buickanddeere
Super Member
Some people just like to prove that they are above the law or that they have an angle that nobody else has thought of or can control.
Portable Generators
- Thread starter Whatswrong
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Some people just like to prove that they are above the law or that they have an angle that nobody else has thought of or can control.
MikePA
Super Moderator
Here's the text of the post I made on the APC forum. I've also attached the pdf I reference. I can post pictures, but theres not much to see.
The 'trick' is using the Honda Remote cable, the APC Auto transfer switch and the Jameco connector. Honda and APC were going to market this combination, which is why the APC transfer switch supports this, until the lawyers decided auto start and a portable generator was too much liability. The generator sits outside, on an open porch. Honda EM series and the EU6500i generator support remote start, Click Here.
The electrician was here today and wired everything up, including the autostart. Everything works great! In addition to the inlet box, he also installed a GFCI next to it where I plug in the Battery Tender. My generator is a Honda EM5000SX.
For those that find this thread and could use a complete parts list;
1. 4-conductor remote cable - Honda Part Number 32520-Z22-850AH
2. 5.08 Euro plug, 6 connector - Jameco Part Number 1969446
3. Automatic Transfer Switch - APC Part Number UTS10BI
4. 120/240V 30A Inlet box - Honda Part Number 32316-189-PB30
5. 125/250V 30A 10 gauge, 4 wire 10 ft power cord - Honda Part Number 06582-103-010AH
The electrician replaced the connector on the end of the 4-conductor remote cable that plugs into the ATS with the Jameco connector, wired it according to the pdf mentioned earlier in this thread and it plugged right into the circuit board in the ATS.
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IXLR8
Veteran Member
Mike,
Thank you for this. I just picked up a honda eu7000is and I am having my old FPE panel replaced and a generator hookup installed. I was going to go with an interlock setup on the panel, but this would be better for the wife to deal with when I am out of town.
Thank you for this. I just picked up a honda eu7000is and I am having my old FPE panel replaced and a generator hookup installed. I was going to go with an interlock setup on the panel, but this would be better for the wife to deal with when I am out of town.
Knowing that most times when power is out you will likely need your tractor for other chores is correct. My thought is that by running the generator for a few hours, it is acceptable to go for a few hours or whatever is necessary for the other chores and then back to the generator. In michigan, usually the worse case will be plowing snow during an outage which for me is only an hour or so.
Other advantages to the PTO generator:
Cost per watt
Less engines to maintain
Portability (compared to standby)
If you use and maintain your tractor year round you don't have to worry about the generator starting
MikePA
Super Moderator
Jim - The Honda Generator site indicates a remote start will be 'available this winter' for the EU7000is, but the Owners Manual shows it and the cable and remote start box looks the same as the one for my generator and the female connector on the generator look the same. I hope everything I listed works for you. Autostart provides great peace of mind.
The APC ATS allows fairly detailed specifications for each circuit to be powered by the generator, e.g., which circuits should be powered off if the generator begins to overload, which circuits have a minimum run time, max run time, etc. As I mentioned earlier in this thread, it only supports one 240v circuit and eight 120v circuits, which was enough for us. The eight 120v circuits can be 15 or 20 amp based on the fuse on the circuit within the ATS. It's important to match the ATS circuit fuse (15 or 20 amps) with the circuit it powers in the breaker box. It also has a connector for a battery UPS to plug in that powers low draw circuits until the generator kicks in. Here's a link to the APC site Click Here.
Before the electrician arrived, I had inventoried the entire breaker box, knew which ones I wanted powered by the generator, so he was finished in less than 4 hours. When he arrived, I had all the parts laid out, a diagram of the breaker box, with the circuits highlighted, etc. Before he left, he indicated most home owners do not do this and have not thought about what circuits they want powered by the generator. So, a few hours can be spent doing that, more if you are not sure which breaker controls the lights in the interior bathroom, for example. Of course, you're paying the electrician for all this.
If I can be of further assistance, please let me know.EDIT 1: To repeat, autostart is not officially supported by APC. I've seen people ask questions on the APC support forum and the APC people politely decline to help but other members do. I am sure there are other solutions, but this one met my needs.
EDIT 2: The armored cable from the ATS to the breaker box contains all the wires that tie to the circuits the generator powers. The orange cable goes outside to the Honda outlet. The gray cable coming out the top is the autostart cable. The paper directly below the display panel lists the circuits in the breaker box powered by the generator and the ATS settings for each. The paper below that is the shipping sheet from APC. The UPS that powers low draw circuits until the generator starts (also configurable) can be seen on the workbench to the left. The Battery Tender is their weatherproof model, so sitting on an open porch (roof but open on 3 sides) is not a problem. I also have combination smoke and CO detectors in the house. The generator has a 3 sided surround using shutters so it's somewhat camouflaged. They're far enough away from the exhaust so there's no danger. The generator is secured by an armored cable locked to a security anchor driven into the ground. I debated where to locate the generator, and this was the best, albeit not perfect, for our home.
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Humblebub
Member
I too am interested. My new honda should be here next week and I will be investigating auto start. We just finished 100 KW install at work. It auto starts at 1 second after power drop and auto transfer switch flips over 10 seconds later. We are running 2, 4 floor Office buildings with 6 servers.
tcreeley
Elite Member
--Looks like a nice product. $550 - 650. Pricey. Transfer switches at the time were also pricey. If utility companies want them, they should install them. Rate payers already cover all of there money making schemes- they should have to pick this one up if they want it.
buickanddeere
Super Member
Give you head a shake, where are you coming from ? By you line of reasoning insurance companies should install fire and intrusion detection and alarm systems too. It comes down to money, the customer who complains about the bill will be complaining louder about paying for a transfer switch or an alarm system "that they will never use". It's up to you to safely look after yourself without endangering others, yourself and property. There is no excuse for a jackleg electrician generator connection. You don't know what you don't know.
buickanddeere
Super Member
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kevinwak
Platinum Member
Jim - The Honda Generator site indicates a remote start will be 'available this winter' for the EU7000is, but the Owners Manual shows it and the cable and remote start box looks the same as the one for my generator and the female connector on the generator look the same. I hope everything I listed works for you. Autostart provides great peace of mind. The APC ATS allows fairly detailed specifications for each circuit to be powered by the generator, e.g., which circuits should be powered off if the generator begins to overload, which circuits have a minimum run time, max run time, etc. As I mentioned earlier in this thread, it only supports one 240v circuit and eight 120v circuits, which was enough for us. The eight 120v circuits can be 15 or 20 amp based on the fuse on the circuit within the ATS. It's important to match the ATS circuit fuse (15 or 20 amps) with the circuit it powers in the breaker box. It also has a connector for a battery UPS to plug in that powers low draw circuits until the generator kicks in. Here's a link to the APC site Click Here. Before the electrician arrived, I had inventoried the entire breaker box, knew which ones I wanted powered by the generator, so he was finished in less than 4 hours. When he arrived, I had all the parts laid out, a diagram of the breaker box, with the circuits highlighted, etc. Before he left, he indicated most home owners do not do this and have not thought about what circuits they want powered by the generator. So, a few hours can be spent doing that, more if you are not sure which breaker controls the lights in the interior bathroom, for example. Of course, you're paying the electrician for all this.
Thanks, that was very helpful. I have been deciding wether to spend the extra $200 for electric start when I buy an Honda generator, and I think you have me convinced. Winter power outages are rare here, but if I am at work when one happens I have to deal with freeze protecting our plant, and wouldn't even have the time to phone my wife and talk her through connecting a generator. With that said I want something very simple for her, so if it does happen I don't have to worry. A lot of the generator transfer switches available arent CSA for use in Canada, so I am not sure if an install with auto start is available to me for a Honda.