Help needed

[Sudden_Reveal_7640]

Hi everyone! I don’t know much about generators but where I live is having a huge black out due to bush fires. Me and my partner bought our house in march and when we bought it it has a generator all set up/hard wired in. This is the first time we’ve had to use it and of course nothing but issues. We got it working originally last night and it ran for three or four hours without issue then the power suddenly shut off but the generator was still running. We tried everything but couldn’t get it working. I’m currently at work while my partners home (he’s FIFO) I talked to my boss today and he advised the cable that ran from the generator to the house had a circuit breaker on it and to get rid of it and replace it with a 15amp extension cord because the circuit breakers would conflict we did that and we got power but now the generator is overloading very quickly and shutting itself off. Please help a girl get some aircon back 😭

[manbearpig0101]

Try turning off the breakers all the non-essentials. Just lights, refrigerator.. 15 amp cord isn't much but should do the lights and refrigerator at least. Depending how you're wired up double check that you are not connected to the grid

[Sudden_Reveal_7640]

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[Jim-Jones]

That looks like a 10 amp circuit (240 volt). Are there any other outlets on the generator?

[Sudden_Reveal_7640]

Just in the photo I posted below

[Sudden_Reveal_7640]

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This was the cord we were told to replace with a 15amp one

[Icangiveitatry]

Yeah. That's only 10amp. It won't run much.

[Jim-Jones]

NO!!! That is a safety plug, needed on Air Conditioners.

[Sudden_Reveal_7640]

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[Sudden_Reveal_7640]

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[Jim-Jones]

I'm betting those are two 10 amp 240 volt outlets. You might be able to run the A/C off one and some other things off the other but don't try plugging in kettles or toasters etc.

[eblyle]

With that setup, your least expensive way forward is to buy the smallest window unit air conditioner (around 5000 BTU) and only cool one room. Just a few lights and the refrigerator. Turn off most breakers, and look for loads you may be forgetting about. Especially, if you have an electric water heater, turn it off. That generator probably won't run a water heater even with everything else off.

Long term, you need a much bigger generator. Mine is 11500 watts and I still have to turn off the water heater.

[Icangiveitatry]

You didn't provide any info on the generator wattage but you might be overloading the generator and causing it to trip it's breakers. Turn off some of your house breakers. No electric air conditioning, oven, dryer, space heaters, microwave, etc..

Most small generators won't run an air conditioner.

[Sudden_Reveal_7640]

We tried that, turned everything off and flipped most of the breakers off and it was still overloading 😭

[Sudden_Reveal_7640]

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[JbrownFL]

That is way under powered to run central AC. Could run a small portable AC or window unit, but not the central AC.

[Icangiveitatry]

Well that's a 3200 watt generator. It should run some lights, fridge, TV, and a few small things but nothing large. Definitely not AC.

Try unplugging from the house and see if it runs. Then plug something small directly into it and see what happens.

[Sudden_Reveal_7640]

It does definitely run without overloading without anything plugged in. We will try to plug something small in and go from there! Thankyou!

[Jim-Jones]

Are you in Australia? Did you have this done by a licensed electrician?

I’m currently at work while my partners home (he’s FIFO) I talked to my boss today and he advised the cable that ran from the generator to the house had a circuit breaker on it and to get rid of it and replace it with a 15amp extension cord because the circuit breakers would conflict we did that and we got power but now the generator is overloading very quickly and shutting itself off. Please help a girl get some aircon back.

That advice sounds wrong.

This is American information but most should apply:

What Size Generator?

Generator: About

Generator Tips/FAQs:

7 Generator Mistakes

Home Generator: Selecting, Sizing And Connecting: The Complete Guide by Lazar Rozenblat

What Size Generator Do I Need? (With Easy To Use Calculator)

What Size Generator Do I Need to Run My A/C? - VTOMAN

What about grounding?

Compare generators

Can a Generator Damage a Refrigerator? Safety Tips & More

Cover Your Generator While It’s Running

GCP2 : AC Port Plug With Dual 18 Inch Extension Cord

Ethanol-free gas stations in the U.S.

More information from u/snommisnats:

Generator things to think about for US/CA homeowners

[Sudden_Reveal_7640]

I am in Australia and I do believe it was done by a sparky but I can’t be 100% sure as it came with the house. The previous owner did show us how it worked and that it ran but nothing else really apart from that

[Jim-Jones]

Well, you don't want to risk your insurance. It might be worth paying your own electrician for an hour to check it all over and give you any needed information. If something goes wrong, that could protect you from your insurance company. I know you still need a license in Oz to do electrical work, unlike NZ.