Back-up generators for power outages

BigLew · #1 11-07-2012, 07:37 PM

I believe I read a reference to hooking up anh emergency generator through a 240 V. or electric clothes dryer line on here the other day. Does anyone know how this might be done and what else needs to be kept in mind doing this? It sounded like it might a pretty good idea.

NoBones · #2 11-07-2012, 09:55 PM

Ok Lew,

Go to a Depot and get 6 gauge wire (what length you will need)
Buy a dryer plug and a generator plug..
Make a patch cable. Before using you have to throw your main disconnect
Then turn off all breakers to your house that you can live without.
Leave breakers on to the things that matter and your output of the generator can handle. IE: Frig, heat, TV...
You cannot exceed what the generator can produce..

When I built Area 442 I installed a Generac 16KW on demand generator.
It powers my Frig, Micro, TV, Internet for computer, phone, well, lift station,
The master bedroom (all lights and one on demand water heater)
One A/C and heat compressor 2.5 ton (I have 2) ..
That is about the max for the big gen, For the shop I have a
5KW Troy Built that I back feed through my air compressor socket
like mentioned above..

Be sure to kill the main breaker, if power comes back on it will blow
the output of your generator!

Hope this helps..

gofastsandman · #3 11-07-2012, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoBones

Ok Lew,

Go to a Depot and get 6 gauge wire (what length you will need)
Buy a dryer plug and a generator plug..
Make a patch cable. Before using you have to throw your main disconnect
Then turn off all breakers to your house that you can live without.
Leave breakers on to the things that matter and your output of the generator can handle. IE: Frig, heat, TV...
You cannot exceed what the generator can produce..

When I built Area 442 I installed a Generac 16KW on demand generator.
It powers my Frig, Micro, TV, Internet for computer, phone, well, lift station,
The master bedroom (all lights and one on demand water heater)
One A/C and heat compressor 2.5 ton (I have 2) ..
That is about the max for the big gen, For the shop I have a
5KW Troy Built that I back feed through my air compressor socket
like mentioned above..

Be sure to kill the main breaker, if power comes back on it will blow
the output of your generator!

Hope this helps..

Turn off the main panel before the storm. Linemen do not look good in blue and orange. Not their choice for team colors. Yikes! Turn off the main and backfeed. Has salt been introduced to your wiring? No need to be blue.

Cheers,
GFS

And now snow.

Tiny · #4 11-07-2012, 11:06 PM

IMHO make sure your patch cable is long enough. The genny should be outside the house and garage and well ventilated, it gives of CARBON MONOXIDE, you know...the silent killer, several people die from this every time natural disaster strikes...and you wont see it coming. Do not run in the garage, b/c you only had a 5 ft patch cable. Might need to go bigger on the cabling depending on the run.

BigLew · #5 11-08-2012, 08:31 AM

Thanks, guys.

I thought it was pretty much like that; main breaker OFF, connect patch to 240 outlet, and use the house breaker panel as a circuit selection/distribution control panel. Generator out/doors and well ventilated. Any other watch points or fine points?

It's about what I thought it would be, but asking like I didn't have any idea would more likely get the whole story, without someone assuming I knew something I may not have known.

Bushwacker · #6 11-08-2012, 11:47 AM

Fuel supply can be a problem after a storm if the gas stations have lost power, which is why I previously suggested converting genny to run on natural gas if available. If boat is at your house, it can be a good fuel supply source for both car and generator. I have an outboard barb connector tee'd into my fuel line downstream of the Racor to make it easy to drain fuel for that purpose.

We get enough storms here that a law was passed after hurricane Wilma requiring all gas stations to have generators big enough to run the pumps. The large Publix grocery stores also have big diesel generators to keep the freezers going after a storm, making it easier to find ice and food IF you can get there. But the bottom line is we've learned that you MUST plan to be totally self sufficient for at least 3-5 days after a bad storm because it takes that long for FEMA and Red Cross to start getting ice, food and water distributed in significant quantities at enough locations!

BigLew · #7 11-08-2012, 04:14 PM

Bushwacker,

Those are some good additional ideas tothrow into the mix. Thank you.

Public utility natural gas is noat an option. I'm on a well, with septic system on the property. My only public utilities are Electric, Cable and phone.

riverrat · #8 11-10-2012, 09:20 AM

If you can get your hands on some mre"s (meals ready to eat).they don"t go bad they come with a heat pack that you put your meal in and add water to heat it up.their also loafed up with carbs you don"t go hungry in a few hours..i keep enough for a week.i don" have a lot of faith with the way fema operates