Troybuilt 5550 generator?

[weedsportpete]

After two days of sold-out generators, Lowes brought in a shipment of Troybuilt 5550 generators.. Anyone had experience with these? I've read the postings over the last year on generators, so I'm familiar, but not expert with some of the aspects of using home generators.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Pete, Troybilt is now owned by MTD, enough said?
If I recall correctly, you are into some heavy power consumption at your place, and given what I now know about NyMo, RG&E, and NYSE&G, those of us who get power from those companys are going to be needing generators a lot more often.
You need to be looking into a machine that will last a long time, and produce every time you need it.
Call Albany Ladder and see if you can find a rental for the immediate need, and then put in a real machine after this storm passes.

 

[weedsportpete]

I hear what you are saying..! Now that I'm not in a big rush, I can scope out the generator landscape a little better.

I've only got one tractor, and its a BX2200, so I'm not sure thats enough PTO HP for a PTO generator, plus I'd need the tractor.

I guess I really need to analyze all the loads on the house & barn and see how much watts I really need. I'd love to buy something that could run everything, but I just read something that said 7000 watts was equivalent to 58 amps. That might not be enough.

The first thing I will do is put in the transfer switch.. get that out of the way.

Speaking of RG&E, the neighbors said we have not really seen the outages they have, since we have only been here 9 months. When they first looked at their house, before buying it, the power was out..

Thanks Franz

 

[Mrwurm]

Pete, what does the transfer switch do for you. I know it is not recommended but most everyone that I know sets up their generator in the following way:
1) Turn off main breaker at house panel.
2) Wire up a heavy cord with two male ends. (240 V)
3) Plug one end of cord into a household 220 outlet.
4) Plug other end of cord into generator 220 outlet.

I have done it this way and had no problems. I even ran a few hours this way when the power was restored before I knew it had been restored.

I plan to install a main disconnect between my meter and my house panel to provide a larger airgap between the terminals. This should greatly reduce the risk of arcing between the contacts on the main breaker.

I am using my limited experience to make this assumptions. Please advise if I should do something different.