Generators

[Steve G]

The area I live in the electricity goes out all the time. This last time after a storm it lasted over 12 hours. I decided that a generator may be the way to go. I have no idea what size etc. and what I need to do to make this work. The previous owner has 4 wall sockets and a pig-tail that he said would hook up to a generator and power the bathroom lights and refig. I would like to do the whole house. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.



Thanks,

Steve

 

[The patriot]

Same thing here with the all too frequest power outages.

I bought a generator in Home Depot. It's a B&S industrial commercial OHV engine, 6250 peak watts 5000 constant. It was $499. 00.

I'm told that you can make an adapter for the 220 outlet on the gen set, and backfeed it through a dryer plug. You must first shut off your main breaker!!! Or your generator will be an expensive fireworks display.

I didnt do this, but I heard it can be done.

I just use mine to keep the fridg and freezer cold.

Eric

 

[klenger]

Home Depot sells a generator changeover panel, which I would assume comes with detailed instructions. I think the idea is to select which outlets and appliances you want to power from the generator and hook them up to the switch. It seems like a pretty clean installation. I would not attempt to run the whole house. Do some math to figure out how big of a generator you need and then add some cushion so that you are not running at max.

 

[bighammer]

I have backfed the main pannel thru a 220v outlet. It works, but there is a danger of frying yourself, your generator, or somebody else. Electricity is not forgiving.



The first problem is that you have to shut off the main. How do you know when the power is restored?



If you don't shut off the main, you could fry a somebody repairing the lines somewhere else.



Another scary part of it is the suicide cord. If you (or anybody trying to hook it up in your absense) makes contact with the bare prongs of the plug for your dryer outlet while the generator is running.....



It is also very easy to overload your generator. (since everthing in the house is now hooked to it)







I bought a generator transfer switch for mine before I killed somebody. It was a pretty easy install and it provides for up to 6 circuits to be switched to aux power while the rest of the house is still on-line. It has a place to plug in the generator with a normal type cord (one male & one female end) I think I have fridge, microwave, boiler, sump pump, and a couple light circuits on it.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I use a Generac Megaforce construction generator for backup. I think it's 6500 watts continuous and 8500 demand. My transfer switch has ten circuits. I think it was rated 7500 watts. My well pump is the biggie. When that kicks on, the lights will dim momentarily then come back. I have oil heat so the burner is on also. I picked my most strategic circuits including one for the microwave oven. I ran about three days last xmas and stayed pretty comfy.



You need to access your needs. It helps to know which circuit feeds what. As I said, I have oil heat. That makes it easy vs the demand electric heat requires. Think about where you would set the unit up. In my case, my main is in the basement below my bedroom. I would not want a noisy portable outside and it would have been a problem in harsh weather. I had to run a 70 foot line from the other end of the house to feed the transfer switch. A friend set up a VW diesel powered 13k unit in a storage shed with a 275 gallon oil tank. That worked well for him. More money will get you options such as automatic start and transfer.

 

[Steve G]

Thanks for all the advice. I don't think I will try the whole house.

I'll get in touch with an electrician so I don't screw this up.



Steve

 

[ronco]

If you back feed the house thru the dryer plug, that circuit is usually rated at 30 amps. Multiply the current (30) by the voltage (220 nominal) and you arrive at 7200 watts. That is how much power you can feed the house thru that circuit. If you need more power, you will need a different circuit. Also, remember to evenly divide electrical load between both poles of the output (equal load on both sides of the breaker box). HTH



Ronco