Home backup standby generator options, I need some advice!

Well after my free home assessment, I was correct on the size of the generator. Actually a 20kw would work, but the 22kw is only $200.00 more. Anyway, I learned a lot, and got a lot of questions answered from someone who knows. He tried to get me set up with a 16kw with the load shedding box, but because of the fact that everything is electric at my house and I’m on well water, it wasn’t big enough. Plus the extra labor for installing the load shedding box, threw my price right back up to his final quote. So he priced me a 22kw with an automatic transfer switch. I didn’t like his price, so I ordered one from Lowe’s, and I’ll install all that I can, and have an electrician to finish it up. Thanks for all the input from everyone.

 

Adding a backup electric source properly, with permits and inspections, will add more to the value of your home than it costs you. It was like that when A/C became mainstream back in the 60's. Now it's hard to sell a house without central A/C. Look at it as an investment.

 

I have a 8k portable generator for my house, would like to get a transfer switch installed some day as running extension cords everywhere sucks.

 

That’s why I would just pull the meter. Use the 220 outlet of your generator, and put the white and black wires where the bottom terminals of the meter connect to your service panel. The green wire will be neutral or earth ground. Then turn all your breakers off, and start your generator. Then turn the breakers back on one at a time. Only the ones the generator can handle of course. That’s the way I’ve hooked in the past ten years worth of storms. The downside is there is no way of telling if your utility power is back on easily, without a multi meter. The only cord I used was about the size of a dryer or welder cord.

 

I'm betting it's gonna cost you more in the end.

Cutting out the installers markup will be made up in hassle.

I pretty much "fire" micro managing customers. It's too much hassle.

I hope I didn't upset you, but it us an open forum and I wanted to post my thoughts.

 

You didn’t upset me one bit. It may end up costing me more in the end, but I doubt it. Right now I’m at $6400.00. I have the 320 gallon propane tank and full of fuel (purchased, not a leased tank), the generator and the transfer switch are on the way.
Still need to purchase gas line, one more regulator, wiring, and labor. I’m learning a lot as well, so if it costs more, so be it, education isn’t free either.
2 quotes turn key
First 12,000.00
Second 10,350.00
The second wasn’t including my gas tank that I’ve already purchased. Anyway, it’s a lot like roofing work around here now. Ever since hurricane Florence, the price has doubled on rooftop work. Plus a 10-12 week wait for the rooftop work and the generator work. Lots of do it yourselfers at work in this area of the country. All the while hoping another storm doesn’t come through. Lol, gotta love NC.

 

You're doing the right thing. Although you may find you need a 1000gal. tank for several reasons. Hands on will give you valuable knowledge about the system and how it works. You'll have the ability to troubleshoot/repair if ever needed, which means no waiting weeks or months after the next storm.
If it's required in your area, get an electrical permit and have it inspected. It may also be an electric utility requirement. Some want an inspection any time a seal is broken, and may not reconnect you until it's passed inspection. Follow through on stuff like that, so it won't come back to bite you some day when you want to sell your house.

 

Update! Generator is installed and online. I did end up saving a lot of money, but man...what a headache! The only thing that I ended up doing myself was actually picking the generator up from Lowe’s and mounting it on the concrete pad. Everything else was done by licensed contractors with the proper permits, and inspections. My lowest bid was around $10,350 for a turn key job, and I had already purchased the propane tank, and had it filled.
So I ended up with the 22kw sitting on a 3’x5’ concrete pad, automatic transfer switch (with the option of manual transfer of it fails), used 320 gallon propane tank that I own, and is full of lp, tank hook up, regulators, and gas install, electrical hook up, including having to change out my meter box because it was a combo unit, and no way to legally install the transfer switch. Total bill $8,140.00. In the first picture you can see my combo meter in the background. Second picture is what the panel looks like now, minus the generator main feed in (it wasn’t finished when I took the picture.

 

Very nice! How about a pick of the innerds?

The unit looks exactly like mine. Of course there could be any engine in there.

 

I can get some tomorrow afternoon. It’s dark :30 here now. Anything you’re interested in? The generator set, or the transfer switch? The engine is 1kcc generac v twin, air cooled. Same engine as the 16 & 20 kw I think.

 

I got a few quotes on a 22kw system as well... all around 10-11k including a $4,500 generator price, then another 5-6k for two transfer switches, load shedding, install, etc. I just cannot stomachs to pay it... in the meantime we have 6kw system I can run off natural gas supply which is enough for the basics.

 

For people that don't have the coin for a automatic setup, or already have a generator ,they make a panel that installs next to your breaker box. You size the panel by need and generator output. Decide what you need to run(how many circuit breakers need to be on) and buy the panel accordingly. The panel has double throw circuit breakers that switch between utility , off or generator power. There is a two foot flexible conduit that attaches to your breaker panel, that holds two wires for every circuit. You take the wire off the breaker and attach it to one wire ,then put the other wire on the breaker. You then run a wire from the panel to a receptacle outside that you plug your generator into.
I have a small generator ,6000 watts. My panel has 6 double throw breakers. I use one for kitchen, one for freezers, one for garage ( door opener ),one for furnace, and two for water pump.
In the 25 years I've lived here, the longest I've been out of power is four hours , but it was 3 degrees outside for those 4 hours.