jdthomas 0 #1 December 10, 2007 So an ice storm quickly approaches our area and we have a generator for our horse trailer here at the house, and I am to understand that it can be hooked up to our breaker box if we loose power. Has anyone ever done this and if so how do you do it so we don't fry our home or anything else? I only wish to run our heater if we loose power i think this generator will power or needs, it does a great job with our trailer...www.greenboxphotography.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,119 #2 December 10, 2007 You can do this many ways: 1) An automatic transfer switch/UPS. The Cadillac of these are the Trace SW inverters. They automatically run an inverter to keep the loads up with a battery, and then starts the generator and allows it to take over. 2) An automatic transfer switch. Automatically starts the generator (if it has electric start) and switches over. Your computer will go down, but power will come back up within about 10 seconds. 3) A manual single transfer switch. Transfers all your loads to the generator and isolates the line. 4) Individual manual transfer switches. Easier to install, and it lets you switch 6 or 12 circuits over (like refrig, outlets, lights) to the generator. This prevents overloads when your electric hot water heater tries to turn on. Also cheapest. Here's a nice one: http://www.nbmc.com/emergen/6-5001.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
monkycndo 0 #3 December 10, 2007 To do it the right way, you need to install a transfer switch. It will disconnect the feed from the power company and utilize the power from the generator. Not an easy job. There are other ways to do it, but none are all that safe. Use the generator to power a portable heater. Hell of a lot safer. edit: figures bill beat me to it with more info. i'm too lazy to type that much.50 donations so far. Give it a try. You know you want to spank it Jump an Infinity Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdthomas 0 #4 December 10, 2007 Of course billvon was quick on that one and I am gald that both of you guys where infact quick.. thanks alot for the info! I think if it comes down to it the fireplace will be roaring and the heat wil be provided by those space heaters.. off to get gas in cars and gas jugs now! thanks guys! Joewww.greenboxphotography.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmytavino 16 #5 December 10, 2007 excellent, as always billvon... current equipment and techniques are very safe... but complex... Fifteen years ago we had an ice storm which took down fully 40 % of the trees and about 90 % of our areas' electric wires... Mostly pole mounted and above ground... We did have underground natural gas service for the furnace but electric was out for 14 days..... and the thermostat blower etc. all ran off 110... So I went to the furnace traced the wire to the panel box....Opened the box and identified the breaker,, by VISUALLY following my wire to it... as a second assurance it was marked as the furnace...Shut off the breaker, popped it off the hot bar, disconnected the black wire...disconnected the white wire and the ground wire from the ground strip, loosened the romex connector and gently drew that wire out of the panel box... Then simply wired a three prong 3 wire male plug,, onto the romex... If you can spare an old wire or cord that has a grounded plug, cut it to a workable length and strip the 3 wires.. Then I wire nutted black to black white to white and ground to green... Tape them each and then together,,, with black electricians tape,, taking care not to loosen any wire nuts.. Now it's as though your furnace, or your trailer, or even outdoor buildings each have a seperate plug.. to "go get power".... then just plug 'em in.. taking care not to overload your generator... Whatever you set up with direct plug-in capability,,, is totally OFF your panel box and general household system...... That is the ONLY way this idea is sensible..... If power is suddenly restored your system is fully intact...and unaffected... You're still on generator for those items,,, but the generator's NOT connected to your entire panel box... Capice'???So Afterwards,,,,,, a careful re attachment of the one or two ( or three) circuits which you removed , is needed... Have a GOOD screwdriver or TWO handy.. ( the ground bar takes a very strong small tipped straight head screw driver) . Remove the cover. Fully loosen the clamp on romex connector where wire enters the panel box , pass the wires into the box and draw them well forward from the centrally mounted Hot bar...till the wire is seated... Then it's blk to the breaker, which should still be switched OFF. white and ground to the ground strip... tighten firmly. then look at the breaker to see where any clips might be, and figure out how to position , align and snap the breaker in,, switch it on... good luck disclaimer,,,, ( no Kiddin' )i had success with the above mentioned response to an ice storm... I chose to post it in answer to the O P 's question...with respect to a prior post. which is the textbook way to do it... The approach i mention is a " freestyling" sort of thing, however,, and I Only justified doing it myself!!!! , because it was "an Emergency"... But i've been paying attention over the years, and have learned some things that apply to these circumstances... If transfer switches etc are unavailable, and You're in a pinch.. this approach may be of help. It worked for me because the generator was never conected to the panel box, and cause i was confident in my rudimentary electricians' skills.. ..Should you feel it's best to "stay outta the panel box"... then I would be the first to second the motion,,,,, "Yes YOU , should stay outta the panel box...ten cuidado......... good luck jmy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
