a neutral and ground bonded internally which should be disconnected when using for home backup since you home will have its own neutral-ground bonded.
Good job on getting proper interlock 👍

[andymoss]

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

[henrychinaski]

I worked my entire life in the electric utility industry and I can tell you for certain a home gen set can and will backfeed the system. No, it won't be able to power up the grid, but in a restoration situation there will be many lines broken and on the ground. A home gen set could backfeed a single transformer with its primary lead on the ground. A lineman who is careless could touch that conductor on the ground and easily be killed. We were taught to listen for gen sets and to NEVER handle a conductor on the ground without rubber gloves and grounding the conductor. I can't tell you the number of home gen sets we've come across that were connected incorrectly. This video is an excellent demonstration of the correct way to connect a home generator. The only thing I would add to these instructions is if you have a small generator you would want to turn off all your breakers before connecting the generator. After your generator is connected and running you could then turn on just the circuits you need such as the refrigerator and some lights.