Joseph Cummings Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 (edited) 33 minutes ago, 67RModel said: Flipping a main breaker is free... I personally think impossible to forget how and/or improperly execute the sequence of back feeding your main panel without a transfer switch or interlock contraption. This Isn't Quantum Physics. So long as the "suicide cord" is sized for the max amps the generator can provide or better yet sized for 15% more amps than the 240V double pole breaker your backfeeding through there is nothing to worry about IMO. You or me can pull it off without having a problem. But what about your wife, mother, or kids? Also you want to buy a generator that the neutral-ground bond can be lifted if you are going to connect it to your panel. If not, should you have a failure of the neutral, the grounding conductor can end up carrying your neutral current which is both a fire and electrocution/shocking hazard. https://forums.mikeholt.com/threads/portable-generator-bonding.2571850/ Edited January 8 by Joseph Cummings Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74960-other-dogice-station-zebra/page/2/#findComment-565791 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post tjc transport Posted January 8 Popular Post Share Posted January 8 when figuring out what size generator you need, you have to look at use. is the house all electric, or all gas? a gas oven/cooktop, furnace, water heater, and clothes drier you could get away with a 10 KW set. for a house with electric oven/cooktop, electric hot water heater, and electric heat, you will want a larger unit, in the 15+ KW range. i went with the 17.5 KW unit because of the 50 amp plasma cutter, 5 HP 240 air compressor, and Lincoln 215 power mig in the shop. the house itself is all gas appliances, so only electric use is AC, fridge, freezer, computer and lights. i have run the house in winter off a 5 KW set. but for summer use with AC i would want at least 10 KW. 3 Quote when you are up to your armpits in alligators, it is hard to remember you only came in to drain the swamp.. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74960-other-dogice-station-zebra/page/2/#findComment-565808 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph Cummings Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 2 hours ago, tjc transport said: when figuring out what size generator you need, you have to look at use. is the house all electric, or all gas? a gas oven/cooktop, furnace, water heater, and clothes drier you could get away with a 10 KW set. for a house with electric oven/cooktop, electric hot water heater, and electric heat, you will want a larger unit, in the 15+ KW range. i went with the 17.5 KW unit because of the 50 amp plasma cutter, 5 HP 240 air compressor, and Lincoln 215 power mig in the shop. the house itself is all gas appliances, so only electric use is AC, fridge, freezer, computer and lights. i have run the house in winter off a 5 KW set. but for summer use with AC i would want at least 10 KW. I'd totally say diesel is the way to go, but being that they don't get run a lot and you have maybe a 50 - 500 gallon tank full of it. it gets water and algae in it. When the exerciser starts it up every so often it seems fine because it's not under load, But then when the power goes out, it gets loaded, the rack opens up and you are flowing fuel, and then the filters plug up. Most people neglect the maintenance of their stored fuel. The only ones I ever see do it right are utility companies for peaking stations, and some big hospitals. And they have a "fuel polishing" service come, run all the fuel through big filters, add a biocide to kill the algae and prevent growth, and test the fuel 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74960-other-dogice-station-zebra/page/2/#findComment-565815 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey Mack Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 In my low rent opinion... I think that O.D. will do well to assess his power demands and pick a gas/propane powered generator that is a couple thousand watts more then his minimum need. I am pretty sure he can buy the Genny, and get the outlet attached to his panel for 2 grand, tops... If he can do the outlet wiring himself,, that will save on labor and parts mark up.. I think he has a wood stove. O.D., i forgot if you have wood heat.. thats all I got guys. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74960-other-dogice-station-zebra/page/2/#findComment-565818 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph Cummings Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 BTW this is the proper type generator inlet you mount outside where the gen plugs in https://www.lowes.com/pd/Reliance-30-Amp-Generator-Power-Inlet-Box/3133095?store=&cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-sol-_-ggl-_-PMAX_SOL_000_Priority_Items-_-3133095-_-online-_-0-_-0&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA4fi7BhC5ARIsAEV1Yib5SpR-Bh346udqYTXwMiYONDoY-BUz3YaL8BYcbA4KzTth_5E7Jh4aArQfEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds 1 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74960-other-dogice-station-zebra/page/2/#findComment-565821 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph Cummings Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 32 minutes ago, Joey Mack said: 2 grand, tops If he does the work himself, I don't even think that much 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74960-other-dogice-station-zebra/page/2/#findComment-565822 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey Mack Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 Yep.. thats what i have.. i wish i could post pictures again, still get that stupid code 200 crap.. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74960-other-dogice-station-zebra/page/2/#findComment-565823 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey Mack Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 Thats my point JC... Less than 2K.. of course the big Gennys are great, but if you dont loose power often , then a gas/ propane one is perfect. Hell dont even put gas in the tank, just keep 2 full grill bottles on hand.. i have 4 grill bottles, i can go 2 full days on 4 tanks, with some left over, as i drive around looking for a filling station, provided we dont have a major event where the whole town is devastated,, then you would just run power when absolutely needed.. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74960-other-dogice-station-zebra/page/2/#findComment-565824 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph Cummings Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 2 minutes ago, Joey Mack said: Thats my point JC... Less than 2K.. of course the big Gennys are great, but if you dont loose power often , then a gas/ propane one is perfect. Hell dont even put gas in the tank, just keep 2 full grill bottles on hand.. i have 4 grill bottles, i can go 2 full days on 4 tanks, with some left over, as i drive around looking for a filling station, provided we dont have a major event where the whole town is devastated,, then you would just run power when absolutely needed.. Here is the quick and easy transfer switch, power inlet solution. But they are like 1000 bucks, Only takes about 10 minutes to install 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74960-other-dogice-station-zebra/page/2/#findComment-565825 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph Cummings Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 20 minutes ago, Joey Mack said: provided we dont have a major event where the whole town is devastated Zombie Apocalypse and you can be draining gas out of your neighbor's cars after the zombies eat their brains, while your wife covers you with a Polish Hellpup Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74960-other-dogice-station-zebra/page/2/#findComment-565828 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey Mack Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 I like it JC. She can use my AK, or SKS with the drum.. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74960-other-dogice-station-zebra/page/2/#findComment-565830 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBWhite Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 On the topic of electrical wiring why did we get away from the 3 prong 220 plugs and outlets? All our 220 stuff still has the old style but our new generator has the 4 prong style. I get that the new 4 prog stuff had an interlock and is safer for idiots but its that the only reason? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74960-other-dogice-station-zebra/page/2/#findComment-565844 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey Mack Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 Bob, this plug also separates the neutral and the ground wire. The older plug caused folks to connect the white and green wires together. The green wire now goes to "Earth".. As a (not an electrician) this is the best way i can describe it.. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74960-other-dogice-station-zebra/page/2/#findComment-565848 Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjc transport Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 yes, the 4 wire separates the ground from neutral. which then get reconnected in the power panel. the big unit is hooked directly to the house with an automatic transfer switch. before that i used to connect the "portable" sets through the mig welder plug in the garage. turn main breaker off, connect generator, then fire it up. once street power came back on i would shut generator off, unplug it, and then turn main back on. this setup is not legal, but safe if done correctly. 1 Quote when you are up to your armpits in alligators, it is hard to remember you only came in to drain the swamp.. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74960-other-dogice-station-zebra/page/2/#findComment-565855 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph Cummings Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 Only the power company is allowed to use one wire for both ground and neutral now. They are "guided" by the NESC (National Electrical Safety Code) and the rest of us peasants must "Follow" the NEC (National Electrical Code) Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74960-other-dogice-station-zebra/page/2/#findComment-565857 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post other dog Posted January 9 Popular Post Share Posted January 9 14 hours ago, Joey Mack said: In my low rent opinion... I think that O.D. will do well to assess his power demands and pick a gas/propane powered generator that is a couple thousand watts more then his minimum need. I am pretty sure he can buy the Genny, and get the outlet attached to his panel for 2 grand, tops... If he can do the outlet wiring himself,, that will save on labor and parts mark up.. I think he has a wood stove. O.D., i forgot if you have wood heat.. thats all I got guys. Yep, after much research- ok, I looked around on the interwebs a little bit- that's what I decided would be best. You can even order Westinghouse generators from Amazon, and all the reviews of Westinghouse generators were good, on several different sites. And a smaller one that you just run a generator cord in through a window or door is around $600. It said you could run several extension cords from the generator cord safely to power the refrigerator, freezer, coffee maker, etc. Or a still smaller and cheaper unit that they recommended running the refrigerator for an hour, then the freezer for an hour, then the "something else". I'd get one bigger than that, but yep, the gas powered portable is the way I'm gonna go. 3 Quote Producer of poorly photo-chopped pictures since 1999. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74960-other-dogice-station-zebra/page/2/#findComment-565865 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey Mack Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 I do like the propane set up on mine. I dont worry about fresh fuel . Just a thought Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74960-other-dogice-station-zebra/page/2/#findComment-565866 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph Cummings Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 11 minutes ago, other dog said: Yep, after much research- ok, I looked around on the interwebs a little bit- that's what I decided would be best. You can even order Westinghouse generators from Amazon, and all the reviews of Westinghouse generators were good, on several different sites. And a smaller one that you just run a generator cord in through a window or door is around $600. It said you could run several extension cords from the generator cord safely to power the refrigerator, freezer, coffee maker, etc. Or a still smaller and cheaper unit that they recommended running the refrigerator for an hour, then the freezer for an hour, then the "something else". I'd get one bigger than that, but yep, the gas powered portable is the way I'm gonna go. https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807974658564.html?src=google&pdp_npi=4%40dis!USD!2095.78!730.38!!!!!%40!12000044040687552!ppc!!!&src=google&albch=shopping&acnt=708-803-3821&isdl=y&slnk=&plac=&mtctp=&albbt=Google_7_shopping&aff_platform=google&aff_short_key=UneMJZVf&gclsrc=aw.ds&albagn=888888&ds_e_adid=&ds_e_matchtype=&ds_e_device=c&ds_e_network=x&ds_e_product_group_id=&ds_e_product_id=en3256807974658564&ds_e_product_merchant_id=5507959052&ds_e_product_country=US&ds_e_product_language=en&ds_e_product_channel=online&ds_e_product_store_id=&ds_url_v=2&albcp=20542171673&albag=&isSmbAutoCall=false&needSmbHouyi=false&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAhP67BhAVEiwA2E_9gwnAfdpv2Vp0ag1bv4zEEqqX6isPbkYU5Ezo6G8jsqw75s5PvHl3HBoC2FgQAvD_BwE&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74960-other-dogice-station-zebra/page/2/#findComment-565867 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey Mack Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 That is a lower price than my 10,500 watt unit that i got from Amazon in 5 days. Nice find JC.. 1 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74960-other-dogice-station-zebra/page/2/#findComment-565868 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjh Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 21 hours ago, 67RModel said: Flipping a main breaker is free... I personally think impossible to forget how and/or improperly execute the sequence of back feeding your main panel without a transfer switch or interlock contraption. This Isn't Quantum Physics. So long as the "suicide cord" is sized for the max amps the generator can provide or better yet sized for 15% more amps than the 240V double pole breaker your backfeeding through there is nothing to worry about IMO. yup thats how I'm set up works great ! flip the main off flip on the 30 amp and fire up! I shut down all the heavy draws ( heat - hot water- and don't use the oven ! All is good ! can even watch the soap opps if you want as long as you got your fiber! 1 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74960-other-dogice-station-zebra/page/2/#findComment-565869 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjh Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 1 minute ago, Joey Mack said: That is a lower price than my 10,500 watt unit that i got from Amazon in 5 days. Nice find JC.. I agree joey I just went thru the skunky gas issue with mine I wish I had gotten the propane option at that point! How ever got it running again! 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74960-other-dogice-station-zebra/page/2/#findComment-565870 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey Mack Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 Actually, my genny is now $800.00 i paid $1,100.00 a year and a half ago.. its a dual fuel model with electric start and the battery came with it 1 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74960-other-dogice-station-zebra/page/2/#findComment-565871 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph Cummings Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807974548730.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.pcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller.10.20b6hlZ3hlZ37C&gps-id=pcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller&scm=1007.40196.394786.0&scm_id=1007.40196.394786.0&scm-url=1007.40196.394786.0&pvid=669455a7-5433-41b1-b5d1-7f55b19dd52f&_t=gps-id:pcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller,scm-url:1007.40196.394786.0,pvid:669455a7-5433-41b1-b5d1-7f55b19dd52f,tpp_buckets:668%232846%238116%232002&pdp_npi=4%40dis!USD!2075.95!705.32!!!15175.10!5155.87!%402101ec1f17364332263066374e1757!12000044040372433!rec!US!!ABX&utparam-url=scene%3ApcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller|query_from%3A 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74960-other-dogice-station-zebra/page/2/#findComment-565873 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph Cummings Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 Actually 12.5 KW is about as as much power as a 60 amp service. Under the REA of the 1930's to the 1950's your average farm got a 60 amp service Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74960-other-dogice-station-zebra/page/2/#findComment-565877 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey Mack Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 O.D. I have some new info for you.. we are expecting ice and some snow tomorrow, so i went out to start my Genny. It would not fire. I pulled the spark plug and cranked it and the spark was a good color but it was a small spark. I put it back in, tried to start again on Gas, no go. Switched to Propane, and it started right up.. Also, the cute little battery that came with it doesnt like 25 degree air.. So the moral of my story is..... Buy a good spark plug and a lawn mower battery for the new Genny. I will be replacing mine very soon. I cant drive for a few more weeks, but next time my wife goes out, i will get the parts.. I hope you find this helpful. I forgot that the Chinesium sparks plugs suck. Jojo 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74960-other-dogice-station-zebra/page/2/#findComment-565902 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.