Safety tips:
1) Don’t connect your generator directly to your home unless you know exactly what you are doing. If you do, it is imperative that the cord you connect with is capable of carrying the entire output of your generator. For example, if you have a 5500-watt generator, it is capable of putting out 22.92 amps at 240 volts. Do not use an ordinary extension cord, or one constructed from ordinary cords! You can obtain cable sufficient for this (a minimum of 10awg, at a Home Depot or Lowes, and consult with one of the folks in the electrical department prior to purchasing it.
2) If you are connecting to your home, you must, and this is extremely important, turn the main disconnect to your home off. If you don’t know what the main disconnect is, you should not be connecting to your homes panel. Not turning the disconnect off can be deadly to yourself and others. Your generator is capable of backfeeding onto your power line connected to the home, and injuring or killing the power workers trying to get power back to you. In addition, you don’t want to see what happens when power is restored, with the disconnect on, and the generator is still hooked up and running. It is not a pretty site. Bottom line, if this is something you wish to do, have a qualified electrician install a transfer switch, and land the generator properly.
3) Do not overload your generator. The following will be very helpful: http://www.vmisales.com/voltmaster/appchart.html
4) Never use your generator indoors, and this includes an attached garage. Also, make sure the area is dry, well ventilated, and that the exhaust cannot enter the home via an open window, screen door, etc.
5) Never use your generator where it is exposed to rain. During a rainstorm, water can be sucked up into the air filter, causing it to collapse and restrict intake. This will cause crankcase oil to be sucked up into the top end of the motor, and cause engine failure.
6) Don’t forget to change the oil. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines, which on many units is every 50 hours of run time. This may not be practical in all situations, but I can’t stress how important this is. If every 50 hours is not possible, then as soon after 50 hours as possible.
7) Touching back on the topic of how the generator is hooked up, never connect the generator to an individual house outlet. If you are going to hook it directly to your home, do so at the main panel. In addition, never start or cut off you generator under load. In other words, make sure nothing is hooked up, drawing power, or having the ability to draw power, while starting or shutting off the generator.
8) Always use outdoor rated power cords, 12awg minimum.
9) Never store your fuel indoors, and always cut off the generator prior to refueling. Spilling gas on a running generator could be catastrophic.
10) Always read the manufacturers booklet that came with your generator. I know us guys love to wing it, so to speak, but resist the urge this time. If you know longer have the booklet, most are available from the manufacturers website for download in PDF Format.
11) Keep children and pets away from the generator at all times. Not only because of the shock hazard, but also because of extremely hot parts, such as the muffler, that can cause serious burns.
12) If a storm is approaching, ensure you have enough gasoline for at least three days of operation. If you don’t have the funds, borrow cans from neighbors, in exchange for hot coffee in the morning. Everyone wins in that situation. You can count on a 5500watt burning up to 12 gallons in a 24 hour period under a heavy load, with less under lighter loads. Plan on the heavy load to be safe. You can conserve fuel by periodically cutting off heavy power consumers such as small window a/c units, or limit their use to nighttime when the temps are lower and you can then get a good nights sleep.
13) If you are going to use your computer off of generator power, get a good quality UPS. This will prevent damage to your computer.
14) Never store your gas next to your generator, or anywhere where a leak from the can will reach the generator. To be safe, keep each in a different location, and don’t forget to take full cans out of the trunk of your car. A full gas can in the trunk can get hot, build up pressure, and begin to leak into the trunk compartment. This is not good.
15) This goes without saying, but never smoke while fueling the generator.
16) Buy a heavy-duty chain, and quality lock, and secure your generator. As sad as it is, folks will steal it during times like we are going through now. It has become a real problem in the area.
17) If you are going to run your TV off of the generator, go out and buy an old-fashioned set of rabbit ears. You will need an antenna because cable will be out too. These can go into your hurricane kit.
18) Stock up and prepare for a hurricane assuming you won’t have power, even if you own a generator. Generators can break, and if you are not prepared for that possibility, a mechanical failure can be more than just an inconvenience. You won’t be able to take it to your local repair shop for a quick repair.
19) You can siphon fuel out of your vehicles, (please not your primary one) for use in the generator. Don’t do it with a piece of garden hose and your lips. You can purchase a battery drill driven pump for this. Check at you local hardware or auto parts store, or google for one on the Internet. This should also be a part of your hurricane kit. We are fortunate enough to have a boat with a 105-gallon fuel tank, which is kept full, that we can draw on if necessary, in the event gas cannot be found. If you have a boat, take advantage of the fact you have a safe place to store fuel if needed.
20) When you will not be using your generator for long periods of time, make sure a fuel stabilizer is added to the fuel. This can be obtained from an auto parts store, Wal-Mart, etc. Follow the directions on the label. Also, take the generator out every couple of months and run it for an hour or so, after which you top off the tank. This can be a pain, but will ensure that it is ready to go prior to needing it. My generator sat for four years before I needed it, but following the above procedures guaranteed that it started on the first pull after Charley came through, and Frances, and Jeanne……………..
21) Lastly, purchase a generator that is large enough for what you need, and no bigger. Remember, you have to feed it, and it loves to eat gasoline. Costs can add up fast, and fuel and cash (you may not be able to use the debit or credit card), can be hard to come by. Bigger is better only if you can afford to run it, or move it around for that matter.
The bottom line is, be safe, take care of your generator, and it will be a lovely relationship
If anyone can think of anything is missed, or you want to add to this, please do. To all you fellow Floridians out there, hang tough, we have almost made it through the season..........Dave.
