Upcoming onboard generator?

Best mod you can do

 

Cheap insurance for the convenience imo. Just start it and flip the breakers you want on.

 

Depending on the breaker panels, some can be LEGALLY (UL rated) retrofitted directly with a manual generator interlock kit for pretty cheap. I have one inlet on the meter can, and a second on house panel.

I am using Siemens for the house panel, so that is what I am used to:
https://pimmedia.winsupplyinc.com/pim/CUT/082019/_ECSBPK02_78364354002_CUT.pdf

Hurricane zone here, so have (2) generators with running 15 kw, and 2kw inverter type, both portable gas powered to allow portability and shareability. (and a 2k sine inverter, but that isnt very useful really for me).

BTW, I LOVE me some mini-split ACs, run easily on the 2kw generator.

If I was buying a truck with an optional 7k (220) inverter I would buy it, but it would be a backup to my other rigs.

 

I was looking for the last few months. It was down to those two brands. Then I went up from 13kw to 20kw so I have plenty of power for the house and even the spa. The Cummins 20kw is quieter and has a better self maintenance routine. I ordered it a month ago and it was shipped yesterday.

 

9k btu (120V)...
Only tried one at a time so far... Really nice thing is that they are gentle start-up.
https://www.highseer.com/collection...-ahri-cert-energy-star?variant=24482179416128

 

Based on recent events, I’m seriously thinking of building a bug-out vehicle and this makes sense to me. We seem to be on the verge of total civilization collapse, financial collapse and climate change leading into a mini ice age being plausible in our life time.
But if that’s not enough, the next super volcano eruption is due now.
Oh did I mention a mega earthquake too? A vehicle with generator sounds good right now, and I have read some great posts here on it by all sides, WTG TW.

The problem with whole house generators is that they’re very expensive, and fuel is still not 100% reliable in a major catastrophic event.
Natural gas lines maybe damaged or burst and get cut off. Diesel is finite, like gas. In a typical home dwelling it really is not practical or cost effective.
Think about it, your home could flood, and your roof could collapse. Either by high winds, or snow build up. That leaves you SOL and with a very expensive useless box.
We have a Cummings duel fuel generator in our facilities that work on either natural gas or diesel. But our logistics are different than the average home owner. The generator is ten ft, above ground with 2k gallons of diesel fuel tanks in reserve.

Yes, I’ve researched a whole house generator and would easily install one if it was practical. But where does that leave you if you have to abandon your home? Or during a ten year stretch with no need for it?

Moreover, the research I’ve done ruled out the Generac type generator because it may not hold up to more that a week or two steady use, It just won’t. A diesel will, but again, there is maintenance involved whether it is used or not.

A quiet fuel efficient portable generator make more sense. If you loose grid power for more than a week, chances are you may not even have a job, depending on what the economic reassures are for the area.
That said I like the Ford F-150 because the higher pay load would allow for more head room capacity on a light weight collapsible truck camper.
But I don’t think the generator alone is worth the swap for my Tacoma. But the Ford can easily carry the truck camper, while one for the Tacoma may be difficult to accommodate.

Please carry on…

 

If we get to the point where no beer is available, go ahead and kill me.

 

Yeah that too! lmao

 

I'm long retired but still do electrical work on and off I have seen home owner wiring that keeps me up at night just thinking about it. Another thing that bothers me is the ideal of a big engine doing the work that small one would I run my entire house with 5,000 watts and 10 HP. The very simplest transfer switch is a 30 AMP breaker (generator side) and interferance plate bolted to the box face plate it is designed to make it inpossable not to turn off the main before turning on the 30 amp connected to the generator it back feeds the panel thru the 30 amp. Some thing like this https://www.interlockkit.com/

 

Instead of installing a transfer switch, consider a Generlink. I was going to buy one but I think I have no chance of getting one with what's going on in Texas.

It's installed between the meter and the meter base. You plug your generator into a plug in the bottom, and shut off whatever breakers you don't want powered. No transfer switch required. It prevents backfeed, so no risk to utility workers.

http://www.generlink.com/generlink.html

 

Boy that look pricy.

 

I like this setup. Sub $300.

$259 306C Pro/Tran 30-Amp 6-Circuit 2 Manual Transfer Switch

https://www.amazon.com/30-Amp-6-Cir...t&qid=1613921387&sprefix=teliance+30+&sr=8-16

Good six part YouTube video on install process and workings.

 

My main concern is that my house has a teeny tiny 10 breaker panel buried deep in a guest closet, 9 out of 10 circuits dont even run a separate ground wire, and absolutely none of it would meet modern code.

So I'm stuck, I don't really want to add to the electrical without modernizing it, and I don't particularly want to foot the expense and frustration of fishing an entire house with new wire and new panel.

I'll put the switch on the next house, but my emergency plan for this one is still going to be the old fashioned extension cords through the window technique.

 

My panel is in the garage by the double door. Planning on putting my connect in the garage. I can run the RV cable under the garage door.

 

Before anyone gets an idea to do this, don’t unless your house has a mains disconnect. This is a good way to back feed into the grid and possibly hurt a lineworker.

 

If it makes you feel better, that simple solution makes you much better prepared than most.

The other thing we need to focus on is making sure our generators are maintained. Periodically running them, conditioning or draining the gas, spark plugs, etc. They don't help much when you push the button and nothing happens.

 

These $300 switch disconnects all have isolation built into them. So backfeed is taken care of. That was a concern of mine too. Gotta take care of the linemen out there!

 

Roger that. Mine will be done by a lisenced electrician according to code. My electrical work is limited to replacing light switches and installing ceiling fans.

 

Very much so, just like every other small engine in the shed. On the months I don't take mine camping I check the oil, start it up, and plug in a string of party lights for an hour. A generator that's stumbling through a tank of old gas is not fun.