Generators - Backfeeding - 120V

[Car Doc]

I just bought a used Winco 25k pto generator mounted on a trailer I have it here at the shop. My buddy who I bought it from is an electrical contractor and has the switch to hook it into my shop.

I haven't seen the switch yet he is coming over to instal it as soon as I can shut the power down for an hour so hopefully later this week.

I have no idea what kind it is etc but with all this info on this thread I sure feel somewhat educated on what to expect from a real generator hook up that will be a nice addition to my property. :thumbsup:

 

[pilot-werx]

No the best (or worst if you want) was at a restaurant in Seattle's airport. There was a southwest pilot eating in the next booth talking to another pilot. Discussing safety issues . As usual i butted in and said that it didn't matter whose airline you flew...they were all maintained the same.
He then told me " How much maintenance do you think your $99 air fair paid for"

Sobering thought.

That really puts things into perspective and that is why I have not flown commercial in the last 30 years. Yeah, the king air is slow and my turbine beaver is slower, but I get there when I plan to get there, bring whatever I want, and do not wait on the ramp.... And I never have some wing-nut TSA person rummaging through my stuff...

In regards to the generator, do us all a favor and buy a transfer switch. We do not any more Darwin awards for stupidity...

 

[grsthegreat]

That really puts things into perspective and that is why I have not flown commercial in the last 30 years. Yeah, the king air is slow and my turbine beaver is slower, but I get there when I plan to get there, bring whatever I want, and do not wait on the ramp.... And I never have some wing-nut TSA person rummaging through my stuff...

In regards to the generator, do us all a favor and buy a transfer switch. We do not any more Darwin awards for stupidity...

yup.. i used to fly my piper turbo arrow IV all around Calif when i lived there. Best thing to go on hunting trips with. Was cheap back in the 80's, and could land on small airports instead of the large commercial crap. Sometimes i do miss that freedom, but considering the cost of avgas and what a wet rental would cost.....i guess its back to Southwest for me.

 

[RPW]

There is alot of interesting information thrown out here which is good. To the OP here's my take and I know you already have your problem solved but bear with me. Through some of the box stores, through northern tool there is a small transfer switch rated for 30A. Minor wiring on your box to select which circuits you want to run from your generator. And the good part is they're not very expensive. I've seen them advertised for around $80US. This would make a simple and "legal" method of getting power that you need.

Good luck.

 

[bubbacuse77]

For those of us with larger PTO gen sets that can power the entire house, does anyone know of where a guy can get a reasonably priced 200Amp manual transfer switch?

 

[Travelover]

For those of us with larger PTO gen sets that can power the entire house, does anyone know of where a guy can get a reasonably priced 200Amp manual transfer switch?

Depending on your location, you might have luck on Craigslist. I see them in SE Michigan fairly regularly.

GE 200 Amp Xfer Switch

 

[JB4310]

For those of us with larger PTO gen sets that can power the entire house, does anyone know of where a guy can get a reasonably priced 200Amp manual transfer switch?

Harbor Freight has one, I wasn't to impressed with the quality but it does cost a lot lot less than a domestic version.

At least 1 TBNer has it and had no issues to complain about.

Searching for it I can't find it, only 100 amp, but I saw it myself and there is alot of Internet chatter about them. they say it's a Cutler Hammer, which is a respectable name.

200 Amp Transfer Switch - Harbor Freight Tools

JB

 

[aczlan]

For those of us with larger PTO gen sets that can power the entire house, does anyone know of where a guy can get a reasonably priced 200Amp manual transfer switch?

Watch Craigslist. There is one for $125 near me.
I am debating whether to get it (or a similar one) or to replace the breaker panel (older GE with a vertical main breaker) with a newer one.

Aaron Z

 

[JB4310]

Watch Craigslist. There is one for $125 near me.
I am debating whether to get it (or a similar one) or to replace the breaker panel (older GE with a vertical main breaker) with a newer one.

Aaron Z

Also called a double throw switch (if you're searching for info), here's what a good quality domestic version costs.

General Electric TC35364 Double Throw Switch 200A NIB Manual Transfer Switch | eBay

This is a 3 pole, which means it disconnects the neutral as well. Most are only 2 pole, not sure how much of an advantage the 3 is.

Notice how simple the inside is, you can see whats going on. I like this style better than the one I saw at harbour freight, which had more moving parts and was not so easy to see the actual disconnect.

The boxes are huge, bigger than your whole panel but I guess they need all those cubic inches for arc protection ???

I always wanted one of these myself, my panel has no main breaker so I would need it, but for those with a main breaker, an interlock makes these expensive switches obsolete IMO.

JB

 

[wrooster]

He then told me "How much maintenance do you think your $99 air fair paid for"
Sobering thought.

That really puts things into perspective and that is why I have not flown commercial in the last 30 years.

LoL.

You guys are funny. I hope you don't own cars.

-- Vietnam war KIA/MIA, 1966 to 1972: ~40,000.
-- US highway deaths, every year: ~40,000.
(aside: also note about 3.2 million injuries requiring hospitalization.)
-- General aviation deaths, 2009: 471.
-- Commercial aviation deaths, in 2009: 52.

The accident rate for GA is 7.2 per 100K flight hours, compared with .17 per 100K flight hours with commercial aviation -- hence you are 40 times less likely to be involved in an accident while flying commercial.

20 year historical data...
Deaths per billion passenger-kilometres:
Air: 0.05
Bus: 0.4
Rail: 0.6
Car: 3.1
Bicycle: 44.6
Motorcycle: 108.9

Summary:
Statistically, you are far, far safer while on board a commercial aviation flight than you are actually driving to the airport.

Safety

Wrooster