Post by ohioautotech on Aug 11, 2015 22:48:11 GMT -5
We have a standby generator, had it installed about 10 years ago. few months ago had a brief power outage and even tho the generator ran, it did not put any power into the house.. So when I had time a few days later I checked the 110 output at the aux outlet at the generator itself- Yes it was making 124 volts. I figured the automatic transfer switch was bad.
My son is a Generac dealer but only works on the units , not installation, 120/240 circuit wiring in the house. So we called an electrician. The company we called just happened to be a Generac dealer/ installer and had bought out the company we bought our unit from.
bad vibes right from the start. They were supposed to be here at 830Am, so I stayed home that day. 1030 Am adn not here yet. Wife called the company and she ws told their guys had an emergency and would get here around noon. Noon came and went, about 130Pm we got a call from the guys. They asked how far down the gravel road we lived. So the wife proceeded to ask where they were because we do not live on a gravel road. turns out the conpany's office had given them the wrong address.
They finally got here and asked where the generator was and I told them where it was but that the problem was inside the house. Got the famous deer in the headlights look.
Down to the basement we go. When the electrician pulled off the cover of the breaker panel he got a bewildered look on his face. I explained the problem and what I thought it was but needed them to actually diagnos.
One of them held a flashlight while the other did his testing . Yes, transfer switch is bad . He said it was a bad module in the transfer switch and they would have to order the part. So I asked them to call with the price for the part and installation before they ordered.
2 weeks later and still had not received the phone call about part price. Screw it I told myself and had my son order it so I could replace it myself. Ordered one day and less than 24 hours later I had it in my hands.
Got it home and looked it over. I pulled off the plastic cover in the middle of it so I could see how many wires I had to switch on the module. Imagine my surprise- there was no module in it. Now I am really hot !
Next day at the shop I accessed the wiring diagrams and figured out my plan of action for testing and diagnosing.
Then all the rain started and I did not want to be on wet ground while messing around inside the control panel as i had done testing at the breaker panel and found the transfer switch was not getting 12 volts when power went out. The 12 volts applies the transfer solenoid.
Today I was able to do my testing at the generator control panel. Took me more time to remove access panels and trim panels than to check for 12 volts.
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results. Soon as I got the last panel off I knew I was on the right track as I smelled burnt electrical.
It has a dual output transformer , one set of outputs to keep the battery charged, the other 12 volt output if for the transfer switch solenoid. Thatr side of the transformer is dead.
Paid Beck Electric $150 for nothing.Paid $250 for a transfer switch I did not need.
Lesson relearned- If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. On the plus side, I have learned about Generac generators and will be able to apply that knowledge to other gen-sets.
My son is a Generac dealer but only works on the units , not installation, 120/240 circuit wiring in the house. So we called an electrician. The company we called just happened to be a Generac dealer/ installer and had bought out the company we bought our unit from.
bad vibes right from the start. They were supposed to be here at 830Am, so I stayed home that day. 1030 Am adn not here yet. Wife called the company and she ws told their guys had an emergency and would get here around noon. Noon came and went, about 130Pm we got a call from the guys. They asked how far down the gravel road we lived. So the wife proceeded to ask where they were because we do not live on a gravel road. turns out the conpany's office had given them the wrong address.
They finally got here and asked where the generator was and I told them where it was but that the problem was inside the house. Got the famous deer in the headlights look.
Down to the basement we go. When the electrician pulled off the cover of the breaker panel he got a bewildered look on his face. I explained the problem and what I thought it was but needed them to actually diagnos.
One of them held a flashlight while the other did his testing . Yes, transfer switch is bad . He said it was a bad module in the transfer switch and they would have to order the part. So I asked them to call with the price for the part and installation before they ordered.
2 weeks later and still had not received the phone call about part price. Screw it I told myself and had my son order it so I could replace it myself. Ordered one day and less than 24 hours later I had it in my hands.
Got it home and looked it over. I pulled off the plastic cover in the middle of it so I could see how many wires I had to switch on the module. Imagine my surprise- there was no module in it. Now I am really hot !
Next day at the shop I accessed the wiring diagrams and figured out my plan of action for testing and diagnosing.
Then all the rain started and I did not want to be on wet ground while messing around inside the control panel as i had done testing at the breaker panel and found the transfer switch was not getting 12 volts when power went out. The 12 volts applies the transfer solenoid.
Today I was able to do my testing at the generator control panel. Took me more time to remove access panels and trim panels than to check for 12 volts.
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results. Soon as I got the last panel off I knew I was on the right track as I smelled burnt electrical.
It has a dual output transformer , one set of outputs to keep the battery charged, the other 12 volt output if for the transfer switch solenoid. Thatr side of the transformer is dead.
Paid Beck Electric $150 for nothing.Paid $250 for a transfer switch I did not need.
Lesson relearned- If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. On the plus side, I have learned about Generac generators and will be able to apply that knowledge to other gen-sets.
Or installation. You might need that unused transfer switch on a repair.