RalphVa
Super Member
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2003
- Messages
- 7,873
- Location
- Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Tractor
- JD 2025R, previously Gravely 5650 & JD 4010 & JD 1025R
We've a 12.5 kw Isuzu diesel generator that powers the whole house except for 2nd hot water tank, swimming pool, carriage house and 4 ton heat pump. It powers pretty much everything else, including the clothes washer and drier. Our house is all electric.So when we build our house two years ago, we had full intentions of putting in a whole house backup system in the future. As such, we installed two Generac Automatic Transfer Switches (to carry the two 200A panels). We have an all electric house (minus the gas fireplace) with Geothermal heating and cooling (with electric strip backup). We live in a rural area, but not in the middle of nowhere. I even purchased a 500gal propane tank and buried it last fall with anticipation of a future generator. Long story, short, since living here for two years, we have only lost power twice, and ironically, it was in the last month and a half. It was inconvenient, but I'm starting to question whether I want to invest the $8000 I was quoted to install a Generac 24kw system. I get the convenience issue, but it comes at a premium.
I'm not an electrician, but I got to thinking...could a portable unit be setup to work with my ATS? I don't need an auto start generator, I would still be fine going out and firing the generator up myself, but since I already have about $600 into the automatic transfer switches, I would like to utilize them if I can. I understand in this situation, I wouldn't be able to run my geothermal system, but if I can power some lights, the well pump, and the freezer/fridge, it might be ok in the off chance that we lose power.
Am I nuts? I already am 1/2-3/4 of the way setup for a whole home system, so part of me also thinks I should finish it out, but it's hard to justify the $$ the more I think about it.
I'd keep the backup strips off generator. The geothermal unit could be on generator. It probably makes your hot water. I'd just go manually turn the breakers off on the backup strips when generator comes on.
Our electrician that installed the Isuzu shuffled breakers all about between our two 200 amp panels.
Your fuel usage will correspond to your AVERAGE kw usage. For instance our average usage is 2 to 2.5 kw. The 12.5 kw generator only uses about 0.25 gph.