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I understand why people might be hesitant to say what they have but I'm in the market and curious what folks have and if they feel its adequate

Dont have one, but wish I did
20 (28.2%)
Dont have one because Id never use it and its a waste of money
0 (0%)
2000-3500 running watt portable
8 (11.3%)
3501-5500 running watt portable
14 (19.7%)
5501-7500 running watt portable
12 (16.9%)
7501-9500 running watt portable
9 (12.7%)
9501-16kw running watt portable
2 (2.8%)
permanent hard-wired greater than .......(generac style)
6 (8.5%)
I run dual generators for greater watts. (two 7500's in parallel)
0 (0%)

Total Members Voted: 71

Author Topic: Generators......back up for home  (Read 12801 times)

Offline Mudman

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Re: Generators......back up for home
« Reply #75 on: December 05, 2019, 07:12:21 PM »
Still sitting in the back of my truck.  I was just pulling that off of specs.   No idea.    I think my first hurdle is that my well is on a second service, right next to my meter and main cut off.    I'm concerned if I go the electrician route and transfer switch and (50 amp input plug) I wont have power to the well. ???
True but ya could maybe install 220v direct burial wire in between panels for Backup genny use only?  Unless its a country mile!!!
MAGA!  Again..

Offline KFhunter

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Re: Generators......back up for home
« Reply #76 on: December 05, 2019, 07:14:47 PM »
Nope, I'd need a bigger panel.

No room to add a generator circuit, I got one single pole left!  (at the very bottom right)
« Last Edit: December 05, 2019, 08:01:43 PM by KFhunter »

Offline highside74

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Re: Generators......back up for home
« Reply #77 on: December 05, 2019, 07:17:52 PM »
This is what I wanted to use but my power company wouldn't let me. You'll have to call your power company and ask before purchase. It's called the Generlink. Not cheap but cheaper than an electrician redoing a panel.


Offline KFhunter

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Re: Generators......back up for home
« Reply #78 on: December 05, 2019, 07:20:30 PM »
how would they know once they got that smart meter on it?  I plan to put in a gate once I get my smart meter and no one will be coming in, least of all to check my meter. 

Offline Boss .300 winmag

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Re: Generators......back up for home
« Reply #79 on: December 05, 2019, 07:25:15 PM »
how would they know once they got that smart meter on it?  I plan to put in a gate once I get my smart meter and no one will be coming in, least of all to check my meter.

They have to install it, electricians can’t mess with the meter.😉

I love my gate, tax man has to take pics from the road.🤣
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Re: Generators......back up for home
« Reply #80 on: December 05, 2019, 07:26:55 PM »
The tax many follows the same factors as Fitkin does with his deer count.   No matter what, the number always goes up

Offline Stein

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Re: Generators......back up for home
« Reply #81 on: December 05, 2019, 07:50:27 PM »
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Square-D-QO-150-225-Amp-Load-Center-Outdoor-Generator-Interlock-Kit-QORBGK2C/203046556?mtc=Shopping-B-F_D27E-G-D27E-27_8_CIRCUIT_PROTECT_DEVICES-Generic-NA-Feed-PLA-NA-NA-&cm_mmc=Shopping-B-F_D27E-G-D27E-27_8_CIRCUIT_PROTECT_DEVICES-Generic-NA-Feed-PLA-NA-NA--71700000034238981-58700003943782709-92700048672399158&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI68vqnY6g5gIVhK_sCh0OQQmuEAQYASABEgImffD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

All you need is two open slots in your service panel for the incoming power.  You may need to move the existing breakers around since this has to be near the main service disconnect breaker.  From there, it's a few feet of wire to an outside generator receptacle.  It's a 1/2 day job for an electrician and maybe $250 in parts unless your panel can't take it and then it's a bit more complicated.

You will need to buy the right one for your panel, they make a ton for all the different panel configurations.

The utility owns the meter and you will have a tough time convincing them to put that thing in there.

Offline baker5150

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Re: Generators......back up for home
« Reply #82 on: December 05, 2019, 08:01:31 PM »
This is what you need. It locks out  the main while energizing the right hand breaker
The right hand breaker can not be “on” if the main is on.
This makes you legal, and safe.  It’s also cheap and works in most any panel.

Edit
These are sold At Home Depot and Lowe’s.  Don’t be cheap be safe.
« Last Edit: December 05, 2019, 08:08:57 PM by baker5150 »

Offline Gobble Doc

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Re: Generators......back up for home
« Reply #83 on: December 05, 2019, 08:24:39 PM »


I got something like this and it’s great. Just plug in the generator. Runs well pump, septic, and a few house circuits. We ran for 9 days when we had a wind storm. Only problem was when kids were little and flipped a switch messing around. The septic tank got a little full.


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Offline SniperDanWA

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Re: Generators......back up for home
« Reply #84 on: December 05, 2019, 10:09:18 PM »
Didn't read the whole thread but we used a panel interlock and wired in a 50 amp generator plug into a double pull 50 amp breaker. You flip the interlock to shut off power company feed and then flip the 50 amp breaker. The generator then feeds the whole panel. Pick and choose which circuits you want on and turn the rest off.

that's the easy button, but I'm not sure all panels can be retrofitted for this  :dunno:

what's it cost to install a whole new panel?  I guess if it isn't full you could move all the breakers down and put in a new 50a up top and use an interlock.

I put in a 125amp panel with two 50amp breakers this summer.  The cost to power company to cycle off power was free and $80 to reconnect.  The panel was $150 with one 50amp breaker and I think $34.99 for the second 50amp.  I could be off on the breaker cost.  I needed some wire between the two panels, that was $30.  That was it.  I run one 50amp as the main and the other 50amp as service to the other panel.  If I’m right, I spent about $300 to $350 with misc parts.  Works great.  Manual transfer switch, but that works well and 6 breakers when on gen that power 90% of the house.
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Offline Stein

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Re: Generators......back up for home
« Reply #85 on: December 06, 2019, 06:55:17 AM »
I agree, it's not as big of a project as one may think.  My house is all gas, so they put in a whopper 50 A panel.  I had the power company pull the cables and replaced it with a 200A panel and had the inspection done that afternoon.  You will likely need to extend a few branch circuit conductors to fit the new configuration as well as cut a larger opening in the wall - depending on what your existing panel is.

The power company won't reconnect until you have the state inspection done.  I lucked out and they pulled the new aluminum conductors I bought from the transformer underground to my house and made the connections on both sides.

If you aren't upgrading the service conductors, it's a 1/2 day job if you are taking your time.

Offline baker5150

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Re: Generators......back up for home
« Reply #86 on: December 06, 2019, 07:37:22 AM »
Nope, I'd need a bigger panel.

No room to add a generator circuit, I got one single pole left!  (at the very bottom right)

You can simply replace some of your existing single pole breakers with single pole tandems.  Free up a ton of space in there.
Cheaper and easier than a new panel or sub-panel.

Offline KFhunter

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Re: Generators......back up for home
« Reply #87 on: December 06, 2019, 08:21:44 AM »
thanks baker5150    :tup:

Offline Ridgeratt

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Re: Generators......back up for home
« Reply #88 on: December 06, 2019, 08:30:56 AM »
Nope, I'd need a bigger panel.

No room to add a generator circuit, I got one single pole left!  (at the very bottom right)

You can simply replace some of your existing single pole breakers with single pole tandems.  Free up a ton of space in there.
Cheaper and easier than a new panel or sub-panel.

Or there is always this idea!!

You should be fine with either.  Had a contractor do this install on his floor sander in a skool over here.   :IBCOOL:

Offline Skillet

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Re: Generators......back up for home
« Reply #89 on: December 06, 2019, 08:34:56 AM »
 :o
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