Home Standby Generator Alternative || Back feeding your home using RV plug and cable
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- Опубликовано: 26 мар 2024
- After the sticker shock of our Generac quote, this is what we went with to be able to power critical components of our home in an emergency for 1% - 10% of the original cost ($$$).
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$15,000?! That's nuts! I purchased a 22KW Generac whole home generator back in 2018 and it was *only* $6,000 and I thought that was pricey at the time. Can't say I regret it though, have had more than a few long outages during winter storms over the years and the generator kept my entire house heated during those periods.
I know! Here is my actual quote: ruclips.net/video/MAUdBOSQLeU/видео.htmlsi=doRl1dzMDc6TglfT
This assumes you ALREADY have a standby generator. Also, I believe an Interlock is MANDATORY as it would be dangerous to backfeed power onto the utility line if you forget to flip that.
I did this standby generator with a manual interlock for several years when I lived in NW Florida. It worked great and was safe for linemen working to restore power after a hurricane. After I retired, I went with an automatic Generac system. Peace of mind.
Yeap, its closer to 1% of the cost of the standby if you already have a portable generator but bumps up to 10% if you have to buy a portable generator along with the other components. Either way, lots cheaper.
The automatic standby is really nice and convenient.
Good video.. liked and subscribed.
Thanks!
I did this myself a few years ago as well. I looked at the Generac options but instead ended up buying a 2 cylinder larger capacity generator with pressurized oil system and oil filter (which means significantly fewer oil changes) for $2,000. I spent $900 having an electrician install a manual cut over switch and outside port. The advantage of the system NOT being automatic is significant. I hear everyone else's generator start whenever we have a short brown out or very brief failure. If you are on vacation or out shopping, that generator is announcing that there is NOBODY HOME! Also I do not have to deal with the crappy customer service BS. I maintain the generator myself and nobody is snooping at my maintenance or usage as is the case with the big price tag solutions out there (big brother always watching) that cost 2 to 4 times as much for slightly less KW.
My electrician said that I can leave the cable plugged in all the time even when not using the generator, so I have done a good job of routing that and I never have to worry about it. I inspect the cable once a year and I run the generator once a week for 5-10 minutes. I change the gasoline out once every 3 to 4 months by simply pumping it out of the generator tank and into one of our cars and burn the gas. An inexpensive electric hand pump makes this easy. I then put fresh new gas in to the generators and the extra storage tanks.
So I have a solution which easily runs my whole house, including central A/C for well under $4,000 and it will outlive me.
Very nice!
How large of a portable generator did you go with? It looks like I can get a 18 kw 'whole house' system with 200 amp transfer switch for $5200 if I do all the install.
@@Mogman150 It is no longer in production, but back then I purchased a Caterpillar RP 12000 which was a 12 kw generator with a 50 amp 220 main breaker. It is a 2 cyl. engine with pressurized oil system. But there are lots of generators out there with 1 cyl and non pressurized oil system which will do just fine. An 18 kw with the 200 amp transfer switch for 5200 is a great price.
@@Mogman150 Which brand did you go with?
That is a strange cable. It is a 4 prong 240/250v 50amp into the generator, and a 3 prong 120V 30Amp inlet box? You are only using half your power in the generator? I had to watch the video several times to make sure what I saw. If you switch to the correct input connector and buy a cable that supports 250v/50a at both ends, you will be better off. I have had both between my last two houses. I helped my electrician/friend with the installs. I studied the crap out of theses things. I love your input outlet. It is a 125v/30amp (3750watts max) marine grade with a threaded fitting. I see it on docks all the time. I use it on my boat, but it is the 3-prong fitting at both ends. Yours is a non-standard cable.
Good question.
The 4th "prong" is the ground on the side of the plug. See here for a video that talks about that very thing:
ruclips.net/video/lzbhBUdSUDk/видео.htmlsi=_fRbwCBF6RoxflTf
You've got the full 240V - 50A all the way through.