Budget generator hookup

I live in a rural area, and we lose power about 4-6 times a year. Transfer switches are expensive, so I want to install a separate panel, beside the existing breaker panel, with only 2 breakers, to run the furnace, fridge, and well pump, and use a stove plug to plug it into either the main panel, or to the generator. Does anybody see a problem with this, or have a better/easier/cheaper way to do it?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=42162 http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=42163 20% off coupon in The Mag. BY the time you're done with your sub panel, breakers, wires, plugs, etc., I bet the cost is pretty close to doing it right.

Doc said: 20% off coupon

Cue-pon in Canada.

I already have most of that stuff in my description.

Also watching this

http://cgi.ebay.ca/EmerGen-Generator-Transfer-Switch-Panel-20A-125-250V_W0QQitemZ270524341482QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBI_Generators?hash=item3efc81dcea#ht_2200wt_1167

My BIL recommended using a couple of 3 way light switches, and tying the neutrals together, but I don't think that's a great idea.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Homebuilt_Generator_Riding_Lawn_Mower_1Kw/

i just noticed in the latest HF ad that came in the mail yesterday that they have a 900w generator for $99. not bad if you just want to keep your food from spoiling and maybe power a radio or tv.

The only legal way to do it is with isolation switches. The utility doesn't want any possibility of your generator backfeeding their grid and injuring a lineman. Just for reference on costs, I did mine with a ten breaker panel (I can run most of the house) and 60 feet of cable to a plug in the garage. Most of the cost was the cable from the panel to the garage and a 20" extension cord so I could leave the generator running outdoors. Total bill was $1200. It could have been half that much if I'd put the plug in station on the house wall at the service entrance. I didn't like hauling the generator around to the other end of the house in a snowstorm, though.

zomby woof wrote: My BIL recommended using a couple of 3 way light switches, and tying the neutrals together, but I don't think that's a great idea.

It's not. Should something go wrong, you'll be in deep ca ca...

In reply to Ian F:

Yeah, always know what you're doing or pay someone who has earned the right to say they know what they're doing for electrical stuff. Reason: go to youtube and look up something called "arc flash". It kills.

I know the regulations regarding arc flash, and working live (recent electrical training upgrade), and my BIL is a master electrician.

The way I want to do it is safe, just wondering if anybody had any ideas that I hadn't thought of.

zomby woof wrote: Does anybody see a problem with this, or have a better/easier/cheaper way to do it?

Yep. It's illegal.

The purpose of the transfer switch is to keep line workers from being killed. If the power goes out, they will be working on the lines. If you have the ability to generate power and forget to turn off the breakers connecting the generator to the power lines, the lines will be hot when they are working on them.

Legally requires a transfer switch.

Not.

It will not be possible to connect the generator to the main panel.

so I want to install a separate panel, beside the existing breaker panel, with only 2 breakers, to run the furnace, fridge, and well pump, and use a stove plug to plug it into either the main panel, or to the generator.

You guys are letting me down.

Home job generator hookups kill firemen in the street.

Please don't.

If I understand correctly, it may not be legal but should not be unsafe.

Let's see if I can explain.
1. Main panel will have a breaker connected to an external stove receptacle.
2. Secondary panel will be fed by a cord with a stove plug plugged into above receptacle
3. Furnace, Fridge, and Well Pump will be permanently connected to secondary panel.
4. In case of power outage, plug feeding secondary panel will be pulled from receptacle attached to main panel and plugged into generator.

Pretty much what a transfer switch does except that you will do it manually. I wouild suggest that you have at least 3 breakers in the secondary panel )one for each item).

You are correct, and apparently the only one who can read.

I don't think it's illegal in Canada, but regardless, it's certainly not unsafe. It's a lot easier if I do 2 breakers, and the furnace, while only drawing 5-6 amps, will never run at the same time as the well pump. It's switched, and will only run to pressurize the tank as required. The generator will only run for about an hour at a time. Supplementary heat is by wood stove, and the TV/satellite runs off a 400 watt inverter permanently installed in my wifes car.

I think the question may be whether it's code to have a flexible cord connection to that sub-panel. I don't think it would pass muster in the US but I don't know the rules in Canada. Functionally it sounds like it will work.

You are creating too many issues.

Flex connector to sub-panel- questionable.

What's the length of the flex wire? Could it get tangled? damaged? Caught in a door?

Are the panels inside? Are you gonna run the generator outside?

Is the normal operating position of the generator in proximately to the panel boxes?

Is there a potential of igniting fumes from the fuel for the generator from arcs at the panel locations? How about when you unplug the wire? Plug it back in?

How about surge to the pump when you plug in the sub-panel and forget to kill the breaker?

I don't think its that folks can't read- Perhaps you haven't given all the required info.

You can't do very much half-assing for the price of a manual transfer switch.

Then again, if anything's worth doing, it's worth doing half-way.

I have all the stuff to do it that way, it will work, and it is safe.

If I can get a transfer switch for $100-$150 I'll do it, otherwise, I can't see spending the money on something I may only use 0-4 times a year.