I might have just caused the apocalypse with a generator and I need your help.

[antigone382]

I am house sitting for an off-the-grid friend whose home is solar powered. It seems like the weather sucked basically everywhere, and here was no exception. So the panel didn't generate enough electricity to get us through the night.

No sweat, there is a backup generator in the shed. Except if you're me. They spent about five minutes showing me how to start the thing this morning, but apparently it didn't all soak in. While trying to start the generator, I forgot to hit the on-switch. After trying to start it several times, I remembered this critical step, and being apparently not as potentially-deadly-internal-combustion-engine processes as I should be, I tried to start it one more time...resulting in an earsplitting sonic boom and a burnt plastic smell.

So I'm pretty sure I backfired the engine...and after a perfunctory Internet search I'm worried I might have blown out the spark plugs as well. And given the potential explosiveness of the situation, I'm a little hesitant to go out there and mess with it any more tonight (I can shut off electricity for the whole house to avoid overly draining the battery). Anyone with advice on generators and what I should or shouldn't do now would be very much appreciated.

[In_The_Wind]

1. I haven't a clue how to stop the apocalypse.

However, I can lend you a candle. [img][/img]

[antigone382]

2. Thanks!

That might well come in handy tonight.

[Major Nikon]

3. If you smelled something burning, the best thing you can do is leave it alone

While modern generators have pretty good safety mechanisms, there is still the potential for electrical shorts or even fuel fires. Best to leave it alone and let the owner check it out when they get back.

[antigone382]

10. Well, part of it is that the generator is in front of a wall...

So the flame from the backfire might have singed the wall. It was dark so I couldn't see it in detail. My suspicion is that we blew the spark plugs, but hopefully other than that it's OK. Still feeling pretty dumb, however.

[Major Nikon]

13. Is it a diesel engine?

[antigone382]

14. No, gasoline. n/t

[Tsiyu]

4. My, but we're having a lovely Apocalypse Eve!

Sweet dreams... it will all sort out in the morning.

BTW, this is what you get for making me believe Y2K was REAL!

[Joe Shlabotnik]

5. You may have just saved the planet

by inadvertently fouling up the apocalypse-generator.

[Glassunion]

6. +1

[antigone382]

9. Well I guess there is an upside to everything.

Except now Tard and all her minions will be pissed at me. Shoot.

[Glassunion]

7. Is your friend 100% off the grid

If so - does their solar system have a battery backup system?

This can be key in figuring out what happened.

[antigone382]

8. Yes, they do. The generator is for charging the batteries when the sun doesn't meet our needs.

I was powering it up because the battery was getting lower than 75% charge.

[Glassunion]

12. First off - I AM NOT A PROFFESIONAL!

But, that said. With every integrated generator system there is (should be) what is called a "Transfer Switch".

A transfer switch basically switches the source (solar panel system, grid, generator) of electricity into the house.

So that said, if the source is set to the solar panels, if the generator is tied into that loop without changing the source (flipping the transfer switch to prevent a backflow), the batteries could have sent electricity backwards to the generator.

You may be lucky and all that happened is the generator has shorted out, but may mechanically be ok. If this is the case there are electrical components that may need to be replaced.

My suggestion is to contact a proffesional. What is the brand and model number on the generator?

[antigone382]

16. Thanks very much!

I'm pretty sure the transfer switch was off, but I will check everything out tomorrow. Thank you!

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

11. Now that it's burned up the excess fuel in the cylinders ...

... it should be ok to try to start it again.

Watch for fuel leaks, but it's probably fine.

If the spark plugs have blown out of the engine, no worries. It just won't start.

[antigone382]

15. Thanks! n/t