OT-Aux Generators

I had a chance to pick up a new Chicago (the blue one) 10K 12hp generator for half price. I already have a like new DeVilbis 7k 7hp.
I run the generator thru my 220 welder box from the shop to the house.

Question: Can I hook both of these generators up at the same time to give more power to the house so I don't have to alternate use of the freezers, etc.

Thanks,
Dell

You cant hook up two gensets UNLESS they are in sync.................Remember they are producing a 60 Hertz sine wave so they MUST be in sync............

Its safer to use a proper TRANSFER SWITCH or at least one of those cheaper sliding main breaker lock out devices to feed loads (via the panel) if yourse using your existing panel and backfeeding it with the genset. DO NOT (well DUH) backfeed a panel unless its main is open because you can backfeed the utility primary High Voltage system and kill someone, thats the purpose of transfer switches

If youre using the genset (as 120/240) and feeding 120/240 TO THE PANEL VIA A TWO POLE (ie youre NOT switching the Neutral) TRANSFER SWITCH OR MAIN LOCKOUT you should sever any existing Neutral to genny frame bond in the genny.

Its okay to use the genset to feed plug and cord connected appliances via the gensets onboard receptacles (WITH the Gennys Neutral then bonded to its iron frame) with no other grounding electrode

DO NOT be using jury rigged plugs that have hot terminals exposed

I hope the other gents can add to this as Im sure I missed a few safety issues

John T

Main switch is pulled before gen is connected and not reinstalled until gen is disconnected. Big safety issue with me.
John, being trained in basic electronics and radar repair and having a somewhat interest in electronics I can usually follow your posts with some degree of reasoning, but to be honest I couldn't follow a thing you just said. Maybe a second cup of jo will help.

Dell

Sorry about that. I often take several paragraphs to beter explain proper genset wiring and safety issues butttttttttt was in a hurry..... so just hit the basics

John T

I have one question on the ground bonding to the frame. In most cases is the bond external of the generator or internal. What I need is how easy is it to change and could a switch be added for bonded to frame and not bonded to frame?

On a small genset its often at the receptacle or its box that they use a jumper that bonds the Equipment Ground (Green) to the Neutral (White) and the Ground is bonded to the metal frame somewhere (maybe in the receptaclebox???). The bond that should be severed IFFFFFFFFF the genset back feeds a panel via a 2 pole x fer switch or 2 pole breaker is the Neutral to the Ground i.e let the Neutral float. The equipment ground is still tied to the iron frame just as metallic boxes and conduit etc are tied to their equipment ground, its just that the Neutral isnt supposed to bond to it in the case above. If the genny is used free standing just by itself then its Neutral should be bonded to its frame and the Ground conductor and thats the normal condition as they are shipped.

It will still work mind you, Im only describing the proper NEC way to do it for safery reasons it would take too long to explain here

John T