Budget Friendly Emergency Backup Power - Transfer Switch
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ก.ย. 2024
- Today I outline how my budget friendly emergency backup power system works. It includes a portable generator and a transfer switch
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We had a Generac whole house installed two years ago. No regrets whatsoever. Being in our 70’s we were tired of the extension cords.
The whole house being covered simplifies the instal as you don’t need to redo half the panel you just need to put the transfer switch in ahead of the main panel. I’m handy so I pulled the permits as a home owner and did it. With some education a lot could be done to help ahead of the electrician to save on some of the instal. Was $6000 for generator and wire and conduit for a 20kw system. Wife doesn’t need to figure things out if I’m not at home. That’s worth a bunch.
Linda A. I'm with you. We put a Generac in after the Great Derecho of 2012.
Look up Generlink.super simple, powers your whole home..installs in minutes and best of all of you move you take it with you. A near perfect solution for those who don't need automatic backup power.. whole house works, no picking and choosing which circuits.
⚠️Always remember to follow all the generator safety tips whenever you use your portable generator:
This is just a reminder for everyone’s safety. All generator safety rules need to be followed carefully
1) Please do not allow an unqualified person or your children to operate the portable generator. Just because some manuals don’t say that doesn’t mean it’s safe. That is important against the generator safety rules. We also need to be keeping an eye on our children too. You need to make sure that your children are not playing near the portable generator especially when it’s running so they won’t get electrocuted. Generators pose electrical risks and they can be hot during an operation. Please keep your children away from the portable generator at all times. It is important to keep our children safe especially our little ones. Be aware of all the hazards.
2) Some people use their portable generators indoors which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s important to have a carbon monoxide if you have a gas generator. Never ever use your generator indoors even if your doors and windows are open and even in the garage is not safe to use a portable generator. Not even at your porch and your deck. It is never safe to use your generator indoors and in enclosed areas of your home. Your generator needs to be 15-20 feet away from your house.
3) 🔥generators cause fire hazards too. Never refuel your generator while it’s running. You need to let your generator cool off before refueling it and before storing your generator. Never overload your generator too. Never ever back feed your generator. You should never plug your generator into a wall outlet. Also never store propane tanks indoors. Please keep flammable things away from the generator as well and please don’t smoke cigarettes near the generator. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important against the generator safety rules.
4) generator operation; make sure your hands are dry before touching the generator. Never use your generator in wet conditions. Don’t let your generator get wet. You need a generator tent if you need to use your generator during wet weather. Please don’t wear loose clothes when operating the generator. Turn on your generator before plugging in appliances. Use the right cord for your generator. Please do not use worn out cords.
th-cam.com/video/I1jT3ANENvI/w-d-xo.html and here is a video more about keeping others safe when using generators and also about our family’s safety. Hope this helps
@@soving do you have this? We just had an estimate done, but haven’t had it done yet.
Very good explanation! My only addition is to recommend a transfer panel with two load meters that will show how much power in watts you are pulling from each leg of your generator (portable generators have two 120v legs that combine to give you 240v). This will allow you to "load balance" and arrange your circuits so you are pulling similar amounts of power from each leg. For example, you would want your frig on one leg and your freezer on the other.
Balancing your gen load helps prevent damage to the power head and premature failure of your gen. 240v items don't need to be balanced - they pull from both legs equally - it is more important if all or most of what you are running is 120v. You would be surprised how fast the load adds up from things such as a toaster over, air fryer, single burner electric hotplate, etc.
The meters also tell you the total amount of power your gen is supplying (add up the watts indicated on both gauges), and as you switch on the individual essential circuits one at a time you can watch the meters and observe the starting surge and the running draw as things settle down. This lets you know when it's OK to turn on the next circuit to gradually increase your load on the gen and not just hit it with a max load all at once. This is important - If all of your essential items (frig and freezer which have compressors, water heater which is a big draw, well pump, etc.) come on all at once the surge load from starting all that at the same time could damage even that 10kw gen - or damage your appliances from a big drop or surge in voltage.
Overall, a good job that had me watching to the end.
And always make sure you follow all the generator safety rules whenever you use your generator. Here are the generator safety tips:
This is just a safety reminder
1) Please do not allow an unqualified person or your children to operate the portable generator. Just because some manuals don’t say that doesn’t mean it’s safe. That is important against the generator safety rules. We also need to be keeping an eye on our children too. You need to make sure that your children are not playing near the portable generator especially when it’s running so they won’t get electrocuted. Generators pose electrical risks and they can be hot during an operation. Please keep your children away from the portable generator at all times. It is important to keep our children safe especially our little ones. Be aware of all the hazards.
2) Some people use their portable generators indoors which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s important to have a carbon monoxide if you have a gas generator. Never ever use your generator indoors even if your doors and windows are open and even in the garage is not safe to use a portable generator. Not even at your porch and your deck. It is never safe to use your generator indoors and in enclosed areas of your home. Your generator needs to be 15-20 feet away from your house.
3) 🔥generators cause fire hazards too. Never refuel your generator while it’s running. You need to let your generator cool off before refueling it and before storing your generator. Never overload your generator too. Never ever back feed your generator. You should never plug your generator into a wall outlet. Also never store propane tanks indoors. Please keep flammable things away from the generator as well and please don’t smoke cigarettes near the generator. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important against the generator safety rules.
4) generator operation; make sure your hands are dry before touching the generator. Never use your generator in wet conditions. Don’t let your generator get wet. You need a generator tent if you need to use your generator during wet weather. Please don’t wear loose clothes when operating the generator. Turn on your generator before plugging in appliances. Use the right cord for your generator. Please do not use worn out cords.
th-cam.com/video/I1jT3ANENvI/w-d-xo.html and here is a video more about keeping others safe when using generators and also about our family’s safety. Hope this helps
One more thing, extremely important. When you store your generator, before shutting it off turn off the fuel valve and allow it to shut off on its own. This will allow it to burn all or most of the fuel that is sitting in the carb and will keep it from gumming up. I do this with all of my small engine equipment.
Gas only gums up when exposed to oxygen. Always leave the bowl full. If you're really worried about that use sta-bil or something similar. Turn off the fuel to prevent accidental leaks only.
@@danhillman4523 Ok so hear me out, Carburetors are not air tight so gas will always be exposed to oxygen. Sta-bil definitely helps and isn't a bad idea. However, I put it in the tank and then run it through for a few before shut down. I have had zero issues with any small engines ever since I started doing what I do. I will do my best to never leave fuel in the bowl ever again simply because of all the issues I have had in the past doing so. I have also had them give me issues even after adding sta-bil to the fuel and letting it run so it gets in the bowl.
K@@williammitchell8247
@@williammitchell8247 Our small engine guy(s) --- logging saw shop -- think that Stabil is BS. Old gas is old gas.
@@Redandranger I can see why they feel that way. That is why I always try and run the carb dry and not rely specifically on Stabil or anything like it.
I got about the same setup but without the transfer switch. I use a main breaker interrupter bar which doesn't allow me to turn on the generator switch without first turning off the main breaker. But it's important to unplug all non necessities because just because there off doesn't mean there not using power its called vampire power. All them little lights on electronic devices means there on and in a emergency situation every watt of generator power = fuel that sometimes is hard to get. Hope this helps some of you. 👍
⚠️Please make sure you follow all the generator safety tips whenever you use your portable generator. This is just a reminder for your safety when using generators. All generator safety instructions need to be followed carefully.
Here are the safety tips:
1) KEEPING OTHERS SAFE: Please do not allow an unqualified person or your children to operate and service the portable generator. Just because some manuals don’t say that doesn’t mean it’s safe. That is important against the generator safety rules. We also need to be keeping an eye on our children too. You need to make sure that your children are not playing near the portable generator especially when it’s running so they won’t get electrocuted. Generators pose electrical risks and they can be hot during an operation. Please keep your children away from the portable generator at all times. It is important to keep our children safe especially our little ones. Children often get curious about anything so we should keep an eye on them to also make sure they’re not wandering towards the generator.
2) WHERE TO RUN YOUR GENERATOR: Some people use their portable generators indoors which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s important to have a carbon monoxide if you have a gas generator. Never ever use your generator indoors even if your doors and windows are open and even in the garage is not safe to use a portable generator. Not even at your porch and your deck. It is never safe to use your generator indoors and in enclosed areas of your home. Your generator needs to be 15-20 feet away from your house.
3)🔥FIRE HAZARDS: Never refuel your generator while it’s running. You need to let your generator cool off before refueling it and before storing your generator. Never overload your generator too. Never ever back feed your generator. You should never plug your generator into a wall outlet. Also never store propane tanks indoors. Please keep flammable things away from the generator as well and please don’t smoke cigarettes near the generator. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important against the generator safety rules.
4) GENERATOR OPERATION: make sure your hands are dry before touching the generator. Never use your generator in wet conditions. Don’t let your generator get wet. You need a generator tent if you need to use your generator during wet weather. Please don’t wear loose clothes when operating the generator. Turn on your generator before plugging in appliances. Use the right cord for your generator. Please do not use worn out cords.
Hope this helps.
A cord longer than neccessary coiled up like on the opening picture will become over heated and melt . Needs yo be strung out safely to cool or a shorter cord.
Always make sure you follow all the generator safety rules whenever you use your generator. Here are the generator safety tips:
This is just a safety reminder
1) Please do not allow an unqualified person or your children to operate the portable generator. Just because some manuals don’t say that doesn’t mean it’s safe. That is important against the generator safety rules. We also need to be keeping an eye on our children too. You need to make sure that your children are not playing near the portable generator especially when it’s running so they won’t get electrocuted. Generators pose electrical risks and they can be hot during an operation. Please keep your children away from the portable generator at all times. It is important to keep our children safe especially our little ones. Be aware of all the hazards.
2) Some people use their portable generators indoors which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s important to have a carbon monoxide if you have a gas generator. Never ever use your generator indoors even if your doors and windows are open and even in the garage is not safe to use a portable generator. Not even at your porch and your deck. It is never safe to use your generator indoors and in enclosed areas of your home. Your generator needs to be 15-20 feet away from your house.
3) 🔥generators cause fire hazards too. Never refuel your generator while it’s running. You need to let your generator cool off before refueling it and before storing your generator. Never overload your generator too. Never ever back feed your generator. You should never plug your generator into a wall outlet. Also never store propane tanks indoors. Please keep flammable things away from the generator as well and please don’t smoke cigarettes near the generator. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important against the generator safety rules.
4) generator operation; make sure your hands are dry before touching the generator. Never use your generator in wet conditions. Don’t let your generator get wet. You need a generator tent if you need to use your generator during wet weather. Please don’t wear loose clothes when operating the generator. Turn on your generator before plugging in appliances. Use the right cord for your generator. Please do not use worn out cords.
th-cam.com/video/I1jT3ANENvI/w-d-xo.html and here is a video more about keeping others safe when using generators and also about our family’s safety.
Hope this helps
Keep in mind, a lot of those portable generators can easily be adapted to run on natural gas/propane and then you can just leave your generator on and not worry about repeatedly having to "gas up".
@phil johnson Propane will eat your lunch. Nat Gas is the way to go if you have it. We don't :-(
@midnitesquirldog1 I run 10% no problem
On the rare occasion, natural gas can be wiped out as well if a total grid has been shut down. This happened in Texas this year. Having a dual fuel generator is essential. The quiet operating ones are also a plus. And if they have a remote control even better. Just keep that 12 volt battery charged up with a battery tenderer. It’s cheap insurance. Also you may want to lock it up. Word will get out that you have power and attract thieves.
I live in Barbados, i instslled a 10kw Generac guardian generator running on NG, it came with a 100 amp transfer switch and it is parallel to a 7kw PV grid tied system on my home, works great I totally recommend the auto start option and it was not as expensive is i thought.
@midnitesquirldog1 funny you should say this because when i bought my brand new Cruze back in '16 i started running regular gas and was getting well over 40 mpg... like high 40's actually. Well, things got a little tight so I started to run the cheaper gas and have noticed I have been consistently lower than than 35mpg. Even after I re-zeroed the economy meter for mpg. Next fill up I will switch back to regular gas and check the results. I have been running ethanol for almost 2-3 years now. Thanks for this!!
A week ago had a transfer switch installed for $ 1300 total. Westinghouse Generator ($649.) 5300/6600 Petrol, 4800/5300 Propane (power reduced with Propane). Two 20lb tanks on hand. At least, the furnace will kick on . I have a sizable Kerosene heater for last resort. Peace of mind is worth it all. 😊
Great tutorial .....I'm having it installed next week, I'm currently working on finding a 12000 wt generator ✌🏄♂️thx for the video...
Don’t forget to follow all the generator safety rules whenever you use your portable generator. This is just a reminder for your safety.
⚠️Here are the generator safety tips:
1) Please do not allow an unqualified person or your children to operate the portable generator. Just because some manuals don’t say that doesn’t mean it’s safe. That is important against the generator safety rules. We also need to be keeping an eye on our children too. You need to make sure that your children are not playing near the portable generator especially when it’s running so they won’t get electrocuted. Generators pose electrical risks and they can be hot during an operation. They also produce high voltages which can cause electrocution. Please keep your children away from the portable generator at all times. Make sure they don’t play near it. It is important to keep our children safe especially our little ones. Be aware of all the hazards.
2) Some people use their portable generators indoors which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s important to have a carbon monoxide if you have a gas generator. Never ever use your generator indoors even if your doors and windows are open and even in the garage is not safe to use a portable generator. Not even at your porch and your deck. It is never safe to use your generator indoors and in enclosed areas of your home. Your generator needs to be 15-20 feet away from your house.
3) 🔥fire hazards; Never refuel your generator while it’s running. You need to let your generator cool off before refueling it and before storing your generator. Never overload your generator too. Never ever back feed your generator. You should never plug your generator into a wall outlet. Also never store propane tanks indoors. 🚭Please keep flammable things away from the generator as well and please don’t smoke cigarettes near the generator. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important against the generator safety rules.
4) generator operation; make sure your hands are dry before touching the generator. Never use your generator in wet conditions. Don’t let your generator get wet. You need a generator tent if you need to use your generator during wet weather. Please don’t wear loose clothes when operating the generator. Turn on your generator before plugging in appliances. Use the right cord for your generator. Please do not use worn out cords.
th-cam.com/video/I1jT3ANENvI/w-d-xo.html and here is a video more about keeping others safe when using generators and also about our family’s safety. All generator safety rules need to be followed carefully.
Hope this helps
@@The_Happy_Aviation_Enthusiast Thanks a lot I really appreciate this...✌❤🏄♂️
I have a Generac whole house generator that froze up , they want $8,000-12,000 to replace the unit . I have the transfer already in place , could I install a portable generator , like you did , into the wiring already in place and bypass the non -essential panel like you installed ? Would it work and what would be the size portable generator would I need ( we would not be using the central air conditioner ) ?
I have the generator, but not hooked up to the house. After this texas winter storm, I'm having it tied into my main panel. Thanks for the explanation.
Don’t forget about generator safety the next time you use your portable generator th-cam.com/video/I1jT3ANENvI/w-d-xo.html just being nice to make sure everyone is safe during power outage. Thank you
Good video, I was thinking about this type of system but I thought the noise of the generator and the ability to get gas during long outages would be an issue. So I thought solar panel system, quiet and can reduce my monthly electric bill after the long payback (approx 10 years). Gas would be the least expensive way, but I would definitely make a sound box if I went this route.
Great video. A/C is more important than heat for us since we live in south Texas. I’ve also been looking at Solar power. Do you know anything about Solar?
The main essentials are covered at a reasonable price. It works as a temporary fix. Self starter and remote what's not to like.?
Using low wattage LEDs you could see in the bathroom/basement/etc.
Good outline and explanation Thanks
Don’t forget to follow all the generator safety rules whenever you use your portable generator. This is just a reminder for your safety.
⚠️Here are the generator safety tips:
1) Please do not allow an unqualified person or your children to operate the portable generator. Just because some manuals don’t say that doesn’t mean it’s safe. That is important against the generator safety rules. We also need to be keeping an eye on our children too. You need to make sure that your children are not playing near the portable generator especially when it’s running so they won’t get electrocuted. Generators pose electrical risks and they can be hot during an operation. They also produce high voltages which can cause electrocution. Please keep your children away from the portable generator at all times. Make sure they don’t play near it. It is important to keep our children safe especially our little ones. Be aware of all the hazards.
2) Some people use their portable generators indoors which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s important to have a carbon monoxide if you have a gas generator. Never ever use your generator indoors even if your doors and windows are open and even in the garage is not safe to use a portable generator. Not even at your porch and your deck. It is never safe to use your generator indoors and in enclosed areas of your home. Your generator needs to be 15-20 feet away from your house.
3) 🔥fire hazards; Never refuel your generator while it’s running. You need to let your generator cool off before refueling it and before storing your generator. Never overload your generator too. Never ever back feed your generator. You should never plug your generator into a wall outlet. Also never store propane tanks indoors. 🚭Please keep flammable things away from the generator as well and please don’t smoke cigarettes near the generator. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important against the generator safety rules.
4) generator operation; make sure your hands are dry before touching the generator. Never use your generator in wet conditions. Don’t let your generator get wet. You need a generator tent if you need to use your generator during wet weather. Please don’t wear loose clothes when operating the generator. Turn on your generator before plugging in appliances. Use the right cord for your generator. Please do not use worn out cords.
th-cam.com/video/I1jT3ANENvI/w-d-xo.html and here is a video more about keeping others safe when using generators and also about our family’s safety. All generator safety rules need to be followed carefully.
Hope this helps
For people relying on a gasoline generator, they need to keep a substantial supply of gas on hand and it needs to be fresh gas. Best practice would be to dump stored gas into your vehicle tank after a month or two and replace the stored gas with fresh. Also, you need to keep the generator free of deep snow.
Everyone should be aware with generator safety th-cam.com/video/I1jT3ANENvI/w-d-xo.html here’s an advice about keeping family safe while using generators
I had a 10kw Generac standby generator installed in Northern NJ back in 2011 and paid about 6k total. Your 10k-12k figure sounds pretty high.
My parents just did their house 🏠 with generac standby generator, Sept 2020 cost was 11,000.00 (Eleven Thousand).. so this video is in that ball park! My parents did not get the lowest or highest price system...
⚠️Here are the generator safety tips that everyone needs to follow when using generators:
Always make sure you follow all the generator safety rules whenever you use your portable generator. It is important for everyone’s safety.
1) Please do not allow an unqualified person or your children to operate the portable generator. Just because some manuals don’t say that doesn’t mean it’s safe. That is important against the generator safety rules. We also need to be keeping an eye on our children too. You need to make sure that your children are not playing near the portable generator especially when it’s running so they won’t get electrocuted. Generators pose electrical risks and they can be hot during an operation. They also produce high voltages which can cause electrocution. Please keep your children away from the portable generator at all times. Make sure they don’t play near it. It is important to keep our children safe especially our little ones. Be aware of all the hazards.
2) Some people use their portable generators indoors which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s important to have a carbon monoxide if you have a gas generator. Never ever use your generator indoors even if your doors and windows are open and even in the garage is not safe to use a portable generator. Not even at your porch and your deck. It is never safe to use your generator indoors and in enclosed areas of your home. Your generator needs to be 15-20 feet away from your house.
3) 🔥fire hazards; Never refuel your generator while it’s running. You need to let your generator cool off before refueling it and before storing your generator. Never overload your generator too. Never ever back feed your generator. You should never plug your generator into a wall outlet. Also never store propane tanks indoors. 🚭Please keep flammable things away from the generator as well and please don’t smoke cigarettes near the generator. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important against the generator safety rules.
4) generator operation; make sure your hands are dry before touching the generator. Never use your generator in wet conditions. Don’t let your generator get wet. You need a generator tent if you need to use your generator during wet weather. Please don’t wear loose clothes when operating the generator. Turn on your generator before plugging in appliances. Use the right cord for your generator. Please do not use worn out cords.
th-cam.com/video/I1jT3ANENvI/w-d-xo.html and here is a video more about keeping others safe when using generators and also about our family’s safety. All generator safety rules need to be followed carefully.
Hope this helps
@@The_Happy_Aviation_Enthusiast good tip...
Just install a interlock on.your main panel..to run power to the hole house and call it a day...much easier
⚠️Please don’t forget to follow the generator safety tips when you use your portable generator:
This is a reminder for everyone’s safety when using portable generators. All generator safety rules need to be followed carefully whenever you use your portable generator. This is just to make sure.
1) KEEPING OTHERS SAFE: Please do not allow an unqualified person or your children to operate and service the portable generator. Just because some manuals don’t say that doesn’t mean it’s safe. That is important against the generator safety rules. We also need to be keeping an eye on our children too. You need to make sure that your children are not playing near the portable generator especially when it’s running so they won’t get electrocuted. Generators pose electrical risks and they can be hot during an operation. Please keep your children away from the portable generator at all times. It is important to keep our children safe especially our little ones. Be aware of all the hazards.
2) WHERE TO RUN YOUR GENERATOR: Some people use their portable generators indoors which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s important to have a carbon monoxide if you have a gas generator. Never ever use your generator indoors even if your doors and windows are open and even in the garage is not safe to use a portable generator. Not even at your porch and your deck. It is never safe to use your generator indoors and in enclosed areas of your home. Your generator needs to be 15-20 feet away from your house.
3)🔥FIRE HAZARDS: Never refuel your generator while it’s running. You need to let your generator cool off before refueling it and before storing your generator. Never overload your generator too. Never ever back feed your generator. You should never plug your generator into a wall outlet. Also never store propane tanks indoors. Please keep flammable things away from the generator as well and please don’t smoke cigarettes near the generator. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important against the generator safety rules.
4) GENERATOR OPERATION: make sure your hands are dry before touching the generator. Never use your generator in wet conditions. Don’t let your generator get wet. You need a generator tent if you need to use your generator during wet weather. Please don’t wear loose clothes when operating the generator. Turn on your generator before plugging in appliances. Use the right cord for your generator. Please do not use worn out cords.
th-cam.com/video/I1jT3ANENvI/w-d-xo.html and here is a video more about keeping others safe when using generators. Everything that is said about the generator safety rules all need to be followed. Especially keeping your children safe.
Hope this helps
Great job!
I"ve seen the natural gas, automatic systems in the $3-5000 range, up to 10,000W.
what wiring you prefer from main panel to 30AMPS breaker switch? 10/3 or 8/3?
Nice
texas watching this video like......
Haha
Lmao
Damn straight I'm about to do one of these... Mine didn't go out ... Shout out to tvcc linemen crews.
Yea im from texas and im watching this we never expected something like this and were never ready but ill be ready next time!
Yes sir straight up. Texas Strong. Will definitely be using this method of power. I like the remote control method of starting the generator from inside the house. I can always send my wife outside to refill gas tank. Ha.ha.
Very Nice Job! - There's nothing about one of these projects that are easy and should be tackled carefully. You conveyed that message beautifully. One personal note, I installed my changeover system myself about 12 years ago and it's a godsend. One thing I felt compelled to do is create a comprehensive list of instructions and identifications that are laminated and mounted next to the transfer switch, because there's no guarantee that I'd be at home during a power failure. Education is more valuable than a first aid kit sometimes. Keep up the good work and sense of responsibility.
hes got no light in the basement his electrical is laying on the floor nexto the water boiler not very smart !
A more economical option would be an interlock panel. Would save you the money on a transfer switch ($200-400) and you could select the circuits you’d like to power anytime without being married to pre-selected ones.
This is what I did recently. And I run on the 50amp output of my generator. That allows me to power everything but the dryer on a 12k max/9k running generator.
@@isaeagle4031 great points. A 50 amp service would just require a larger cable (4 prong) and inlet box. It is a great setup that allows service to items like oven, etc like you mentioned.
I had interlock switch and a portable Briggs and Stratton 7000 kw shutoff main lockout on switch on generator run cord to outlet on outside of house and start her up
What he showed is NOT a transfer switch - it was in fact an interlock. He had to turn off one breaker before turning on the breaker for the gen
@@paulstuff5541 Well, I think the interlock kit folks are referring to, goes in your main panel. You don't need a transfer panel. The interlock kit (e.g., those found at interlockkit.com) are 2 position movable plate type things installed in your one and only main panel that prevent your main breaker from being on at the same time as your feed breaker (from generator hookup). I installed one of these right after Hurricane Irene. The feed breaker needs to be in a fixed position relative to the main breaker, but it's trivial to move things down a couple of positions to make room for the feed breaker. I installed everything myself, so cost was on the order of $300 or so, aside from the generator. So with this type of system, you can power everything in your house. If you're worried about drawing too much load, either just don't run certain things or throw their breaker in the main panel so they can't be turned on. I think the only thing I turn off is the washer/dryer.
One thing you did not mention: the generator when running should be 20 feet from the house. My neighbour's generator caught fire and burned down his house. Also you want the generator away from house window's to prevent the engine exhaust coming in.
Terry ... 20 ft is a bit of overkill but 5 - 10 feet is generally recommended in the owner's manual. A unit catching fire is usually a lack of maintenance or operator error, not the fault of the gen itself if well maintained and used properly.
@@rupe53 Well my neighbour's insurance company and our fire chief disagree with 5-10 ft. There is a reason the generator cables are that long. All of the Generac systems I have seen are well away from the house. Consumer Reports says, "Always place the generator at least 20 feet from the house with the engine exhaust directed away from windows and doors." (www.consumerreports.org/generators/generator-safety-tips-to-get-you-through-a-storm/#:~:text=Always%20place%20the%20generator%20at,away%20from%20windows%20and%20doors.) Someone mentioned rain: Don’t run a portable generator in the rain - it can damage the electronics that can lead to fires. You can buy tents for generators-that keep them shielded but still well-ventilated-online and at home centers and hardware stores.
"According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
nearly half of the non-fatal carbon monoxide poisonings reported during the 2004
and 2005 hurricane seasons involved generators run within seven feet of a home." www.cdc.gov/co/videos/generator-how-close-transcript.htm
th-cam.com/video/jkO9PK4JvJI/w-d-xo.html&feature=emb_logo National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) did testing on level of CO from generators outside a house. They said even 15 ft away is not a safe distance when wind speed is low.
@@terrencejreich ... there's several entire sections from NFPA code directly related to generator safety. The guys you are talking to are giving you false info based on recommendations that were dreamed up BEFORE it was included in the code books. These changes were brought about after hurricane Sandy, so we talking 2012(?) or so. When I was still working in the business (almost 25 years) I had to keep up on this stuff. The generator tents are a cool idea but rather expensive for what you get.... and they are NOT approved by UL. I had more than one customer think they could use a tent as "outside storage" then wondered why the set got all rusty after a year. (go figure) BTW, those tents only cover the top of the unit and do little for wind blown rain on the sides.
As a North Texas resident having a generator allowed me to stay in my house. 26+ hours without power was not anticipated though.
Thats the thing who is gonna be able to store 6 days of fuel?
Springtown tx here
We were out 2 days .powerd right through it !!
@@COLDWARCLASSICS who did u hire 2 do this for u
@@COLDWARCLASSICS also in Springtown dealing with Walnut Creek water issues now 🤦🏿♂️
@@NiteTrain89
You need water??
After our recent 5-day power outage in sub-freezing temps, I got an estimate on an automatic whole house generator (January 2023). It was upwards of $20,000. Neighbors said there hasn't been this kind of outage for 15 years. The cost of the whole house generator for a once in 15 years event didn't pencil out for us. We just bought a 7500 generator and are having our electrician install a transfer switch and inlet next week. Thank you for posting this video explaining how it works.
how much did that cost and did you get an inverter generator so you can run sensitive electronics with no worries?
@@allotherstaken3 No, we didn't get an inverter generator. We do have smaller battery backups for the electronic devices we use. The generator is a Firman tri-fuel from Costco for $799. The transfer switch we had installed was a more complex set-up than many people use, with a new sub-panel wired with eight breakers of the most important, to us, circuits and hard-wired appliances, such as the furnace and instant hot water heater. The transfer switch also included the inlet socket and 25' 50 Amp cable. I'm sure that adept DIYers could install this type of electrical upgrade for far less than the $3700 we spent, but it was beyond my comfort level and it was important to us to have a reliable resource that won't endanger our solar panel array or negatively impact our property value.
@@asinheavenHello I’m looking to buy generators off Costco too, bc of hurricane Season. I know it says you need to put it 20 ft from the house but are you worried about the elements? I see some people build a generator enclosure.. did you do that too? And how do you keep track of gas usage? Thanks!
Our usage will most likely be during wind and snow storms, not hurricane force, I hope. We've only had to use it once so far, and were able to wait for a break in the weather to roll it out of storage to the best place 25' from the house. I think we would need a protective cover if we need to use it for longer periods in bad weather. I don't have a great suggestion about monitoring gas usage either. If it runs out of gas while in use, it would be best practice to disconnect it, and let the engine cool before refueling.
Ethanol Free is the key. Just keep in mind, during a long power outage the guy with a portable generator becomes the most popular guy in the neighborhood.
Or the most hated.
I would give that carburetor 6-7 years with normal gas. Just had to replace my snowblower carb from not using ethanol free.
beggers cant be choosers when the shit hits the fan. no gas available when the powers is out. be happy if you can find it within a 50 mile perimeter
See if the local general aviation (small) airport will sell you a gallon or two of Av-Gas - aka-aviation gasoline ... high octane, NO Ethanol, ... just add stabilizer for long term storage.
Just run your Generator, chainsaw, outboard, string trimmer, small HP outboard, etc. etc. ... RUN them all dry to ensure the carb is empty, ... re- fill with the AvGas and your all ready for the next time ... and will get an instant start and with no fguel fouling of the air bleed jets in the carburetor.
You can also buy a commercial equivalent from Home Depot .... Echo RED fuel - no EtOH, stabilized, 1:50 oil:gasoline mix, high octane ... pricey at $15 - $25 gallon !!!!! used to be relatively cheap before the US dollar started to significantly lose its purchasing power in 2008,
@@Derzyyy At the very least dump the EtOH contaminated fuel, squirt in a goodly amount of isopropyl alcohol ( to remove any forming gums/varnishes) , drain the carb again .... Store the carb dry.
Excellent review.
I’m in Houston and we just got our power back. Sitting in 92 degree heat with 100 percent humidity and no breeze, is no joke.
We’re looking at getting a portable Westinghouse 15000 Tri Fuel generator to hook directly to our natural gas line. As long as it’ll run a 3 or 5 ton AC unit and our fridge we should be good.
Let’s PREPARE for the next one Texans! We got this! Well be setup to be the most advanced state in the world for any post apocalyptic event!
You know every Texan is watching these type of videos now lol 😂 but I’m definitely going to do this
Can’t afford to prepare cause all of em are giving their money to DonTheCon...amazing huh?
Well that would put you about 25 years behind Florida then. After Andrew in 1992, Florida mandated that certain places install backup power supplies. Gas stations, grocery stores, and a number of other places all have them. Most homes down here have a backup generator, or two. Our home has had one even before the house was built. And that was in 1978-79. Why, because Florida gets hit by storms that knock out the power from minutes to more than a month. In 1992, we were without commercial power both at home and at work for 5 weeks. In both locations there were emergency generators so we had power. But boy does it get tiresome listening to a generator run 24/7. The only quiet time was when we decided it was cool enough to shutdown the generator at night and when going to and from work. For Irma, I had an inverter running instead at night. And the truck engine idling to keep the battery charged up. So much nicer that way.
Always make sure you follow all the generator safety rules whenever you use your generator. Here are the generator safety tips:
This is just a safety reminder
1) Please do not allow an unqualified person or your children to operate the portable generator. Just because some manuals don’t say that doesn’t mean it’s safe. That is important against the generator safety rules. We also need to be keeping an eye on our children too. You need to make sure that your children are not playing near the portable generator especially when it’s running so they won’t get electrocuted. Generators pose electrical risks and they can be hot during an operation. Please keep your children away from the portable generator at all times. It is important to keep our children safe especially our little ones. Be aware of all the hazards.
2) Some people use their portable generators indoors which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s important to have a carbon monoxide if you have a gas generator. Never ever use your generator indoors even if your doors and windows are open and even in the garage is not safe to use a portable generator. Not even at your porch and your deck. It is never safe to use your generator indoors and in enclosed areas of your home. Your generator needs to be 15-20 feet away from your house.
3) 🔥generators cause fire hazards too. Never refuel your generator while it’s running. You need to let your generator cool off before refueling it and before storing your generator. Never overload your generator too. Never ever back feed your generator. You should never plug your generator into a wall outlet. Also never store propane tanks indoors. Please keep flammable things away from the generator as well and please don’t smoke cigarettes near the generator. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important against the generator safety rules.
4) generator operation; make sure your hands are dry before touching the generator. Never use your generator in wet conditions. Don’t let your generator get wet. You need a generator tent if you need to use your generator during wet weather. Please don’t wear loose clothes when operating the generator. Turn on your generator before plugging in appliances. Use the right cord for your generator. Please do not use worn out cords.
th-cam.com/video/I1jT3ANENvI/w-d-xo.html and here is a video more about keeping others safe when using generators and also about our family’s safety. Hope this helps
Don't know why we all are not dependent on ourselves for power really!!once you understand how easy it is to produce then you start kicking yaself in the ass for letting them charge us for so long.. Almost every downfall/ hardship this world has is caused by GREED and control somehow and that's a fact..the sun gives you enough energy to power anything you need and if the sun isn't shining the wind is blowing there is so many ways for us to be freed from the bullshit I feel like that kind of stuff is what should be taught in schools not the lies and fairytales that is keeping us dependent on a government that looks as us as a number and finds ways to charge us for everything they can..Its hard to understand how they have kept us ok with this way of living for so long!!BETTER DAYS ARE AROUND THE CORNER!!
Everyone power was out on my block in Texas I had my house lit. Felt bad for the rest of the people in my neighborhood. Bought my generator during the Harvey incident. Was without power for 2 weeks.
Don’t forget about generator safety that please make sure you are using generators carefully th-cam.com/video/I1jT3ANENvI/w-d-xo.html just hoping you stay safe. Here’s an advice about keeping your family safe while using generators. Stay safe
they should have too
Yea but just think how much money you spent on gas for the generator.
@@TheJakeman789 I went around 18 days without power due to a hurricane. A good gas generator not on full power load runs surprisingly long on a full tank. Buying gas beats being in the dark & losing 100s of dollar of fridge/freezer goods.
Texans should be watching this after this week.
You're not wrong there at all! Although, running one on natural gas probably isn't ideal since thats part of our issue.
I bought all the shit to do a transfer switch this summer and never got around to installing it. Heavily regretting that decision right now! Thankfully, I was able to do a temp setup for our heater and water heater to keep things going.
@@motarded4214 the one thing that surprised me was the natural gas pipelines not being able to flow that was something I did not expect. Normally I'm all for natural gas generation but after that I think it's propane and diesel fuel if you can do it.if you don't know they make heaters to wrap around you know the 250 gallon style propane tanks to keep them warm if it's really that cold
Should see the PANIC here in Oregon. Can't get their soymilk, people are dying and falling over.
@@dougc190 My current genset is gas/propane. When I store it I'll drain all the gas out of the tank (its coated due to previously rusting, so no worries about that now). I keep at least 4 20lbs propane bottles around for the generator and switch to gas when needed. Usually only keep 20-25 gallons of gas, but I think I may start keeping more in storage moving forward.
@@motarded4214 only if I see bad weather coming I make sure all the cars are full mainly just so I can siphon gas off. My generator also is dual fuel and I also have an extended run cap that's threaded to run a hose to another fuel tank
This is now the number one video in Texas.
Hope you stay safe and use portable generators carefully th-cam.com/video/I1jT3ANENvI/w-d-xo.html here’s an advice about generator safety and keeping your family safe while using generators. Thank you just a reminder to stay safe
Lol
Sucks when your fellow state citizens have to spend money they shouldn't of had to all because of greedy politicians that ironically were put into office by the very people who had to spend money.
Why not just install an interlock switch? 10,000 watts should cover the whole house, and with interlock switch all circuits have power, and you don's have to install the whole sub panel. Even if 10k watts does not cover whole house, you can shut off some items at the panel.
Do you have recommendations for interlock switches?
@@toysoldier7576 it's the same transfer switch but if it isn't on a sub panel, it needs to be rated for the house not just the generator. 200amp x 240V = 48,000W.
It will be expensive, ~$1,000.
@@toysoldier7576 it's $150 from interlockkit.com specific to your panel.
@@toysoldier7576 Some are specific to the electrical panel that you have. You may want to see who makes your panel and see if they have make an interlock that is designed for that panel. Some are universal. I have an Eaton Mechanical Interlock 30-46712. While my small generator cannot power the whole house I have the option of what I want power to and can rotate. I find them excellent as compared to a sub panel.
true dat
Thanks, Adam. Great video! I installed a system very similar to yours in 2012 following a one week power outage in 2011 that left us in 90 degree F weather without A/C or water.. For my installation, I trenched over, 3 ft deep, to our detached shed and installed the inlet box there. The sub panel was installed in my garage. I wanted the generator in the shed to protect it from both the elements and from being stolen. To ensure it wouldn't over-heat, I installed cross ventilation vents at the front and rear of the generator location. The rear vent is a louvered fan, which is plugged into the generator when it is running. I also installed a "B-vent" exhaust system to vent the exhaust fumes to the rear exterior of the shed. Our choice of "emergency" circuits was almost identical to yours, with the addition of our entertainment center, Fios box, router, critical outlets and ceiling fans. To ensure we wouldn't "roast" in a summertime outage, I also picked up a window a/c I can install to cool our family room. I test run the generator every two months or so and have had no problems with it, except for a battery that needed to be replaced. Thanks again for sharing your video with us. Great job!
Don’t forget to follow all the generator safety rules whenever you use your portable generator. This is just a reminder.
⚠️Here are the generator safety tips:
1) Please do not allow an unqualified person or your children to operate the portable generator. Just because some manuals don’t say that doesn’t mean it’s safe. That is important against the generator safety rules. We also need to be keeping an eye on our children too. You need to make sure that your children are not playing near the portable generator especially when it’s running so they won’t get electrocuted. Generators pose electrical risks and they can be hot during an operation. They also produce high voltages which can cause electrocution. Please keep your children away from the portable generator at all times. Make sure they don’t play near it. It is important to keep our children safe especially our little ones. Be aware of all the hazards.
2) Some people use their portable generators indoors which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s important to have a carbon monoxide if you have a gas generator. Never ever use your generator indoors even if your doors and windows are open and even in the garage is not safe to use a portable generator. Not even at your porch and your deck. It is never safe to use your generator indoors and in enclosed areas of your home. Your generator needs to be 15-20 feet away from your house.
3) 🔥fire hazards; Never refuel your generator while it’s running. You need to let your generator cool off before refueling it and before storing your generator. Never overload your generator too. Never ever back feed your generator. You should never plug your generator into a wall outlet. Also never store propane tanks indoors. 🚭Please keep flammable things away from the generator as well and please don’t smoke cigarettes near the generator. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important against the generator safety rules.
4) generator operation; make sure your hands are dry before touching the generator. Never use your generator in wet conditions. Don’t let your generator get wet. You need a generator tent if you need to use your generator during wet weather. Please don’t wear loose clothes when operating the generator. Turn on your generator before plugging in appliances. Use the right cord for your generator. Please do not use worn out cords.
th-cam.com/video/I1jT3ANENvI/w-d-xo.html and here is a video more about keeping others safe when using generators and also about our family’s safety. All generator safety rules need to be followed carefully.
Hope this helps
CONVERT the Gas gen to propane and you will NEVER go back to gas
As soon as we had a back up system for the home installed never had a utility power outage again. Oh well, we are prepared.
I set mine up about 9 years ago. Had a 5-day outage the first year. Haven't had one since. haha.
keep us posted if your power outage situation changes! :)
That's why he's called "Saint" Murphy around my piece of the forrest....
I live in a rural area and I've had one power outage that lasted 6 hours in the past 15 years or so.
That’s what I thought would happen to me after having our Generac home generator system installed. There never be another power outage ever again! LOL But it hasn’t worked out that way at all, so far we’ve had two outages in 6 months or so. First outage was just a brief one. But the second outage was 6 hours, which I only know how long it was from talking to my neighbors that had no power all that time. But we did! Originally I really wanted to go with a solar power system, but the government stopped that from happening cause they don’t want anyone having the option to run off grid anytime they want to! If you have a solar system installed it has to be a in grid system where the power company gets back any power you don’t use and the utility company buys the power from you. But if there’s a power outage you’re still without any power since you don’t have a battery power pack to keep your house powered! Which my whole idea of going solar was to be able to have power when there’s a outage! You only get those solar systems when your out living completely off grid where there’s no utility company you can get connected to!
there is an interlock that i have. the generator backfeeds the main panel, but the interlock only allows the breaker that backfeeds the main panel on when the main breaker is off.
I think that one statement you made near the end was Important to emphasize: ''''Run your Generator 10-15 mins once a month''' to test, keep in running condition.
For the love of God, always turn the fuel valve off and let the carb run out of fuel! Removing the float bowl also works. If you're storing it for a while, drain the tank as well. Try to use ethanol-free fuel, or at least add fuel stabilizer to your gas cans.
We used a generator during Katrina and then my dad let it sit for years. The old fuel gummed up in the tank and caked up inside the carb. Had to take it all apart and clean it, but it fired right up.
The last thing you want to be doing is removing and cleaning the carb in the dark!
Here’s an advice about generator safety and keeping your family safe while using generators th-cam.com/video/I1jT3ANENvI/w-d-xo.html just reminding you all to stay safe. Thank you
The Generac Stand-bys, like mine start and run weekly for .2 hours (12 minutes).
And make sure you put it on a load when you run them...they run better when you use them as designed !
Always make sure you follow all the generator safety rules whenever you use your generator. Here are the generator safety tips:
This is just a safety reminder
1) Please do not allow an unqualified person or your children to operate the portable generator. Just because some manuals don’t say that doesn’t mean it’s safe. That is important against the generator safety rules. We also need to be keeping an eye on our children too. You need to make sure that your children are not playing near the portable generator especially when it’s running so they won’t get electrocuted. Generators pose electrical risks and they can be hot during an operation. Please keep your children away from the portable generator at all times. It is important to keep our children safe especially our little ones. Be aware of all the hazards.
2) Some people use their portable generators indoors which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s important to have a carbon monoxide if you have a gas generator. Never ever use your generator indoors even if your doors and windows are open and even in the garage is not safe to use a portable generator. Not even at your porch and your deck. It is never safe to use your generator indoors and in enclosed areas of your home. Your generator needs to be 15-20 feet away from your house.
3) 🔥generators cause fire hazards too. Never refuel your generator while it’s running. You need to let your generator cool off before refueling it and before storing your generator. Never overload your generator too. Never ever back feed your generator. You should never plug your generator into a wall outlet. Also never store propane tanks indoors. Please keep flammable things away from the generator as well and please don’t smoke cigarettes near the generator. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important against the generator safety rules.
4) generator operation; make sure your hands are dry before touching the generator. Never use your generator in wet conditions. Don’t let your generator get wet. You need a generator tent if you need to use your generator during wet weather. Please don’t wear loose clothes when operating the generator. Turn on your generator before plugging in appliances. Use the right cord for your generator. Please do not use worn out cords.
th-cam.com/video/I1jT3ANENvI/w-d-xo.html and here is a video more about keeping others safe when using generators and also about our family’s safety. Hope this helps
I would def wire up the lights too. LED lights use next to nothing.
The problem is not the wattage the lights use, its hooking each individual circuit into the "back up" panel. You can't simply select specific lights you want to be on with out powering everything else.
@@Smithers4
You Can Get The LED Strips Light..
Don’t forget about generator safety as well th-cam.com/video/I1jT3ANENvI/w-d-xo.html
We live in the area outside of Waco, Tx. It’s not uncommon for us to loose power during spring thunderstorms, so we’ve had a 7000W backup generator for years but never went as far as setting up something like a transfer box. With the winter storms we had last week, I’m sure glad we had it. With outages seemingly becoming more common, I’m looking seriously at setting up a system similar to the one you have shown in your video. Thanks for sharing!
We just installed a interlock with a 50 amp plug... Runs the whole house with a 9500 westinghouse generator.. nice video
Tell it brother. This is the way to go.
Yes agreed why put a second panel and limit which circuits are able to be used
I seen in one video they install a switch he called an “L” switch, when he flips it on the main breaker switch flips off , so he didn’t need to hook up an extra panel, still pretty good setup
I also have an interlock installed with a 30 amp circuit with a 5500 watt generator. This allows me to choose which circuits I want active at any given time. But with that flexibility comes the responsibility to make sure that I do not overload the generator's capability.
You probably won't run that 24 hours....Texas 2021 hold my beer.
Just run the fridge and freezer for a few hours a day and it'll stay fine the rest of the time. They dont run non-stop anyway so letting the generator run non-stop is a waste.
I ran mine 24 hours for six days straight for hurricane Laura
Ran mine for 30 hrs in DFW last week. Extension cords thru dog door. Definitely get a transfer switch installed ASAP.
This is a great option/video.
One thing I did differently at my house was installed a Generator Interlock Kit in the main panel. This eliminates the need/cost associated with a subpanel and you will continue to have access to all of your circuits. It requires more thought because you will need to pick which breakers in the main panel you want to leave on when running the generator. I like the flexibility of being able to have the ability to power any of my circuits when I want to. This is why I did not opt to go with a subpanel.
You can color coordinate you most essential items on your panel with a marker. Then when power goes out, you know you want all the breakers with a green check mark turned on 😉
After four days without power up here in Ottawa, Canada, I powered 10 circuits of my home with a Honda EU6500 generator through a Reliance Transfer switch. Worked wonders for me and I was able to keep neighbours freezers from destroying valuable food supplies as well. But I still wished I could have power to many other circuits in the back of the home...result extension cables all over the place. Now that power had been finally restored, I have ordered the Generlink kit to have whole house backup power next time.
Back up power is a lot like insurance. You pay for something but may never actually use it. With backup power, at least you get something material in return (generator, switch etc), even if you never use it. Just as it's stupid to go without certain types of insurance, I think personally I would now classify home electrical power in that same category.
@@TOURMANBOB what the heck is a Generlink kit? I don''t see such a thing on Amazon. This is so much to learn for an old lady! ;)
@@mgailqster Do a search on TH-cam for Generlink and you will see videos. It is an interface device which goes between your electric meter and your home wiring that allows you to power up your home electrical system with an appropriate generator. I had mine installed this morning and it works well, even easily powering up my AC. The price varies drastically from place to place and some utility power companies dont allow it, so you want to do your research
I DO NOT RECOMMEND THE GENERAC GENERATOR!! In 3 years I’ve replaced a 5000.00 dollar generac twice!!!! I’m done with this company.
What would you recommend
@@azteca6695 if you go portable, hands down would be Honda with a 240v twist lock outlet.
Thanks for the confirmation! I have heard the same thing from a couple of people that have regretted the Generac investment.
How? The more expensive generacs I have seen have a five or seven year warranty
Wow, I've heard this a few times now. Depot is constantly pushing them...
I have a Generlink transfer switch installed. Home Depot has them but I bought mine from my utility company. They installed for free. Similar except it is installed behind the meter. It disconnects the utility power and allows you to use your breakers as you want. Effectively when you plug a generator into it the power transfers to the generator from the utility and prevents back-feeding. Pick and choose what breakers you want on and when based on what your generator can handle.
Always make sure you follow all the generator safety rules whenever you use your generator. Here are the generator safety tips:
This is just a safety reminder
1) Please do not allow an unqualified person or your children to operate the portable generator. Just because some manuals don’t say that doesn’t mean it’s safe. That is important against the generator safety rules. We also need to be keeping an eye on our children too. You need to make sure that your children are not playing near the portable generator especially when it’s running so they won’t get electrocuted. Generators pose electrical risks and they can be hot during an operation. Please keep your children away from the portable generator at all times. It is important to keep our children safe especially our little ones. Be aware of all the hazards.
2) Some people use their portable generators indoors which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s important to have a carbon monoxide if you have a gas generator. Never ever use your generator indoors even if your doors and windows are open and even in the garage is not safe to use a portable generator. Not even at your porch and your deck. It is never safe to use your generator indoors and in enclosed areas of your home. Your generator needs to be 15-20 feet away from your house.
3) 🔥generators cause fire hazards too. Never refuel your generator while it’s running. You need to let your generator cool off before refueling it and before storing your generator. Never overload your generator too. Never ever back feed your generator. You should never plug your generator into a wall outlet. Also never store propane tanks indoors. Please keep flammable things away from the generator as well and please don’t smoke cigarettes near the generator. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important against the generator safety rules.
4) generator operation; make sure your hands are dry before touching the generator. Never use your generator in wet conditions. Don’t let your generator get wet. You need a generator tent if you need to use your generator during wet weather. Please don’t wear loose clothes when operating the generator. Turn on your generator before plugging in appliances. Use the right cord for your generator. Please do not use worn out cords.
th-cam.com/video/I1jT3ANENvI/w-d-xo.html and here is a video more about keeping others safe when using generators and also about our family’s safety. Hope this helps
Boy do you have a nice utility company. Makes sense. If they do it their workers are safe.
put an LED light in the bathroom, they draw practically nothing
throughout the house, avg 10 watts per 200 sf
Yeah with LED across the house, you could light up the whole house with 200-300W. That should be the priority #1 when you wire up a generator.
@@cedricpomerleau5586 You can light up the entire house for less than 70 watts with LEDs in lamps. Less if you don't run ALL of the lights all of the time. Even a single car battery and a small inverter can keep you out of the dark, your phones/tablets/laptops charged, and the battery can be charged while the generator is running. No need to run the generator 24/7. (Start small and work your way up.)
@@tinkerscorner54 Well 70W seems a bit low, it’s only like 7 lightbulbs, I would expect most houses to have a bit more than that. But yeah I agree that in a power outage, you could totally live with 70W.
@@cedricpomerleau558670 Watts seems low but we do lights on 52.5 Watts. My bulbs draw 7.5 watts and are 60 watt equivalent. 70 Watts would allow 9 bulbs IF YOU POWERED THEM ALL AT THE SAME TIME. We use 7. The idea is that you only use them when you need them.
You aren't stuck using only 7 lamps. Use however many you want. Your limit is your battery/inverter setup and your pocket book. The idea is having lights and phone/device charging capability during a power outage. A basic starter set up with a single car battery and a small inverter, say 2-400 watt or so. That would leave you 130-330 watts for a few other things. A person on a budget could set that up for around $150 or less with a NEW Everstart Maxx Group 29 marine battery (I like them) and inverter from Wally world. Then add another battery or two and maybe a larger, say 1200 watt inverter as can be afforded. Then maybe move up to the golf cart batteries later (Batteries Plus ~$130 each, Duracells 225AH. 2 required in series for 12V (We're running Interstate/Trojans which were considerably more. Taken care of, they should last 10-15 years) ).
Extension Cords & power strips. Those needs to be addressed by the individual set up.
Lamps. Goodwill and yard sales if you don't already have any. (Smaller lamps can use smaller bulbs that draw even less current.)
Also needed would be a decent VOM ($10 at Harbor Freight), Distilled water (Keep on hand for the batteries) and a turkey baster or funnel for topping the batteries off.
We run 2 6Volt GC2 225AH golf cart batteries in series set up in our garage with two inverters, a 1200/2400 and 1500/3000 Watt. We can power a freezer, refrigerator, laptops, Cable Modem, Wifi router (if the cable company is still up, hotspot if it isn't), TV, DVD player, electric blanket (at night when it's cold) and 7 lamps in a 3 bedroom house for roughly 2 days without pulling out the generator and recharging (although, I generally don't push the batteries to their limits like that). The key is turning things off when they aren't being used.
While the generator is running, we can do some of the more power consuming things while charging the batteries, like cooking, a little laundry (not the dryer . . . yet), run the A/C window unit (If it's hot) fans (if it's not) and such. Again, not everything at the same time. We just have a 3500 running watt genset.
I keep all the cords ready to go in a tote, the inverters are mounted in the garage, The batteries live on a Harbor Freight furniture dolly on a maintainer (when they aren't on the camper), and the lamps live where they sit now. From "Black-out" to "Lights On" takes about 5 minutes or less. Another 5 or less to hook up the fridge and freezer. Then the other stuff as needed. If the batteries are on the camper, I can run the cords out to the inverter I have installed there or bring them back in the garage (a 10 minute but rather tough job. Those GC2 batteries are 60 pounds each.)
Shortly, I'll be adding 2 more batteries in parallel to double the capacity. I'm not looking to live "Off Grid", just keep family life comfortable in an emergency situation, or in National parks where there is not electricity, adding to the set up as I can afford to. The batteries save on generator fuel, also. Later, I hope to add some solar to the mix.
But, I know from experience that, generally, with LED bulbs, you can light your house, bathrooms, and garage, well for 70 watts or less. And So far, there are no complaints from the wife. Give her Facebook, a glass of tea, "Little House" on the TV, a snuggly warm bed at night, and she's a happy camper.
Great video. We did the same thing some years back. 4000 watt generator and transfer switch. It runs our refrigerator, freezer, and a few other things. We've had to use it a number of times. The result has always been positive. We place battery operated lanterns in each room of the house to provide light. Turn them on when you enter the room and off when you leave. Coleman propane lanterns for outside the house. The only other thing I would suggest is a 12 volt refrigerator like the Dometic for situations that last longer than your generator fuel. We have a 54 quart 12 volt refrigerator that I use when hunting on our property in northern Arizona. The Jackey 500 and solar panel run it constantly without grid power. I've used it on hunting trips for weeks on end. It would do just as well at home if the power was out for an extended period, provided the sun was out during the day to charge the Jackery.
Yesssss, you've done it right sir!
2
⚠️Please don’t forget to follow the generator safety tips when you use your portable generator:
All generator safety rules need to be followed carefully whenever you use your portable generator. This is just a reminder for your safety.
1) KEEPING OTHERS SAFE: Please do not allow an unqualified person or your children to operate and service the portable generator. Just because some manuals don’t say that doesn’t mean it’s safe. That is important against the generator safety rules. We also need to be keeping an eye on our children too. You need to make sure that your children are not playing near the portable generator especially when it’s running so they won’t get electrocuted. Generators pose electrical risks and they can be hot during an operation. Please keep your children away from the portable generator at all times. It is important to keep our children safe especially our little ones. Be aware of all the hazards.
2) WHERE TO RUN YOUR GENERATOR: Some people use their portable generators indoors which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s important to have a carbon monoxide if you have a gas generator. Never ever use your generator indoors even if your doors and windows are open and even in the garage is not safe to use a portable generator. Not even at your porch and your deck. It is never safe to use your generator indoors and in enclosed areas of your home. Your generator needs to be 15-20 feet away from your house.
3)🔥FIRE HAZARDS: Never refuel your generator while it’s running. You need to let your generator cool off before refueling it and before storing your generator. Never overload your generator too. Never ever back feed your generator. You should never plug your generator into a wall outlet. Also never store propane tanks indoors. Please keep flammable things away from the generator as well and please don’t smoke cigarettes near the generator. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important against the generator safety rules.
4) GENERATOR OPERATION: make sure your hands are dry before touching the generator. Never use your generator in wet conditions. Don’t let your generator get wet. You need a generator tent if you need to use your generator during wet weather. Please don’t wear loose clothes when operating the generator. Turn on your generator before plugging in appliances. Use the right cord for your generator. Please do not use worn out cords.
th-cam.com/video/I1jT3ANENvI/w-d-xo.html and here is a video more about keeping others safe when using generators. Everything that is said about the generator safety rules all need to be followed. Especially keeping your children safe.
Hope this helps
good to know
Better than Lanterns … use Solar Powered Spotlights or stick lights from your yard. You can put them in houseplants or flower arrangements
I’m an electrician I’m going to install this transfer switch in my house!
Dam I Should Of Gotten One Of These Here In Texas. I’m Going To Get One. Went Through a Hurricane and Now The Artic Weather.
Be careful using portable generators th-cam.com/video/I1jT3ANENvI/w-d-xo.html here’s an advice about generator safety
Once you buy one, you'll never have another power outage.
@John Smith stay safe
3:30 - Don't leave your cord rolled up like that! The magnetic fields overlapping and fighting each other adds heat and will melt the cord.
I was just thinking that. Good tip.
Very true - good point.
That won't happen without a core
Good video. Thanks
A cheaper option is to install an interlock. You can buy them but i made mine. Its a piece of metal with the appropriate shape to allow a generator breaker to be flipped on after the main is shut off and the interlock plate has been moved. This prevents the main from being turned on when the generator breaker is engaged.
Using an transfer switch or interlock and running even the smallest 240 volt generator is the way to go since it powers up both legs of your panel. With smaller generators that aren’t terrible on fuel you aren’t out to run 240 v appliances you are using two 120 volt legs of the system. This lets you walk into any room and flip on a light, charge your phone at any outlet, power your fridge etc and not be tripping on cords or plugging things back snd forth. If your generator size limits how many things you can power then manage them by using your breakers. It also does the most important thing which is power your furnace if its nat gas or propane. Those furnaces are USUALLY 120 volts.
I have a transfer switch set up also, but I have a DUEL-FUEL generator so i use the propane option, So im not worried about gas left in the generator... Its been a life saver!!
Any idea if they make generators (non permanent/portable) that can be connected to a natural gas port?
They do, it's called a Tri-Fuel Generator. Also, you can convert pretty much any gasoline only generator, to a Tri-Fuel generator by installing a Tri-Fuel kit. These types of generator/kits, allow you to run off of gasoline, natural gas and liquid propane.
We must think alike..I was going to do a video on this soon. That transfer switch is nice. I don't have one of those .. yet lol. Great video Adam!
Check out Reliance ProTran2 transfer switch
Don’t forget to follow all the generator safety rules whenever you use your portable generator. Here are the generator safety tips:
This is just a safety reminder
1) Please do not allow an unqualified person or your children to operate the portable generator. Just because some manuals don’t say that doesn’t mean it’s safe. That is important against the generator safety rules. We also need to be keeping an eye on our children too. You need to make sure that your children are not playing near the portable generator especially when it’s running so they won’t get electrocuted. Generators pose electrical risks and they can be hot during an operation. They also produce high voltages which can cause electrocution. Please keep your children away from the portable generator at all times. Make sure they don’t play near it. It is important to keep our children safe especially our little ones. Be aware of all the hazards.
2) Some people use their portable generators indoors which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s important to have a carbon monoxide if you have a gas generator. Never ever use your generator indoors even if your doors and windows are open and even in the garage is not safe to use a portable generator. Not even at your porch and your deck. It is never safe to use your generator indoors and in enclosed areas of your home. Your generator needs to be 15-20 feet away from your house.
3) 🔥fire hazards; Never refuel your generator while it’s running. You need to let your generator cool off before refueling it and before storing your generator. Never overload your generator too. Never ever back feed your generator. You should never plug your generator into a wall outlet. Also never store propane tanks indoors. Please keep flammable things away from the generator as well and please don’t smoke cigarettes near the generator. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important against the generator safety rules.
4) generator operation; make sure your hands are dry before touching the generator. Never use your generator in wet conditions. Don’t let your generator get wet. You need a generator tent if you need to use your generator during wet weather. Please don’t wear loose clothes when operating the generator. Turn on your generator before plugging in appliances. Use the right cord for your generator. Please do not use worn out cords.
th-cam.com/video/I1jT3ANENvI/w-d-xo.html and here is a video more about keeping others safe when using generators and also about our family’s safety. All generator safety rules need to be followed carefully.
Hope this helps
I went with a natural gas-fired Cummins 20kW whole-home standby generator with Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS). Yes, it was more costly than the one you installed, but the added convenience and ability to run everything in the home - including whole-home air conditioning, made the choice an easy one. Good video!
Nice you must have paid around $5600 for your Cummins 20Kw Genny. Would you be able to explain why a 12.5Kw Motorhome/RV Genny from Cummins cost more than double that?
You need to Always uncoil your extension cords when running power through them to avoid overheating the cord. A coiled wire with alternating current power running through it will produce an alternating magnetic field which resists the flow of power and produces heat. So to avoid the loss of energy and the possibility of cord damage always unroll extension cords before using them.
You can also coil it in a figure 8. I’ve never had heat building up from this. This is from years of the touring entertainment industry and running hundreds of 0000 for lights and sound power.
Yeah but it would have to be like 200 ft or more long for that to happen lol. It’s not gonna heat up being only 15 ft long
I had the very same thought cross my mind as I saw the coiled cord, even before I saw this comment. Better be safe than sorry.
Very few people know this. I remember installing cable and created a magnetic field because of tacking two parallel cables and putting clips every 4 feet.
just get a quick connect run from your natural gas main. Its a dual fuel.....plug it in to the generator, all you have to do is change the nozzle. EASY, never mess with gas, or worry about the carb
In many areas it is illegal to hook your backup generator to the gas mains. When there is a widespread power outage the gas system is usually struggling too and can't support the extra load. So in those areas you have to use either diesel (good), propane (best) or gasoline (worst).
My home setup has a hot water heater that does not require electricity, an in-floor heating system that runs off the hot water tank but does require 100 watts or so to circulate the water, a natural gas heating stove which works better with about 100 watts to run the fan but still works without it, and a natural gas cooking stove that becomes a dumb stove without power but still works (but not the oven). So my main concern in a power outage is the freezer and the fridge. Not the downstairs fridge because that's all beer and pops, they'll be fine, but the food fridge and freezer. And the lights. But we have lots of LED lanterns from camping. And of course internet. If the internet goes down we are screwed. What are we supposed to do, play Monopoly???? As a family???
We also have a fancy new 95% condensing furnace but our experience when the old one failed was that it has to be pretty cold before the in-floor and heating stove can't keep temperatures reasonable. Hot if you are near the stove to warm up. So if we had a prolonged power outage I wouldn't bother with the furnace unless it was really cold.
Also no running generators indoors th-cam.com/video/I1jT3ANENvI/w-d-xo.html here’s an advice about generator safety and keeping your family safe while using generators. Hope you all stay safe
Nicely presented. We have a similar system, except the generator feeds directly into the main panel with a mechanical lockout plate that keeps the generator feed circuit from being turned on if the main breaker is on. It's a slightly more manual switchover because we have to turn all the individual circuits on and off and keep track of the load, but it allows us to connect any circuit to the generator whenever we need to.
That's definitely the best way to go as long as you are knowledgeable enough to know what you can and can't turn on without overloading or unbalancing your generator. The separate panel like Adam has is presumably sized to his generator so that all of his essential breakers can be on simultaneously. Also assuming Adam has loads on his two hot legs balanced in the essential panel, meaning relatively equal loads or load potential on each. You wouldn't want to have the appliances all on the same hot and only lights on the other.
Same here Kevin.
You do the same as myself, except that I connect the generator to a 50 amp welding receptacle on a sub panel at an outbuilding and I am the mechanical interlock. Yea, I know that it's not code, I just have to be careful, as I'm an old retired EE.
@@warrenosborne6044 I did the same thing. Works good.
@@warrenosborne6044 I did the same, thinking if society has collapsed, they'll be too busy to come see my plug to plug cord :-)
We ordered a Generac 18kw whole house generator at the beginning of September. Delivery is next week. Cost is about 9k with installation and permits.
It’d be nice to have for sure
Natural gas?.
@@Stihl4life yes
Had one at my old house and looked at one for our new house. A 24kw is 20k installed. 12-14 k just to install it. Not paying that to get it installed. Still looking
Keep a eye on the battery. The charger is poor in many cases. There nothing worse than when the power is out. The battery has died.
10K watts is way too much for those few items. In addition 10k watts is only starting. I have 1/2 the size portable generator with a transfer switch (10 Circuits) and its all good. Barely use a fraction of the available power. If you have meters you can see how much power is used. Highly recommend so you can balance the load between the 2 phases.
Thanks for the video. Ran 4000w Champion with the cords for the last 3 years of the mortgage. Saved for a Generac 20kw for the next 2 years ($7200, $5K with $2200 for install). Now 7 years later...Perfect with tune-ups every 3 years ($400). It automatically runs every Wednesday for 15 minute test runs. Has less than a 10 second delay after the power goes out. One of the best investments we have ever made and will be 100% recovered if we ever sell our place.
How often have you had to actually use it?
I have had generac backup power for 20 years. I currently have a 24kw with automatic switching gear. I can run everything in the house, pole barn, and farm. I was in the Army and moved a lot and always lived rural. I have installed 4 Generac systems over the years. Did they increase my property value? You betcha! The longest run was up in Michigan in a blizzard, 14 days. I have had both propane and natural gas. I prefer propane.
How did you a bid that low for a Generac, we just got a bid of nearly 20k for a 14kw system
@@victora3462your getting ripped off. Neighbor just got a 22KW installed for ~12-$13,000
Make sure the gas you use is recreational fuel so it is ethanol free. Also use synthetic oil because it handles heat much more effectively. Keep extra oil on hand as well as fuel and a spark plug. Do not use the Torch plugs that often come in generators. We used to replace the Torch plugs with ngk on every generator we sold because the failure rate was so high.
Great advice. All my small engines yard machines use the non alcohol fuel. It's more expensive, but easier on the machines
I learned that one the hard way. Glad my generator was dual fuel and the propane option worked.
HERE is Our TRUE Savior
YaH The Heavenly FATHER HIMSELF was Who they Crucified for our sins and “HERE IS THE PROOF”
From the Ancient Semitic Scroll:
"Yad He Vav He" is what Moses wrote, when Moses asked YaH His Name (Exodus 3)
Ancient Semitic Direct Translation
Yad - "Behold The Hand"
He - "Behold the Breath"
Vav - "Behold The NAIL"
@@Praise___YaH Do you get extra points for posting on other people's channels. How arrogant can you get.
@@jimsmith556
HalleluYAH translates “Praise ye YaH” sir, you really need to read what I shared
I would probably take this solution over the $10k whole house solution even if they were the same price. The problem with those big 15k generators is that they use a tremendous amount of fuel. Running on propane, your looking at about $1,000/week if you run it non-stop. They are really only good for very short power outages. That said, the best backup power is an off-grid (battery backed) solar power system. This can power your house for years with no fuel and pays for itself by powering your house even in good times rather than just sitting around waiting for a power outage.
" That said, the best backup power is an off-grid (battery backed) solar power system. This can power your house for years with no fuel and pays for itself by powering your house even in good times rather than just sitting around waiting for a power outage. "
Everybody says solar is free. And they think it magically works everywhere on the planet regardless of the amount of sun.
How much would the batteries and solar panels cost up front to provide the energy demand of this home?
Answer - It would take 20 or 30 years to get a return on the investment.
@@jcgoogle1808 I did not say it was free or that it would work everywhere. I said it will pay for itself over time. For me that's about 8-10 years, I am already on year 5. Money is not even the point. Depending on someone else to provide your power is a choice you may come to regret.
@@HomesteadEngineering I love generators. They were my hobby and career over 50 years. I'm down to about 15 running units right now, 600 watt to 24 kilowatt, all types of fuels. I see the writing on the wall. The WEF and UN Agenda 30 want to curtail use of all fossil fuels. The means to do this is to price their use out of existence. Here it comes.....Diesel is $7 a gallon here. We pay 39 cents a kilowatt hour for electricity, $2.60 per natural gas therm and they asked the PUC to permit them to raise utility prices.
I think I will drop $20K on some lithium server rack 48 volt batteries, a pair of all in one inverters for 120 and 240 volts, and an array of panels, maybe 6KW to start with. At this stage in my life, payback means nothing at all. To have the power to run freezers, fridges, and pump water when the grid is shut down or is too expensive is more important than the money outlay.
@@kimmer6 FYI, you can now get 30kWh of 48V, LiFePO4, UL listed, server rack batteries for only $9,000. I don't think you will regret spending the money getting setup the way you described. :)
@@HomesteadEngineering I'm on it. at this stage in life I can afford to throw money at energy independence.
A 30 amp outlet is limited to 30 amps, no matter how many watts your generator produces. There are also 30 amp 110 lines and 30 amp 220 lines. If you have a well pump, you are probably going to need 30 amp 220 volts.
After the snow storm here at Texas we talk about to have backups Generator.
That's not a transfer switch, just a sub panel with a breaker to main panel. On a transfer switch both panels can be live but you select witch breakers to switch to generator on transfer switch.
You made the statement "you can have the whole house generator plumbed to the natural gas line coming to the house". When hurricane Michael hit Panama City, FL, the gas was shut off as so many tress fell on or uprooted the gas lines. The gas company had to shut it down and reinspect it all before gas could be turned back on. I feel a small generator and a few extension cords are the best option for us after going through Michael.
Have you considered getting your own Propane as a back up power source? Good job getting through Michael. That one was a beast. (Jacksonville, FL).
well there is always propane back up
Well, that's where a dual fuel generator comes in handy. You can run gasoline or propane. If one fuel source isn't available, you can opt for the other. Propane will generate about 20% less power though.
Don’t forget to follow all the generator safety rules whenever you use your portable generator. This is just a reminder.
⚠️Here are the generator safety tips:
1) Please do not allow an unqualified person or your children to operate the portable generator. Just because some manuals don’t say that doesn’t mean it’s safe. That is important against the generator safety rules. We also need to be keeping an eye on our children too. You need to make sure that your children are not playing near the portable generator especially when it’s running so they won’t get electrocuted. Generators pose electrical risks and they can be hot during an operation. They also produce high voltages which can cause electrocution. Please keep your children away from the portable generator at all times. Make sure they don’t play near it. It is important to keep our children safe especially our little ones. Be aware of all the hazards.
2) Some people use their portable generators indoors which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s important to have a carbon monoxide if you have a gas generator. Never ever use your generator indoors even if your doors and windows are open and even in the garage is not safe to use a portable generator. Not even at your porch and your deck. It is never safe to use your generator indoors and in enclosed areas of your home. Your generator needs to be 15-20 feet away from your house.
3) 🔥fire hazards; Never refuel your generator while it’s running. You need to let your generator cool off before refueling it and before storing your generator. Never overload your generator too. Never ever back feed your generator. You should never plug your generator into a wall outlet. Also never store propane tanks indoors. 🚭Please keep flammable things away from the generator as well and please don’t smoke cigarettes near the generator. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important against the generator safety rules.
4) generator operation; make sure your hands are dry before touching the generator. Never use your generator in wet conditions. Don’t let your generator get wet. You need a generator tent if you need to use your generator during wet weather. Please don’t wear loose clothes when operating the generator. Turn on your generator before plugging in appliances. Use the right cord for your generator. Please do not use worn out cords.
th-cam.com/video/I1jT3ANENvI/w-d-xo.html and here is a video more about keeping others safe when using generators and also about our family’s safety. All generator safety rules need to be followed carefully.
Hope this helps
Great job and glad to see you put a lot of thought in this. There is an option I did not hear you mention that does not limit you to what is wired to the transfer switch. I installed a generator interlock switch to my panel . This only allows power from the generator if the main is off and feeds the whole existing panel with no additional wiring and you can shut off or turn on circuits as needed. This allows us to select and prioritize circuits based on need and time. Last hurricane outage was 30+ hours. Priority was water supply, food preservation (freezers/refrigerators). Secondary was security, third was confort (A/C, TV, lights, hot water, washer and dryer for laundry). We shut the A/C off long enough to cook and turn on hot water heater for showers. I have two 200 gallon Propane tanks that power our 12.5K running watt portable generator I bought cheap and repaired. If I had to run it constantly I estimate I could run for 4 and a half days. if tanks are full. But, I would run for hours and invite neighbors over for dinner or to cook their own. Even allowed neighbors to stay the night for A/C (due to health issues).
You are right the interlock switch on your existing panel creates way more options on what you have available to run on backup! Plus that switch is also much cheaper to have installed and it’s by the code! Key thing is to do trial runs on what you can run off of the the watts your generator puts out, I have a 12,000 watt one. So I unlike using a transfer switch I have access to my all in my service box and I select what things I want to run that I learned from my trial runs that loads it will handle! Yea a few time during the trial I over loaded it and bogged down generator, but now I have a good idea what works and multiple options are there! Plus I am running a 50 amp hookup into my service.
Don’t forget to follow all the generator safety rules whenever you use your portable generator. Here are the generator safety tips:
This is just a safety reminder
1) Please do not allow an unqualified person or your children to operate the portable generator. Just because some manuals don’t say that doesn’t mean it’s safe. That is important against the generator safety rules. We also need to be keeping an eye on our children too. You need to make sure that your children are not playing near the portable generator especially when it’s running so they won’t get electrocuted. Generators pose electrical risks and they can be hot during an operation. They also produce high voltages which can cause electrocution. Please keep your children away from the portable generator at all times. Make sure they don’t play near it. It is important to keep our children safe especially our little ones. Be aware of all the hazards.
2) Some people use their portable generators indoors which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s important to have a carbon monoxide if you have a gas generator. Never ever use your generator indoors even if your doors and windows are open and even in the garage is not safe to use a portable generator. Not even at your porch and your deck. It is never safe to use your generator indoors and in enclosed areas of your home. Your generator needs to be 15-20 feet away from your house.
3) 🔥fire hazards; Never refuel your generator while it’s running. You need to let your generator cool off before refueling it and before storing your generator. Never overload your generator too. Never ever back feed your generator. You should never plug your generator into a wall outlet. Also never store propane tanks indoors. Please keep flammable things away from the generator as well and please don’t smoke cigarettes near the generator. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important against the generator safety rules.
4) generator operation; make sure your hands are dry before touching the generator. Never use your generator in wet conditions. Don’t let your generator get wet. You need a generator tent if you need to use your generator during wet weather. Please don’t wear loose clothes when operating the generator. Turn on your generator before plugging in appliances. Use the right cord for your generator. Please do not use worn out cords.
th-cam.com/video/I1jT3ANENvI/w-d-xo.html and here is a video more about keeping others safe when using generators and also about our family’s safety. All generator safety rules need to be followed carefully.
Hope this helps
You have a pretty powerful generator, not understanding why you could not include some lights.
He could probably run his entire house besides central AC and electric dryer with that generator definitely a waste to limiter to that small panel
Its a amateur budget setup. He would be better served with a main breaker interlock and eliminating the sub panel. Then you can pick and choose yhe circuits you want to power. Not having at least one basement light near the panel is a newbie move.
A breaker interlock? Teach me Sensei!!
@@aaronwood3540 A breaker interlock would allow him to run everything and does not need a sub panel as it uses the main box, it is the cheapest legal way to connect a generator to the house, it is also considered perhaps not the best of safest way, but it's allowed under code and still pretty safe. It also requires knowledge of what you can and can't power. The sub panel is considered the preferred way and that is understandable. Another thing is that with an interlock it cam be more easily changed and upgraded if you do get a larger generator, a sub panel set up is much more complex in moving circuits so the generator can power them.
@@DavidStrchld I agree, I have a military multi fuel generator. I just hadn't heard of this interlock thing. I have mine hooked directly to my main box with a disconnect ( for extra safety for the workers) so there's no way the power from my genset can go back up line. I also have a small light connected to the city power so when it is on, the light is on. That tells me when the grid is back up.
I Regret that I bought a Westinghouse inverter generator 10,000 watts. It's so COMPLICATED to Start in the WINTER SEASON 👎😔
This is a good video. You must understand that a “lock out” switch is imperative! If both circuits are closed, not only can you kill a lineman, but when they DO turn on the grid, the house will receive a surge that could burn the house down! Please - consider using an Electrician to tie in the power. It really can be life and death.
It's an interlock switch, must have if you use a DIY sub panel. The prewired panels already come with a switch.
Oh and one little tip, after your main power comes back on I shut the generator off by shutting off the fuel so it doesn't have any sitting in the carb. I had to drain my carb because even tho I used stabilizer and E free gas, it must have built up condensation in cuz it wouldn't start, until I drained it 🤷♂️
always run the gas out! my generator last used 7 yrs ago. it started on the second pull. probably would have on the first, BUT I FORGOT TO OPEN THE FUEL VALVE 😋
Excellent point. Unless you're using propane you definitely want to burn any fuel that's left in the carburetor before you put it up for storage.
How do you know when power comes back on? you could be running gen for hours and the power is back on!
@@rogermarsh5449 when power company calls and says we have power. Or like last time they say it will be on at 11:30 am, so I check the meter, and once that is on, shut the gen off👍
@@Stihl4life o ok thought you could maybe put light on or something to alert you, but you would have to have main switched on wouldn’t you?
We have this setup, almost identical to yours. We went almost 3 years without using it in an actual outage, but the last 2 years we have put 200hrs on the generator during several lengthy outages that were a few hours to a day plus. We are very satisfied with this type of setup.
Nice investment, Jimmy. Good preparing.
Don’t forget to follow all the generator safety rules whenever you use your portable generator. Here are the generator safety tips:
This is just a safety reminder
1) Please do not allow an unqualified person or your children to operate the portable generator. Just because some manuals don’t say that doesn’t mean it’s safe. That is important against the generator safety rules. We also need to be keeping an eye on our children too. You need to make sure that your children are not playing near the portable generator especially when it’s running so they won’t get electrocuted. Generators pose electrical risks and they can be hot during an operation. They also produce high voltages which can cause electrocution. Please keep your children away from the portable generator at all times. Make sure they don’t play near it. It is important to keep our children safe especially our little ones. Be aware of all the hazards.
2) Some people use their portable generators indoors which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s important to have a carbon monoxide if you have a gas generator. Never ever use your generator indoors even if your doors and windows are open and even in the garage is not safe to use a portable generator. Not even at your porch and your deck. It is never safe to use your generator indoors and in enclosed areas of your home. Your generator needs to be 15-20 feet away from your house.
3) 🔥fire hazards; Never refuel your generator while it’s running. You need to let your generator cool off before refueling it and before storing your generator. Never overload your generator too. Never ever back feed your generator. You should never plug your generator into a wall outlet. Also never store propane tanks indoors. Please keep flammable things away from the generator as well and please don’t smoke cigarettes near the generator. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important against the generator safety rules.
4) generator operation; make sure your hands are dry before touching the generator. Never use your generator in wet conditions. Don’t let your generator get wet. You need a generator tent if you need to use your generator during wet weather. Please don’t wear loose clothes when operating the generator. Turn on your generator before plugging in appliances. Use the right cord for your generator. Please do not use worn out cords.
th-cam.com/video/I1jT3ANENvI/w-d-xo.html and here is a video more about keeping others safe when using generators and also about our family’s safety. All generator safety rules need to be followed carefully.
Hope this helps
An led bulb uses only a few watts. Use LED’s and you can have all your lights too. Also, use fuel stabilizer. Very important for dependability.
The use of non ethanol fuel is highly recommended.
He has all of his heavy draw items on the generator so why not all his lighting as well. It doesn't take that much to power led lights anyway plus no surge to worry about.
I decided to use a distribution panel interlock kit instead of a transfer switch. It's cheaper, easier to install and more flexible.
I fully agree. Smaller box, on the wall, too. ! 200 bucks should do it...various brands/makes. !
Back in 2009 we had an ice storm that dropped 1.5 inches of ice . The power was off for 21 days in a row . I had a little 4000 watt generator that i was using to do work on barns that had no electricity . I had a place to plug it in to the main panel . I was prepared for the ice storm and made it just fine. You are right about rural living , you need to depend on yourself in an emergency. A lot of people were not prepared and they had a terrible time of 3 weeks without power . Keep up the good work , by the way I would not trade rural living for anything else!
Peace and quiet without gangster snobbing around looking for your daughter 👎👎
@@Honestandtruth007lol. You sound stupid.
As a Texan from the hood, all you have to do is connect the generator to the dryer 220 plug. Be sure to turn off the main breaker from the power line so it does not back feed. From there, turn off any breakers that you don't need and only leave on the essential things like Microwave and fridge. Works every time, be safe and warm.
So u mean plug the generator to clothes dryer plug ?? I wouldn't need the external cord outside?
This is called a suicide cord. Very dangerous because both ends are “hot” make sure you have the generator off before you plug in either side. Just be careful!
Call the fire dept to alert them that you are doing something stupid.
@@RSDX99 Could be depending on who you are and what you know. I've been doing this for the past 8 years. My dryer outlet is a dedicated line and as I previously explained, it's important to turn off the main breaker that feeds into the home.
@@yeahdude1986 Yes, and always turn off the main breaker to home.
Hire a professional. Thank you for including this. 👍
You had an electrician do the installation? He must be a scab! Those electrical cables can't be run exposed directly into the panel. It's a code violation. Anything exposed below 7' must be in conduit.
Just survived 1 week in the 2021 Texas Deep Freeze, looks like a good investment. 🤔
Rough situation in Texas. Glad you had this setup in place.
Same here, just came out of the Texas 2021 freeze, so Ill be investing on this set up. This one for me is strike three. Strike 1, 1st Texas flood, Strike 2, 1 yr later 2nd Texas floor, Strike 3, 2021 Texas freeze. And on those incidents I thought about this set up, but I thought of "what are the chances, of happening again?" Well it did, and 3 times, so yeah.
My whole house generator self test once a week, on Wednesday. I have had it for 11 years and love it!
george what brand do you have .
@@robm4399 Genarac I think that’s spelled rite.
@@onehot57 thank you .
I also have a Honda 3000 inverter for a backup!
@@onehot57 thats awesome . george I read that the generac whole house generator can have problems freezing up water in the winter . Have you ever had a problem or are you in warmer weather . I am in the norhteast .
TIP: Wire a light bulb in the same room to the generator.
I saw this done on ATOH
U can plug a light directly into ur gen....like a trouble light or lamp.
That big of a gen set I would have directly hooked up with a interlock directly to the main bus. I love the fact that my 7000 watt gen set powers almost all of my main circuits in a 3/2 house. I even bought a small window AC unit that I can use for summer time if needed. Typically a transfer box like you have is limited just to X circuits. I like choosing mine. Nice generator. Thanks for posting
My thoughts too. I would rather manage the desired circuits on the fly and have them all available.
This doesn't back power the main line?
@@mikebever2546 you have to have the main turned off.
@@spacecoastz4026 Right, and commonly done with an “interlock” (though technically not required). Thanks!
@@mikebever2546 no you have the mechanical slide on the main fuse box that prevents city power from being connected when the generator power is connected and Vice versa. It’s called a manual interlock.
I suggest getting a small ~2kw generator as a backup to the backup. It will be able to power your fridge/freezer if your main generator fails. Also, it will be much more fuel efficient if you need to run for long periods or gas get in short supply. CO detectors in several areas of the house are a must. Additionally, have oil, spark plugs, air filters for your generator on hand. In a long outage these can very important.
Good call on the oil, plugs and filters. Long run times may require changing these things out during the middle of the crisis especially if you expect the generator to be available for the next crisis.
I agree with the spare parts but the wattage of the generator should be user specific.
Even if you only plan on going up yo 2,000 watts of usage it would be much better and more reliable to buy a larger output generator. Don't forget that most things have a peak usage or spike of power needed to get them going.
The design of the generator is more important to its efficiency. The inverter types are more fuel efficient because the motor will scale according to the demand of output being placed on it an added benefit is that they are quieter.
We are in Dallas now. WHAT A MESS!!!
yep. I had a tiny 2000 watt portable. worked great but nowhere near enough power
@@thetexmaster What were you able to power with the 2000 W generator?
We actually went with an interlock switch to the main breaker. We didn’t have to select items for a second intermediary box, just click on the things we want to turn on after the interlock is clicked and shifted to prevent backfeed.
I have a interlock system in my panel box but back feed the whole house. The dumb people who don't enough to turn the main breaker off and open the generator breaker is feeding the grid. When the power comes back on from the grid it will fry their generator and that's a expensive lesson.
An interlock kit prevents both the main panel breaker and the generator circuit breaker from being on at the same time; that makes it impossible to back feed to the grid with the generator. This is precisely what a interlock kit is designed to prevent ( back feeding the grid).
Hi! I solved it much easier and cheaper. I only have one changeover switch that decides between the grid feed-in and the generator. It's a small generator so we just keep in mind that the backup power isn't enough for the washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher and oven. Everything else can be used as long as the capacity of the generator is not exceeded.
Hey this is Jerry I like your back up generator I am a small engine mechanic been former generators for a long time my recommendation would be if you have a dual fuel and you can use propane that’s where I would go if you can’t then I would make sure your wife put some gas stabilizer in the gas the problem with generators rototillers snowblower is it don’t get used a lot is a gas Guess will start to go bad causing the carburetor becomes up and then hard to start that’s my tip good luck with your generator it looks good
I suggest you pick that electric strip from the floor
If you ever get a flood.
Like that tank leaking.
It funny you worry about that, when we duck hunt we take extension cords out to the deicing bubblers and drop the whole thing in the lake. No problems at all
Thanks so much for this video! It is exactly what I was looking for. Just enough info to help me make a decision on what I want to do. Great job sir.
The home backup is fine for essential items for sure - finding an honest, certified electrician - GOOD LUCK.
You are right about "certified" electrician. I finished my electrical apprentiship in 1976 after 4 years of on the job training plus 4 years of night school in blueprint reading, eletrical theory and lots of stufff I have long forgot however I did receive and still have a certificate of Joint apprentiship training from the Feder al govt. which all union journeymen receive upon completion. I decided to leave the union and open my own non union shop and I never met any non union contractors with a "certified electrician " certificate. Looks good on the wall but that's about all it does, everthing about contractiong is price driven.
Great job!
With today’s low power LED lighting it seems including lighting on a 10,000 W generator would be a non-issue.
You can trip and fall in the dark. LED lights draw very little but illuminate a lot.
We also ran directly into our main panel, simply installed a separate breaker for the generator and the interlock is absolutely the way to go. We started with a separate transfer switch but it really limited what you could run and the transfer switch box was 350 bucks! The interlock, easy to find on Amazon for between 8 and 20 dollars. Even buying a dedicated generator breaker switch, you don’t come near the cost of a transfer switch box AND, the interlock is whole house!
How did you wire it?
Interlock shuts off main-line power while clicking ON the breaker circuit for the generator?.
@@Casmige correct. The interlock will not allow you to have both the generator and main breaker on at the same time.
Exactly what I did also. Using the interlock switch saves a lot of money in parts and labor and gives you capability of power to all circuits in your house. ….but use a professional electrician to install the interlock switch and outside receptacle for your portable generator.
A No-brainer Adam! I have a Honda 7k watt generator and transfer switch. It's more than enough power to keep essential circuits going during an outage. Spending over $10k for backup power was out of the question for me. Keep up the great content!
Don’t forget to follow all the generator safety rules whenever you use your portable generator. This is just a reminder.
⚠️Here are the generator safety tips:
1) Please do not allow an unqualified person or your children to operate the portable generator. Just because some manuals don’t say that doesn’t mean it’s safe. That is important against the generator safety rules. We also need to be keeping an eye on our children too. You need to make sure that your children are not playing near the portable generator especially when it’s running so they won’t get electrocuted. Generators pose electrical risks and they can be hot during an operation. They also produce high voltages which can cause electrocution. Please keep your children away from the portable generator at all times. Make sure they don’t play near it. It is important to keep our children safe especially our little ones. Be aware of all the hazards.
2) Some people use their portable generators indoors which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s important to have a carbon monoxide if you have a gas generator. Never ever use your generator indoors even if your doors and windows are open and even in the garage is not safe to use a portable generator. Not even at your porch and your deck. It is never safe to use your generator indoors and in enclosed areas of your home. Your generator needs to be 15-20 feet away from your house.
3) 🔥fire hazards; Never refuel your generator while it’s running. You need to let your generator cool off before refueling it and before storing your generator. Never overload your generator too. Never ever back feed your generator. You should never plug your generator into a wall outlet. Also never store propane tanks indoors. 🚭Please keep flammable things away from the generator as well and please don’t smoke cigarettes near the generator. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important against the generator safety rules.
4) generator operation; make sure your hands are dry before touching the generator. Never use your generator in wet conditions. Don’t let your generator get wet. You need a generator tent if you need to use your generator during wet weather. Please don’t wear loose clothes when operating the generator. Turn on your generator before plugging in appliances. Use the right cord for your generator. Please do not use worn out cords.
th-cam.com/video/I1jT3ANENvI/w-d-xo.html and here is a video more about keeping others safe when using generators and also about our family’s safety. All generator safety rules need to be followed carefully.
Hope this helps
Nice video. But that generator would damage my CPAP and probably my gas furnace. That's why I'm shopping for an inverter generator.
From Austin texas. We went 3+ days without power, all of our food went bad. No heater but still had water. I went and bought a 8300 watt generator and I’m gonna do this when it comes in. I felt super useless having to depend on other people. Thankfully my neighbors go hunting very often so they had two generators and let us use one. Thanks for the video.
Put your food outside next time.
Like in alaska in a outside freezer protected from bears
Hey, I like that set up, I'll probably have to invest in this type of system, great set up, great job explaining the inner workings and price range, it'll be something to fall back on after this winter we had , thanks again
⚠️Always remember to follow all the generator safety tips whenever you use your portable generator:
This is just a reminder for everyone’s safety. All generator safety rules need to be followed carefully
1) Please do not allow an unqualified person or your children to operate the portable generator. Just because some manuals don’t say that doesn’t mean it’s safe. That is important against the generator safety rules. We also need to be keeping an eye on our children too. You need to make sure that your children are not playing near the portable generator especially when it’s running so they won’t get electrocuted. Generators pose electrical risks and they can be hot during an operation. Please keep your children away from the portable generator at all times. It is important to keep our children safe especially our little ones. Be aware of all the hazards.
2) Some people use their portable generators indoors which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s important to have a carbon monoxide if you have a gas generator. Never ever use your generator indoors even if your doors and windows are open and even in the garage is not safe to use a portable generator. Not even at your porch and your deck. It is never safe to use your generator indoors and in enclosed areas of your home. Your generator needs to be 15-20 feet away from your house.
3) 🔥generators cause fire hazards too. Never refuel your generator while it’s running. You need to let your generator cool off before refueling it and before storing your generator. Never overload your generator too. Never ever back feed your generator. You should never plug your generator into a wall outlet. Also never store propane tanks indoors. Please keep flammable things away from the generator as well and please don’t smoke cigarettes near the generator. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important against the generator safety rules.
4) generator operation; make sure your hands are dry before touching the generator. Never use your generator in wet conditions. Don’t let your generator get wet. You need a generator tent if you need to use your generator during wet weather. Please don’t wear loose clothes when operating the generator. Turn on your generator before plugging in appliances. Use the right cord for your generator. Please do not use worn out cords.
th-cam.com/video/I1jT3ANENvI/w-d-xo.html and here is a video more about keeping others safe when using generators and also about our family’s safety. Hope this helps
I live in Texas and just moved into a new house. Was thinking of installing a DIY generator system for hurricane season, but then decided wasn't worth it ...and then we had our polar vortex situation 2 weeks ago where we lost power for 3 days so generator plan is back on. Your video cleared up the transfer switch situation for me a bit, but I was always heading towards generator interlock option anyway. I just ordered one for my Cutler Hammer 100 amp box for less than 60 dollars. When properly installed, still protects the line men from backfeed at a fraction of the cost. Plus has the added benefit of being able to power any circuit in your house by turning ON and OFF individual breakers. There are no 'essential' circuits you are limited to. You turn ON whatever you need just taking care not to overload your generators capability. I am sure with your 10,000 watt generator you would have no problems having all your lights on. Lights are a pretty small load especially if you use LED bulbs. NOTE: Although not a licensed electrician, I do work with electricity for a living so I understand how residential systems work. If you don't... you need to get a qualified electrician involved when doing anything with your house's main panel.
This is good info and OP is correct do not attempt to do this yourself. I am a retired electrical contractor I would never attempt to tell anybody how to do this work. Handymen can do almost anything around the home but electrical work is the one that can get you killed.
I did mine just fine. Love the interlock and results. On the contrary, my friend had an ‘electrician’ do it and he ended up telling him he needed a suicide cord to hook up his generator. I forced him to get the guy to come back and put a proper inlet box. So there you go with getting an ‘electrician’ to do it correctly.
@@condor5635 Not all electricians are good electricians, just like doctors, lawyers, somebody is always least in class. I never give electrical advise, too easy like your friends electrician to do it wrong. I will assist friends to make sure their work is done correctly but since I am retired I don't give "free" advise. Don't need the work or the lawsuits when things go wrong. Good thet your job went well.
@@RSDX99 - well I guess this one was the equivalent of a doctor removing the wrong kidney
Your 10,000 watt generator can deliver about 80A at 120V. Your load looks like about 30A. Adding a few lights would be fine!