Owner`s manual

Page 7
utility power source. Repair personnel working to restore service to
normal will open a switch between the main power supply and the
location they are working. The repairman has every reason to believe
that the line he is working on is electrically dead. If the home circuits
are not isolated, the generator output will back feed through the home
circuit up to the utility line and the repairman will be electrocuted when
he attempts repairs. If normal power and the generator are not
isolated and the normal power is suddenly restored while the generator
is operating, severe damage to the generator will occur and possibly
damage and or a fire to the home.
INFREQUENT SERVICE
If the generator set is used infrequently, extended shut down periods
can result in difficult engine starting. If let to stand in the engine for a
long time (over 6 months) gasoline will tend to form a varnish like
substance which will clog up to the fuel system and the carburetor.
The result will be a hard start engine. Check with your local engine
manufacturer dealer for their recommendation of a gasoline additive to
prevent varnish formation. To eliminate hard starting, run the
generator at least 10 minutes every 4 to 6 weeks. This will insure that
the engine seals will not dry out and cause oil leaks and compression
problems. The use of a fuel additive such as Sta-Bil or any other
equivalent will minimize the formation of gum deposits. Capacitors
tend to slowly discharge over prolonged periods of time. See the web
site www.voltmaster.com for flashing capacitors.
OUT OF SERVICE PROTECTION
If the generator set will be out of service for 6 months or longer, the
following is recommended:
• Run the unit until it reaches normal operating temperature
(about 10 minutes) and shut it down
• Drain the fuel from the carburetor bowl
• Drain the oil from the engine base while the engine is still
warm. Fill with fresh oil.
• Remove the spark plug(s), pour 1 oz of engine oil into the
cylinder(s), crank the engine slowly and replace the spark
plug(s) but do not tighten
• Service the air cleaner
• Plug the exhaust outlet to prevent moisture, bugs and dirt.
• Clean off dirt and grease
• Put a cover over the unit and store avoiding extreme heat or
cold.
• Before restarting, remove protective cover, remove spark
plug(s), crank the engine slowly, replace the spark plug(s)
and tighten them.
WATTAGE REQUIREMENTS
When determining the generator load, it is critical for you to decide
what equipment and or appliances you want to run at the same time.
The following steps will help you determine what size load this
generator can power. Electric motors present a special problem when
figuring the proper generator size.
• Make 2 lists, one of the electric motors and the other of all
lights, small appliances etc that must be powered by the
generator. For stand by emergency service you should
include only essential equipment (refrigerator, sump pump,
water pump, heat) that must be kept in service.
• Enter the watts required to operate each item (except
motors). This wattage can usually be found on the appliance
nameplate. If the wattage is not listed, you can determine
the wattage by multiplying the voltage times the amperage,
which equals wattage for single-phase equipment.
• Electric motors usually require 3 – 4 times nameplate rating
to start (locked rotor current). For example, if the electric
motor nameplate states 10 amps at 120 volts the 10 A X 120
V = 1200 running watts. This would mean that you would
need about 30 amps on one 120 volt circuit to start this
motor. Electric motors will require different starting amps
depending on the application. VOLTS X AMPS = WATTS
• Air compressors, circular saws, ½” drills, submersible
pumps, well pumps, inverters, air conditioners, hot air roof
welders etc require very heavy electric motor starting
amperage. These devices require at least 3 times
nameplate ratings or more to start. Some motors such as
hair dryers, food mixers, etc require very little above the
nameplate ratings to start.
• Add the watts required for starting electric motors with the
watts required for all other loads and you now known the
size generator you need to operate your loads. Always start
the largest size motor first and then the next smallest.
SUGGESTED HOME STANDBY INSTALLATION
A typical installation with an outdoor connection box, cord set and
manual transfer switch is shown in figure 4. The installation of the
outdoor connection box and manual transfer switch must be performed
by a licensed electrician or contractor. Store the generator in a warm
and dry location. During a utility power failure, carry the generator
outdoors to a flat, dry location such as a driveway or walk way. Use a
connection box and cord set as shown to connect your 240 volts from
the generator to the home. Turn off the lights and appliances that were
on before the utility failure. This prevents a possible overloading of the
generator. Start the engine, wait 2-3 minutes for the engine to warm
up and then throw the manual transfer switch to the generator position.
You may then apply various electrical loads being careful not to
exceed the capacity of the generator. When the utility power is
restored, throw the manual transfer switch to the normal position. Your
home circuits are now being powered by the utility. Disconnect the
cord set from the generator and shut the generator down. Service the
engine as required.
EMERGENCY CIRCUIT ISOLATION METHOD
A. One method is to have the emergency circuits (important
items to be powered in a power outage) grouped together
and rewired into a separate junction box (this emergency
circuit must not exceed the ampere rating of the generator)
and connected to the generator by a cord set or directly
wired to the generator. The manual transfer switch with an
ampere rating equal to the ampere rating of the emergency
circuit, would then be connected between the home load
center panel and the emergency circuit junction box figure 5.
With this method it will be difficult to accidentally over load
the generator. During a power outage, start the generator
(with no load) and then place the manual transfer switch in
the generator position. The generator will now power the
emergency circuit. When the normal power is restored the
manual transfer switch should be placed in the normal
position after the generator is shut down. The emergency
circuit will now be powered by the utility power.
B. Another method is the TOTAL CIRCUIT ISOLATION
METHOD. If the emergency circuit are not or cannot be
rewired together in a separate junction box (figure 6) you will
have to select the circuits and appliances to be powered by
the generator. Caution must then be used to prevent the
overload of the generator. The manual transfer switch
ampere rating must be equal to the ampere rating of the
normal incoming utility service. During a power outage start
the generator with no load. All items in the home should be
turned off. Place the manual transfer switch in the generator
position. Selected emergency items can then be turned on.
Be sure these items don’t overload the generator. The
emergency items left on home circuits will now be powered
by the generator. When the normal power is restored, the
manual transfer switch is placed in the normal position and
the generator is shut down. The home electric circuits will
now be powered by the utility power source.
*MANUAL TRANSFER SWITCH POSITION DETERMINES WHICH POWER SORCE,
UTILITY OR STANDBY GENERATOR WILL FEED INTO THE DISTIBUTION PANEL
OUTDOOR
CONNECTION
BOX
INCOMING
UTILITY
HIGH LINE
ELECTRIC
WATT-HOUR
METER
CONNECTION
CORD SET
INCOMING
UTILITY
POWER LINE
TO HOME
ELECTRIC CIRCUIT
DISTRIBUTION
(FUSE) PANEL
MANUAL
TRANSFER SWITCH
FIGURE 4