5500 watt Generator hook up to house...

[rsieracki]

I have an older gasoline powered 5000w or 5500w (i cant remember and its buried in my shed) generator that id like to make a quick connect setup for.

what im thinking is its has i believe 2- 110 outlets and a 2- 220v outlets on the genset. im going to get a schematic and see about changing that to a single 220 volt output (at the 5500 watts or whatever the actual output is) with a twistlock connector that i can connect to a twistlock on my deck that will run apx 40 feet into my utility room (thru crawlspace) I AM NOT LOOKING TO BACKFEED SO LETS KEEP THAT OUT OF THE THREAD

What im looking to do is have this line run into a subpanel and split into 3 or 4 outlets to run a short extention cords to the freezer, sump pump etc. i know i cant run home off a genset of this size so im not planning to try. What I'm simply trying to do is elimiate leaving a door open and several different houndred foot cords run thru the house when all I need is the power ran into my basement (much shorter run) and I can run cords from there and keep the home closed and secure.

what im asking is:

1. What guage wire for a 40 foot (apx) run for say 5500w genset

2. Seeing as I'm navaging it thru the crawlspace (completly enclosed it has a concrete floor as its the crawl under an addition over an old patio) can I use that flexible metal (spiral metal and looks like BX only you pull your own wires) or is a NM cable acceptable? perhaps the grey waterproof tubing (name escapes me right now) RUNNING EMT IS NOT AN OPTION, I dont have the space and it would be a royal PITA in the space I'm working in.

3. has anyone done something similar? i cant find a thread on doing what im thinking.

Thanks,
Ron

 

[Speedy Petey]

I have to say. Convoluted setups like this are no match for a simple easy Gen-Tran type panel. They are quick and easy to install and use, and there is NO confusion as to what is powered and what is not.
I would venture to guess the cost is not much more than the elaborate setup you are proposing.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HS2L3E/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000E673GY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[theoldwizard1]

what im asking is:

1. What guage wire for a 40 foot (apx) run for say 5500w genset

10/3

2. Seeing as I'm navaging it thru the crawlspace (completly enclosed it has a concrete floor as its the crawl under an addition over an old patio) can I use that flexible metal (spiral metal and looks like BX only you pull your own wires) or is a NM cable acceptable?

NM is acceptable. (I'm assuming the crawl is "rodent proof" so there is no concern about critters gnawing on the wire.)

 

[DaMaN]

I am doing a similar run but @~100 ft of 10/3 with ground into a transfer switch.

A couple of questions, should I run 10/3 with ground solid or should I get 4 rolls (Red, White / Black Green @ 100ft of stranded? And whichever, whats the most cost effective place to purchase the wire at Big Box store or online?

Thanks

-David

 

[RickP]

I am doing a similar run but @~100 ft of 10/3 with ground into a transfer switch.

A couple of questions, should I run 10/3 with ground solid or should I get 4 rolls (Red, White / Black Green @ 100ft of stranded? And whichever, whats the most cost effective place to purchase the wire at Big Box store or online?

Thanks

-David

The Romex is going to be cheaper, because you'd need to install conduit for the stranded wire. A roll of 10-3 NM-B might be around $1.20 per foot for that length, and you could probably find four spools of stranded for close to that price. But PVC conduit would add at least 10 cents per foot to the cost of the stranded wire.

 

[DaMaN]

So the use of solid vs. stranded is no biggie? My garage will house my generator and it is detached so I will need to run PVC to run it anyways. Thanks for the quick response.