any electrician's that could help??

bubba suby

bubba suby

New member
i have a generator and would like to put a plug out side that i can just roll the generator out to and plug in to the house and

shut the main off to the house and start the gen. and have power to all the things i need. i can help with what i know but

i do not like high volts

 
the dangerous but easy way to accomplish this is to backfeed through a 220 circuit. Make a cable that'll let ya plug the generator into your dryer or stove plug. turn off all the breakers (don't forget the main breaker!) than turn on the dryer(or stove) circuit and any circuits you want powered by the generator plug in the generator, than start the generator.

correct way is to higher an electrician to install a transfer switch panel and a weatherproof socket outside.

 
i have done that plug into the back feed thing but for some reason i can't get all of the circuits to work that i need like the furnace and the fregerator at the same time?

 
please please please please hire an electrician.

please!

I use reasonably priced people in the Portland area...they travel.

 
DO NOT BACK FEED YOUR PANEL. YOU WILL KILL SOME ONE.

You Need A Gentran Transfer switch. To disconnect dedicated circuits from the panel and connect them to the generator. If you do not do this you will burn up the gen by running more than it is rated for. There are Formulas to figure out the wattage of what you want to run and what your gen can handle ( Volts x Amps = Watts for non motors) (Volts x Amps= Watts x 2 = start-up surge watts for motors like furnaces, well pumps and Refrigerators.)

and you will need to BALANCE it out between the two poles or the 240 volts from the gen splitting it to 2- 120 volts circuits.

My Dad and I installed MANY of the transfer panel during the Ice storm of 1998. He is a 40 yr master Electrician and i have worked with him on and off for the last 30yrs. Yes I started when I was 10yr old.

I don't want to sounds like a prick but it is this important. The choice is yours and people will tell you fudge that just jump it into your panel and turn off the main breaker. Just trying to help one family guy to another.

This is my set-up in my basement. If you do as you ask about and you have a fire you insurance company will tell you to bad so sad you violated at least 6 Electrical codes.

P1010070.jpg


P1010071.jpg


 
Looks like a sub panel maybe a mobile home or modular home with a disconnect outside. Also not that old of a place either by the color of the wire sheathing. I have a sump pump in my basement also. Mine is a 40 year old house with a 100amp service we just replaced the small 20 circuit panel with a bigger 30 circuit one cause my dad had it kicking around.

 
DO NOT BACK FEED YOUR PANEL. YOU WILL KILL SOME ONE. You Need A Gentran Transfer switch. To disconnect dedicated circuits from the panel and connect them to the generator. If you do not do this you will burn up the gen by running more than it is rated for. There are Formulas to figure out the wattage of what you want to run and what your gen can handle ( Volts x Amps = Watts for non motors) (Volts x Amps= Watts x 2 = start-up surge watts for motors like furnaces, well pumps and Refrigerators.)

and you will need to BALANCE it out between the two poles or the 240 volts from the gen splitting it to 2- 120 volts circuits.
Click to expand...
I'm confused. I hope there wont be a pop quiz.
default_smile.png
 
Looks like a sub panel maybe a mobile home or modular home with a disconnect outside. Also not that old of a place either by the color of the wire sheathing. I have a sump pump in my basement also. Mine is a 40 year old house with a 100amp service we just replaced the small 20 circuit panel with a bigger 30 circuit one cause my dad had it kicking around.
Click to expand...
no, 100A main panel, 74 year old house. That was put in before I bought the place, I'd have gone bigger I like my circuits underutilized... When I moved in it was 15A for the boiler, 15A for the lights (and two kitchen outlets) 15A for the 1st floor outlets and basement lights, 30A for the dryer... that's all. Had to hope the 40 year old fridge didn't kick on when the washing machine was running and the TV was on... funny our electric bills were a lot lower back than ;D Best part was when I discovered a short in one of the old BX lines... explained why who ever installed the box left the casing a few inches away from the panel... I got a fun suprise when I went to fix that. >
default_smile.png
All better now, as you pointed out, 99% new wiring (everything except about 8' that goes out to the front porch light)
default_biggrin.png
any how, panel is almost full, two spots left.

someday I'd like to do the generator thing, keep the furnace and fridge running if the power goes... been lucky so far. (and yes, I'd get a transfer switch)

speaking of exterior disconnects, I really like those boxes that have the meter, disconnect AND all the breakers outside... seen some right on the front of places, don't piss off the neaghbors, they'll sneak over at night and shut off your power... heh. A place I rented was the same way, but in the back of the house, royal PITA if you pop a breaker when it's pouring rain out, (True story, I poked at it with a long stick...)

 
ok had a long talk with the wife after reading the replays and thanks to all that have told me what to do the electrician will be here next week some time to set us up. we looked up some things that have gone wrong on line and that was scary. thanks all!

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top