Setting up a generator to power your house (pics)

[Waterfish]

The big windstorm last week knocked out our power for three days. If you are thinking of getting a generator, here are some tips on how I set mine up to power our house. Gasoline-powered generators must not be run in an enclosed space, or even in a garage with the door open; because of the hazard of carbon monoxide poisoning. Also since this type of generator is air-cooled, it must be run out in the open so it won’t overheat and catch fire. However, the generator should not be run unprotected in the rain or snow either. I poured a small concrete pad for the generator to sit on, and built a small roof over it.



This generator shelter is built to easily break down and store during the spring and summer. Note the power cord coming out of the wall to connect to the generator. Most generators have a grounding rod connection; I used #12 AWG copper wire to ground the generator to the ground rod. I attached the generator shelter to a far back corner of my house, behind the garage, and from that location we can barely hear the generator running while we are inside the house.

Wiring the generator to run the house is the hard part. Unless you know what you are doing with electrical work, the best plan is to hire an electrician to wire your generator to your house. I bought a ProTran Model 30310A generator panel (made by Reliance Time Controls, Inc.) at Platt Electric for $265.00



The generator panel is wired into your main circuit box. When you flip the switches on it to run your generator, it cuts off any power to your main electrical lines so that when the power company starts working on your lines, you can’t feed power back and electrocute your lineman. This generator panel will handle generators up to 7500 watts. The two lower circuit selectors are for 240 volt circuits to power things like a well pump and a well booster pump. With this panel, we can run most of the lights in the house; the refrigerator; microwave oven; freezer; two TVs; stereo; and the computer. Those two little gauges at the bottom are watt meters. The watt meters show you how much of a load is being put on your generator. Even with lights, TVs, computers, etc all running at the same time, the watt meters show that most of the time all of these appliances are only pulling 2000 watts or less – a big surprise to me! When the well pump kicks on, the generator may be producing up to 4000 watts. So for most people, a 5000 watt generator will give you all the power you will need and more. I’ve heard that small generators don’t produce smooth power needed for running computers, but we had no problems at all – it was nice to surf on Ifish while the power was out!

If I were to set up a generator again I would do one thing differently ; I would get a larger model generator panel – one that has circuits for running the oven and hot water heater. Unless your generator is set up to run your hot water heater, after 2 or 3 days without PGE power, the hot water in your tank will be gone and you will be taking cold showers. I solved that problem by buying a propane Coleman “Hot Water on Demand” portable water heater at BiMart for $139.00. I love that thing! See my separate post on that one.

[Chrome Bumper]

Showers with heated water is for wussies.

[retiredgal]

Good post and I appreciate the pics and specifics, recommendations. We are thinking all the options over now for our needs.

[boutdoorhunter]

Nicely Done!

[Troller]

Very simular to what I did a few years back. We have a history of loosing our power for long periods of time..This time it was 6 days. We are also lucky that we have natural gas for water, heat and clothes dryer. So no need for 220v circuits. It really makes the difference between being misreable or not.

[roadsend]

Great post waterfish.
Your setup is very similar to mine. I grounded a bit differently (used jumper cable between generator frame and a grounding rod bonded to my house grounding electrode field).
You appear to have a better through wall setup for your generator to transfer switch cable than I am using. Where did you get it?

Your Coleman “Hot Water on Demand" device will solve my hot water dilemma cheaply and effectively. Thank you.

[PIR8 Hook]

THANKS...I live in the sticks on a well.....bought the identical generator last winter.....Knew that you needed a main shut-off to power the house but never seen the set up before.

[sunshinefisherman]

Nice job!

A couple of things I'd like to add on transfer switches. Tranformers (those cans hanging on the power pole) work both ways. Normally they transform 12,500 volts down to 220. If you energize your house with a generator, two things can happen. You will energize the line that the utility worker belives to be dead and you may kill someone. The other thing is that the transformer may be loaded down because you're now trying to supply your neighbors house too.

While it is possible to turn off the main before plugging in your generator, it is not advisable or legal. If you screw up you can kill someone.

Whole house transfer switches are the best because nothing is left out. When using a smaller generator you have to budget amps. The water heater draws 4500 watts so I can run that and some lights but I have to turn it off I want to make coffee or use the stove.

There is a HUGE price variation in transfer switches. I paid $199 for mine through Harbor Freight (online) and I have seen whole house switches there for 30% of retail. If you're made of money, go to Home Depot or the hardware store and pay full price, if your not, shop around. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=42163

[johndeeregreen]

Call PGE and for a few bucks a month you can have them install a generator switch a the meter base and your done. CHEAP.

[Angler of Repose]

Waterfish...
I'd upgrade your ground from the generator to the ground rod to a #6 copper if it was my installation. Table 250-66 of the NEC calls for a minimum of #8 copper. A reminder to everyone to have your installation permitted and inspected by an electrical inspector. The liability involved could run from your insurance company denying any claims for damage to jail time in case of someone getting hurt.

[Waterfish]

Angler of Repose, I used #12 AWG copper wire because that’s what the generator owner’s manual called for. Interesting that the owner’s manual specs don’t match the NEC specs. I will stay on the safe side and change the ground wire to #8 AWG – thanks for the advice!

Roadsend, my through-wall set up for the cable to the generator is pretty simple. I just drilled a hole through the wall that is the same size as the cable. The box on the wall where the cable comes out of the wall is a hinged box (can’t think of the term for it) that I bought in the electrical section of Home Depoe. When I am not using the generator, I just push the cable back through the wall and the hinged box protects the plug end of the generator cable.

[roadsend]

Thank you again, Waterfish.
I will look at HD for the through wall fixture.

" I used #12 AWG copper wire because that’s what the generator owner’s manual called for. Interesting that the owner’s manual specs don’t match the NEC specs. I will stay on the safe side and change the ground wire to #8 AWG – thanks for the advice!"

I went with a jumper cable because it was portable, as is my generator.
I AM NOT an electrician but my recollection of the NEC specs for a permanent house ground only allows #8 wire to be used if it is protected, as it would be in conduit, otherwise (unprotected), #6 is required for strength and durability. I would check with an electrician to see if these same standards apply to temporary generator use. I doubt they do.
I am comfortable that my jumper cable is an adequate ground.
Since a portable generator is not permanent or connected in any way with utility wires, does anyone know for sure if it actually requires a permit and inspection?

[Angler of Repose]

Roadsend...
You're right. A #6 was always the minimum we ran to ground rods. I'm sure a permit is required. NEC Article 250-34 (portable and vehicle mounted generators). Play it safe. Get it inspected.

[roadsend]

"NEC Article 250-34 (portable and vehicle mounted generators). Play it safe. Get it inspected."

Thank you, Angler of Repose.
I am a believer in electrical and other building safety practices and have always done my best to meet, or where I felt it advisable, to exceed standards set by the ever-changing building codes.

I will check this out after the holidays.
Got kids and grandkids arriving starting tomorrow. My place will be a zoo for the next two weeks.

[Waterfish]

Time to run a rerun on this post from last year. Hope it helps someone!

[Waterfish]

ttt