MossRoad
Super Moderator
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2001
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- 58,139
- Location
- South Bend, Indiana (near)
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- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
Another Generator guestion
- Thread starter IXLR8
- Start date
- Views: 8582
dmccarty
Super Star Member
Sounds good. Better to check now than later.
Very true.
The electrician that helped build our house installed the generator connection on the panel. The generator connection was supposed to be done when we built the house but since I did not know if what size generator we would have we waited until the generator was at the house before he did the work. He looked at the generator and manual so it all should work. One day I will hook it up and try it all out.
HOPEFULLY the $600ish we paid for the generator is just insurance that we NEVER EVER have to use. So far so good but I bet we get nailed with ice and snow in the next couple of winters. We have not had a big snow or ice event since 2003/2004. We had one in 2000 and in 2003/2004. Its time.
Snow is fine. Just no ICE.Later,
Dan
MossRoad
Super Moderator
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- Aug 31, 2001
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- 58,139
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- South Bend, Indiana (near)
- Tractor
- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
We have run our house on our generator for maybe 8 hours total over probably 8 times in the 14 years we have had it. However, it is really nice to have. One of the last power outages we had was just after dinner, dark, and the kids needed to do homework, so I fired it up for about a half an hour.
We did, however, run my inlaws house for three days after a tornado. They really appreciated not having to leave their home or move their frozen goods. That one instance probably saved 5 hundred dollars worth of meat, and the generator was only about 4 hundred.
We did, however, run my inlaws house for three days after a tornado. They really appreciated not having to leave their home or move their frozen goods. That one instance probably saved 5 hundred dollars worth of meat, and the generator was only about 4 hundred.
JB4310
Super Member
How does that transfer panel work? is it like a switch to go from grid or generator so all your circuits can be used (not at once). If so that's what I would like to do, since I'm still doing the "old fashioned way"
JB.
Scooby074
Super Member
THat panel is basically a legal, backfeed panel that replaces your breaker panel already installed. It allows you to backfeed thru a 30A breaker. Its legal because it interlocks to prevent you from having your main breaker on while your backfeeding from generator. You have to manually balance the load on your generator by switching on or off circuits as needed.
THere may be a cheaper alternative for you depending on your particular panel. It basically does the same thing, it prevents you from having your main on while backfeeding. You'll have to check legality though as you are modifying the deadfront of your existing panel. Generator InterLock KitBe prepared for a little sticker shock!
Also some panel (squareD is one i think) manufacturers offer a retrofit kit to allow you to backfeed their panels legally. Check your panel manufacturer website.
Does anybody have any experiance with a DuroPower generator? Based on prices I suspect they are resellers of Chinese made equipment.
Generators, gas generators, diesel generators, propane generators, inverter generators
Generators, gas generators, diesel generators, propane generators, inverter generators
Pilot
Veteran Member
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- Nov 20, 2004
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- 1,219
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- Oregon
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- JD 770, Yanmar 180D, JD 420 (not running), had a Kubota B6200
My transfer panel is separate from the circuit panel and sits beside it. Basically, it just reroutes the power, isolating it from line power. So when I lose power and turn on the generator, I flip a series of breakers on the transfer panel which bypasses the circuit panel so the power can't go back down the line and hurt a lineman who is out there in the wind and rain at 33 degrees trying to get power back for me.
groundcover
Veteran Member
Good thinking,some of our town folk were not that smart and one of the lineman got zapped. They ground everything but I guess he was in the path of least resistance! He was not badly hurt but sure wound up. I will be out tomorrow with the state elect. inspector to try to get to the bottom of who wired that mess up!