How to Fix Stuff

[zoiDman]

I use the number 1 option myself. I seem to have a mental block about electricity so I've kept it simple. A fairly small generator ($400 predator at Harbor Freight) is enough to keep lights, tv's, big and small fridges and freezers going. When we replaced the A/C, after the inspection the installer added a pigtail so I can power the igniter and blower on our gas furnace.

For the once or twice a year we see outages of part of a day to a bit more, it works fine. No A/C and a bit of running around to hook up but cheap insurance.

That's the way the Majority of people do it. It's Cheaper. No Electrician or Special Wiring needed. And it's Portable.

For a Business, or for a Home Owner with a Larger Budget, a Dedicated Hardwired System does have Advantages. But it would have to be done right. And Not something an Average Home Owner should attempt.

 

[zoiDman]

... Besides, there are codes and laws that require you to have special switches to prevent electricity from going back in the grid and frying powerline workers.

Damn Straight there are. And for Very Good Reasons.

If that Lineman is Touching what he Thinks is a Deenergized Line and someone's Hardwired Generator kicks in causing a "Backflow", that could be His/Her Last Day on the Job.

 

[zoiDman]

Thanks everyone, I knew I could count on you.

I think just using an ext cord would work, I just am not sure how many things could be connected to the generator safely.

I'm sure a Portable Generator would work Fine. And if you can Start a Gas Lawnmower, you can use a Portable Generator.

There are Websites that help you choose How Big of a Generator you might need. Where they have common Household Items that you can select and it will make a Running Total of the Watts that you would be using.

They can Usually also give you Advice of what Size (GA and Length) Cords you might want.

 

[hittman]

I can’t remember if it was Multiquip or another brand but I’ve seen commercials here recently where they come in and hardwire a generator with all the right safety equipment. I’m sure for a fairly large price.

 

[Bronze]

Thanks everyone, I knew I could count on you.

I think just using an ext cord would work, I just am not sure how many things could be connected to the generator safely.

How many watts does the gen output? Both running and starting watts?

 

[Bronze]

Damn Straight there are. And for Very Good Reasons.

If that Lineman is Touching what he Thinks is a Deenergized Line and someone's Hardwired Generator kicks in causing a "Backflow", that could be His/Her Last Day on the Job.

I have a real goofy setup here. I have two power boxes. One is outside and is where the street power comes in. That box is always live. There is no main to shut it down. I’d have to pull the meter off to do that. This outside box has most of my 240v stuff on it. My second box is in the garage and has everything else hooked up to it. There is no main in this box either. Instead, the main for this box is in the outside panel. So in order for me to use my gen I have to go to the outside box and kill the inside box first. There is no chance to use a mechanical interlock switch. Then I go in reverse order when the power goes back on. But I’m the safety switch. I’m sure the power company would not like that but at least I can say I know what I’m doing to keep their line workers safe. When I move I’m gonna unwire everything cuz I don’t trust some yang yang to do what I do.

 

[zoiDman]

I have a real goofy setup here. I have two power boxes. One is outside and is where the street power comes in. That box is always live. There is no main to shut it down. I’d have to pull the meter off to do that. This outside box has most of my 240v stuff on it. My second box is in the garage and has everything else hooked up to it. There is no main in this box either. Instead, the main for this box is in the outside panel. So in order for me to use my gen I have to go to the outside box and kill the inside box first. There is no chance to use a mechanical interlock switch. Then I go in reverse order when the power goes back on. But I’m the safety switch. I’m sure the power company would not like that but at least I can say I know what I’m doing to keep their line workers safe. When I move I’m gonna unwire everything cuz I don’t trust some yang yang to do what I do.

That is Kinda a Funky Set-up.

Good Call on Unwiring it if you Move. Leaving that for the Average Joe to Figure out sounds like a Recipe for Ruin.

 

[CMD-Ky]

If I understand your question right: If you want your existing outlets to be powered, then yes, it needs to be hard wired, unless you use CMD's method. But if you want it to only power a few things like a refrigerator, etc., it doesn't need to be connected to your existing wiring at all. But you'll need to run extension cords to directly plug in anything you want to the generator.

I don't have one, but my (great) neighbor does. When power goes out for a while and he runs his, he runs a big cord down to my place to plug in a few things.

In a power outage, our house is a snake pit of tangled extension cords.

 

[Bronze]

That is Kinda a Funky Set-up.

Good Call on Unwiring it if you Move. Leaving that for the Average Joe to Figure out sounds like a Recipe for Ruin.

Despite my huge warning signs in bold red with accompanying instructions in both boxes.

 

[Bronze]

In a power outage, our house is a snake pit of tangled extension cords.

Which drove me nuts and motivated me to hardwire it.

 

[Bronze]

In a power outage, our house is a snake pit of tangled extension cords.

It’s really not hard to do a DIY hardwire if you have any kind of DIY skills. Short of that it probably isn’t too expensive to hire an electrician to do it.

 

[CMD-Ky]

Thanks everyone, I knew I could count on you.

I think just using an ext cord would work, I just am not sure how many things could be connected to the generator safely.

I have a bunch of HD extension cords all over. I is a bit of a mess getting it all set and taken down but it is safe. I have a Honda 2000 with a 'demand' throttle for power. it goes up and down. Very nice unit.

 

[CMD-Ky]

I'm sure a Portable Generator would work Fine. And if you can Start a Gas Lawnmower, you can use a Portable Generator.

There are Websites that help you choose How Big of a Generator you might need. Where they have common Household Items that you can select and it will make a Running Total of the Watts that you would be using.

They can Usually also give you Advice of what Size (GA and Length) Cords you might want.

There is also the consideration of 'strt up' power and continuous power. Starting a refrigerator takes more power than running one for a while.

 

[Bronze]

I have a bunch of HD extension cords all over. I is a bit of a mess getting it all set and taken down but it is safe. I have a Honda 2000 with a 'demand' throttle for power. it goes up and down. Very nice unit.

Another area that scares me is using old crusty undersized extension cords or one of those multi outlet plugs with a half dozen extension cords plugged in it.

 

[Bronze]

There is also the consideration of 'strt up' power and continuous power. Starting a refrigerator takes more power than running one for a while.

Starting watts vs running watts

 

[CMD-Ky]

We have a set of HD cords and some smaller duty light and TV cords all in a sealed bag. Power out, grab the bag and start plugging.

 

[CMD-Ky]

Starting watts vs running watts

True.

 

[rosesense]

How many watts does the gen output? Both running and starting watts?

I have no idea, will have to look at it.

 

[Bronze]

Watt eaters are anything that heats up. This includes toasters, hair dryers, and coffee pots. You’d be shocked (pun intended) at how much juice those things eat.

 

[Bronze]

I have no idea, will have to look at it.

I can give you an idea of what you can run in the house if I know.