Technical > Home Improvement > Generac GP17500E Generator

Generac GP17500E Generator

if the 30 amp is taken off the 50 amp winding, then yes, you replace that receptacle with one that can handle at least 80 amps, change the breaker to 80 amps, and disconnect the 30 amp receptacle, since you can't draw from that outlet when the other is fully loaded. the problem is generators are only designed for 70% full load continuously, so you won't get that 80 amps continuously without burning up the generator.
EDIT: looking at the schematic, it has 120/240 volt windings, so the only way to properly do this is and get 120 volts only, of course, is to put the 2 windings in parallel by disconnecting the junction, and connecting that over to the other winding instead. there are a few things to consider, polarity, and the fact both windings have sensor connections, the best way to do this is to have a motor rewinding shop do this correctly. but like i said, you won't be getting 240 volts anymore, just 120 volts at 80 amps. there's no way around that, you can't get 240 volts at 80 amps no matter how you do it.

reply to stomperz71
Page 26 has the schematic.

»www.generac.com/genApps/Librarie···=0045823

reply to iknow

reply to stomperz71
Thanks for the replys. I do need the 240volts as I want to power my transfer switch on my house to run what ever I need. I thought maybe I could use some sort of cheater box, take a lead from the 50amp receptcal and a lead from the 30amp receptcal into a box and come out with one lead to power my transfer switch panel.

What if I were to just replace the 50amp breaker with say a 70amp breaker. I know I would have to check and see if the wire they used in that circuit is capable of handling 70amps. The generator runs 17500 watts(72.9amps) continuously with a 26,250 watt(109.4amps)surge.

Thanks

Standard warnings apply: don't do this since it will void your warranty and is not a manufacturer approved modification, etc...

Looks like everything comes from the same power winding, and the input of the 50A breaker is fed directly from the stator leads. So, one could theoretically replace that breaker and all downstream components (wiring, connectors, etc.) with 70A components.

One problem with this is that standard thermal magnetic breakers don't trip the instant their rating is exceeded. It's a time average trip due to the time it takes for the thermal mechanism inside the breaker to activate. So you could run into a condition where you load the generator up with more than 70A and burn up the windings before the breaker trips. Unlikely but possible.

reply to stomperz71
The question is, what is your intended purpose for this generator?

reply to PSWired

reply to PSWired

reply to stomperz71
Allot of good info here to think about! I would be using this unit to run my whole house during a power outage. Would I ever use more than 50amp that the one supplied circuit is rated for, probably not(but maybe)but sense I have a generator capable of 72amps I thought if I can get it I would use it. It has a surge of 109amp which I know I wouldn't reach so I would think if I could replace the 50amp breaker with a 70amp breaker with the rated wiring I would be good. I would still watch what I run to be sure I wasn't up over 70amps. Warranty does play a factor so I would try this after the warranty is up.

If your going to power your house off of it, you'd be better with a whole house generator that's hardwired in place. Of course that depends on whether or not you have a NG line.

reply to stomperz71
You will note that I responded to the thread you cited in 2010. I have done a lot of research since then on how to use the full capacity of the Generac GP17500E for back up.

My solution would be to install two generator inlets, a 30 Amp Inlet and 50 Amp Inlet where the generator is placed when running it. I would run a 8 gauge cable to an added transfer switch #1 from the 30 Amp inlet and a 6 gauge cable to an added transfer switch #2 from the 50 Amp inlet using this type of transfer switch:

»www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/···00196574

These transfer switches are relatively inexpensive.

I would install them close to the existing load center. I would install a 30 Amp circuit breaker to feed transfer switch #1 from the existing load center when the loads are powered by the utility. I would install a 50 Amp circuit breaker to feed transfer switch #2 from the existing load center when the loads are powered by the utility. I would connect the output of each transfer switch to an added load center. I have a Siemens load center so I would use load centers such as this one that is compatible with the circuit breakers in the existing load center:

»www.lowes.com/pd_374133-1318-P12···dollar|1

I would move circuit breakers from the existing load center to the added load centers and extend the conductors from existing loads to the circuit breakers in the added load centers. When I wanted to use the back up generator all I would have to do is connect it, start it up and then move the transfer switches to the generator position. This arrangement would allow use of the full capacity of the generator.

Some of the problems I ran into using a gasoline fueled generator was how to store enough fuel for a reasonable run time and keep it stable. A local petroleum distributor offered to provide a solution to the problems. They would supply 50 Gallon Drums to store the fuel and stabilized pure gasoline without ethanol for long storage life. I would have to purchase a pump to pump fuel out of the drums and into a transfer container to fill the generator. When the fuel reached the end of its storage life I could pump it into my automobile. They would deliver fuel when requested. They would levy a delivery charge if I ordered less than 100 Gallons. Pure gasoline without ethanol is more expensive than gasoline with ethanol. It turns out that this arrangement is virtually useless for short turn power failures. Two weeks ago we lost power for about 45 Minutes at 12 Midnight. I would not have dragged the generator out of the garage and set it up unless the power was off for several hours. The only time using this generator would be practical would be in the case where the power was off for a couple of hours.

In 2011 I was quoted a price of about $600.00 to $800.00 by a professional electrician to install the hardware I described above. The overall cost for the generator installation and two 50 gallon drums and 100 gallons of gasoline was about $4,000.00.

In 2010 I was quoted the installed cost for a hard wired 20 KW Air Cooled propane powered generator with load management and the installation of a 500 Gallon direct burial propane tank with 400 gallons of propane, would cost from $10,000.00 to $12,000.00.

Why not consider something like what I have that runs off propane:
»Portable Propane Generator Project- Complete!

I know you were asking about the cost of propane tanks a short while ago... an above ground 500 gallon tank would run you somewhere around $1200 plus install costs, and you could pair it to a portable setup like I have or a more permanent standby setup.

Or you could get a portable propane generator (or a standby) and but a couple 100# tanks and gang them together... that would provide quite a bit of energy and avoid the problems of gasoline.

I appreciate your comment. If I purchase a generator it would have to start and transfer automatically because my wife has medical problems and there would be no way for her to connect and start a portable generator if I was not home.

I found what might be a solution to this problem. Purchase two #420 99.9 gallon vertical propane tanks. The advantage of the 99.9 Gallon tanks is that they can be installed up against a structure. Any tank holding more than 100 gallons of propane must be installed 10 feet from any structure or source of ignition. I have not yet requested a quote to install the equipment. My concern is how much the installation of two 100 Gallon ASME certified tanks will cost. Northern Tool sells 100 Gallon DOT certificated vertical propane for $699.00 + shipping. That does not include installation of the tanks, regulators and other required hardware. The disadvantage of DOT rated propane tanks are that they must be re-certified after 12 Years and every 5 Years thereafter because they are considered portable just like the a propane tank for a barbecue, ASME tanks are constructed with heaver gauge material than DOT tanks and considered stationary hence the exemption from re-certification.

In 2010 I was quoted $2,000.00 to install and fill a 250 Gallon rental propane tank and pay a $95.00 annual rental fee. The propane distributor does not rent tanks for exclusive use of a back up generator so in order to qualify, I would have to replace my electric water heater with a propane fueled water heater which would cost an additional $800.00.

reply to PSWired

reply to Mr Matt

reply to iknow
In 2010 I decided to purchase a diesel generator as a result of reading this forum.

Through research I learned that standby diesel generators that were placed in service before the end of 2010 would be grandfathered but could not be moved to another location without being brought up to the new standards that went into effect in 2011 which was very costly. That ended the possibility of purchasing a used generator.

During the first quarter of 2011 I learned that the EPA required all new generators to include a non resettable usage meter calibrated in run time hours. Operators of standby generators are required to maintain an annual log keeping a record of when and for how long the generator was exercised and for how long the generator was operated to provided standby power. Failure to maintain a log would result in sanctions against the operator.

Initially the EPA limited the amount of time the generator could be exercised to 100 Hours a year but I believe that it was extended to 150 Hours a year.

A mechanic I spoke to, warned me that unless the generator was exercised under a sufficient load the engine could be damaged by bore glazing and wet stacking. He maintained a sufficient load on his own generator by transferring his residential load to the generator and then turning on appliances until the there was a sufficient load to properly exercise the generator.

At this point I decided to abandon the thought of purchasing a diesel generator.

I considered purchasing a gasoline powered generator but agree that storing 100 gallons of gasoline on my property was not a good idea. The only choice was a propane powered generator. I was about to order a generator but due to objections of my neighbor I abandoned the project.