Generator placement?

[kast]

Sure… be happy to. When you plug in the generator without a switch, the appliances on the specific circuit will use the energy they need. Without a switch, the extra juice has to go somewhere, so it usually goes back through the primary conduit, following the widest path (otherwise known as the path of least resistance) which inevitably leads to outside, out to the pole. The switch contains the back-flow of electricity, sending it back through the generator. In essence, the switch closes the path to the lines outside your home, containing the energy to the specific breakers back through to the generator.

This pertains to improperly hooking it up to your house wiring right? Could you plug something directly in and not have this issue?

 

[wilbilt]

My setup is a little different, as I have a manufactured (mobile) home.

The main power panel is on a pole outside, and feeds the home, well pump, sheds, etc., through various breakers.

There is a panel inside the home that feeds all the inside circuits. I have a 6-circuit transfer switch installed at this panel, which lets me choose which circuits I want to feed with the generator.

Unfortunately, feeding here does not allow me to run the well pump, which is fed from the outside panel. To run the pump, I have a plug and cord that I attach to the pump wires after disconnecting them from the breaker in the panel.

This is certainly not ideal, but does the job. I faithfully shut off the main breaker in the outside panel before connecting anything or starting the generator.

Eventually, I plan to upgrade the main panel to a 200A unit with a generator interlock, but that will have to wait until cash for permits and inspectors is in hand.

 

[imacman]

[What's wrong with running an extension cord straight
from a small generator to the pellet stove?

Zeta, I know what your saying...you can do that. I think Lass meant to not run them into the house via plugging the cable into an outlet and trying to backfeed the house circuit.

In any event, you're right...you can run directly to the stove.

 

[kast]

I do believe that was the original question I posted, the reply was what confused me (MORE)

 

[imacman]

Wow, macman! I like that! You run your whole house off of that during an outage? Or just certain circuits? How frequently and what is the average duration of your outages?

Sorry lass...I didn't see this post before.

Yes, the 12kw unit will run the whole house, with the exception of a few lights and outlets in the basement. I haven't tried running the electric kitchen stove, as that draws a LOT of current, but pretty much everything else will run on that. I even have a 25,000 BTU AC unit that I can run during the summer that cools the whole main floor of the house.

We don't get outages too often, but at the time I bought it, we had a big one the year before that lasted for more than 2 days. It was so weird to look out over the town (I'm up on a hill), and not see one light except at my house. I invited all the neighbors over, but they all either have generators or wood stoves.

My kids loved the fact they were one of the few that still had their TV and computers working.....LOL.

 

[lass442]

Please don't ever run a generator directly from cables into the house................

What's wrong with running an extension cord straight
from a small generator to the pellet stove? This way
the house is not in the mix at all. I almost never lose power
here so I don't need to have anything wired into my home.

My portable generator would be out in the back yard and if needed I will
run an extension cord from it to my stove.

The problem is that your generator will produce more electricity than your stove will use. The extra electricity will feed back into the circuits of your home, through the breaker box, back into the lines to the pole, injuring or killing the lineman who are trying to make a few extra bucks for Christmas Presents for their kids!

All kidding aside... I'm SO glad we're having this discussion! It's one of the most important ones I'll ever have on this forum. As I've said, my husband is a lineman and he's working as we discuss this. Yes, it's stressing to me, as I work hard to quell my anxiety when the conditions are as severe as this. It is SO important to put safety first. Read your manual and you will find proper installation instructions. It's not as complicated as it sounds, yet if you don't understand it, hire a professional electrician. Electricity is not child's play.

 

[imacman]

The problem is that your generator will produce more electricity than your stove will use. The extra electricity will feed back into the circuits of your home, through the breaker box, back into the lines to the pole, injuring or killing the lineman who are trying to make a few extra bucks for Christmas Presents for their kids!

Lass, Zeta is talking about a single power cord that runs directly to the pellet stove only....it won't be plugged into the house circuit.

 

[lass442]

[What's wrong with running an extension cord straight
from a small generator to the pellet stove?

Zeta, I know what your saying...you can do that. I think Lass meant to not run them into the house via plugging the cable into an outlet and trying to backfeed the house circuit.

In any event, you're right...you can run directly to the stove.

The only time you can do this is if your stove is plugged directly into the generator and nothing else. In other words, be sure that the direct connection is between the generator and the stove, and not plugged into the house in anyway unless you have a switch.

 

[Xena]

The problem is that your generator will produce more electricity than your stove will use. The extra electricity will feed back into the circuits of your home, through the breaker box, back into the lines to the pole, injuring or killing the lineman who are trying to make a few extra bucks for Christmas Presents for their kids!

You're not reading my post. It's impossible for that to
happen if I plug one extension cord from a portable
generator directly to my pellet stove. The house is
not in the mix dude.

 

[Kenny1]

Kast, you are thinking ahead, and planning is the most important step.

Here is something from a prior generator thead:


A lot of people just go out and buy a generator to be prepared. However, I think that there are some other issues to consider.

1 - how much power do you need? Will you be powering a well pump, air conditioning, furnace, big screen TV, refrigerator, or just a couple of CF lights? Do you need a 240V output as well as a 120V? Add up all the loads you want to power at the same time, and take into account the extra start up current needed by motors and compressors.

2 - How are you going to connect to the loads? If you need to run hard wired appliances (furnace, well pump), you need to buy an approved transfer switch. Get it installed by a licensed pro, and inspected. Do not back feed thru a dryer outlet. Safety is very important. If you are only going to run smaller loads (fridge, pellet stove, etc), extension cords may be adequate.

3 - What type of fuel will the generator use? Gas is fairly typical, but does not store well. How long do you expect to use the generator for? Do you have room to store enough gas? A smaller generator will use less fuel, but will provide less power.

4 - Where will you run the generator? It has to be outside (do not run in an attached garage!). Do you have a bit of shelter for it (keep it out of the rain/snow)? Some generators do not like to be run in cold weather (mine states under 40F, carb icing can occur unless you provide a cold weather shelter). Also, they can be very noisy.


I like the idea of using the pallets to make a small shelter for the generator, and as others have pointed to, you can use extension cords to run loads like freezers, pellet stoves, etc (anything with a power cord). Just don't overload the generator.

 

[lass442]

Wow, macman! I like that! You run your whole house off of that during an outage? Or just certain circuits? How frequently and what is the average duration of your outages?

Sorry lass...I didn't see this post before.

Yes, the 12kw unit will run the whole house, with the exception of a few lights and outlets in the basement. I haven't tried running the electric kitchen stove, as that draws a LOT of current, but pretty much everything else will run on that. I even have a 25,000 BTU AC unit that I can run during the summer that cools the whole main floor of the house.

We don't get outages too often, but at the time I bought it, we had a big one the year before that lasted for more than 2 days. It was so weird to look out over the town (I'm up on a hill), and not see one light except at my house. I invited all the neighbors over, but they all either have generators or wood stoves.

My kids loved the fact they were one of the few that still had their TV and computers working.....LOL.

I don't get jealous too often, but I must admit.... I'm a bit green at the moment!
I light candles and play the piano.... it makes the neighbors think I have something they don't! HA! ( and I DO.... imagination!)

 

[teeravis1]

kast,

Please don't ever run a generator directly from cables into the house. Have it installed properly into your breaker box so that it won't back-feed to the lines outside your home. My husband is a lineman for one of the utility companies here in Massachusetts. His life depends on every generator being installed correctly.
During outages of the scale that New England is experiencing at this moment, this is among the greatest risks he faces. He's careful; he knows that people do it. But do please take the extra precaution and have the generator properly installed.

What she said! Generators not installed properly creates very dangerous situations for the lineman working to restore your power. Just wanted to re-emphasise. ;-) It is a very real statement.

 

[kast]

Thanks Kenny that was helpful, i was looking just to run my stove and my sump pump

 

[Xena]

I like the idea of using the pallets to make a small shelter for the generator....

That's actually a pretty sweet idea. Thanks for mentioning it.

 

[imacman]

That's actually a pretty sweet idea. Thanks for mentioning it.

Your welcome, Zeta.

 

[lass442]

I like the idea of using the pallets to make a small shelter for the generator....

That's actually a pretty sweet idea. Thanks for mentioning it.

This merits a new thread, I think. I know the ways I've used old pallets, and I know this was a recent thread on the board, but it's worth revisiting with this idea.
MACMAN, I think you should start it.

 

[tinkabranc]

If you install a manual switch, get the inlet box installed to the side of the house.
Then you just need to run a cord from a portable generator to the outlet.
No cords thru the house.

OR if you make the big bucks like macman, you can get an auto switch with standby installed. ;-)

I wouldn't put the transfer switch outside...I don't think their weatherproof....I'd put it just inside the garage door, etc.

And why is everyone dumping on me????

My transfer switch is not outside, it is in the house hooked into on the electric panel.
I have an inlet plug on the outside of the house to plug the generator into.

Not dumping on you by any means macman...just funnin with ya ;-)

 

[imacman]

[Not dumping on you by any means macman...just funnin with ya ;-)

I know...not a problem.....I was doing the "make believe" mad.

yeah, maybe we need a new thread on what creative things people have done with the pallets. I'll start one.....give everybody something to do on this cold day.

 

[ResOps]

Thanks Kenny that was helpful, i was looking just to run my stove and my sump pump

If you're just plugging into the genny you are fine kast( with it outside right :coolcheese: )
There are several safe options for installing generated power into a house these days. Backfeeding a panel should never be done.

 

[joe_pinehill]

I have one stored in the garage, when I need to use it, I move it outside just out of the doorway. Ive got a manual transfer switch. the circuits for the Fridge, Well, Furnace, Sump pump, and a few outlets around the house. My panel is in the basement, but Ive got plug wired in the basement that feed the transfer panel. A 240V 4 conductor cord goes from the generator to the plug in the garage, that feeds the manual transfer panel.

 

[Kenny1]

Thanks Kenny that was helpful, i was looking just to run my stove and my sump pump

That is about where I am as well, with a portable generator and some extension cords. I can run the pellet stove, sump pump, fridge, etc (not all at the same time).

giving credit where credit is due to macman for the pallet generator cover idea. I should look into doing something like that.

BTW, I have seen one generator installed in a basement (was at a radio station that I was sub contracted to). Had a V8 desiel engine and a generator head big enough for the studios and the on site transmitter. Not really my line, but I assume that it was installed to code.

Cheers

Kenny

 

[Flammam]

My power just came back on after being out since thurs evening. I just run extension cords all over the house to keep the essential systems running. Stove, 3 refrigerators, freezer, tv/computer. Nice to have some water in the house now without bringing buckets in from the brook.

 

[kast]

Flammam what size generator are you running?

 

[Xena]

I think last night Kasts original question was misunderstood
and this thread took off in a completely different direction as a result...
Would like to get back on track because I have some questions.

I too have a portable genny and a long extension cord in
the event I lost power I'd want to run just the pellet stove.
I'm wondering how you folks set your portable up outdoors
to keep it protected from the elements?
Thinking of using the pallets to build an enclosure but it would
be great to hear from everyone who uses a portable with
extension cords directly to the appliances.

 

[kast]

I would agree Zeta