Interlock Switch?

[dalola]

Cannot help you w/o pictures of your panel and genset with complete info on both. There are many options for the interlock switch mechanisms. Every manufacturer makes them for their line of residential panels. Load shedding can be your headache if your genset is less amps than your panel. I use a secondary emergency load panel with the interlock in the main panel that feeds the secondary panel. Probably the best solution and overall the cheapest and easiest. You may well need to separate the wheat from the chaff as you get responses on this thread.Ron

Yep, just looking for opinions/experiences from those who have experience with them. I understand that I am the "switchboard operator" with this type system, and have no problem with it. I know all the loads in my house. I'll be using two Honda EU2000's in parallel with a max 30A (120V) & 3200W continuous/4000W peak. This will run all I need, at varying times, sans the central AC. The plan is to use an outdoor power inlet box to connect the Hondas, 10ga hard wire to the panel (about 25 feet), and set up the interlock switch/30A back feed breaker on the panel. Will also install a Powerback alert to signal the return of line voltage.

All well and fine if YOU are the only one that does it.

Yes, I will be the sole operator. Wife & kids know not to touch. (wife will have written directions should something happen to me).


Also really like the Gener-link setup that goes behind the meter, but very pricey & needs 240V. Wish they made a lighter-duty unit.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Pictures are worth a thousand words.

 

[MossRoad]

Pictures are worth a thousand words.

Or $450,000,000 if you find the right one...
List of most expensive paintings - Wikipedia

 

[RNeumann]

Yep, just looking for opinions/experiences from those who have experience with them. I understand that I am the "switchboard operator" with this type system, and have no problem with it. I know all the loads in my house. I'll be using two Honda EU2000's in parallel with a max 30A (120V) & 3200W continuous/4000W peak. This will run all I need, at varying times, sans the central AC. The plan is to use an outdoor power inlet box to connect the Hondas, 10ga hard wire to the panel (about 25 feet), and set up the interlock switch/30A back feed breaker on the panel. Will also install a Powerback alert to signal the return of line voltage.




Yes, I will be the sole operator. Wife & kids know not to touch. (wife will have written directions should something happen to me).


Also really like the Gener-link setup that goes behind the meter, but very pricey & needs 240V. Wish they made a lighter-duty unit.

120v gen won’t really work for what you are trying to do.....unless you do some serious juggling in the panel. Your breakers are split between the two phases and the Honda is only one of those phases.

 

[ddbackhoe]

(wife will have written directions should something happen to me).
Also really like the Gener-link setup that goes behind the meter, but very pricey & needs 240V. Wish they made a lighter-duty unit.

Shell get the instructions before or after the first try? .

 

[dalola]

Well, turns out I just don't have enough room in my panel. The interlock switch requires 3 blanks, and I only have one. I could swap in some piggyback breakers, but at this point I think just swapping out my 6 line transfer switch for a 10 line is the best solution. This will cover the additional 120V circuits I want, and mount where the old switch was. I will wire it ready for 240V, for future expansion, and just use an adapter plug to go from the 5L-30 on the generator to the L14-30 on the inlet box. It's gonna cost me a bit more, but I think it will be an easier, safer, setup.