Generator's?

[usmcveteran]

Who has one and do you think everyone should have one?

I don't have one and was hoping you all could enlighten me if they are worth it, what considerations I should think about and suggestions for ones worth getting?

[Cgrutt]

It's one of those things that is great to have one when you need it but spends most of its time sitting unused. I have a small Honda which is great. Sometimes use it for camping or jobs where power isn't readily available (e.g., built a deck on a new house where electric service wasn't in yet). But best use was a few times when the power went out. During Katrina it ran the refrigerator and a few lights in my place upstate for three days. You can get less expensive generators with more power at the big box stores, but the power isn't as "clean" as the Honda's. This is only important if you're running sensitive electronics such as computers, etc. Something larger would be better if you're planning on running it for a whole house backup.

[usmcveteran]

I used Hondas website and it said I needed 5100 or 5500 max. I said I wanted to run a fridge, freezer, furnace and hot water heater.

Next thing as well is how to install hookup for portable generator.

[masterswimmer]

Had mine for 8 years. Sat idle for 7 yrs 11 months and 2 weeks. When Katrina hit it ran for 11 straight days without shutting down. Made a horrible situation doable/bearable.

Same as a gun, better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Mine is a Coleman 7500w peak. Not used for sensitive electronics, but it ran our boiler, fridge, well pump, and the rest of our home. We shut down circuits when not needed so as not to overload the gen. When needed we systematically opened and closed circuits.

[usmcveteran]

Did you use a transfer switch? Can I get by powering furnace without one to save some cost? Is it easy to add plug to furnace so I can plug it in via extension cord?

[masterswimmer]

Mine is done via backfeeding the panel. Not the way to do it if you don't know what you're doing. First and foremost is safety. Before doing anything you shut off the main so no juice flows beyond your panel to the pole.

So in answer to your question, no I don't use an auto transfer switch.

[Tony]

5500W generator here. If I remember correctly my HW heater has a 40 amp breaker. I believe gen. produces only 20 amps at 240v. I suppose I could disconnect one of the two 4500w elements to get HW.
Also good to know is a local place to get dry ice. Works very well at keeping freezer frozen.

[usmcveteran]

Mine is done via backfeeding the panel. Not the way to do it if you don't know what you're doing. First and foremost is safety. Before doing anything you shut off the main so no juice flows beyond your panel to the pole.

So in answer to your question, no I don't use an auto transfer switch.

I thought if you do it that way you have to have a transfer switch per nec code?

[masterswimmer]

Uhhhh yeah

[Tony]

rules...

[24Pink14Stink]

I have one. it's a tri-fuel (runs on natural gas, propane, or diesel). I also have a manual transfer switch where the main breaker must be turned off in order to engage it. it's a decent setup.

[dwa12479]

I added a complete setup to the house a couple years back. I grabbed a Predator 4,000W generator from Harbor Freight, and added a 6 switch Reliance Transfer Switch. The mian purpose was just to run the furnace, sump pump, a refrigerator, and a freezer. Wasn't a terribly expensive setup, and I did all the wiring myself. I ran the power inlet to the opposite side of the garage, and the power cable is 10 feet long, so I have a solid 30 feet between the genny and living space to avoid CO issues. The only thing I have yet to rig up is some sort of lean-to in case of inclement weather.

The danger in backfeeding is that if you forget to shut off the main breaker, you can electrocute the linemen working on the grid outside.

http://www.harborfreight.com/4000-pe...arb-69728.html
https://www.amazon.com/Reliance-Cont...ransfer+switch









I also added an instruction sheet to the inside of the panel box because I know that I'll eventually forget the power up sequence, or the wife may have to get it running when I'm not here.

[usmcveteran]

Where is your breaker panel? Mine is on opposite side of house as garage in basement.

How does that setup work for you?

[gtnorry]

I run the same setup as dwa except I have a Briggs & Stratton 5000 watt generator. My box is in the basement so I just wired in a plug in the back of the house where there is a big tree close by to chain my generator to.
In a blackout they will hear your generator and they will come for it.

[usmcveteran]

How do you install plug onto back of house?