Some people watching this video are jumping to the mistaken conclusion that I am simply backfeeding power from my generator into my home electrical system. THAT IS NOT WHAT I AM DOING OR SHOWING. 🙂 No linemen will ever be harmed by this idea! Please watch the entire video to best understand this idea. It is a safe, effective, simple way to power a few receptacles in your home for a short term emergency power supply using a small generator.
We've got that same newer Honda. Got a kit to run it on LP. Less concern with stale fuel or any gumming up of the lines, and it runs right around 25-ish hours on a grill-sized tank vs 7-7.5 hours per tank of gas. It wasn't cheap, but the LP tanks can be cycled out through the grill, and a bonus is that we never have to worry about not having enough LP left if the tank runs out in the middle of cooking something, as we've got several backups for generator use.
I agree with you, Herrick. You just never know what is going to happen. i was in a similar situation as yourself, and finally just bit the bullet and got a whole house generator, power can go out at any time where i live, and it's been a while since it has been out for days, but like you, you can almost feel it in your bones. something is gonna happen...
Thank you for the idea. I will have to do this here on the farm. It also works well to tell you when the power comes back on, as you can still have lights on the main grid.
I'm afraid your right Mr. Kimball. We loose power here because of wind and earthquakes. I have an old Wacker generator as backup. I may have to use your idea. Thanks for the video. I enjoy all of yours that I've seen!
We're planning on doing the same thing with a L14-30 external generator plug box running to a L14-30R receptacle inside. That gives us 240 or two 110 branches to power the house. We even got a transfer switch from EX Generator Switches to power our furnace blower off the generator. I haven't installed any of it yet as I'm still trying to figure out how to properly tie the grounds to keep it all safe.
Some power companies will fit a 'meter collar' (auto switching disconnect) which allows for a whole house 240 VAC generator backup right into the main service panel. My power co put one in free.
Simply put, I see this as a good way to get power from the generator to the inside of the house without having to run extension cords through open windows and doorways etc. Just like a 30 amp wall plug but for 110 only. Totally separate from the main grid. Great idea IMO. Herrick...please correct me if I'm wrong.
Hello Herrick. I’ve been a reader since the Taurus Field Car days. Always enjoy your blog postings a videos. Thanks for choosing Honda products!! We appreciate it!!
Great set up… I’ll never understand why people spend $20,000 plus for a whole house set up here in Florida- unless they’re very elderly -and may never really even need it. Just in case a hurricane comes through and they lose power for 1 or 2 days. They have to run once a week plus yearly maintenance plus propane refills and storage tank(s)- harbor freight and AliExpress have some great inexpensive inverter generators
A manual transfer switch would have been much easier to install than putting in a separate house circuit. I picked up a 4 circuit switch for $145 and wired it into my panel in less than 30 minutes and power it with a bank of 4 parallel lithium batteries or an EcoFlow Delta 2 that I charge mainly via solar panel. The way manual transfer switches work, there is no way to back feed the grid and risk life. I also wired in a 30 amp generator inlet for my propane generator if I want 240v with an interlock to prevent back feeding the grid.
Great simple idea. However, doing a simple interlock in the main panel is a comparably simple and cost-effective way as well and of course allows you to run any circuit.
I have a shallow well system in the basement. The pump has a vertical fitting that's capped off. I set up a hand pump and after shutting the house valves..I open valve to hand pump and draw water out the top of my well pump.. the plumbing supply store said it wouldn't work. It works perfectly so no need to be outside getting water in winter.
I love that electric set up that you have I have never seen it before I assuming that you run extension cords from the outlets to whatever you want power also with the well pump, I’m assuming you ran a line from outlet connection to outlet downstairs? Thanks in advance
Right. Extension cords. All 12 gauge. 14 gage is enough for a 15 amp generator outlet, but I'm a 12 gauge power cord guy. 🙂 And, yes, Romex line from where generator plugs in goes to 4 wall receptacles and from there to well pump receptacle.
Great question. I never thought of it. Did some quick internet searching to see if portable generators should be grounded. It appears to be a complex subject. In my situation I suspect my generator line wiring in the house is grounded at the plug over the pressure tank in basement. The box is metal and attached to a concrete wall. All receptacles and metal boxes are grounded as per code. Perhaps someone who knows more about this can comment here...
Most portables are grounded internally. One needs to check their individual generator to know if you need a separate ground. Using a ground when not called for can cause a dangerous situation, same as NOT using one when called for. It can cause a neutral loop situation. There are videos on TH-cam explaining it.
@@herrickkimball buy a plug tester, check your generators for bonded or unbonded grounds. There are some good videos here that explain when a generator ground is needed.
My guess would be that the power supply lobby has resisted any serious infrastructure upgrades. Besides that, the our DC masters would rather spend hundreds of billions of dollars on senseless foreign wars. But that's just a guess.
You are powering your panel box, it's called backfeeding. Good thing you don't have a 240v you'd kill a lineman trying to fix the outside lines. Trunk off you main to isolate you from the electric company
Hello John. I am not powering my panel box. I am not backfeeding. No lineman can ever be harmed by what I show and explain. Please watch the video again to better understand what I am doing in this video.
@herrickkimball where is that outside receptacle drawing power normally...? Panel box? We'll hope your right, I trun my indoor 200 amp off and my generator doesn't feed any further that that. My panel is hot and that all.
@@JohnSpruce-u2h The outside receptacle and the circuit it feeds draws power from the generator only. It is not in any way connected to the main panel.
Unless you have a transfer switch or some other way to isolate your now energized house, you risk shocking the lineman who repair the electrical lines. People think the power feed lines are dead, but your generator just energized them. How did you address this with your electrical inspector?
@@herrickkimball That may be true, but the video gives the impression anyone can connect a generator to an outdoor receptacle without any electrical isolation to the incoming power lines. This is not only not to code, it's very dangerous. Unless I missed something in your video, I think you should put a warning in your video about the danger of doing this. Or, take down the video. It's going to hurt/kill someone.
@ There is no danger in doing this. My electrical lines and outlets are in no way connected to the house wiring. The generator is powering a completely separate circuit and receptacles that are dedicated to generator only. You have missed the whole concept. 😐
@@herrickkimball Got it. You are correct, I did miss the whole concept. Hope others understand that you have two separate circuits. One circuit gets power from your local utility and the other gets power from the generator.. Thank you for clarifying.
Did this year's ago during Northridge earthquake.You have to shut off main breaker or you power the grid. The generator just stalls You can rig an extension cord with two male ends
My idea here is separate from the main breaker and house wiring. I considered the double male cord, plugged into the house circuit. Definitely works, but it seemed too sketchy for me. 👍
in the fuse board flick the main switch (isolate the house) make a male - male from 2 leads plug it in to any power point . Thats it the hole house is alive ! --- the Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker may trip . So no good. Run a good extension lead under the back door to a power board
Some people watching this video are jumping to the mistaken conclusion that I am simply backfeeding power from my generator into my home electrical system. THAT IS NOT WHAT I AM DOING OR SHOWING. 🙂 No linemen will ever be harmed by this idea! Please watch the entire video to best understand this idea. It is a safe, effective, simple way to power a few receptacles in your home for a short term emergency power supply using a small generator.
We've got that same newer Honda. Got a kit to run it on LP. Less concern with stale fuel or any gumming up of the lines, and it runs right around 25-ish hours on a grill-sized tank vs 7-7.5 hours per tank of gas. It wasn't cheap, but the LP tanks can be cycled out through the grill, and a bonus is that we never have to worry about not having enough LP left if the tank runs out in the middle of cooking something, as we've got several backups for generator use.
I have that model Honda generator. Same age. Starts first or second pull every time. Used it every week for years to power drills wiring houses.
I agree with you, Herrick. You just never know what is going to happen. i was in a similar situation as yourself, and finally just bit the bullet and got a whole house generator, power can go out at any time where i live, and it's been a while since it has been out for days, but like you, you can almost feel it in your bones. something is gonna happen...
Thank you for the idea. I will have to do this here on the farm. It also works well to tell you when the power comes back on, as you can still have lights on the main grid.
Good way to protect the linesman, loved the information,thanks.
I'm afraid your right Mr. Kimball. We loose power here because of wind and earthquakes. I have an old Wacker generator as backup. I may have to use your idea. Thanks for the video. I enjoy all of yours that I've seen!
We're planning on doing the same thing with a L14-30 external generator plug box running to a L14-30R receptacle inside. That gives us 240 or two 110 branches to power the house. We even got a transfer switch from EX Generator Switches to power our furnace blower off the generator. I haven't installed any of it yet as I'm still trying to figure out how to properly tie the grounds to keep it all safe.
Mr. Kimball, I just love your videos. Not your standard videos, yet so needed! Thank you for your service to the DIY community!
I've been using a through the wall generator kit for years works great
I have the same setup in my home! It's wired into the old pantry. I haven't had to use it yet but for me it's like money in the bank!! Great video!!
Nice. Maybe labels on the receptacles? (Generator vs. Utility line or similar)
Yes! I have that on my list of things to do this week. 👍
Some power companies will fit a 'meter collar' (auto switching disconnect) which allows for a whole house 240 VAC generator backup right into the main service panel. My power co put one in free.
I like it! Simple. Dummy-Proof. Good idea. Subscribed!
Great setup!
Simply put, I see this as a good way to get power from the generator to the inside of the house without having to run extension cords through open windows and doorways etc. Just like a 30 amp wall plug but for 110 only. Totally separate from the main grid.
Great idea IMO.
Herrick...please correct me if I'm wrong.
Hello Herrick. I’ve been a reader since the Taurus Field Car days. Always enjoy your blog postings a videos. Thanks for choosing Honda products!! We appreciate it!!
Top priority....thumbs up for HK. Thank you.
😀🌱🐢
Good advice. I hope people listen.
Really great idea! Thank you so much
Great video. Thank you for teaching us.
Great set up… I’ll never understand why people spend $20,000 plus for a whole house set up here in Florida- unless they’re very elderly -and may never really even need it. Just in case a hurricane comes through and they lose power for 1 or 2 days. They have to run once a week plus yearly maintenance plus propane refills and storage tank(s)- harbor freight and AliExpress have some great inexpensive inverter generators
Very interesting. Thank you.
A manual transfer switch would have been much easier to install than putting in a separate house circuit.
I picked up a 4 circuit switch for $145 and wired it into my panel in less than 30 minutes and power it with a bank of 4 parallel lithium batteries or an EcoFlow Delta 2 that I charge mainly via solar panel. The way manual transfer switches work, there is no way to back feed the grid and risk life.
I also wired in a 30 amp generator inlet for my propane generator if I want 240v with an interlock to prevent back feeding the grid.
Great simple idea. However, doing a simple interlock in the main panel is a comparably simple and cost-effective way as well and of course allows you to run any circuit.
I have a shallow well system in the basement. The pump has a vertical fitting that's capped off. I set up a hand pump and after shutting the house valves..I open valve to hand pump and draw water out the top of my well pump.. the plumbing supply store said it wouldn't work. It works perfectly so no need to be outside getting water in winter.
I love that electric set up that you have I have never seen it before I assuming that you run extension cords from the outlets to whatever you want power also with the well pump, I’m assuming you ran a line from outlet connection to outlet downstairs? Thanks in advance
Right. Extension cords. All 12 gauge. 14 gage is enough for a 15 amp generator outlet, but I'm a 12 gauge power cord guy. 🙂 And, yes, Romex line from where generator plugs in goes to 4 wall receptacles and from there to well pump receptacle.
@@herrickkimball thanks you for the response, I’ll try to find out more on this set up👍👏
Great idea!
Great ideas! Thanks for sharing!
It would be a good idea to label the generator outlets just as a reminder
I'm curious about grounding. Does this setup not provide a ground?
Great question. I never thought of it. Did some quick internet searching to see if portable generators should be grounded. It appears to be a complex subject. In my situation I suspect my generator line wiring in the house is grounded at the plug over the pressure tank in basement. The box is metal and attached to a concrete wall. All receptacles and metal boxes are grounded as per code. Perhaps someone who knows more about this can comment here...
Most portables are grounded internally. One needs to check their individual generator to know if you need a separate ground. Using a ground when not called for can cause a dangerous situation, same as NOT using one when called for.
It can cause a neutral loop situation. There are videos on TH-cam explaining it.
@@megastick9324 Thank you.👍
Good additional info, thanks!
@@herrickkimball buy a plug tester, check your generators for bonded or unbonded grounds. There are some good videos here that explain when a generator ground is needed.
could you explain why us has not upgraded power supply network so far?
My guess would be that the power supply lobby has resisted any serious infrastructure upgrades. Besides that, the our DC masters would rather spend hundreds of billions of dollars on senseless foreign wars. But that's just a guess.
You are powering your panel box, it's called backfeeding. Good thing you don't have a 240v you'd kill a lineman trying to fix the outside lines. Trunk off you main to isolate you from the electric company
Hello John. I am not powering my panel box. I am not backfeeding. No lineman can ever be harmed by what I show and explain. Please watch the video again to better understand what I am doing in this video.
@herrickkimball where is that outside receptacle drawing power normally...? Panel box? We'll hope your right, I trun my indoor 200 amp off and my generator doesn't feed any further that that. My panel is hot and that all.
@@JohnSpruce-u2h The outside receptacle and the circuit it feeds draws power from the generator only. It is not in any way connected to the main panel.
Unless you have a transfer switch or some other way to isolate your now energized house, you risk shocking the lineman who repair the electrical lines. People think the power feed lines are dead, but your generator just energized them. How did you address this with your electrical inspector?
No lineman working on electrical lines can be harmed by what I show in this video. Totally impossible.
@@herrickkimball That may be true, but the video gives the impression anyone can connect a generator to an outdoor receptacle without any electrical isolation to the incoming power lines. This is not only not to code, it's very dangerous. Unless I missed something in your video, I think you should put a warning in your video about the danger of doing this. Or, take down the video. It's going to hurt/kill someone.
@ There is no danger in doing this. My electrical lines and outlets are in no way connected to the house wiring. The generator is powering a completely separate circuit and receptacles that are dedicated to generator only. You have missed the whole concept. 😐
@@herrickkimball Got it. You are correct, I did miss the whole concept. Hope others understand that you have two separate circuits. One circuit gets power from your local utility and the other gets power from the generator.. Thank you for clarifying.
Did this year's ago during Northridge earthquake.You have to shut off main breaker or you power the grid. The generator just stalls You can rig an extension cord with two male ends
My idea here is separate from the main breaker and house wiring. I considered the double male cord, plugged into the house circuit. Definitely works, but it seemed too sketchy for me. 👍
in the fuse board flick the main switch (isolate the house) make a male - male from 2 leads plug it in to any power point . Thats it the hole house is alive ! --- the Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker may trip . So no good. Run a good extension lead under the back door to a power board
great idea but please install GFCIs in your cellar locations..where are your outlets fused?