Electric generators

[TSU45]

Originally Posted by ROGER4314

We had a Powerline Technology program where I worked in Oklahoma. They stressed that a home generator unit must be isolated from the line as it will back feed through the transformers and smoke a lineman working on the distribution lines. Be very careful how you attach it to the home lines.

Just a thought.

Flash

This is the reason everyone is suggesting a transfer switch. I would feel comfortable backfeeding to the house in an emergency, but it is a less than ideal permanent setup if you plan on living in the same place for a while. If you have to backfeed into the house, use a 220/230 double male and doing you're own lockout at the main house disconnect is mandatory for your and lineman's safety.

[TrailDust]

Another question for you all. Are there any brands of generator, and/or are there "add-on" products like mufflers that can be added to them? My Coleman is called in the literature "the quiet power"-- yah, right!--and I'd definitely prefer something that runs quieter when buying a new generator in the 10,000+ watt class.

[kingofwylietx]

That question will get on the long side of a google search. Essentially, the smaller generators are normally louder than the larger ones, it has to do with design, amount of insulation, muffler, and intended use. The larger ones tend to be quieter, but again, it depends on design. You'll want an engine w/overhead valves, not side valves. You will also find that most manufacturers offer a quiet version. If you went to the first link I provided to Home Depot, it took you to the Generac page. Well, they are not on the page, but Generac sells a QuietSource version which designed to be quieter. It is liquid cooled, only runs at 1800 rpm, is 70db @ 7' (vs 60db @ 23' on the standard 17kw Guardian), and the smallest one is 22,000 watts......it's also quite a bit pricier.

It's like everything else you buy, you have to balance your needs/wants with your budget. You can also dampen the sound by carefully designing it's location. You can install a brick wall mostly around it or something similar.

[okie556]

All this generator talk got me to thinking. I currently have a set-up where in case of power outage I first turn off & lock out the main breaker at the electric meter pole and then turn off all breakers in my house. I unplug my dryer cord and plug in a 10 ga cord that runs outside the house. The end out side has a plug for the 220 side of my 8500 watt generator. Start generator.......go inside and turn on breaker for the dryer and then just turn on other breakers as needed to get my TV, refrigerator, freezer, gas heater etc going. Never try to run AC just fans in the house if the temperature is warm. Anyone see any problems? Keep in mind the main box outside is locked out off to prevent frying a lineman.

[TSU45]

Originally Posted by okie556

All this generator talk got me to thinking. I currently have a set-up where in case of power outage I first turn off & lock out the main breaker at the electric meter pole and then turn off all breakers in my house. I unplug my dryer cord and plug in a 10 ga cord that runs outside the house. The end out side has a plug for the 220 side of my 8500 watt generator. Start generator.......go inside and turn on breaker for the dryer and then just turn on other breakers as needed to get my TV, refrigerator, freezer, gas heater etc going. Never try to run AC just fans in the house if the temperature is warm. Anyone see any problems? Keep in mind the main box outside is locked out off to prevent frying a lineman.

This is backfeeding and it's what several posts in the thread were attempting to avoid with recommending a transfer switch. Like I said in my previous post it will do in an emergency, but isn't an ideal setup permanently. If you own your house and plan to live there for a while, I would recommend dropping the money on a professionally installed transfer switch.

Some problems with backfeed hookups:

-Backfeeding on to the grid (You have taken care of this when you pull your main disconnect, but you could forget or someone else could flip it back on. A transfer switch FORCES you to disconnect from the grid to run the house of a generator, it's one or the other.)

-Backfeeding that much load, even through a 220, can cause heat and possibly fire issues.

-As you know since you have this setup, the connecting cord is a double male. If it gets disconnected while the genny is running you have unprotected live male prongs. This pretty much = TOASTY DEATH. If you have family around this would be my most serious concern. What if you're not home and out of contact and a son, daughter, or wife tries to fire up the genny "cause it can't be that hard." The cord could also be accidentally knocked out. If you have to run a backfeeding setup, at least secure the cord into the socket with a screw hole strap attached to the bordering studs.

Bottom line, I wouldn't run this setup if there was even a remote chance of family members being around it.

[TrailDust]

My father taught me to treat electricity with the same respect you treat firearms. With an uprated generator I'd most definitely have a professional do the installation for peace of mind. To coin a phrase from a movie, I don't mess with the Big E!