Generator suggestions?

[T-Dozzer]

Thinking about buying a generator for back up power to my house. What do I need to know?
I know higher run and start up wattage is better. I'm thinking something around the 3000 to 5000 running watts. It doesn't need to be super quiet since it will be outside. It will be powering a chest freezer, fridge, maybe a light or 2.
I will eventually have my breaker box wired for it.
Would like to stay under $500 as it won't get much use and not opposed to a used one.
Anything to watch out for or stay away from?
How imperative is a super heavy duty extension cord?


Here is what I had in mind down the road for my breaker box.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-Generator-to-Home-Hook-Up/?ALLSTEPS

[Special T]

Best way/easiest is to hook up a 220/240V plug in for a welder or such and plug it in that way so that its multipurpose. as long as you throw the main breaker you seperate yourself from the main grid and dont back feed.

While you have power now map out which breakers power what and write it down so that when power does go down you dont have to charge the whole house. the same circut that powers my fridge also has a number of lights in it. same with the freezer

[KFhunter]

That's illegal and I also understand that it's hard on breakers? 

Honestly I'd just wait until summer time when no one wants a generator and catch some sales.  Friend of mine just called a generator place and they were booked solid, said call back in two weeks.

for your budget just run extension cords.  Put the heaviest one on the generator then go lighter as you split them off to various things you want to power

[huntnphool]

That's illegal and I also understand that it's hard on breakers? 

Honestly I'd just wait until summer time when no one wants a generator and catch some sales.  Friend of mine just called a generator place and they were booked solid, said call back in two weeks.

+1

[follow maggie]

Turning the main breaker off does not prevent back flow onto the grid. You need a transfer switch, which is not expensive. Doing it without the transfer switch endangers the line workers restoring the power.

[jackelope]

Turning the main breaker off does not prevent back flow onto the grid. You need a transfer switch, which is not expensive. Doing it without the transfer switch endangers the line workers restoring the power.

If the main is open, how does power get back to the grid?

[kenzmad]

Turning the main breaker off does not prevent back flow onto the grid. You need a transfer switch, which is not expensive. Doing it without the transfer switch endangers the line workers restoring the power.

I have this before. Something about the nuetral being hot. Not sure how that works since nuetral and ground are basically the same. Can you help us understand your comment? Always thought that once the main is thrown, power is unable to backfeed the transformers.

[follow maggie]

Lots of things can happen. People forget to turn the main off, the main gets damaged, etc.  Turning th breaker off turns it off, but it's still connected. The transfer switch disconnects the neutral and both hots. It's illegal to run a generator through the panel without a transfer switch because so many things can happen and kill someone. It's only a few hundred bucks.

[Crunchy]

I bought a generator through home depot.  Costco had it also.  It had a Honda motor but off brand on the generator brand.  Thing was $1,000 bucks and runs like a champ.  I think uts 6800 watts.  I also bought an 8 circut transfer switch for about 200 bucks and wired it myself.  I run non ethanol gas in it only.  Keep 15 gallons at the ready.  I can run it probably 4 days before i need more fuel.  Money well spent. 

[T-Dozzer]

That's illegal and I also understand that it's hard on breakers? 

Honestly I'd just wait until summer time when no one wants a generator and catch some sales.  Friend of mine just called a generator place and they were booked solid, said call back in two weeks.

for your budget just run extension cords.  Put the heaviest one on the generator then go lighter as you split them off to various things you want to power

Whats illegal, what Special T said or the link I posted?
Running a cord to my freezer in the garage is fine, but it's a pain to run one into the house. Hence hooking it up to my panel. I have a buddy ( licensed electrician) who would be doing it.
I'll worry about the panel later. For now, I'm just researching generators.

[follow maggie]

What specialT posted is illegal according to the electrical code. The link you posted is fine.

[kenzmad]

Ok, here is my setup. Very similar to a generator interlock. Empty 220v breaker dedicated to a generator plug in box outside. Breaker is turned off at all times. Power goes out, generator is plugged in and fired up. Go to the panel, there is a sticky note on the generator breaker that says " turn off main breaker first". Throw the main, flip on the generator breaker.house is powered up. Problems? Concerns?

[jackelope]

Ok, here is my setup. Very similar to a generator interlock. Empty 220v breaker dedicated to a generator plug in box outside. Breaker is turned off at all times. Power goes out, generator is plugged in and fired up. Go to the panel, there is a sticky note on the generator breaker that says " turn off main breaker first". Throw the main, flip on the generator breaker.house is powered up. Problems? Concerns?

Pretty much what I do and pretty much what follow Maggie is saying is illegal because you don't have a transfer switch. Not sure. I have a transfer box. I just need to get it installed. I'm an expert procrastinator.

[Special T]

Did not know it was "Illegal". However if an "Interlock" kit is legal then how can it be unsafe to do so on your own?   http://www.interlockkit.com/ilkitworks1.htm

I understand I am liable if i hurt or kill some one, but I still have not gotten the answer of how you can back feed with the main breaker off.  If i switch the main breaker off to connect appliances/ lights and such and dont get shocked how can i send it up the line?

[KFhunter]

I did some looking and it's OK to back feed circuits UNLESS they are marked "line" or "load", or if they have a white pigtail wire coming out then don't use it. 

Mostly they're GFI safety breakers.


In summary, circuit breakers with ground fault protection that is line
powered, such as those with a pigtail connection, are not suitable for
backfeeding. The terminals on these circuit breakers are clearly marked
“line” and “load”. This includes Square D™ QO™ and Homeline™ circuit
breakers with GFCI (5 mA) and QO and Homeline circuit breakers with low
level GFPE (30 mA) protection.
Circuit breakers with ground fault protection that is fault powered, such as
larger molded case, insulated case and low voltage power circuit breakers,
may be suitable for backfeeding. If they are, their terminals will not be
marked “line” and “load”. All Square D PowerPact™ and Masterpact™
circuit breakers with Micrologic™ electronic trip units are suitable for
backfeeding.
Square D add-on ground-fault modules for PowerPact H- and J-frame
molded case circuit breakers are also suitable for backfeeding.
Square D add-on earth-leakage modules for PowerPact H- and J-frame
molded case circuit breakers are not suitable for backfeeding as they are
line-powered devices. The OFF end terminals on these modules are
marked “load”.