Portable Generator

[Humblebub]

You are correct. Step I did not mention is breakers are flipped off in transfer box when I flip the transfer switch to generator source. When generator is warmed up a little I flip the breakers on. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[RSKY]

I just skimmed thru this thread so I apologize if somebody else has already said this. Don't store your generator with alcohol in the fuel. Ruined mine that way.

 

[Xfaxman]

My advice would be to list all the electrical draws that you would like to run from the generator. Then denote the ones that could be switched when needed and subtract that wattage from the first total. In my case, I could disconnect the frig when I needed to run the septic pump. Then add 20% for startup draw from motors and that will give you your required generator capacity.
The advantages of a transfer switch are that you can get into emergency mode quickly, draws which are not components (like kitchen counters, septic pumps and water heating lines) are available for transfer, and that the extension cords which end up in a real mess are eliminated. (+safety).

After the initial efforts to get into survival mode (which somehow is satisfying to some of us), running on the gennie for 3-4 days is stressful. You are burning fuel, it is noisy and your life is disrupted. When you have a generator large enough and convenient on the transfer switch, then stress goes way down. So my advice is to plan for the day when you will have a transfer switch and use all these circuits in the house which you want, like the bathroom light circuit.

I have a 4500 watt Generac at my cottage which always starts easily, runs on unbelievable little fuel (like 5 gal for most of the day) and has run continuously for 4 days at a time. IMHO, running that length of time is the real test of a generator.

Because of budget restraints, most people will go through a sequence of buying a generator and using extensions, then going to a manual transfer switch and then to the bigger generator and the automatic switch.

One last note. I see that they are now making a transfer switch that installs on the meter base. But that's for another forum. Hope this is helpful.

Very helpful especially the meter base transfer switch. I did not know about those, I thought we would need two generators, since there are two breaker panels.

My meter is on the transformer box with separate underground lines to the house and well. The panel at the well also feeds power to four out buildings.

 

[kcflhrc]

I ended up buying the one Sams had on sale for $199. Awesome little generator, very quiet. Put gas and oil in it and it fired up the first pull. I put a meter on the output and the voltage was very steady and constant.

 

[kcflhrc]

Well I got my electrical all done for the generator and furnace last night and tested everything, worked like a champ.

 

[Travelover]

Well I got my electrical all done for the generator and furnace last night and tested everything, worked like a champ.

I would have used two separate boxes.

 

[kcflhrc]

I would have used two separate boxes.

I used what I had.

 

[Clay45]

We recently had our first power outage since I purchased the larger Harbor Freight one and mounted it on one of their smaller "erector set" utility trailers. Mine too has always fired up with just one or two pulls. Hooked it up to my UTV and wheeled it behind the house; plugged her up and everything worked fine. Fired on first pull. Ran for about 4 hours and power came back on so I didn't get a good test.

Gotta figure out a better way though - there was no wind and the exhaust fumes still managed to stink up my living room.

 

[Garandman]

That's scary. Do you have a Carbon monoxide sensor?

 

[Humblebub]

I run my generator outside my closed garage door and garage is attached to home. During a recent outage my carbon monoxide detector went off in the house. Mine are networked and tell me which of the three was active. It was closest to door into garage. I have no idea how it migrated inside but I have moved generator and am glad I had detector. I was surprised it took an hour before safe levels returned.