Generator-Update

[Muley Gil]

Back in November 2020, REM 3200 started a thread about home generators and I thought I would update my post in a new thread.

I had been using an existing generator wiring that had been installed before I bought my house in 2006. I had three outlets in the house and when I used my 5000w portable, I had to run extension cords and power strips and I didn't have power to my well pump.

Today, I had an electrician come out to the house and do his magic. Now, I have a cable that I run from the garage, where I keep & run my generator, about 70' away. I plug in the cable to the 220v plug on the generator and take the other end down to the house. I plug the female end into another outlet, open the breaker door, turn off the main, slide up a lock-out and turn on the generator breaker. I can run all of my 120v appliances and turn on and off the 220v ones as I need them. Mainly, I want the well pump to run, rather than haul water to flush the toilet. However, if I want to use the range, I turn off the pump breaker and turn on the range breaker. Same for the hot water heater.

Down the road, I may spring for a larger portable generator, but for now, this sure beats running extension cords.

 

[BillBond]

Yeah I need to do that.
Good extension cords are more expensive than I had expected.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Prior Planning Prevents Phish Poor Performance.

You have now changed the entire paradyme of your universe. By actually being prepared, you have made the odds of needing you generator fall by over 50%!

Ivan

 

[billwill]

Muley Gil......way to go. You have solved one of the main problems we face...find juice to keep the pump working. I see something like that in my future.

 

[vt_shooter]

'Hoping you never forget to turn off the main, lest you zap a lineman during a power outage.

 

[Sistema1927]

I have also upgraded my generator situation, even though I didn't go as fancy as you. I already have a 2k generator that I use for camping, that I have had to put into service to running some lights when the power was out at home.

The recent problems in Texas made me wonder what I would do in the same situation. So, I got a dual fuel (gas/LP), 4800 generator, and have a total of 6 20 lb propane tanks. Along with a heavy duty cord, I can power the furnace (natural gas), refrigerator, and lights. If I run out of LP, I can always get gasoline out of the vehicles, since we never let them get below 1/2 tank.

 

[Muley Gil]

'Hoping you never forget to turn off the main, lest you zap a lineman during a power outage.

Can't happen. You HAVE to turn off the main BEFORE you switch on the generator breaker. There is a manual lock-out.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Several years back I bought an 8750 watt generator. I mad a long heavy duty "suicide" cord(male plugs on both ends). I pull the stove plug(50 amps) plug in and plug the other end into the generator sitting out on the porch. FIRST THING. Throw main breaker. Then I throw the breakers for the heat pump then fire it up. It will run the whole house minus the heat pump. Pump, hot water heater/frig/freezer/computer/TV and lights. In place of the stove we use a large electric skillet. If it is cold I can fire up the insert with blower in the fireplace and keep the house warm. Had to run like this for 3 days one time. We stayed comfy.

 

[mrchick]

'Hoping you never forget to turn off the main, lest you zap a lineman during a power outage.

It sounds like his electrician installed a transfer switch that would make this impossible.

 

[Muley Gil]

It sounds like his electrician installed a transfer switch that would make this impossible.

True. I'll take a picture tomorrow and post it.

 

[BigBill]

We been thinking of a generator to operate the whole house. I want a diesel powered welder with a 10k watt generator, then comes how often do you run it. How long does the fuel stay stable when it’s not used. Is it worth doing. I heat mainly with wood.

 

[dasnake]

Hey muley....

You mention switching around for your hot water, would an instant tankless system work for you? I'm going that way next time up, and we are mostly shore power but the odd storm I gotta to the 5500.

 

[rustythread]

The Generac rep is coming next week to inspect and figure installation cost for a whole house standby generator (house is all-electric); will probably be about a 22kw propane-fueled unit. Will have to get a propane tank installed and hooked up as well. Not gonna be cheap, but oughta be good..
I'll probably have to upgrade my wi-fi as well, since this thing has a wifi monitor.

UPDATE: This is gonna be interesting. Lowes would be the source for Generac in these parts. The rep was here, and says that 22KW could be installed but would be set up on only 16 circuits, EXCLUDING things like the cooking stove (but a microwave would srill work). the washer and dryer, and the HEATING. All told, the (generator around $4200 + installation + transfer switch) bill would be in the area of $10K not including getting a 500 gallon propane tank delivered and installed. If I want more, Id be looking at a much larger generator in the $20K+ range, plus installation.

Now, Lowes would be the entity I pay for all, but who actually does what with whch and to whom is kinda foggy. The rep who was here said he was "working for" Lowe's, but his conversations with me and his phone conversation with some other party in my presence indicate he is not a wage or salary employee of Lowes and he does general contractor work for himself. The numbers he provided for the installation included both a stiff charge for labor and a 20% "surcharge" on the labor; this sounds like somebody in the money chain is or claims to be hiring out the labor and adding at least 20%. Faiint odor of brimstone in the air....

In case there is a problem later, I need to know exactly who is fresponsible for what, especially since they want a hefty percentage of the bill before starting work. I can see (and have seen other people in ) the fix where Lowe's says "Generac provided the elctrician who screwed it up, not us" , and Generac says "we only warrant the generator and the warranty doesn't apply to the installation--and besides, the installer was an independent contractor." The electrician ---if ever located--has gone out of business, but says "I just did it the way the fuy from Lowes said to."

I'm gonna have to pry a copy of their "just sign here, it's a standard form" proposed contract and wipe off my reading glasses.

 

[Muley Gil]

The outlet on the side is where the power cord plugs in.

Inside the breaker box, I turn the main to the "OFF" position, slide the lock-out plate into position , and then, and only then, can I turn on the generator breaker. The generator breaker is the one directly below the lock-out plate.

And yes, I'm going to get the house painted this spring.

 

[Muley Gil]

The Generac rep is coming next week to inspect and figure installation cost for a whole house standby generator (house is all-electric); will probably be about a 22kw propane-fueled unit. Will have to get a propane tank installed and hooked up as well. Not gonna be cheap, but oughta be good..
I'll probably have to upgrade my wi-fi as well, since this thing has a wifi monitor.

About 5 years ago, I had a Generac rep give me an estimate for a 22K system. Then, it was about $8500, not counting the propane tank.

 

[chief38]

Yup - nothing better than to be prepared when the power goes out! I don't know your situation, but if you can swing it there is nothing better than a Generac standby generator. They will run your entire home including the ac if sized correctly. They start up weekly and test themselves and if the power goes out they automatically start - then stop when the power is restored. If you have natural gas - you will then have an unlimited fuel supply too. Yea, not cheap but if you live in an area that looses power often and you plan on staying there a while - there's nothing quite like a standby generator!

 

[dave1918a2]

The place I'm buying in SD has a generac already there. About 6 years old. I have a 5KW that I use down here with a cord to a sub panel. Shut off the main panel and energize the sub panel. Heat, lights, and TV. Everything else is gas.

 

[Muley Gil]

Yup - nothing better than to be prepared when the power goes out! I don't know your situation, but if you can swing it there is nothing better than a Generac standby generator. They will run your entire home including the ac if sized correctly. They start up weekly and test themselves and if the power goes out they automatically start - then stop when the power is restored. If you have natural gas - you will then have an unlimited fuel supply too. Yea, not cheap but if you live in an area that looses power often and you plan on staying there a while - there's nothing quite like a standby generator!

Can't swing that amount right now. The electrician that installed the new power cord and lock-out switch also does Generac installation. He quoted me $6300 for a 10K system. I would also have to get a propane tank installed. Ain't no natural gas lines up here in the mountains. My folks had a Generac generator at their place and it was a nice set-up, just more than what my piggy bank can stand.

 

[Bullet Bob]

Well, it's good to know that someone who doesn't live too far away will have power during the next long outage.

 

[Muley Gil]

Well, it's good to know that someone who doesn't live too far away will have power during the next long outage.

Iffn' you kin make it up the mountain, come on!