Generator Question

Paul12 · 10-17-2007, 07:45 AM

My wife and I are starting to look at generators for the house when we lose power. What is an ideal size generator. We have a 220v outlet in the back of the house specifically for a generator hookup. We want to be able to power a freezer, refridgerator, 1 or 2 lights and of course the TV for the wife.

Bobberman · 10-17-2007, 08:15 AM

My Honda eu 3000 does exactly that with no problem and is very quiet

garyk · 10-17-2007, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul12

My wife and I are starting to look at generators for the house when we lose power. What is an ideal size generator. We have a 220v outlet in the back of the house specifically for a generator hookup. We want to be able to power a freezer, refridgerator, 1 or 2 lights and of course the TV for the wife.

Paul12, the key thing is to make sure the circuits are isolated and the generator is NOT FEEDING electricity back out to the utility's street service lines -- lineman/repair workers can be killed.

That's why a "GenTrans" Transfer Switch is installed. (Maybe the 220v plug-in you refer to is the input to a GenTrans switch?)

The transfer switch with 4 to 10 circuits (commonly) allows you to select the circuits you want to power. For example with our 5KW generator, I'll turn everything off except the 220V hot water heater circuit. After a few minutes, there's enough hot water for a shower. The heater circuit goes off and all the others switched back on.

Our generator is 10 years old and I'm looking to change it out for a Honda or Yamaha 6KV unit, and staying with propane for fuel.

fishkisser · 10-17-2007, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garyk

Paul12, the key thing is to make sure the circuits are isolated and the generator is NOT FEEDING electricity back out to the utility's street service lines -- lineman/repair workers can be killed.

That's why a "GenTrans" Transfer Switch is installed. (Maybe the 220v plug-in you refer to is the input to a GenTrans switch?)

The transfer switch with 4 to 10 circuits (commonly) allows you to select the circuits you want to power. For example with our 5KW generator, I'll turn everything off except the 220V hot water heater circuit. After a few minutes, there's enough hot water for a shower. The heater circuit goes off and all the others switched back on.

Our generator is 10 years old and I'm looking to change it out for a Honda or Yamaha 6KV unit, and staying with propane for fuel.

You always want a little more juice than what you think for some strange reason...Barney

trapshoot · 10-18-2007, 08:35 AM

You want to keep the service people safe as possible.

k9jeff · 10-18-2007, 08:44 AM

Check the Costco adds, they were selling a 6500 electric start onan for a decent price.
Check the classifieds and craigslist, I have seen several barely used ones.

Buy more power than you think you will need, because you will need it.

s20055 · 10-18-2007, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garyk

Paul12, the key thing is to make sure the circuits are isolated and the generator is NOT FEEDING electricity back out to the utility's street service lines -- lineman/repair workers can be killed.

That's why a "GenTrans" Transfer Switch is installed. (Maybe the 220v plug-in you refer to is the input to a GenTrans switch?)

The transfer switch with 4 to 10 circuits (commonly) allows you to select the circuits you want to power. For example with our 5KW generator, I'll turn everything off except the 220V hot water heater circuit. After a few minutes, there's enough hot water for a shower. The heater circuit goes off and all the others switched back on.

Our generator is 10 years old and I'm looking to change it out for a Honda or Yamaha 6KV unit, and staying with propane for fuel.

Definitely put in the transfer switch if you don't already have one...or hire an electrician to install it. Keeping your fish eggs fresh isn't as important as that PGE Lineman's life.

icU812 · 10-18-2007, 06:28 PM

Are you electric and gas or all electric? And how long do you predict the power outage to be? Also, can you heat the house with a fire place?

Curious about Transfer swiches for home generators though. My understanding is they protect the PGE person if you have an automatic set-up, meaning the utility power cuts out and the generator kicks on and the switch opens the main breaker from the utility feed. If a manual generator is used, before you start it up your turn off the Main (usually 200A) breaker and then all the rest of the breakers to the individual circuits in the house. THEN start the generator and turn on only the breakers you need or your generator can handle...

In either case, a transfer switch does not switch (isolate) the common copper wire (not the ground) from the utility pole.

If the correct steps are followed, do you really need a transfer switch to protect the PGE person?

MrOlearhy · 10-18-2007, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icU812

Curious about Transfer swiches for home generators though. My understanding is they protect the PGE person if you have an automatic set-up, meaning the utility power cuts out and the generator kicks on and the switch opens the main breaker from the utility feed. If a manual generator is used, before you start it up your turn off the Main (usually 200A) breaker and then all the rest of the breakers to the individual circuits in the house. THEN start the generator and turn on only the breakers you need or your generator can handle...

In either case, a transfer switch does not switch (isolate) the common copper wire (not the ground) from the utility pole.

If the correct steps are followed, do you really need a transfer switch to protect the PGE person?

A transfer switch will kill the utility feed to the panel and then switch over to the generator feed. It can be done with an auto transfer switch or a manual one. Either way the utility line is isolated from the generator feed as the way they are set up one must be off for the other to be on.

As for the size of a transfer switch they can be setup for around $200 or so if done right. Auto switching is going to be much more.

One other thing to keep in mind, from what I have been told by people at the local PUD, if you back feed your panel and a lineman is injured they will come looking for you.

Stay safe out there folks.

roadsend · 10-18-2007, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icU812

.... If a manual generator is used, before you start it up your turn off the Main (usually 200A) breaker and then all the rest of the breakers to the individual circuits in the house. THEN start the generator and turn on only the breakers you need or your generator can handle...

In either case, a transfer switch does not switch (isolate) the common copper wire (not the ground) from the utility pole.

If the correct steps are followed, do you really need a transfer switch to protect the PGE person?

Yes. you really need a transfer switch. Without this switch nothing prevents backflow of electricity into the lines if someone accidently turns on the main while the generator is running.
With your generator output wired through a correctly wired transfer switch this cannot happen.