topic Re: HOME GENERATOR PROBLEMS in Community Chat

HOME GENERATOR PROBLEMS

tends2dogs — Sat, 23 Sep 2023 17:09:24 GMT

I wasn't sure where to post this. Has anyone had their generator be effected by a power surge? We have had 3 different "house calls" from 3 different companies come out and check why our generator board keeps blinking a red light (instead of the usual green light) after it has done it's weekly test run.

We were told by one that it had gone through a power surge and we should replace it. Our generator is 14 years old and has always been serviced each year. The life expectancy is 25 years.

The people who originally installed it couldn't resolve the problem after changing out a switch that didn't change anything.

This morning an electrician came out and said there was a problem with the transfer switch. (?) He said we should get someone that deals with this brand (Kohler/Lennox) come out to fix it. He was here for over an hour checking many things said that the generator is working, but this switch is the problem. He did not try to sell us a new generator. He said he has never dealt with a power surge problem with a generator. He didn't feel the generator would work if there had been a power surge problem.

Our next step is to have someone come out and change this switch.

Sorry, so long. We are just frustrated. Just wondered if anyone has had any problems with their generator.

TIA

Re: HOME GENERATOR PROBLEMS

Sooner — Sat, 23 Sep 2023 17:16:53 GMT

I know little about this but would bet on the transfer switch. Also, we put a whole home surge supressor on our system and if you don't have one, it might be worth looking into.

I hope you get this fixed, surely before winter! Best wishes!

Re: HOME GENERATOR PROBLEMS

YouGoGirl1 — Sat, 23 Sep 2023 17:26:32 GMT

I heard you can have surge protectors put on them when they are installed. I asked about that when they came out to give me an estimate.

Re: HOME GENERATOR PROBLEMS

Kachina624 — Sat, 23 Sep 2023 17:29:15 GMT

@tends2dogs. Have you tried contacting someone at the factory about the problem? If, of course, it was made in the US.

Re: HOME GENERATOR PROBLEMS

tends2dogs — Sat, 23 Sep 2023 18:08:56 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
@tends2dogs. Have you tried contacting someone at the factory about the problem? If, of course, it was made in the US.

@Kachina624 This particular model is no longer available. We are going to contact the dealer that installed it 14 years ago. They have been out here twice. The last time DH talked to them we were told they could sent a service guy where he would be on the line with a tech guy. Looking into the factory is a good suggestion. Of course, we know it is out of warranty, but if it is a simple fix, it would be so much better than a whole new set up. Never thought this was going to get so complicated........

Re: HOME GENERATOR PROBLEMS

RedTop — Sat, 23 Sep 2023 18:15:01 GMT

A transfer switch monitors the power coming into your home; a power surge probably fried it.

Re: HOME GENERATOR PROBLEMS

shoesnbags — Sat, 23 Sep 2023 20:47:03 GMT

@tends2dogs

Yes, we had a very similar problem and ended up installing a new generator and transfer switch. Our 10 yr. GE generator performed beautifully after Hurricane Ida, running for 10 days straight. On the 11th day the power company restored electricity to our neighborhood and the resulting surge fried our transfer box. It was actually smoking and was black with soot. Power company said it was our responsibility because it was our equipment.

Since we are unable to evacuate with our disabled son who can't tolerate a long car trip, we need a super reliable power source. The entire transfer box needed to be replaced ($$$) and we had a new Generac installed. Mr. Shoes just didn't want to take a chance that something in the GE generator might have been damaged by the surge.

For what it's worth, we gave the GE to our friend's brother who is good with motors and equipment and he did get it working again for his own use. Of course, if something goes wrong he is able to deal with it on the spot, whereas we wouldn't have a clue. He is also able to pick up and leave if it quits permanently on him.

I hope that you're able to find a solution. If not, we really like our Generac.

Re: HOME GENERATOR PROBLEMS

tends2dogs — Sat, 23 Sep 2023 22:24:59 GMT

Thanks so much, @shoesnbags , for sharing your experience and your input on Generac.

We are in somewhat of the same position that we have to be able to depend on it working. We head to warmer weather in the winter and we can't afford to have the power go out and have the pipes freeze. It isn't like we can jump in our car and come home and take care of things. Our generator ran for a full week several years ago. It saved us a lot of headaches.

I think we are leaning toward purchasing a new one. There was no soot or smoke residue, but after running for a few minutes with the meter pulled, it shut down. We can't take a chance.

TA for taking the time to post.

Re: HOME GENERATOR PROBLEMS

Lilysmom1 — Sun, 24 Sep 2023 07:56:58 GMT

@tends2dogs Thanks for posting. We have a whole home generator (Generac). It is a couple of years old. I am going to ask the question about power surges.

Re: HOME GENERATOR PROBLEMS

nova — Sun, 24 Sep 2023 11:40:07 GMT

@tends2dogs After Superstorm Sandy we installed a Generac whole home generator. We have frequent and sometimes lengthy power surges & blackouts and the Generac has not failed. Recommend if you do need to change get a Generac. Wishing you luck.

Re: HOME GENERATOR PROBLEMS

Mindy D — Sun, 24 Sep 2023 19:01:53 GMT

@shoesnbags wrote:
@tends2dogs
Yes, we had a very similar problem and ended up installing a new generator and transfer switch. Our 10 yr. GE generator performed beautifully after Hurricane Ida, running for 10 days straight. On the 11th day the power company restored electricity to our neighborhood and the resulting surge fried our transfer box. It was actually smoking and was black with soot. Power company said it was our responsibility because it was our equipment.

Since we are unable to evacuate with our disabled son who can't tolerate a long car trip, we need a super reliable power source. The entire transfer box needed to be replaced ($$$) and we had a new Generac installed. Mr. Shoes just didn't want to take a chance that something in the GE generator might have been damaged by the surge.

For what it's worth, we gave the GE to our friend's brother who is good with motors and equipment and he did get it working again for his own use. Of course, if something goes wrong he is able to deal with it on the spot, whereas we wouldn't have a clue. He is also able to pick up and leave if it quits permanently on him.

I hope that you're able to find a solution. If not, we really like our Generac.

@shoesnbags @My local electric company, FPL, sells insurance that covers damages from surges like yours. Since you have a new generator, you might want to check to see if your power company also sells this coverage.

Re: HOME GENERATOR PROBLEMS

shoesnbags — Sun, 24 Sep 2023 20:24:22 GMT

@Mindy D

Good ole Entergy, our power company, doesn't offer anything like that. Given how cheap and unfriendly to customers they are, I'm not surprised.

There are now standards in place since 2020 that govern surge protection on generators, so hopefully that will prevent this from ever happening again. Our old generator gave us 10 or 12 years of service before the surge problem happened. I'm convinced that one of the guys working for Entergy did something wrong that day - but of course we couldn't prove it.

Entergy is so cheap that they refuse to replace leaning utility poles till they fall. If they fall during a hurricane, they then add the replacement cost to the extra "hurricane" fee we have to pay on our electric bills for a year or more later. So I'd never expect any help to come from them.