Back Up Home Generator Question

What really burns me up is that we bought this AC system a little over a year ago and one of the salesmen mentioned a heat pump to me after the fact... saying it would help me with my heating bill. The cost: $5k. I told him wtf dude why didn't you tell me this before I pulled the trigger?!

 

We lose power way to much and for to long at the slightest storm so I pulled the trigger and had a whole house standby with ATS.
I use to service Generac commercial and residential and wasn't a fan of them,so say the least I went with Kohler.
Since it's install 15 months now and it has been called to duty 6 times.
Worth it's weight 100%

 

We lose power about 30-40 times per year. Recovery is 1hr to 1 week. I also got sick of the extension cords through the window so installed a manual transfer switch that allows me to pick 8 circuits I want to power. Then my portable gen plugs into a single socket outside to power those 10 isolated circuits. When power comes back on, they are still switch to my gen and no longer closed to line power. I just have a small lamp plugged into an outlet that is not powered by my selected circuits so I know when power has been restored.

Cheaper and safe solution. I installed the transfer switch myself but if your not comfortable, a competent electrician should be able to do it in 3-4 hours depending on complexity of where you mount the transfer switch and external power feed outlet.

$379 310C Pro/Tran2 30-Amp 10-Circuit 2 Manual Transfer Switch

https://www.amazon.com/30-Amp-10-Ci...mzn1.fos.c3015c4a-46bb-44b9-81a4-dc28e6d374b3

 

I know the OP has already made their decision, but for others, we run a small 2200W Honda inverter off a 5 circuit manual disconnect switch. I use the “Companion” model that has the 30A twist lock.

This little generator powers three rooms (living room, kitchen and bedroom), plus our attic (hot water heater only) and our septic system.

Obviously doesn’t power the A/C, but that’s more a luxury instead of a need. Hondas are great, this little guy ran for 42 hours straight during Uri and has been used in two hurricanes. Very efficient on eco and it’s an inverter generator. Also super quiet and very light. You don’t need much to power essentials.

 

It arrived last Thursday. Still waiting on a propane tank and for Centerpoint to install a meter (30-40 days out).



It's pretty big for a portable. Here it is next to my riding mower.

 

I need to get a transfer switch then see if I can do anything that would help

 

Here's the interlock kit my electrician installed

 

That’s where the generator cord plugs into. The interlock is usually in the panel, or that’s where I installed mine.

Is that a 30 or 50 amp plug/wiring?

 

You're only back feeding 120V with your generator?

 

50A

 

No

 

Looks like your plug is only 3 wire, maybe your receptacle is grounded through the plug body??
Not trying to nitpick, just curious.

 

No it's cool. The electrician did a load read and knows the generator we went with. He set everything up to meet our needs. My cord is 50ft long and rated for 12,500W at 240V

 

Nice.
You can see my confusion in the picture, 4 wire male end with a 3 wire female end.
The female end is grounded through the case.

Sounds like you're set!

 

Damn, that's a big boy. Didn't know they made open team portables 1.5kW

 

After a 4 day outage for hurricane Matthew and 5 days for Irma, installed a Generac 24kw unit.
BOOM!
No hurricanes since the installation

 

Update: Power outage the other night at around 0230 until 0700. Hooked up the Duromax for its maiden voyage and it performed flawlessly. I even did it in the rain. I shut off all the major appliances with the intent of only using the microwave and, of course, power to the fridges and freezer. The generator barely acknowledged a load. This was on propane as we still don't have a NG line in place (Centerpoint is clearly not in a hurry for new customers).

Just drained the oil after the break-in and it looked brand new. Waiting on new filter from Amazon and I was going to pull the trigger on some synthetic oil for 4 cycle engines. The Duromax is a 4-stroke. My research shows the two terms are interchangeable so should I opt for the "specialized" 4 cycle oil or just buy some automotive 10w30 and call it good?

 

I run automotive oil in my Predator 9500 without issue. I wired a near identical setup to yours and it works great for our use case as well. I've heard good things about those generators. I almost got one but went with the Predator really for noise. Its unbelievably quiet even under load.

 

For those considering getting a generator let me add this: Columbus Ohio had a summertime storm hit and AEP, the local power company gambled on skimping on line clearance and lost. Thousands were without power. After this our public utilities commission put out their recommendation. One of which was for AEP to change their notification policy from customers having to opt in for alerts to all customers get the text messages unless they opt out. Very little was mentioned in their report about clearing trees near the power lines.

So, it's not going to get any better.

 

I have a smaller Predator generator too. I love it. Soooo quiet.

 

I guess they're saving a ton of money on linemen. I heard that it's cheaper to repair issues than maintenance on lines, clearing limbs, etc.

 

Ever since the big power outage in the early 2000's a law was written that all transmission lines be cleared of brush every 5 years. It's mostly ignored

 

Laws can be ignored when enforcement is non-existent... We see that in a certain southern region I will not name

 

Agreed, and a Law is only as good if it is upheld.

 

I have been mulling backup options and the Predator ones from HF caught my eye, especially with a 25% off coupon they just sent. How often do you use it?

 

I've only used it 3 times in about 6-8 mos. Powered my freezer in the garage, fridge, portable AC, router and some lamps without a problem

 

What size did you use? Been looking at the 5,000 watt one for basics.

 

I have the 4550 and run a 10 ga cord with 3 outlets on it