[...Continued from previous message.]
OK, back to that "other stuff"...
Main Generator meter panel was installed when I upgraded my service entry two summers ago. It has a manual interlock on it that will be manually switched when powered off the generator. This was purchased from my POCO so I know it is what they want.
In which case, you could possibly even save a few bucks over the prices quoted in the above link, since you would not need the transfer switch included in that package. Of course, that is an AUTOMATIC transfer switch, which is much more convenient than your manual interlock-based system; so if it were me, I'd ditch the manual switch anyway.
The house will be fed off the 50 amp generator feed at this panel.
You cannot draw the full output of that genset through that outlet. You will in effect be limited to ~12kW. (Makes that 14kW Guardian model look still better, doesn't it?)
I also have a hot tub and I would like to power its heater so as not have to drain it during a winter power outage.
Will I be OK with keeping it & the house powered off the 50 amp feed or should I install a separate 30 amp feed to it for when running off the generator?
You MAY have "lucked out" in a sense here, in that some of your comments imply your hot tub has unusually low power requirements (but see below for an IMPORTANT possible exception). So
IF you insist on keeping that genset (which I really hope you are at least strongly reconsidering, at this point), then the preferred approach would be to feed the hot tub separately off the 30A L14-30R outlet. If you were to run it off the 50A 14-50R outlet that is also powering the house, you effectively leave even less (a LOT less, in this context) power available for the house itself.
HOWEVER... To do this right (and near-certainly to meet code) this will
also require a second full interlock/transfer-switch setup dedicated to the hot tub. And I do not know how your local PoCo or inspector will feel about having TWO such setups on the same electrical service. At the very least, I would contact both of them and explain
exactly what you would like to do, and see if they have any comments/objections, before proceeding.
If a separate hook up is needed I would install it inline to the hot tub and separate it / throw breaker when running on the generator.
NOT GOOD ENOUGH!
The classic "I promise to remember to throw the breaker" mantra can (and does)
KILL PEOPLE. It is
NEVER acceptable. A full interlock system is the DEAD MINIMUM (no pun intended).
The Generator has a 50A outlet & breaker and also a couple 30A outlets.
But only one of those 30A outlets is capable of 240V output. And remember, every amp you draw out of either it or the 50A/240V outlet leaves TWO less amps available @ 120V.
The fuel usage will be eventually addressed by running the unit on Propane and having a 200-300lb tank setting there ready to use. Gasoline will be a back up if needed and initially the fuel of choice until LP can be installed.
You're kidding yourself. You need to solve the fuel conundrum NOW. And as noted above, gasoline just isn't going to cut it, now or later.
The 50A lead will go to the house and the 30A lead will be installed to the Hot Tub, this tub has two circuits one 20A & one 30A one is the heater and the other is the jet pumps. I won't be installing enough power to use it fully only to keep it from freezing. I can not locate my manual at the moment but if memory serves me the 20A circuit is for the heater.
Ooops! I missed this the first time though. This MIGHT render the whole idea of heating the hot tub off the genset unworkable. As someone else mentioned, the tub near-certainly NEEDS to run the pumps whenever the heater is on, in order to keep from overheating (hence damaging) the heating unit itself and the pipes/ wiring/etc. in close proximity to it. At the very least, it needs to circulate the heated water throughout the plumbing system to keep those pipes from freezing up. So...
OK found my manual, and the Hot Tub has a 4000W heater and runs off the 20A breaker in the sub panel. This includes the small circulation pump for the heating system.
If you are VERY certain that this circuit alone will be adequate to both keep the tub heated AND prevent localized overheating, etc.,
WITHOUT any "assistance" from the 30A pump circuit, then we're back to what I said above about running it off the L14-30R outlet.
Considering the 30A supply from the generator is 7500W i don't see why this would not be sufficient to keep the hot tub warm.
As far as that goes, you are correct; but do understand: 30A is the maximum output rating for THAT OUTLET, regardless of any other considerations. However, ALL of the outlets on the genset draw from a "common pool" of power, so to speak. So every amp you draw from the L14-30R outlet leaves (at least) one less amp available at the other outlets (most notably including that "50A" 14-50R). You CANNOT draw the maximum rated loads from all outlets simultaneously.
In the house I will have minimal running; Furnace (fuel oil), well pump 1/3HP, Fridge, Freezer, small fish tank, potentially TV & some lighting.
What about your range/oven/cooktop? Microwave? Sump pumps? Garage door opener(s)? All these things can add up. But more to the point, unless you size the generator to comfortably handle the ENTIRE house load (including those loads you don't think you'll "really need" during an outage), and install the transfer switch accordingly at the main service input, the ONLY loads which will be usable during an outage will be those you've already moved to the sub-panel fed from the transfer switch. So it behooves you to really think through those decisions carefully, assuming a "worst case" scenario in terms of the length & timing of the outage.
NO A/C, main loads will be during winter.
If used during the summer, it will not run the Hot Tub (no worries of freezing)
Given that genset, "dropping" the hot tub load during the non-Winter months won't really help you, unless you ALSO install a second sub-panel in addition to the second transfer-switch/interlock (still more co$t). As noted above, you will still be limited to about 12kW from the main 50A feed, regardless.
Yeah the Generator showed up today, shipping damage to the fuel pump on the motor, broke one of the ******* off. Not hard to fix but I will have to wait for the supplier to sort out who covers it and ships me the parts, as no obvious damage before it was uncrated.
This could actually be a "silver lining" situation... With any luck, you can use this as further ammunition to justify returning the unit for a refund. Then go buy the type of generator you really SHOULD have bought in the first place.
