generlink, anyone used one?

jinjimbob · Nov 24, 2008

www.generlink.com , anyone used one of these generator manual transfer switches?

Travelover · Nov 24, 2008

Do a search - this has been discussed. I got scared away by the price.

JB4310 · Nov 24, 2008

It's been touched on before but thanks for the link, I'm gonna check into it more.
JB.

jinjimbob · Nov 25, 2008

Thanks, did a search, I was wondering whether to use one of these. But I think I might install a regular switch.

Travelover · Nov 25, 2008

jinjimbob said:
Thanks, did a search, I was wondering whether to use one of these. But I think I might install a regular switch.

I've posted this before, but I found the GenTran Vintage series to be really cost effective and easy to install. Others like the interlock kits you can get to make your breaker box into a transfer switch for about $150, if there is one to fit your box.

Gentran Corporation: Generator Transfer switches for home & business

Panel Interlock Kits

Scooby074 · Nov 25, 2008

Generlink looks like a good product. Ive read thru most of the previous threads. Some people were saying its too expensive

and they'd rather use their double male plug

for hookup. WOW highly illegal up here not to mention dangerous. Im glad im not a electrician down there.

I just contacted my hydro company and Generlink to see if its available up here so i can upgrade my fathers backup generator. Looks like its a pretty much foolproof one wire hookup which would be perfect for Dad. As for price, it seems like its around $1000 which isnt bad considering a transfer switch and hookup will be alot more than that in these parts. Dads quote was around $1400 or so.

Hopefully a couple guys with hands in experience with the generlink will chime in here.

JB4310 · Nov 27, 2008

it's a little costly, and looks like your limited to just under 10 kw input which is fine for most people then there is the proprietary cord needed. the best thing about it is the ability to use any circuit in the house, not every one at the same time but still better IMO than just the set number on the multi circuit transfer switches.

I'd like to get the 200amp double pole switch where you can just switch between grid and gen, only problem is they are over a grand and are more than twice the size of a 200 amp breaker box.

Travelover · Nov 27, 2008

JB4310 said:
............... the best thing about it is the ability to use any circuit in the house, not every one at the same time but still better IMO than just the set number on the multi circuit transfer switches.

Good point. The interlock sets also allow every circuit to be used. Total input wattage is limited to how big of a circuit breaker you can fit in the "input" breaker position.

JB4310 · Nov 27, 2008

Yup I really like the interlock idea and would do it, except I can't since I don't have a main breaker in the box, Even though I have a new 200 amp panel, it's considered a remote box being more than x number of feet from the meter, only have a main at the meter.
JB

jinjimbob · Dec 3, 2008

JB4310 said:
Yup I really like the interlock idea and would do it, except I can't since I don't have a main breaker in the box, Even though I have a new 200 amp panel, it's considered a remote box being more than x number of feet from the meter, only have a main at the meter.
JB

So for you to use your 50Amp hook up, do you have to go down and turn off the main breaker, otherwise it would back feed it illegally, right?

JB4310 · Dec 4, 2008

I have to go outside and turn off the main, then lock the box for safety.
I know it's not the best but my set up is still a work in progress, eventually will get the 200 amp double pole switch.

Financegal · Nov 2, 2010

I just had this switch installed. Our electric company does it as part of their services available to the publc. They provide the equipment, the gencord and one of their electricians to install. Cost was $1000 for a generator up to 7500 watts. Higher wattage switches are available but a little more expensive. It took minutes to install, he hooked up the switch to my generator, tested it for about 20 minutes and then tore it all down and had me do hookup so I'd know what to do.

Not sure if this matters to anyone reading this (women or men with wives that might have to do it if they are gone) but I am an over 55 y/o female and this setup is very easy to understand and configure. He explained loads and told me what combos of circuits I could use with my particular generator and what specific circuits I can't use (electric stove, washer, dryer, central A/C). I've not had a major storm but the electric went out for about 45 minutes the other day so I hauled out the generator and tested it to make sure I'd know what to do in another major snowstorm or long period w/o electricity. I hope I never have to use this but if I do I think I am ready!

Olddad · Jan 31, 2011

I've used one for six years. Our utility (Pepco) put it in. We can't/don't own it, but there was no up-front cost and it's $9.95 a month (for the rest of our lives). The Generlink gets a lot of use. We're in the city (NW DC) and have frequent power outages of significant duration--1 to 6 days, 2-3 times a year or more. (Above-ground lines, 100-year-old trees at the end of a 100-year-lifespan, old cobbled-together grid etc).

Six years, works perfectly every single time, safe for the linemen, safe for me, no-brainer to use.

I made up my own 50-foot cord with L-20 and L-30 ends. 6+ kw Coleman Powermate. Last week's (Jan. 2011) heavy snows tore the city up. Our street was without power for 3 and 1/2 days, and some of the neighborhood is still powerless and it's been six days.

Every single time the power goes out I resume my place on the pedestal as a hero to my wife and kids. In the dark, in five minutes, the cord gets unrolled and plugged in, and I pull-start the generator.

It could be 3:00 am and the Generlink keeps me from screwing up and electrocuting myself. Being suspicious of this thing is like being suspicious of penicillin, and any other method of feeding power into your house is dangerous to you and the guys working on the lines.

You don't have to go near your panel, or flip anything, or think of anything, you just plug it in and start your generator.

The guy who invented this should get a medal.

Travelover · Jan 31, 2011

Olddad said:
..We can't/don't own it, but there was no up-front cost and it's $9.95 a month (for the rest of our lives). .......

So that is $120 a year, or $2400 over 20 years. You can have a transfer switch installed (or do it your self) for a fraction of this cost. I think the utility company has hit on a great money making idea.

Gentran Corporation: Generator Transfer switches for home & business

Generator InterLock Kit - General Electric Kits

jinman · Jan 31, 2011

Travelover said:
So that is $120 a year, or $2400 over 20 years. You can have a transfer switch installed (or do it your self) for a fraction of this cost. I think the utility company has hit on a great money making idea.

Gentran Corporation: Generator Transfer switches for home & business

Generator InterLock Kit - General Electric Kits

I just noticed that Northern Tools and Amazon have the Generlink 30 amp model for $699 and the 50 amp model for $849. Of course you need to check with your power company anytime you install something between the meter and the meter box to be sure they approve.

Travelover · Jan 31, 2011

jinman said:
I just noticed that Northern Tools and Amazon have the Generlink 30 amp model for $699 and the 50 amp model for $849. Of course you need to check with your power company anytime you install something between the meter and the meter box to be sure they approve.

And how much do you think it actually costs to make a Generlink? My guess is $50 tops, less if off shored.

I suspect the utility companies are taking advantage here.

jinman · Jan 31, 2011

Travelover said:
And how much do you think it actually costs to make a Generlink? My guess is $50 tops, less if off shored.

I suspect the utility companies are taking advantage here.

Well, it's never about what it costs to make, is it? They don't sell these things at the dollar store. Like a 200 amp Square-D breaker box that only has one breaker in it and an insulated bus bar in a stamped out case for $225. It ain't what it takes to make it, it's what it takes to buy it.

but I hear you. . . :thumbsup:

Travelover · Jan 31, 2011

jinman said:
Well, it's never about what it costs to make, is it? They don't sell these things at the dollar store. Like a 200 amp Square-D breaker box that only has one breaker in it and an insulated bus bar in a stamped out case for $225. It ain't what it takes to make it, it's what it takes to buy it. but I hear you. . . :thumbsup:

Exactly and that's why I referenced two much cheaper options in my first post above.

Charging only $X a month is an old utility company scam. I recall when the telephone company used to "rent" you your phone and over the decades you paid enough rent at a dollar or two a month to buy the phone many times over.

bdeboer · Feb 1, 2011

I had one put in November by the local rural electric. Price installed by them was about the same as Northern Tool. No monthly fees.

MikeInEburg · Feb 1, 2011

jinman said:
... Of course you need to check with your power company anytime you install something between the meter and the meter box to be sure they approve.

In our neighborhood (Frederick County, MD) you need both power company assistance and an electrical permit and inspection - since there is a ground wire that needs to be connected inside the meter housing. Makes it a bit more expensive to implement. However, in my case it remains the least expensive method.
Mike