My portercable 5,500 generator overlighted light bulbs at one house burned 2 TV sets out, cordless phone, and electronics in gas furnace. At my house it blew 3 100w light bulbs. I`ve had the generator for 6 yrs and it never did this before.

Sounds like a voltage regulation problem with the generator

Hi!

The increase in power indicates the AVR or Capacitor is failing (you have one or the other. 2-4 wire a capacitor /5+ is an AVR) and as the plates within the capacitor (fitted in the AVR too) get closer the power increases. (Sometime they move further away and decrease the power.)

Change your AVR/Capacitor and this should fix the issue: https://www.generatorguru.com/porter-cable/

Next try to decide why it is failing to prevent the next one from burning out:

1) You overloaded the Alternator Output - Please be aware unless you own a Honda, Pramac, SDMO, Suzuki, Yanmar or Kawasaki, who stated the running watts on the generator along with the max watts, then you might have only been told the max the generator can give out. If there is only one rating on the Generator this is a good indication of showing the Maximum Watts only. In this case please try to run the generator at 3/4 the max power. This allows for surges when you start equipment and prevents the Alternator and AVR from being overloaded/blowing.

i.e. 6000 watts on a Chinese Generator = 4500 running watts with a max surge to 6000w for a short time while the equipment starts.

If you run over the 3/4 you will continuously blow AVR/Capacitors (depending on what is fitted to your generator) and could end up blowing your equipment and the generator alternator. This could create a fire in the alternator and, as it is under the fuel tank, can be very dangerous indeed!!!
Please also be aware this wattage is split between the 2 lowest voltage sockets (windings) i.e. in our example the 4500 running watts would be 2250running watts per plug. You also CANNOT use the 230/240v socket at the same time as any of the 110/115v/120v sockets, as this winding is used to make the higher voltage. This is the case on all generators!!

2) What you are plugging in has an electrical fault. - Try another piece of equipment. If the AVR/Capacitor keeps blowing, run the test in this video to determine if there is a fault in the alternator. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tC_LrrZcx38&lc=Ugw379k2UvCOdfICcM14AaABAg

3) AVR was faulty - If alternator test gives good results, replace the AVR.

Hope this helps!

The Generator Guru Team

https://www.generatorguru.com/

Usually, for home generator, the voltage is 220/230(V), so when you start generator, you should control the voltage is 230(V) that is enough, don't turn the switch to 400(V). For home generator, you can choose small power diesel generator or silent generator.
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