Portable generators.....

[CasterTroy]

I just made me up a cordset with the generator plug on one end and a dryer plug on the other. If I need it I just take the dryer vent off and feed it though there. I stuff a towel around it to keep the outside air out. Works pretty well.

Exactly what I've done

 

[awheelterd]

Exactly what I've done

I didn't see any reason to put in a separate breaker and run lines for something I might use once a year. When I get my house built I'll put something in a little more permanent but for now this setup is great.

 

[CasterTroy]

Yup. Building within a year and planning a switch THEN but not investing a penny more in THIS house

 

[BigClay]

Yup. Building within a year and planning a switch THEN but not investing a penny more in THIS house

We should talk, I got mine wired up "creatively" into the breaker and no switch box needed

 

[CasterTroy]

You DO remember where I work right?

 

[rockcity]

Be careful with the generators. There is already one fatality due to generators.

 

[awheelterd]

Don't worry. I have mine in the laundry room with a window cracked. I can't smell any fumes in here in the living room so I'm fine right?

 

[83oldyoda4x4]

Don't worry. I have mine in the laundry room with a window cracked. I can't smell any fumes in here in the living room so I'm fine right?

Just point a box fan away from your bed room , should be good. lol

hope everyone is safe, just a little wind no rain yet in Asheboro. only had to cut one small tree off of our fences so far.

 

[YotaOnRocks]

I had the genny in the living room with the exhaust ran out a window through a dryer flex pipe (just like a dyno shop) but it was way to loud and drove me crazy while I was cooking on the grill in the kitchen

 

[NCJeeplover]

We should talk, I got mine wired up "creatively" into the breaker and no switch box needed

I plan on doing something similar with one of these.....

Manual Transfer Switch Kits | Generator Interlock Kit

 

[Ron]

I plan on doing something similar with one of these.....

Manual Transfer Switch Kits | Generator Interlock Kit

But why.
A proper automatic transfer switch is <$300

 

[NCJeeplover]

But why.
A proper automatic transfer switch is <$300

My main reason is to have the option of operating anything in my breaker box, not just 6-10 circuits. Is it necessary? No, but I like to keep my options open.

 

[jeepinmatt]

I just made me up a cordset with the generator plug on one end and a dryer plug on the other. If I need it I just take the dryer vent off and feed it though there. I stuff a towel around it to keep the outside air out. Works pretty well.

Same way I did mine, but I put a dryer outlet right under my breaker box with a dedicated breaker for it just so that I can isolate it. I'm generally smart enough to know what I'm doing and how dat lectricity works, but not everyone does. Make sure you kill the main feed to the box from the meter so that you aren't back feeding the system and electrocuting the linemen trying to get power back on or your neighbors toddler that's playing with the funny wire in the yard.

 

[Croatan_Kid]

I had been laying in bed, listening to my generator spit and sputter every now and again for a few hours, and just dreading having to go outside to screw with it. I finally have to do something...I get up, go check to make sure there's no fuel blockages...everything is fine. Wtf?

I always forget how sensitive those oil sensors are! Every time it would sputter, I'd see the little red light flash. Easy enough, I cut it off for a few minutes, find a quart of oil, add some, and boom...back in bidness At least it was quick and easy.

 

[BigClay]

My main reason is to have the option of operating anything in my breaker box, not just 6-10 circuits. Is it necessary? No, but I like to keep my options open.

That is basically what mine does, it allows me to turn on and off any breakers that I want in the box. Biggest thing like already said is to make sure the main to the panel is off so you don't back feed

 

[shawn]

But why.
A proper automatic transfer switch is <$300

I think this could make an interesting discussion. What are the options?

In a pinch, a lot of folks backfeed their panel, either through a dryer plug or dedicated circuit. Problem is, with no interlock, you could backfeed the transformer and hurt a lineman or neighbor. Definitely illegal and dangerous.

There's the whole house transfer switch. It goes between the meter and the panel, switches from generator to utility automatically. Good for pad mounted permanent generators and an option for portables, though my understanding is it's not code compliant with portables. These are generally good to 200A, but I think 320A/400A versions are available, but much more expensive.

There's the meter socket transfer switch. Good for 40A. Easy install, inexpensive. But for the same reasons a 7.5kw portable can't serve a 200a transfer switch, I'm not sure how these are code compliant.

Dedicated generator switch panels tie into breakers at the main panel, giving you the option to switch 6-12 circuits individually from generator to utility. Code compliant, but seems "messy" to me. Only allows for certain elements in the house to be on generator power.

There's the main panel with automatic transfer switch built in. Generac sells one that is rebranded from Eaton or somebody. It a 40-space 200a panel with about 20-30 breakers on the switch side, and about 10 on the utility power only side. Requires replacing the main panel. Good for pad mounted generators. Not sure what options are available for 320/400a service.

Dedicated sub panel with transfer switch or interlock. Variation on the fancy panel above. Have one main panel that is utility power only, and a second (sub?) panel that's switchable. This could work cheaply with 320/400a service, but means anything on the first panel can't receive generator power.

What else?

 

[Ron]

Regarding code.
The generator only has to carry everything connected if its an ATS. For a MTS , no code issue with connecting a 7kw to a 400a service.

Btw the need for a 400 resi service doesn't exist below about 5000 sqft min.

Whole house 200a Mts, with a cam lock or other quick connect plug wired into the emergency side. Outdoor rated cane and plug and a weatherproof connection on the mts.

More expensive than a red neck connect (dryer/welder /compressor ) but safer, more idiot proof, and code compliant if that's a concern .

 

[shawn]

Btw the need for a 400 resi service doesn't exist below about 5000 sqft min.

I don't buy that. I ran a quick load calc the other day and came up with 185A after reductions. That's not counting outbuildings or a bunch of fixed appliances that I didn't have numbers for.

 

[WARRIORWELDING]

@Ron .Or anyone with knowledge. Looking for carb kit.

Not mine but a friend in need. Don't expect to find it local.

 

[ponykilr]

I back fed one leg of 120v from my shelter power panel this go around. Nothing 240v works of course and kitchen outlets were inop. Ran fridge with 12g drop cord.

Gonna do something more permanent.

Dedicated panel and connection for everything into main box mounted out at shelter. Gennie I have now is 6kw, I am not sure if even manual cycling of AC will work. May have to upgrade gennie to have AC.

 

[rockcity]

Am I the only one who is frustrated that all the people that stormed the stores for last minute generators are the same ones returning the generators now that the storm is over?

Is that fair to the retailer? They spent thousands of hours and $$$ getting needed items to the store for the storm and now they are rewarded with a flood of returns of generators, etc. it’s not like those items are small $ and take up very little floor space.

 

[Chris_Keziah]

Am I the only one who is frustrated that all the people that stormed the stores for last minute generators are the same ones returning the generators now that the storm is over?

Is that fair to the retailer? They spent thousands of hours and $$$ getting needed items to the store for the storm and now they are rewarded with a flood of returns of generators, etc. it’s not like those items are small $ and take up very little floor space.

Not the only one, I hope most had a zero return policy.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

 

[thecj3man]

When we first moved here it seems like the power went out all the time. I was finishing out the barn and getting prepared to build a shop and decided to buy a generator. I only used it sparingly but it was a life saver a couple times a year. I back fed the panel once and usually used extension cords dragged through the house. I found a Reliance manual switch on the Internet. I held out till I could find a 10 circuit switch because I thought 6 wouldn’t be enough. After working through the installation and switching everything I though “should” be backed up, I had a couple spaces left over. I backed up the main fridge, garage fridge and freezer circuit, my entire finished basement since it seemed like that is where we generally went, the living room so the wood stove blower would work, and the water heater. The transfer switch wasn’t necessary but it made me feel better that my wife could hook up the generator if I happened to be gone when something happened.

 

[rockcity]

Not the only one, I hope most had a zero return policy.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

And they will be the same ones to do the very same thing next storm.


I’m already starting to see a lot of generators for sale, new in the box, with pics of their receipt. I’ve iffered several people 40% of their cost since the market is flooded. We’ll see.

 

[thecj3man]