Other Dog/Ice Station Zebra

[Joseph Cummings]

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 15 hours ago by Joseph Cummings

[tjc transport]

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. 

[Joseph Cummings]

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

[Joey Mack]

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.  

[Joseph Cummings]

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

[Joseph Cummings]

32 minutes ago, Joey Mack said:

2 grand, tops

If he does the work himself, I don't even think that much

[Joey Mack]

Yep.. thats what i have.. i wish i could post pictures again,  still get that stupid code 200 crap..

[Joey Mack]

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..

[Joseph Cummings]

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

[Joseph Cummings]

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

 

[Joey Mack]

I like it JC.  She can use my AK,  or SKS with the drum..

[BOBWhite]

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?