Fired up the Coleman Generator today and gave it the whole house test for 30 min. Mine is a 5000 watt steady run with 6200 start up watts. I back feed through my welder outlet in the garage. The gen ran fine so I put in some sta bil and will test run again in a few months. Mobil 1 10w30 lubes it.
Tested my generator today
- Thread starter tig1
- Start date
- Status
Good stuff! That's one thing that is on my list once I pay off a lot of other debts, is a good generator, one like that that is capable of powering all essentials in the house. I like the back-feed setup. One of those peace of mind things, when you have a couple days off to hang around the house you almost wish for a good thunderstorm and power-out to give it a good rip and just feel smug knowing your house is the only one on the street with the lights on 
I drain and refill my gen sets every fall with fresh stabilized gas, test run and change oil if needed. Synthetic oil only in mine.
Gotta be ready to go if needed.
I'm using isolation transfer boxes, makes it wife friendly and safe for when I'm not home. Home gen set is E start with a float charger on the battery so it's really wife friendly.
Both are Craftsman 5500/8500 surge units.
Gotta be ready to go if needed.
I'm using isolation transfer boxes, makes it wife friendly and safe for when I'm not home. Home gen set is E start with a float charger on the battery so it's really wife friendly.
Both are Craftsman 5500/8500 surge units.
I have a dedicated circuit for my generator with an interlock kit.
http://www.interlockkit.com/ That way there is no possible way for the main breaker to be turned on while the breaker for the generator is on, A little expensive but cheaper than a transfer switch.
http://www.interlockkit.com/ That way there is no possible way for the main breaker to be turned on while the breaker for the generator is on, A little expensive but cheaper than a transfer switch.
My house had a genset transfer panel when I bought it. I have a Honda EB5000. I exercise it monthly with an electric heater to put a load on it.
It's real important to run your generator at least a few times a year to keep the carb from gumming up and to keep the residual magnetism up in the generator.
I change oil bi-annually--SAE 30 in the summer (cause I have LOTS of it) and Mobil 1 10w30 in the winter. Drainzit installed to make changes fast and easy.
It's real important to run your generator at least a few times a year to keep the carb from gumming up and to keep the residual magnetism up in the generator.
I change oil bi-annually--SAE 30 in the summer (cause I have LOTS of it) and Mobil 1 10w30 in the winter. Drainzit installed to make changes fast and easy.
Originally Posted By: pidster
Good stuff! That's one thing that is on my list once I pay off a lot of other debts, is a good generator, one like that that is capable of powering all essentials in the house. I like the back-feed setup. One of those peace of mind things, when you have a couple days off to hang around the house you almost wish for a good thunderstorm and power-out to give it a good rip and just feel smug knowing your house is the only one on the street with the lights on
Funny, we used to have power outages here but since I bought mine 4 years ago I have only used it 2 hrs. Good insurance though.
Good stuff! That's one thing that is on my list once I pay off a lot of other debts, is a good generator, one like that that is capable of powering all essentials in the house. I like the back-feed setup. One of those peace of mind things, when you have a couple days off to hang around the house you almost wish for a good thunderstorm and power-out to give it a good rip and just feel smug knowing your house is the only one on the street with the lights on
Funny, we used to have power outages here but since I bought mine 4 years ago I have only used it 2 hrs. Good insurance though.
Originally Posted By: repairman54
I drain and refill my gen sets every fall with fresh stabilized gas, test run and change oil if needed. Synthetic oil only in mine.
Gotta be ready to go if needed.
I'm using isolation transfer boxes, makes it wife friendly and safe for when I'm not home. Home gen set is E start with a float charger on the battery so it's really wife friendly.
Both are Craftsman 5500/8500 surge units.
Mine isn't wife friendly at all. Maybe some woman, not mine. With the back feed, ground wire, fuel, and power panel management, and all the rest, there's no way she could use it.
I drain and refill my gen sets every fall with fresh stabilized gas, test run and change oil if needed. Synthetic oil only in mine.
Gotta be ready to go if needed.
I'm using isolation transfer boxes, makes it wife friendly and safe for when I'm not home. Home gen set is E start with a float charger on the battery so it's really wife friendly.
Both are Craftsman 5500/8500 surge units.
Mine isn't wife friendly at all. Maybe some woman, not mine. With the back feed, ground wire, fuel, and power panel management, and all the rest, there's no way she could use it.
Last edited:
When we built our current home we had a Generac propane fired standby generator installed that would power the entire house if the power fails. Since we're in a very rural area, the electricity fails quite frequently.
I can't imagine being without a generator-they are cheap insurance and well worth the investment.
I can't imagine being without a generator-they are cheap insurance and well worth the investment.
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
When we built our current home we had a Generac propane fired standby generator installed that would power the entire house if the power fails. Since we're in a very rural area, the electricity fails quite frequently.
I can't imagine being without a generator-they are cheap insurance and well worth the investment.
A friend is a certified repair tech on the Generac gen. I have helped him on a few ocasions with repair work. Also my daughter has a Generac as well and has needed it several times.
When we built our current home we had a Generac propane fired standby generator installed that would power the entire house if the power fails. Since we're in a very rural area, the electricity fails quite frequently.
I can't imagine being without a generator-they are cheap insurance and well worth the investment.
A friend is a certified repair tech on the Generac gen. I have helped him on a few ocasions with repair work. Also my daughter has a Generac as well and has needed it several times.
I've been trying to convince my parents to get a generator unit, but they refuse until they build there own house... So when winter comes and there is a power outage for 2 weeks and the closes one in in texas....... Anyway, be careful with the back-feed, I know the main is off, but I've heard horror stories about linemen getting electrocuted because someone was careless, or the circuit breaker doesn't completely open, or something like that.
I'd switch to a heavier oil, I've heard about generators that are being run almost 24/7 during long outages have rod bearing failures due to inadequate lubrication. I'd switch to a 15w40 Synthetic HDEO or similar, if it was mine. Those things really need a pressurized lubrication system with a filter.
I'd switch to a heavier oil, I've heard about generators that are being run almost 24/7 during long outages have rod bearing failures due to inadequate lubrication. I'd switch to a 15w40 Synthetic HDEO or similar, if it was mine. Those things really need a pressurized lubrication system with a filter.
"Anyway, be careful with the back-feed"
In Canada, it's illegal to back-feed. I've been told that even with the breaker thrown, there's a possibility to feed power back into the grid. I don't know how that would be possible but, there's a definite concern for it.
I have a 60 amp outlet in my garage that I figured would be a great place to use for a back-feed. After doing some research and finding out that it's illegal, I changed the plan and bought heavy cable/connectors to make a separate supply into the house.
In Canada, it's illegal to back-feed. I've been told that even with the breaker thrown, there's a possibility to feed power back into the grid. I don't know how that would be possible but, there's a definite concern for it.
I have a 60 amp outlet in my garage that I figured would be a great place to use for a back-feed. After doing some research and finding out that it's illegal, I changed the plan and bought heavy cable/connectors to make a separate supply into the house.
Linemen are supposed to ground out. (Connecting the power line to reference ground) So any power that was backfeeding would be directly directed to ground. This would result in your generator running full bore, most likely breaking it. When the power would then come back on, assuming it survived the backfeeding. The power that would then be introduced into the generator coils, would at best ruin the engine due to the back rotation of the generator. While at worst would ruin the Coils themselves in the generator possibly causing a fire. While backfeeding is not advised, if your main breaker is not causing an open circuit, you should get it replaced as soon as possible. Any electrical work done inside your house is then an extreme hazard to an untrained individual. It is possible to test this, by measuring the Voltage open circuit of your main breaker with reference to ground on your side. It should read ~0V, some Voltage reading is acceptable simply due to mutual inductance(Assuming No Blackout). You can also measure this when your back feeding and should record ~0V on the utility side, with reference to ground. Assuming no one near you is backfeeding into the system and it is not a brown out condition. Hope this clarifies some things.
Originally Posted By: Nick R
I've been trying to convince my parents to get a generator unit, but they refuse until they build there own house... So when winter comes and there is a power outage for 2 weeks and the closes one in in texas....... Anyway, be careful with the back-feed, I know the main is off, but I've heard horror stories about linemen getting electrocuted because someone was careless, or the circuit breaker doesn't completely open, or something like that.
I'd switch to a heavier oil, I've heard about generators that are being run almost 24/7 during long outages have rod bearing failures due to inadequate lubrication. I'd switch to a 15w40 Synthetic HDEO or similar, if it was mine. Those things really need a pressurized lubrication system with a filter.
Internet rumors about mains not opening. To test it simply shut off your main when you have power. It you lose juice then your main is opening. No brainer there. As for 15-40 oil, I wouldn't do it in my gen as it calls for a 30 wt oil. I use M1 in my gen so I have no fear of Vis loss and bearing failure. My friend that does Gen repair uses only Mobil 1 5w30 in all of his PM work. Many of his cutomers have had their gens on line for days with no problems at all.
I've been trying to convince my parents to get a generator unit, but they refuse until they build there own house... So when winter comes and there is a power outage for 2 weeks and the closes one in in texas....... Anyway, be careful with the back-feed, I know the main is off, but I've heard horror stories about linemen getting electrocuted because someone was careless, or the circuit breaker doesn't completely open, or something like that.
I'd switch to a heavier oil, I've heard about generators that are being run almost 24/7 during long outages have rod bearing failures due to inadequate lubrication. I'd switch to a 15w40 Synthetic HDEO or similar, if it was mine. Those things really need a pressurized lubrication system with a filter.
Internet rumors about mains not opening. To test it simply shut off your main when you have power. It you lose juice then your main is opening. No brainer there. As for 15-40 oil, I wouldn't do it in my gen as it calls for a 30 wt oil. I use M1 in my gen so I have no fear of Vis loss and bearing failure. My friend that does Gen repair uses only Mobil 1 5w30 in all of his PM work. Many of his cutomers have had their gens on line for days with no problems at all.
I have a Coleman Powermate 5000/6250 with Tecumseh 10 HP HM-100 engine. Broke in with Castrol HD 30, now keep GC in it for general use, and winter use. But I also keep two quarts of M1 V Twin 20W-50 to be put in it if the ambient will be staying above 80 F. This is basically for the hottest days of summer, like running the whole house AC on a 100 F day.
BTW, I did test that this generator can power the whole house AC. It works ok. The whole house AC unit was the ONLY thing powered up at that time.
Also, on hot days, be sure to use a large box fan to add additional cooling to the electric section of the gen-set. Be sure the direction of flow is not fighting the air flow of the engine.
Post here on BITOG by someone in Florida had info about requirement of generator oil on hot days. 30 wt is not good enough for the really hot days.
I would not run a 40 wt in the winter, not even a multi grade.
For air cooled OPE I stay with SL rated oil. Never SM rated oil.
As for back feeding. If you do try to dump power back into the grid you will be trying to power up the entire neighborhood. If you are lucky the breaker on your genset will pop, but it is just as likely that you will fry your generator. The circuit breaker on these generators is NOT good enough protection to prevent you from damaging it if you over-load it.
It is worth noting that there are expensive inverters used by some people who have solar or wind power that sync with the grid and allow back-feeding and selling power to the grid. This has been legal in the U.S. for many years now.
Yea. if you live out in the country, where there is a long run of line from one house to another there is a small possibility that your house would be disconnected (isolated) during a fault, and if while isolated you fed power to the grid you could kill someone, if they were not following proper procedure.
In general though if you ever connect your generator to the main, you will fry your generator.
BTW, I did test that this generator can power the whole house AC. It works ok. The whole house AC unit was the ONLY thing powered up at that time.
Also, on hot days, be sure to use a large box fan to add additional cooling to the electric section of the gen-set. Be sure the direction of flow is not fighting the air flow of the engine.
Post here on BITOG by someone in Florida had info about requirement of generator oil on hot days. 30 wt is not good enough for the really hot days.
I would not run a 40 wt in the winter, not even a multi grade.
For air cooled OPE I stay with SL rated oil. Never SM rated oil.
As for back feeding. If you do try to dump power back into the grid you will be trying to power up the entire neighborhood. If you are lucky the breaker on your genset will pop, but it is just as likely that you will fry your generator. The circuit breaker on these generators is NOT good enough protection to prevent you from damaging it if you over-load it.
It is worth noting that there are expensive inverters used by some people who have solar or wind power that sync with the grid and allow back-feeding and selling power to the grid. This has been legal in the U.S. for many years now.
Yea. if you live out in the country, where there is a long run of line from one house to another there is a small possibility that your house would be disconnected (isolated) during a fault, and if while isolated you fed power to the grid you could kill someone, if they were not following proper procedure.
In general though if you ever connect your generator to the main, you will fry your generator.
For some good reading about generators, google "garden generator water heater trysquire".
For good info about reducing the load and also about runing electric water heaters, go to the bottom of the list of posts, and read the last few posts.
For good info about reducing the load and also about runing electric water heaters, go to the bottom of the list of posts, and read the last few posts.
Last edited:
Corection, for some good reading about generators, google "Florida garden generator trysquire"
By including Florida in the search you will bring up the big original thread on that site. If you go to some of the post towards the bottom you will find some information about reducing the load on your generator and powering an electric water heater from a generator.
There is a small thread that comes up if you do not use Florida in the google search, and you will not see all the information that this site has from the small thread.
By including Florida in the search you will bring up the big original thread on that site. If you go to some of the post towards the bottom you will find some information about reducing the load on your generator and powering an electric water heater from a generator.
There is a small thread that comes up if you do not use Florida in the google search, and you will not see all the information that this site has from the small thread.
4wd
$50 site donor 2026
Have four gens now up to 12,000W and four mowers up to 23 HP - have for years. (four vehicles too).
Stabil and Mobil 1 and no issues. I do use a "pinch" of Techron twice a year - Stabil does not do what that stuff does.
Those three products and Top Tier gasoline (mostly XOM or Shell) are all I need for big and small.
Stabil and Mobil 1 and no issues. I do use a "pinch" of Techron twice a year - Stabil does not do what that stuff does.
Those three products and Top Tier gasoline (mostly XOM or Shell) are all I need for big and small.
The lowest temperature that your OPE may see in the great state of Texas is quite a bit warmer than what some northern states see, and thus the winter requirements of OPE engine oil is not the same.
BTW, this evening (Friday) my sisters house in the south hills of Pittsburgh is still without power because of the storm that came through between 5 PM and 5:30 PM last Wensday.
BTW, this evening (Friday) my sisters house in the south hills of Pittsburgh is still without power because of the storm that came through between 5 PM and 5:30 PM last Wensday.
I have the same unit. I have been looking at it all summer and thinking about servicing it, I better get it done soon.
- Status
Similar threads
