Generator/electrical question

The smartest/cheapest way is to move all the critical services to a subpanel and feed the subpanel either with an interlock or a proper transfer switch.
 
shawn said:
The smartest/cheapest way is to move all the critical services to a subpanel and feed the subpanel either with an interlock or a proper transfer switch.
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Well lets be honest. that's only the cheapest if you're cool w/ doing all that rewiring yourself and don't need to pay a guy, which in an old home where it's a complicated mess may not be trivial.
But then again, if you're uncomfortable w/ that kind of wiring then the alternative jerryrigging isn't for you either.
 
oscar80 said:
I think he wants to make a pass thru connector and not tie into house electric.
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This is what I was thinking

Thanks for all the good info guys, you give me too much credit, as I am not electrically inclined. I am thinking of simply running an extension cord directly from the generator to a power strip and plug in a tv/dvd/phone into that power strip. I was just trying to figure out how to not have to run the extension cord under the door or window.
 
I think doing any of that work would be time and expense better spent on better things.

If you don't want to run an extension cord under the door or window, I'd make a spider box that fits in an open window and wrap it with insulation. Then you can insert it in a window as needed, it would be sealed off, and not be permanent. Just plug in one or multiple cords to lrovide power to the spider box and then you will have powered outlets inside the house for whatever you want to power.
 
If you only want to run a power strip, for those type things, I would put in an outlet where it will be best used, and wire it to a plug in outside, as close to where you'll place your generator as you can. Make a custom plug, that will plug into your generator, and plug into your outside plug in. Plug it in when you need it, disconnect when not needed. You may need to run some drop cords in the house, for fridge, freezer and so on. or possible run an outlet near them, so it's just a matter of plugging them in. you can run outlet, into another, into another, just like it was shore power. Just be mindful of how much power some things need. and not try and use everything at once, which also depends on the rating of your generator.
 
upnover said:
If you only want to run a power strip, for those type things, I would put in an outlet where it will be best used, and wire it to a plug in outside, as close to where you'll place your generator as you can. Make a custom plug, that will plug into your generator, and plug into your outside plug in. Plug it in when you need it, disconnect when not needed. You may need to run some drop cords in the house, for fridge, freezer and so on. or possible run an outlet near them, so it's just a matter of plugging them in. you can run outlet, into another, into another, just like it was shore power. Just be mindful of how much power some things need. and not try and use everything at once, which also depends on the rating of your generator.
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That is exactly what I was thinking.
 
I always just run the generator inside the house. The heat output is a nice touch in the winter, and the combination of a constant hum and CO helps everyone sleep well too. Plus when it runs out of gas in the middle of the night, you don't have to go out in the cold.
 
upnover said:
n. you can run outlet, into another, into another, just like it was shore power. Just be mindful of how much power some things need. and not try and use everything at once, which also depends on the rating of your generator.
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And when you connect a cord between those outlets, you light up the main panel and if the main isnt tripped the power line.

Maybe Im not understanding what you are saying
 
thought it explained it's self. The outlets I am referring too would be connected to each other and the outside outlet, but at no point connected to the house current. totally separate.
 
how would the outlets be connected?
 
Ron said:
how would the outlets be connected?
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Sounds like its just a passthrough plug for the wall to solve the sealing problem. I still like my generator in the living room idea. Screw you guys.
 
I hesitate to even put this in print but...

Where I got confused was when Chip said:

upnover said:
you can run outlet, into another, into another, just like it was shore power.
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I have seen with my own eyes someone set a generator outside and run a regular drop cord in and plug it into an existing outlet. The for reasons known only to this person, they mademale-male cords and ran those outlet to outlet inside the house "To link the power between outlets".never realizing it was also running along the romex in the walls.

This is one of those things where its super simple and easy, and Id like to assume everyone knows what the heck they are doing, but Ive seen stupid. And stupid kills. Ive seen stupid from smart people.

Sorry if I am beating this horse to death.

The key take away is BE CAREFUL and know what you are doing.
 
Exactly, I said just like shore power, not into the shore power.

several outlets, or just one, what ever works, run together, NEVER touchng the normal house current, never plugged into anything, except when the generator is plugged in and running..No generator plugged in and running, it is dead.
 
jeepinmatt said:
Sounds like its just a passthrough plug for the wall to solve the sealing problem. I still like my generator in the living room idea. Screw you guys.
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Just set the generator in the fireplace to vent. Easy. duh.
 
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