Using generator to power house?

[src]

Hi, Has someone put a plug in line of the gen. to power a house. The gen. is a 8k. Thanks

[wa8yxm]

Sort of.... Since the generator (5.5K) in my rig is hard wired I put a twist lock outlet in one of the bays.. It is protected from weather, takes about 20 minutes to dig down to it when I want to use it.. Should have put it on the other side, but enough of that.

I put a matching inlet on the back of the house (or rather had one installed)
And a Generator Transfer Switch nearby.. This is a proper UL approved and code compliant switch.

Just for fun there is a pair of 30 amp female pigtails next to the twist lock (parallel with it one on each leg)

The Generator is wired for 120vac only though Not 120/240.. Other than that I found the house draws less than 3500 watts normally (The panel has meters and Detroit Edison encouraged me to use them) That said, Central Air and the cloths dryer do not work on 120 volt. But Furnace, Fridge, Freezer, Radio/Television, computer and lights were very happy.

[src]

So did u take right off gen. or a plug off rv

[wa8yxm]

I took it off the breaker box, I put in two dedicated breakers (one for each leg)

HINT: Do not put all your lights on the E-panel (Transfer switch) Leave some of them, perhaps hall lights, on only the mains.. When power fails you turn on THESE lights (in my house this was about the only time we used the hall light) That way they work as a Mains Power restored indicator.

I suspect, but never tried, that you can re-wire many generators for 120/240 volt operation.. Mine is very high on the "I suspect you can" list since both legs have same size breakers... However, since I no longer have the house.. not a problem.

[peterfm]

I did do this to two MH's
All i did was to disconnect the genset from the power center and wire it into a 50 amp electric stove receptacle. Then I bought a 4' electric stove wiring setup with the plug included and wired that into the power center where the genset was connected. Normally this is plugged into the receptacle coming from the genset. To power the house simply unplug the plug coming from the power center and insert the plug from the home. Takes about an hour and 25$ to do.
Be sure you buy appropriate interface for the home to protect the people downline.
Peter Miller
2001 TS

[Wayne Pryor]

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterfm I did do this to two MH's All i did was to disconnect the genset from the power center and wire it into a 50 amp electric stove receptacle. Then I bought a 4' electric stove wiring setup with the plug included and wired that into the power center where the genset was connected. Normally this is plugged into the receptacle coming from the genset. To power the house simply unplug the plug coming from the power center and insert the plug from the home. Takes about an hour and 25$ to do. Be sure you buy appropriate interface for the home to protect the people downline. Peter Miller 2001 TS

Peter mentioned something that I hope everyone read. Someway, somehow DO NOT back feed down the power line or some lineman will ensure that you are the last to get electric restored to your meter if ever. Install some type of interface like Peter said.