I have a small chinese generator, an Alton 3500 watt. I plan to use it for power outs to run my gas furnace blower and a fridge. The transfer switch was professionally installed with 6 circuits and it uses an L-14 4 prong plug. The generator has two settings, 120 volt and 240 volt. I understand I need to use 120 mode when using the standard outlets on the generator, but should I put it in 240 mode when using the 30 amp L-14 plug into the transfer switch? I seen to remember reading in a thread it is necessary to get the full wattage from the generator, Alton was not much help when I emailed them. I want to make sure I won't hit anything with 240 , I'm pretty sure the plug is wired to distribute the 3 legs of 120 right? Also, when I go camping, I ground the generator by driving a stake in the ground. Do I need to ground while hooking up to the transfer switch as well?
Thank you
Rick

Rick,

It is hard to answer your questions without fully understanding how the "professional installer wired it. In most cases the ground would be included with your 4 prong plug. I really fill you need to talk to your "professional installer" and ask these questions as he should know how he hooked it up better then anyone.

If the unit doesn't already have a ground fault detector on it, you might want to purchase one to use while camping. There should be no need to drive a ground rod.

Eric D

Also ask him about the need to remove the bond between the ground and neutral in the generator. That may be required... but I'm not an expert on these applications. If it does have to be removed, that may preclude you using the generator for camping without re-installing it. Again, I'm not an expert on this.