Running my Natural Gas Furnace on my Honda EU2200 Generator (not as straight forward as you think)

[@DF-mb9kc]

10/03/2023, i just saw your video and after pulling my hair out for two days you have addressed the problem. i made the plug and it immediately took care of the ignitor on the furnace not turning on. I ran the unit for over an hour w/o any issues or codes. I can’t thank you enough for posting this video !!!! Sincerely, WI

[@computercreationz]

So glad it worked, I did exactly the same thing and had to figure it out!

[@jppalm3944]

Valuable information. Most people displaying hookup to furnace don't mention this. IMPORTANT. WITH NEW FURNACES, ELECTRONICS VERY VULNERABLE TO DAMAGE IF INVERTER WRONG TYPE

[@paulr7547]

I just got a new eu2200i figured out that the floating neutral was the problem. Your video confirms that was the problem

[@computercreationz]

At least now we know we can use our Hondas for something like this. Thanks for the comment

[@paulr7547]

@@computercreationz I just finished testing the furnace with ground/neutral cord end on the new eu2200i and worked perfectly.

[@computercreationz]

Great News!@@paulr7547

[@tedjohnson64]

Excellent explanation! I’ve watched a ton of videos on generators and you’re the first to point out this issue, which is a bit surprising because using a generator to power a gas furnace seems like it would be a very common use case. Cheers!

[@computercreationz]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kevinadamson6830]

I am in the process of performing this very thing and had no idea as I have a Honda 2000w generator. Thank you very much for this great information

[@computercreationz]

Glad you’re getting it figured out.

[@808blackjack808]

Awesome, live in alaska and power goes out alot, and I just had this issue... thought I was so slick....👍

[@TheWeissenheimer]

This is the exact video and situation I was looking for. Thank you!! I don't typically do my own electrical work but I am handy enough that I'll entertain it if I find the right videos that make me feel good about doing it. I picked up a small Predator during the last power outage in our new home. It caught me off guard and I ran around all morning to get that sorted, but was very disappointed when I got home. I am sure this is the problem and I will test this out as soon as I can. I am certain we are going to lose power this week due to another storm (only 2 weeks since the last time!) and I want to make damn sure we are good this time around

[@thomabb]

Important to note this is an issue only if you isolate the furnace from the main house panel when you run off the generator. The neutral and ground are bonded in your main electrical panel.

[@computercreationz]

I agree

[@TheWeissenheimer]

This was my biggest issue in finding the right video to solve my unique problem. On google most of the results I got had people talking about transfer switches. But in my situation with a "poor man's generator setup" I am literally trying to hook up my furnace as a stand alone appliance, which like you said isolates it from the house panel N/G bond and causes a unique issue where there is no ground reference for my modern/sensitive furnace

[@cometcal2]

Important to point out that this info applies to furnace motors that are not hard wired into the house. Also, the majority of small generators are bonded so you can plug the furnace cord into the generator without any adapters. All generators should indicate on the front panel whether it has a floating or bonded neutral. If you don't know for sure, contact your manufacturer.

[@geebroni4118]

Wow, I knew when my Honda didn't work, that it had to be the furnace ecm. Even tried grounding the generator to my house grounding rod. Frustrated, put back to stock and now this video pops up. Will give this a shot.

[@computercreationz]

give it a try, worked for me

[@richardkawucha1232]

I recently purchased a Westinghouse Dual fuel 4,000 watt generator. I learned that unlike my old Generac generator, the Westinghouse has a floating neutral. I installed a generator bypass switch which enables me to disconnect the furnace from the main. I also purchased a Neutral ground bonding plug. I typed up a list of instructions, for my wife, on exactly what to do to plug in the furnace. They are step by step including using the bonding plug. So the plug doesn’t get lost/misplaced, I made a label for it and mounted it to the top of the bypass switch box, and I laminated the instructions and taped them to the furnace next to the bypass.

[@computercreationz]

Sounds like you’re prepared. Good work!

[@bobbo1946]

thx for the tip..went thru an ice storm and prolonged 0° windchill for a week..including brief power outage..so researching this..think your furnace draw at start up, getting the blower fan going, along with the igniter. is likely higher than the 400 watts.but maybe it's a very small unit..thx again ..never would have thought of this...

[@computercreationz]

Glad it helped!

[@mr.campsalot6465]

Dude you saved the day with this one! Thank you so much! Completely solved my issue

[@computercreationz]

Glad I could help!

[@ZiggZagg11]

I did not not have this problem with my old Trane furnace and I have run it with my Honda EU2000I... But I recently had a new furnace installed and had them put a plug on it (just like old furnace) and haven't had a reason to use the generator (yet) on it... Good thing I stumbled on this video... 👀 I would have been mad thinking that I had it figured out and not having it work and of course stuck with a cold house... 👀

[@computercreationz]

Glad it helped, and that you have the generator just in case!

[@baratono]

I just leave my bonding plug in the outlet on the inverter generator. My Williamson boiler was not happy without it. It would actually ignite for a few seconds and then shut down. Something to do with the flame sense circuitry.

[@berettaguy7445]

A transfer switch makes it easy to run your gas furnace with an EU2200. Mine has a 1/2hp motor and one of my EU2200's will run it easily.

[@computercreationz]

ultimately that’s the best way for sure. thanks for the comment

[@bobbo1946]

are you saying the transfer switch solves the ground issue?

[@berettaguy7445]

I'm saying I have no "ground issues" when powering my furnace via the transfer switch.@@bobbo1946

[@berettaguy7445]

Apparently. My furnace runs just fine when powered by my Honda via my Reliance transfer switch...never had a "ground Issue".@@bobbo1946

[@Ron-yv1yb]

Thanks. I ran into this problem year or so ago, drove me nuts🧐

[@computercreationz]

Glad it helped

[@RichCrider]

Thanks for sharing your thought. You nailed it on this one.

[@computercreationz]

I appreciate that!

[@mattwaters6987]

This is good to know. Thanks for sharing this information. I made a plug right away just in case. 😊

[@computercreationz]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kennethkole6815]

I will be ready for the next outage thank you.

[@computercreationz]

You bet

[@thomabb]

Don't wait for an outage to test your backup power.

[@michelt5122]

Quick tip for the video you made for the pencil tool, you can use the ankers and delete some ankers after pressing I on the keyboard this is how you make the curves exactly how u want them to be. There are some great short tutorials for photoshop and illustrator so u get the idea of how it's implemented the concept is the same in lightburn. Cheers and thanks for the videos your making!

[@computercreationz]

I appreciate the tip, thank you

[@scubaseppy]

Great video thank you, I didn't even think about this.

[@peterhowells8509]

Lot's of work ahead! exciting! woot! woot!

[@computercreationz]

Sure is!

[@alant5757]

Same thing goes for those portable power stations too

[@computercreationz]

good to know!

[@droidvegas331]

Thanks for the tip!!

[@computercreationz]

Happy to help!

[@m.alanwilcko3090]

Is this plug still needed if the generator has a floating neutral but I have attached a grounding wire?

[@StagArmslower]

grounding wire will ground the frame of the generator only but not the circuitry since it is still floating neutral

[@fourfortyroadrunner6701]

A board I'm on were JUST discussing nonsensical "safety" features on vehicles which can actually be detrimental or even unsafe, OR DEADLY. As a guy who serviced HVAC for about 12 years back in the 80's--mid 90's I cannot imagine why a furnace needs such a "feature."

[@computercreationz]

yes , it took me a while to figure it out! thanks for watching

[@gyoungberg]

It has to do with the flame rectification through the flame sensor. It can't get the signal through the flame if the neutral isn't bonded. If a newer (anything in the last couple of decades) furnace isn't properly grounded it will have the same problem connected to regular house wiring. You should also ground the generator.

[@gibblespascack1418]

If you go through a transfer switch or interlock switch, then isn't the ground already bonded to the neutral?

[@djl9154]

Maybe, maybe not. The electrician that connected the manual transfer switch may hook it up so it disconnects the neutral from the main box. The reason is there should only be one connection to house ground and that is typically at the main box, not the sub panel. Therefore, you may not be connected to the house grounding rod.

[@gibblespascack1418]

Mine is a reliance Pro-trans 50A unit. It appears to disconnect the power only. That would make the negative and ground a pass through to the panel and the panel does have the ground and negative bound(left side attached to the ground and the right side attached to the neg for the power company). @@djl9154

[@iwlhin3737]

I just connect the generator neutral and ground to the house panel neutral and ground

[@christopherchristopher2723]

Why not just set up a transfer or interlock switch and plug the generator into that which of course will then run power through your house panel box?

[@computercreationz]

This video addresses a different issue, your suggestion is the the right way to to it but most people don’t think that far ahead. They run out buy a generator and assume it will work just by plugging it in to your furnace.

[@Robert-cd5zr]

As someone who is new to this, I was wondering if this is officially what one is supposed to do, or if doing this workaround is risky or against code or something? I know I have a lot to learn sorry if that's a stupid question

[@computercreationz]

nothing official about this video. it’s meant as fyi only. and do at your own risk!

[@sarahines6210]

What kind of extension cord do you use to run from the Honda generator to the furnace?

[@computercreationz]

12 ga extension cord 25’ max

[@sarahines6210]

Thank you!

[@jamespeterson7414]

My Firman generator on has one outlet. Is there a way to get around this problem with only one outlet?

[@computercreationz]

you might try, a splitter where you plug one end to your generator and the other end had two female outlets plug this into one the the extension cord into another. try are your own risk!

[@jamespeterson7414]

@@computercreationz I was gonna try running a power strip out of the generator/ an extension cord to the furnace/ and a male plug with the hot and neutral cut off into one of the outlets on the power strip. I'll try both ways. Thanks for the feedback.

[@BOB12349307]

i would add an earth ground to it

[@computercreationz]

thanks for the input

[@BryanTorok]

Are you recommending adding an earth ground (as in a ground rod) to the generator? Whether that would work for this would depend on the resistance from the generator ground to the house ground. And, you would still have to bond the neutral at the generator to the ground.

[@BOB12349307]

if you remove the earth ground you need to replace it with an earth ground on the generator @@BryanTorok

[@BryanTorok]

@@BOB12349307 The neutral from the power company and the house neutral are tied together and bonded to ground at the service entrance. For the furnace to work, the neutral from the generator needs a low resistance path to the service entrance ground.

[@BOB12349307]

i wouldnt use the house ground if your running it alone. but if you are doing a whole house hookup you have to use the house ground. and you have to remove the bonding jumper from your generator by code.@@BryanTorok