Finished & Tested New Generator Installation

[tmajor]

In light of the recent hurricane with extended power outages, for some, I decided it was time for a "new toy".

I bought a GP6500 Generac generator and wired it into the house Load Center. While some use a transfer switch system, where you pull certain branches, which you feel are essential, I took another route.

I bought a Square D interconnect kit for my load center, installed a double pole, 30 amp "Generator breaker" (just a regular breaker), which I wired via 10/4 to an outdoor, weather proof, "Reliance generator input" plug/box. From the outdoor box, I have a 10/4 extension to the generator.

This set-up will allow me to run anything, previously powered by the load center, while using common sense, as to what the limitations of load are and adjusting my use as required.

The interconnect kit, requires that the Main Breaker be turned off, before the Generator Breaker can be turned on.

The system works, as intended. :thumbsup: Now, I don't know whether I should hope "to need it" or "not need it".

 

[EagleTDL]

Looks like you did a nice job here! I really like the C/B Guard plate, that makes sense and keeps an "Uh Oh" from happening. As discussed in a previous post, if you are "sensible" about you are trying to pull from the breaker box, you'll have no problems at all.

FYI, throw all your small breakers off before you flip to generator power. You wouldn't belive how much of a load the clock radios in all the rooms will add... :laughing:

 

[IHDiesel73L]

Nice work. I'm looking to do the exact same thing at my house so I can stop running extension cords all over the place.

 

[eepete]

Very nice! Safe and done right. Now you get to see if the "rule of new generators" kicks in for you:

After you install a generator set-up, you'll not loose power for at least 18 months :laughing:.

Pete

 

[EagleTDL]

After you install a generator set-up, you'll not loose power for at least 18 months :laughing:.

Ain't that the truth?? I bought a Craftsman 4200W model back when the biggest they made was 5000, couple of hundred bucks cheaper. Was proud of that thing, for sure! Wired it into the C/B panel and didn't lose power (to amount for anything) for 2 years.

 

[tmajor]

After you install a generator set-up, you'll not loose power for at least 18 months :laughing:.Pete

Well, I guess, that would be OK. However, I just wish, at this point, that it would quit raining! We're beyond 17" above normal for the year, which isn't over, yet.

Thanks all, .. for the recognition of "my quality work"! :laughing:

 

[tmajor]

My SIL, thought he might like to install a similar system, however he has a 200 amp GE Load Center. So, I looked to see, what GE had available for an interlock kit. It seems, that they do have a similar kit. I don't know, if they have additional kits for other of their Load Centers.

 

[USNative]

Nice work ! :thumbsup:

 

[grsthegreat]

Well, whether you know it or not, what you put in there IS a transfer switch.

All manual transfer switches work like what you just did. In the past that is the same thing i did on new gen set installs...before the dam% state got all picky about wanting the panel sized to the generator and requiring us to install a separate sized gen panel.

They don't think the average human is capable to decide what breakers need to be turned off to allow a generator to run.

Silly really, but since I'm an electrician i have to follow their stupid laws.

Your system will work just fine...as long as you cut off the heavy 220 loads if gen set bogs down. The large 220 loads are hard on a 6k GENERATOR.

 

[DAY]

Has anyone installed a natural gas generator? My furnace guy talked about becoming a dealer a few years back. Since the lines are underground, nat gas is pretty much bulletproof. (Unless you live on the San Andreas Fault. . .)

 

[grsthegreat]

Has anyone installed a natural gas generator? My furnace guy talked about becoming a dealer a few years back. Since the lines are underground, nat gas is pretty much bulletproof. (Unless you live on the San Andreas Fault. . .)

Actually, nothing is bulletproof. hehe
I havnt seen a natural gas generator...lets see... never.

Propane, gas and diesel yes.

Not sure why i dont see any natural gas versions. Probibly cause natural gas never makes it out to the rural areas where people tend to lose power. The city folk tend to get their power restored real quick.

other than that, im sure you can get a generator set to run on it.

 

[tmajor]

Your system will work just fine...as long as you cut off the heavy 220 loads if gen set bogs down. The large 220 loads are hard on a 6k GENERATOR.

The only 220 load, which I would consider "essential" is the well pump. Since, there is no one else in the house, I believe, it will handle it, once or twice a day. :laughing:

 

[EagleTDL]

Has anyone installed a natural gas generator? My furnace guy talked about becoming a dealer a few years back. Since the lines are underground, nat gas is pretty much bulletproof. (Unless you live on the San Andreas Fault. . .)

Both Generac and Onan make 'em... Will eventually put some kind of generator back-up at my place and was looking at a natural gas version until April of this year!

In the N Alabama region and we had a bunch of tornadoes go through the area in April. Due to all the damaged homes, the Gas Co. cut the natural gas pumps off for safety reasons. If I would have had that type of setup I'd have been without power! Well, I don't have a "setup" yet, so I was out of power anyway, but you get my point...

If you are losing power due to ice storms that are taking the lines down, then maybe a natural gas version will work for you? If you are in any type of hurricane/tropical storm/tornado alley, I'd suggest going with a propane version if you have the space for a tank. Generac and Onan make propane versions too...

Nickel's worth...

 

[grsthegreat]

I know for a fact that health care facilities, police and fire are prohibited from using natural gas generators. As just stated the utility may be forced to shut down flow in an emergency or line break situation. An on-board diesel tank is the way to go for them.

 

[tmajor]

Natural or propane is an option, if you already have them.

While I was researching, I found this site, which has natural gas and propane carburetor conversions for gasoline engines.

 

[hr3]

Has anyone installed a natural gas generator? My furnace guy talked about becoming a dealer a few years back. Since the lines are underground, nat gas is pretty much bulletproof. (Unless you live on the San Andreas Fault. . .)

We have put in a few.. We don't have much natural gas here in Maine.. Most all generators that run of a gas can run natural gas or propane.. And your right an endless supply unless..the worst happens.. :confused2:

 

[Travelover]

Has anyone installed a natural gas generator? My furnace guy talked about becoming a dealer a few years back. Since the lines are underground, nat gas is pretty much bulletproof. (Unless you live on the San Andreas Fault. . .)

Here in SE Michigan almost all the fully automatic gensets run on natural gas. In this area, I've never seen or heard of natural gas service being turned off, unless some contractor dug into a line.

 

[yomax4]

Quick question. ( And I know it's not the safe way pictured abouve ) If I have a 230v outlet on my basement wall hooked to a 40 amp breaker, Can I manually shut down the " Main " and all the breakers and plug my generator into the 230v outlet and then just turn on the breakers that i need? I know about pushing power upstream if I don't shut down the main but I'm just curious if it would work and if it would be safe. Thanks

 

[Travelover]

Quick question. ( And I know it's not the safe way pictured abouve ) If I have a 230v outlet on my basement wall hooked to a 40 amp breaker, Can I manually shut down the " Main " and all the breakers and plug my generator into the 230v outlet and then just turn on the breakers that i need? I know about pushing power upstream if I don't shut down the main but I'm just curious if it would work and if it would be safe. Thanks

Work? Yes

Safe? No

 

[chopped]

Was wondering where you buy the plate for the breaker box?