Generators

[o3jeff]

installing a manual transfer switch requires a permit?

what level of work requires a permit ?

Pretty much everything needs a permit..... When I put my pellet stove in a few years ago I got a permit, when the building inspector came he had no idea what he was looking at as far as the install went. I had to tell him how I vented it and show him proof what I did was ok.

 

[wa-loaf]

For when gas gets hard to get:

http://io9.com/5958887/oh-this-just...africa-who-invented-a-urine+powered-generator

 

[tree_skier]

You can just ground the plug. Take a rubber handle screwdriver and touch the metal parts of the plug and engine



[QUOT

E=SKIQUATTRO;733403]View attachment 6815My on/off switch just broke, i can start the genny, but have to pull the spark plug to shut it off....how easy is it to replace the switch? similar to this[/QUOTE]

 

[tree_skier]

Technically, any electrical work requires a permit.

If you are the homeowner living in a single- or two-family, you can do the work yourself, but you're supposed to pull an electrical permit with the Building Department and have an official sign off on your work.

Not in my town in Vermont. The only permit required is for septic work and that is a state permit. You may need other state permits, like act 250, but there are none for electric, building a garage putting up a tar paper shack, etc..

 

[Geoff]

Not in my town in Vermont. The only permit required is for septic work and that is a state permit. You may need other state permits, like act 250, but there are none for electric, building a garage putting up a tar paper shack, etc..

You need to look at state law. Among other things, for a multi-family or condo in Vermont, you can't touch the electrical at all and have to do it with a licensed electrician with a permit. That includes really basic things like replacing a dimmer switch or an electrical outlet.

 

[skiNEwhere]

For when gas gets hard to get:

http://io9.com/5958887/oh-this-just...africa-who-invented-a-urine+powered-generator

You may have to stock up on water though to make sure your pissing enough to keep the tank full

 

[skiNEwhere]

Serious question though. The house where I live now loses power 3-4 times a month due to very high winds, sometimes for a few minutes, sometimes for a few hours. What would be the best kind of generator to get. I would prefer a standby, but I'm a little unsure of how they work. If I lose power, does the generator "notice", and automatically boot up?

 

[Kerovick]

Standby generators will notice the power is off and start itself. They are ALOT more expensive than portable generators though. like 3 or 4 times as much.

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

my neighbor has a natrual gas standby, within seconds of the power going out, that thing kicked right in, a nice quiet hum and shut off 6 days later when power was restored. Will definatly add value to your home (resale) and worth the investment if you are in an area that loses power often.

 

[RootDKJ]

So what's everyone's scheduled maintenance plan for their gennys?

How often will you start it?
How often will you load bank it?
How long will you let it run (w/ or w/o load)?

 

[mlctvt]

So what's everyone's scheduled maintenance plan for their gennys?

How often will you start it?
How often will you load bank it?
How long will you let it run (w/ or w/o load)?

I start and run my Generac GP6500 every 3-4 months. On recommendation of a local repair shop I use 2x the normal amount of Stabil. They said this helps with the ethanol problems due to the 10% ethanol that is in today's gas. It's very corrosive and is causes all kinds of problems with small engines. You could also get the new special Stabil created for ethanol (blue type).
I run the generator for 5-10 minutes unloaded.
I close the gas shutoff valve and let the machine stall, this lessens the amount of gas left in the carburator bowl.

Always store any gas engine with the shutoff valve closed.

If the gas in the Generator tank is over 6 months old, I drain it and use it in other machines like my lawn tractor.

 

[RootDKJ]

I start and run my Generac GP6500 every 3-4 months. On recommendation of a local repair shop I use 2x the normal amount of Stabil. They said this helps with the ethanol problems due to the 10% ethanol that is in today's gas. It's very corrosive and is causes all kinds of problems with small engines. You could also get the new special Stabil created for ethanol (blue type).
I run the generator for 5-10 minutes unloaded.
I close the gas shutoff valve and let the machine stall, this lessens the amount of gas left in the carburator bowl.

Always store any gas engine with the shutoff valve closed.

If the gas in the Generator tank is over 6 months old, I drain it and use it in other machines like my lawn tractor.

I think I'm going to drain my tank this weekend, but if I was going to keep fuel in there, I'd 2X the Stabil also.

 

[Puck it]

Just install one of these and live off the grid.

 

[skijay]

When I had a new pool installed 10 yrs ago, the pole & receptacle that had been used for the AG pool's pump was converted to an outlet. It is a dedicated line to the circuit breaker box. New pool has all new wiring, new circuit breaker and a timer off of the breaker box. So I have an outlet outside that's not used and a nice level concrete pad. I'm wondering if the receptacle outside can be converted to the generator's input receptacle and have the wire go into the transfer switch. I'd save some money on the job if that existing wiring can be used. It's in conduit, buried and was used for a 3/4 hp pool pump. It was inspected back in 1987, I got all of the paperwork from the original owner.

 

[bvibert]

When I had a new pool installed 10 yrs ago, the pole & receptacle that had been used for the AG pool's pump was converted to an outlet. It is a dedicated line to the circuit breaker box. New pool has all new wiring, new circuit breaker and a timer off of the breaker box. So I have an outlet outside that's not used and a nice level concrete pad. I'm wondering if the receptacle outside can be converted to the generator's input receptacle and have the wire go into the transfer switch. I'd save some money on the job if that existing wiring can be used. It's in conduit, buried and was used for a 3/4 hp pool pump. It was inspected back in 1987, I got all of the paperwork from the original owner.

How many amps is the breaker on that circuit? What size generator do you plan on getting?

 

[skijay]

It's now on a 15AMP. I think it was a 20AMP circuit and it was removed / replaced when the electrician did the wiring for the new circuit for the pool pump. Thats on a 20AMP and has moved down in location in the breaker box. It would be great if the electrician could disconnect it and use that wire as the generator "in" on the transfer switch.

I'd use 5000 or 6000 watt generator.

 

[mlctvt]

It's now on a 15AMP. I think it was a 20AMP circuit and it was removed / replaced when the electrician did the wiring for the new circuit for the pool pump. Thats on a 20AMP and has moved down in location in the breaker box. It would be great if the electrician could disconnect it and use that wire as the generator "in" on the transfer switch.

I'd use 5000 or 6000 watt generator.

Check what wire size is used there. A 20amp 120VAC circuit is probably using only 12ga wire. You'll likely need 10ga for 5000- 6000 watt Generator (30Watt 240VAC) especially if there is any distance involved between the panel and the pole.

 

[bvibert]

Check what wire size is used there. A 20amp 120VAC circuit is probably using only 12ga wire. You'll likely need 10ga for 5000- 6000 watt Generator (30Watt 240VAC) especially if there is any distance involved between the panel and the pole.

Yes, I doubt the gauge is big enough, not to mention it's probably missing a conductor. The generators I've seen in that size range have a 240V output that require 3 conductors plus ground. Assuming what's there it's a 120V circuit it will only have 2 conductors plus ground.

 

[skijay]

Thanks for the info. I didn't even think about the 3 conductors. That could be the reason why the electrician never suggested placing the generator on the pad. He was going to put the receptacle in a weatherized box attached to the house. I'll have him check the wire just to make sure when he comes out, just in case.