Generators with CO Sensors - Good Intentions but a BAD Idea?

[@rogersmith5503]

I went with standby generator generac. Runs everything in my house and have zero regrets

[@SCraig1966]

what was the cost?

[@rogersmith5503]

@SCraig1966 if you use generac it's around $12k, find a local contractor that installs generac about $8k

[@jackwhite6030]

then the LP costs

[@joncrawford5687]

Similar sized Generac is $1999.00 with a transfer switch. LP cost is moot as the company will install a tank and fill it.

[@F3nrisTAG]

Put it in the same category ss the "improved" gas cans.

[@HowTowithDoc]

Agreed

[@liffy8333]

CO sensors at mattress level are dangerous. That means you are in a CO compromised level when they alarm. Sit up in your bed and you are really in a bad zone. The reason for mounting at minimum 5 feet is so when you are warned you can get out of bed, get dressed and leave the house while still in a green zone, not a red zone. I really agree with you that a monitor on your genset (like I have) is worthless for the reasons you give. The government seems to think they have to pass all these rules and laws because they think they have to do something when put in office. The something we want them to do is stay the h^ll out of our lives. We want you to protect us from the ever encroaching rules and laws.

[@HowTowithDoc]

The problem is... people are being told to mount them LOW on the wall, baseboard level... HIGH on the wall... and all over. Due to it's SG it's really impossible to tell what level the gas will build up.

[@liffy8333]

​@@HowTowithDoc CO is slightly lighter than air so concentrations should start building ceiling height. Of course there could be instances where sensors down low would alarm especially when placed near the combustion area (gas furnace, water heater). At any rate one should not take any chances with a life threatening gas. They're cheap so install them everywhere you want and find out (God forbid) which one alarms first. Love your channel. Always interesting stuff.

[@jamesalles139]

@@liffy8333 don't forget stratification due to different temperatures - the Specific Gravity (SG) being discussed is at a specific temperature.

[@SmokeRingHalo]

Where do you get the entire house cable? Can't run much on a couple 120 v extension cables.

[@SCraig1966]

Can you give us a link or more information on your AC window unit?

[@aradthedweller7232]

This video is exactly what I was looking for. I am a full time RV boondocker and just got a new generator with one of these CO sensors. Looks like they deliberately designed the thing so you couldn’t easily override it. I can’t get the damn thing to stay running because of all the false alarms. I’m out in the middle of the desert in Nevada and need my AC. Why the heck would you put the sensor on the thing making the CO? It’s so ridiculous.

[@michaelpaese6128]

Thanks Doc Great Job need to ask a question ?????? What is your Well house water filter brand name and other filters in there?

[@jackwhite6030]

Excellent - getting closer to getting this set up. Currently (September '23) to get a standby 26KW with LP (2 120's filled) is $17.6K out the door. I got 5 quotes. In rural NW Jacksonville Florida.

[@joncrawford5687]

He only needs a 7k, a lot cheaper than the 17.6 k

[@mnemonicmoniker4101]

I would be very interested to know how long those two 120’s last you. I have the closed frame dual fuel inverter model Doc has. Was thinking of getting one 100gal propane tank for it. Figure it’ll last maybe 5 days at 25%. And that’s a lot smaller than you’re thinking about. Edit: Mine is the champion 201175. I *think* it’ll give me a day on a 40lb tank (7.5 gal-ish propane). If I segment like he talks about, obviously could go a fair bit longer. I only have 3 40lb’rs and 4 20lb’rs at the moment.

[@MrSkunks]

With a micro air soft start, you could start that central air

[@ericcomfort6228]

Most of the “sheds” used in the installs I’ve watched all had exhaust fans to blow out the carbon monoxide so the generator wouldn’t shut down.

[@HowTowithDoc]

Correct... but isn't that kind of crazy?

[@jamesalles139]

@@HowTowithDoc well, you need to replace exhaust gasses with oxygen... They do not prop the doors open like you, they have complete enclosures for noise mitigation.

[@Metal_seer]

I built an elaborate fully enclosed backyard sound enclosure with 4 intake fans and two exhaust fans ( exhausting the aur 8 feet off the ground). Ecen with all the air flow, the CO ssnsor still cuts it off in 30 seconds. BUT, I just saw a vudeo on how to tape over the air inlet to the sensor. I will try that.

[@WhittyPics]

A generac will kick on automatically when the power goes out. I know a couple of guys that have them

[@thekevorlando]

First of all Doc how do you find out how much power you need for a generator I want to get one for my mother's house but I don't know how large she needs maybe a video or an explanation for that and as far as a little guest building you could just get another shed put French doors and finish it out spray foam drywall imagine that that little window unit would do wonders inside of one of those

[@HowTowithDoc]

You can google generator calculator and they have very good charts showing demand and usage

[@jennh.9325]

What are some brands that dont have the sensors?

[@thomaschadwick4699]

WEN

[@robertmailhos8159]

I have a craftsman generator that is having a co sensor but it stays outside when it is in use

[@infiltretor287]

Is a whole house plug installation expensive?

[@HowTowithDoc]

Not really, just mainly the labor for the electrician

[@joncrawford5687]

You need an electrician to hook up yours also.

[@joeolejar]

I recently got a DuroMax dual fuel generator. I have it 40 feet from the house. At 10kw on propane it will run everything in the house including the AC.

[@jamesalles139]

40 feet of typical generator cord could cause voltage drop issues. Is it hardwired? Check for voltage drop, calculate for 3-5% and up the wire size.

[@jacquelinejohnston8048]

How do you disarm the censor? Can't run generator during rainy conditions therefore would like to disarm the censor.

[@scottsoper]

Fortunately we have an older generator with no CO junk on it. When running it for days on end after a Hurricane, it runs out of the rain in a 10w X 8d metal shed. This shed is about 25 feet from the house. These sheds have small holes at the top under the roof because that is how the metal is formed; so there is some flow of gasses out there but not enough to keep the air clear. We also leave the door open about four inches. The generator runs fine and the exhaust can NOT get in the house but the air in the shed is BAD! When refueling one opens the door pulls the generator close to the door checks the oil and fills the gas and starts it and pushes it back in. A CO generator would not run under these conditions even though it is safe: no CO can get in the house where we are. We are not in the shed MR. Government!!

[@DBS5377]

I had to bypass my CO sensor after only a few hours of running after new purchase. Biggest PITA!!

[@bintheredumpthat8487]

I’ve had the same problem I just by pass it on a hard wire setup this is the dumbest feature when the generator is setup for an Rv

[@ricbailey170]

This only really applies to freestanding genset. Whole out units are always mounted outside house within a few feet given the fire hazard standards of the area for installs.

[@matthewoisen9891]

So this generator out of the box is ready to be connected to the house via an installed connection and a transfer switch that i already have? Im looking to replace an old generator and just want one that is ready to go. Ive found myself confused on other channels that talk about bonded ground and floating ground.

[@HowTowithDoc]

Go to Amazon and look for a neutral / grounding plug. It's about $10 and plugs right in.

[@matthewoisen9891]

Thanks for the reply. May I also ask, do you connect anything to the starter battery to keep it charged for when it's needed?

[@1BadRAMLimited]

I have seen people cut out a hole and use a fan to vacate the exhaust.

[@paultice610]

I have one on my newer generator it was about one year old when the sensor failed and it would shut the generator down about have 5 minutes so i bypass it and it works fine now my generator is about 60 feet away from my house

[@jpmatti5684]

Just replaced my generator and it has a co sensor. Where it's located is poorly ventilated. It triggered it to shut off. I have a co sensor inside. It's never gotten high enough to trigger the one inside. But since it exhausts poorly outside it shuts off. Need to bypass it. It's it really as easy as jumping two pins in the plug?

[@markconnors5714]

Couldn't agree more! I use mine on the job site outside. Nobody is nearer than 25' to it. It turns off redundantly after about 1 hr. run time.

[@motzstev]

Excellent video! Totally agree with everything you pointed out, and learned a lot about safe sensor placement.

[@MisterBech]

If you’re open to comments…I think there is a problem with having a CO detector at mattress level. As you said, CO is lighter than air. If it come in the bedroom it will build up from the ceiling down. If it build ups enough to get down to mattress level and the alarm goes off, you will stand up, breathe in the CO and pass out and likely die. With the alarm at the ceiling, you are notified before it gets down to a level that you’ll inhale,

[@francisgoldstien6153]

That transfer switch ? You could cause islanding

[@jamesalles139]

No.

[@kaminsr]

Anyone know how to bypass a CO detector on a Ryobi 6500 gen?

[@davidcrowson4745]

Well done sir 👍

[@wrighte02]

How do you feel about Generac generators?

[@HowTowithDoc]

Never owned one but heard good things.

[@philliphall5198]

I seen one generator setting on table next to open window and turned to where the exhaust was blowing back into house and no fan to blow it out the window I helped them move it to front yard 😊

[@garydingman1035]

I have a Westinghouse 9500 DF I used it once last winter it ran fine . I had drained the fuel, so late spring I tried to run it would not stay running . Today I hook it up to LP gas , it’s outside in an open area , it started up on LP but for about 30 seconds and the c02 lights came on and shut it down . 🤬 Its frustrating when I did have it Running last winter it ran the entire house for 9 Hrs

[@donalddday7741]

its like the "safe gas can " i still use a plane old funnel cause the new spouts just spill more gas everywhere

[@joejohnson2478]

There's another problem with these built-in detectors. My unit kept shutting down while operating in an open area without any objects near the generator. It was suspected that a faulty detector was to blame. An overly sensitive carbon monoxide dectector can shut the unit down even if it's in an open area with no air circulating by the unit.

[@HowTowithDoc]

I agree... now you're out in the rain and lightning trying to start.

[@joejohnson2478]

@@HowTowithDoc Thnx for responding back. The generator that I had that problem with was a dual fuel Westinghouse house unit which was only going to be operated on propane only. I have occasional power outages where I live. I didn't want to have to deal with the storing and rotating ethanol gas fuel every 30 days. I can tolerate that during the Winter with my snowblower. I bought the unit from the manufacturer through Walmart which offers a 30 day money back refund. While trying to break the engine in by running it for 30 minutes, no load, then change the oil, the unit kept shutting down. Even switching to another full tank didn't solve the problem. I contacted their technical support which made that conclusion. I was also informed that it has problem has occurred on some units. I brought that unit back to Walmart for a refund recently and am back to looking for a new generator. I did learn a couple of things regarding this experience from Westinghouse. Their customer service is excellent and their technician told me that running a generator on propane rather than gas is the way to go. Using propane causes less wear and tear on the engine than gas and the unit will last a lot longer. Your video was excellent an very informative. I thought from the title of your video that that was the same issue you were having.

[@douglasbarnhart3324]

Thanks for the video Doc.

[@SamsungGalaxy-ls8ys]

Solve it by having to pass an IQ test. Also for drivers license, voting, owning firearms, & having kids.

[@Metal_seer]

I built an elaborate backyard sound enclosure with 4 intake fans underneath the generator and 2 exhaust fans above the generator which exhaust 8 feet above ground. There is no safety isuue, because nobody can be in the enclosure. But, EVEN with all the air flow, he CO sensor still shuts it off in 30 seconds. I justsaw a KZbin of how to tape over the opening to the sensor. I will try it in the morning. I share your frustration with the Govrrnment's rediiculous regulations.

[@raymondharrell2534]

Cleared pond area close to the house = ideal ground level solar farm!!!!

[@adamghazal9204]

Good stuff. Thanks Doc!

[@jamesalles139]

propane is a fuel that stores 'forever' Small gensets do not provide 'dirty' power - it is natural pure analog sine wave, no harmonics. Put an incandescent light bulb or resistive heat load on and check that w/ an oscilloscope. The difficulty is all of the dirty *loads* with whacked power factor, switching power supplies and harmonics all over the place. A commodity generator does not have the 'mass' to sink that mess like the power grid does. Therefor, yes the power provided ends up being a mess, and can even prematurely stress/overheat the generator windings. An inverter generator can handle all of that noise and even compensate for it a bit. Do look for "pure sine wave" in the specs. And in another 'twist' your refrigerator is in the class of 'sensitive electronics', much more-so than a computer w/ a switching power supply. My old 3500w Champion runs inside an older step-van and I use the heat from the exhaust to warm the propane bottles for cold weather use. Neither people nor carbon monoxide detectors belong inside of that thing. Thank you for the research into CO detector placement, vey thoughtful presentation. thanks for the video!

[@markd9105]

I agree with you completely. 👍

[@joshrob316]

Definitely not gonna read accurately on the generator.

[@ilovear15]

Excellent idea about having CO sensor in the house instead of generator

[@joncrawford5687]

That generator with a 8 circuit transfer switch and that same shedd is $2110.00. A Generac PowerPact 7.5KW with similar transfer switch is $1999.00. Both need fuel and both need an electrician to hook up. Gasoline goes bad and propane doesn't. Generac is automatic and don't even have to be home, this one is not. It's a no brainer for me!! And the Generac is 500 more watts.

[@allentupper6755]

Mine keeps shutting down and it outside !! It powers my vacuum pump for my sugaring lines , when it randomly shuts off , it cost me money!!

[@richardsampson1346]

Bad idea. Not working well. Continues to malfunction so that I cannot use the generator. No CO in the area.

[@brianthornton5345]

I agree with you 💯

[@philliphall5198]

All our grass dryed out and died West Texas extreme drought

[@ericnewton5720]

I think we’re all better off having a CO sensor near your sleeping area

[@philliphall5198]

Run a box fan on my generators and never a heat problem or co problem Can’t Fix stupid but blowing exhaust away from generator under a shed makes sense to me and away from house welded in a steel frame like a jail 😊

[@2005Pilot]

Just lost an elderly couple during Milton cause they had their gen next to the house 😢

[@HowTowithDoc]

Yep... we'll address that.

[@ericnewton5720]

Yeah I’m having to disable my brand new generator’s CO sensor. It can be sitting by itself with 20 ft all around it and still trigger due to lack of wind in the area. Unbelievable

[@HowTowithDoc]

exactly... thank the GOV for the mindless regs that are pretty stupid

[@donalddday7741]

my 2500 watt champion will die if wind changes direction gonna try different ways to bypass it cause the way it is its useless to me and to force this on people who know how to use a generation safely really sucks tried one way did not work so just going down the list here tell it works without stopping

[@HowTowithDoc]

Agree.... there are bypass videos online

[@strokeguyoverland5060]

Thanks off course when government gets involved it always turns to💩

[@gorillaxrich]

Sometimes you just have to be smart enough to survive... If not, nature comes for you 💀...

[@mstrickk1]

Stop putting warning labels on everything. We need to return to a natural balance.

[@kkevinj1]

get sued instantly is the problem

[@mstrickk1]

@@kkevinj1 Unless you're a pharmaceutical manufacturer of course. Maybe we can get their protections for other businesses.

[@kkevinj1]

@@mstrickk1 truth for sure

[@HiddensubliminalMusic]

Can you die from it if you have it running in back of your pick up truck

[@jamesalles139]

with a cap? yup.