New Generator Sparking/Arcing

[Scarpozzi]

Since this thread is a 5 year old necro, I'm willing to bet the OP's problems with his new generator have long been solved, one way or another.

Dammit! TRICKED AGAIN!

 

[BUTCH1]

All the generators I've ever run were too loud to hear snapping or popping. If you're hearing arcing, I'm gonna suggest that's a bad thing. Simply put....you've got a fuel source (gasoline or LP or NG...whatever it runs on) and all three of those are combustible with just a spark.

Generators are known to catch fire. I've also seen damaged ones at Lowe's for sale where people overloaded them and essentially overheated the wires in the circuit and melted the plastic receptacles on the front..... (I assumed it was user error and not manufacturer's error in those case) I suggest if you test, you're better off testing with LP vs gasoline because the fuel is going to be protected in the cylinder and it's less likely to explode.

But...if you do have the option to take it back to store, do this if support doesn't help. You may have to argue with a store manager over the return, however. In recent years, I tried to return a reciprocating saw that died. HD claimed that the tool was used and has a repair center in-house. If you're wanting to exchange it, you may be better off going the refund route off the bat rather than giving them an opportunity to ship it out and back...unless you're willing to wait. YMMV...I don't know what they do for generators.

Lowe's is not going to sell any used generator or lawnmower or anything really. Used items don't carry a manufactures warranty and a retail store would not be able to determine if it's been modified or damaged by the person who returned it. Also 100% illegal to sell anything used, (specially something like a genny) as new. Oh, all of them come with circuit breakers that will trip if they are overloaded and they don't just "catch fire" any easier than a lawnmower would.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Lowe's is not going to sell any used generator or lawnmower or anything really. Used items don't carry a manufactures warranty and a retail store would not be able to determine if it's been modified or damaged by the person who returned it. Also 100% illegal to sell anything used, (specially something like a genny) as new. Oh, all of them come with circuit breakers that will trip if they are overloaded and they don't just "catch fire" any easier than a lawnmower would.

I'm not making up my story and it's not hearsay. There was a half-melted generator for sale at Lowes and I've seen others that were maybe repaired, but I've not been in the market for one, so never asked them to make the price reasonable. For the melted unit...there's no way anyone could have used that as a generator. I'm pretty sure it was "parts only" so someone looking for a horizontal shaft Briggs could part it out, but I agree it seems like the liability would be a little sketch just knowing it was in that bad of shape and someone could get zapped.

 

[skyking]

< saw a hot deal returned $50 pressure washer at Lowe's a few weeks ago. The mechanic in me could not help but check for gas and then start it. I really had no place for it in my shed.
When we came back out it was gone, a guy watched me start it and probably ran for the customer service desk

 

[Stopsignhank]

I was talking to the return person at Lowes once. She said that people will buy a toilet, put it in and then try and return to used toilet.

 

[Torn Mind]

I was talking to the return person at Lowes once. She said that people will buy a toilet, put it in and then try and return to used toilet.

Well, if just tried out the flow but didn't release bodily fluids into it...even the wax ring residue should still be virgin.


LOL

 

[Scarpozzi]

I was talking to the return person at Lowes once. She said that people will buy a toilet, put it in and then try and return to used toilet.

I once bought one that someone unboxed, but never installed. The hardware/wax ring was still packaged up. I got the manager to sell it to me for $20. 😀🚽