I had to use my generator recently and was surprised at the results. I was hoping for some insight here into what I observed. I have a 5000 watt Generac generator that I am able to connect directly to my electrical panel via a sub panel that I had put in when the house was built. I can disconnect the outside line and connect the generator in. It is a 240 volt feed that I am using using off the generator. This worked well for the "easy" stuff like the TV and lights. Here is my question: I tried to use my microwave which is rated at
1000-1500 watts. Factoring in a "start-up" surge of 3 times that gives me 4500 watts, in theory not a problem for my generator. I tried running the microwave and it completely bogged down my generator, could not keep power up on the microwave, nor could I keep power up on a small off the shelf toaster. What I found out is that the cable that I am using from the generator to the outlet is about 25' long, then about another 25' via the panel/house wiring to the microwave. When I connected the generator to the microwave using the 120 volt connector via a 15' foot regular cable it worked like a champ. My theory is that the 50 foot total is causing such a voltage drop that the power reaching the microwave is decreased. Has anyone else experienced the same thing? or have similar experience? The cable that I am using from the 240 volt output was given to me by an electrical house, maybe the gauge is too big? Both the 240 volt and the 120 outlet supply 20 amps...thanks for any help...