Generator & Hurricane season

[marmono]

Hurricane season will be back in full swing this year and I finally got a generator. when needed im going to use it to run the fridge, a couple lamps, and, a receptacle to charge phones, ipads, etc. Im not running extension cords everywhere and back feeding is not an option because my electric is not only paid for by my HOA, (townhouse) I am forbidden to make alterations to the panel (though I do have full access to it). Anyway here is my question; what I want to do is install 2 receptacles inside my house and can run romex through conduit outside to a box that my generator plugs into.....though I dont know what that box is....and thats my question what kind of panel will allow me to plug in my generator and then branch off into a couple autonomous outlets (which will function only when the generator is turned on and plugged in). would it be this?

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/t...GocpEC9mTRkbxuAYxl9a-mKRlZv6MqDxoCaVgQAvD_BwE

 

[CJ7VFR]

What generator did you get? What you are describing is running all 120V items. Is the generator set up for just outputting 120V? Or is it a larger version that can run 120/240V items? What is the amp output of the generator? You need to take that into consideration also.

The box that you want to install on the outside of the house is called a Power Inlet Box. They come in different plug configurations that will match what the output of the generator is and the cord you want to run between the generator and the Power Inlet Box.

Jim

 

[Lelandwelds]

Hurricane season will be back in full swing this year and I finally got a generator. when needed im going to use it to run the fridge, a couple lamps, and, a receptacle to charge phones, ipads, etc. Im not running extension cords everywhere and back feeding is not an option because my electric is not only paid for by my HOA, (townhouse) I am forbidden to make alterations to the panel (though I do have full access to it). Anyway here is my question; what I want to do is install 2 receptacles inside my house and can run romex through conduit outside to a box that my generator plugs into.....though I dont know what that box is....and thats my question what kind of panel will allow me to plug in my generator and then branch off into a couple autonomous outlets (which will function only when the generator is turned on and plugged in). would it be this?

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/t...GocpEC9mTRkbxuAYxl9a-mKRlZv6MqDxoCaVgQAvD_BwE

You can run all that off a Little Honda inverter generator or a clone. (Six amps for frig and two or three for the rest?) How long and often are you without power? Refrigerators don't need to have power 24/7 if you keep the stupid door closed. A deep cycle battery operated little sine wave inverter will power cell phones etc for weeks.

Trying to pretend a hurricane never happened is what leads to overkill systems.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Install a generator interlock in your panel with a generator convenience inlet box on the outside where you plan to run the generator. Even with a small 2000W generator you can run all of your 120V appliance, lights and plugs (not at the same time, but you don't do that now anyway).

I am not sure what the rules are for your town house, but this actually a "value add" upgrade !

 

[Bretny]

Install a generator interlock in your panel with a generator convenience inlet box on the outside where you plan to run the generator. Even with a small 2000W generator you can run all of your 120V appliance, lights and plugs (not at the same time, but you don't do that now anyway).

I am not sure what the rules are for your town house, but this actually a "value add" upgrade !

He said his HOA woulsnt allow that.

What you basicly want is to run romex around everywhere and not use extension cords? Prety expensive and intrusive to the building. Just run some cords

 

[Retlaw 66]

I'm doing something similar.... a separate circuit from generator to an outlet in the kitchen.

How should this be grounded? Can I ground the generator to the main panel or does it need to go to a separate ground rod?

 

[sberry]

It's grounded thru the cord, I agree, get a couple cords and rig up something, it's really not different than a cord to an inlet or outlet. Why are a panel if it doesn't need it.

 

[Radix2]

I realize it is "not allowed", but If the space is there and the parts are available, adding the interlock breaker is less intrusive and easier to remove than this secondary distribution/ wiring system you are proposing.

All that is required is a single run of wire to the generator breaker and the interlock.

Perhaps work with your townhouse board to get a plan in place for residents who want a generator inlet installed, then a electrician could be hired to do all the units who want it, above board and approved. If you are in hurricane land, this is better and safer for everyone than having a mess of extension cords and god knows what running in a crisis?

 

[alfredeneuman]

what I want to do is install 2 receptacles inside my house and can run romex through conduit outside

Romex can't be installed outside, even in conduit.
UF cable is allowable, and is listed for outside use.

 

[sberry]

If you are not allowed to modify wiring then this scheme is not right either but,,,,, how often has outage been a problem? Figuring a good way to run a cord will be easier than some kind of mounted wire plan. Use a number 12 cord to get in to the structure, depending on generator design may even be able to use a 4 conductor cord and run 2 circuits.
Does the unit have 240 and what is the breaker size?

 

[theoldwizard1]

He said his HOA woulsnt allow that.

Appeal to the board of directors !

As I said, a professional installed generator interlock is a "value add" to the property.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

If the HOA won't allow panel upgrades, you're pretty much limited to extension cords from the generator. Any improved scenario involving interlocks, inlets, and transfer switches involves alteration of the main panel. These would, of course, be an improvement.

This is why HOA's are no good.

 

[sberry]

Its what they invented cords for. Its super easy to control the load.

 

[nadogail]

Its what they invented cords for. Its super easy to control the load.

Think of how carnivals run their electrical installations; separate portable power boxes and heavy duty extension cords. Something like a Casualty Power System on a warship. Neither pretty or code compliant, but it "Gets It Done"

 

[Bretny]

Think of how carnivals run their electrical installations; separate portable power boxes and heavy duty extension cords. Something like a Casualty Power System on a warship. Neither pretty or code compliant, but it "Gets It Done"

Good idea!

I have a old metal power strip that i put on a 12g 50ft cord that works really well for construction work or somewhere you need to plug in more than one thing.

 

[sberry]

Carnies fall in to 2 slots, very good or poor and some of the Indy food wagons are the worst. I was at one a while back where it was mud and rain, a rigged adapter from a 4 wire to 3. Propped up over a mud puddle, I told my family to get away from that thing, don't touch the building.
I was at another, talk to the maint guy in the evening, all great, top notch trucks and journeyman mechanics.

 

[sberry]

But back to the op, get some stuff and rig it up. 25 ft 16 cords to run to small stuff, the place 12 is needed is for multiple outlets like the post above. Set it up, test fit some stuff, find a decent way to rout it. Buy some cord ahead before you need it and not every piece needs to be 12. Lamp cord is fine to lamps.

 

[Falcon67]

Its what they invented cords for. Its super easy to control the load.

That's all we do here, works. If using a 240V unit, get at least two 50' 21 gauge cords and put 3 way splitters on the ends. Short cords from there. Done.

 

[Lelandwelds]

That's all we do here, works. If using a 240V unit, get at least two 50' 21 gauge cords and put 3 way splitters on the ends. Short cords from there. Done.

Every jobsite everywhere has temp power along this line.

The OP could rig up a mini calamity sawhorse with a shelf to store all the cord. Shelf becomes cell phone charging station when in use. Add some dim LED Lighting like a radio tower. Use something like a pet carrier to shield a little Honda inverter outside. Heavy cord runs between. Do able.

Better option might be a Milwaukee/Dewalt type of combined dolly/toolbox/chop saw stand . Add in a big SLA battery for a silent inverter. Each component gets its own interlocking toolbox that stores on the dolly. Rig the hinge so the lid comes off completely for one box. Make your receptacles here. There must be a commercial version of this.

 

[Aaron_W]

If you just want to keep things looking neat you could put an outlet inside, run it to a small box outside wired to an appropriately sized extension cord. When the power goes out, fire up the generator and plug it in.


It would essentially be a portable outlet box, just mounted in the wall. I assume the main point is to avoid having to leave the door ajar for an extension cord.

No messing with the main power box, and you could fit a good sized extension cord into a shoe box sized box, located out of view behind a shrubbery.

 

[finn]

If you just want to keep things looking neat you could put an outlet inside, run it to a small box outside wired to an appropriately sized extension cord. When the power goes out, fire up the generator and plug it in.


It would essentially be a portable outlet box, just mounted in the wall. I assume the main point is to avoid having to leave the door ajar for an extension cord.

No messing with the main power box, and you could fit a good sized extension cord into a shoe box sized box, located out of view behind a shrubbery.

The outside generator plug with weatherproof box is pretty cheap at the home stores or Amazon.

As stated, mount it outside the garage, drill a hole in the garage wall, and mount a receptacle inside the garage, or, if you want to get fancy, run the Romex into the kitchen, etc, install as many boxes as you need, and use grey, red, or whatever color faceplates are available to denote emergency power points.

Depending on how fancy you get, you’ll get to hone your Sheetrock and painting skills......or not.

Don’t back feed your existing wiring circuits.

 

[firebirdparts]

It's possible to backfeed the box without modifying the box, but I have no idea whether you'd even want to. If you backfeed one receptacle, for instance, you'd power up half the box.

 

[Jim_No_Garage]

There are condo associations that won't allow owners to run portable generators during outages - you might want to check that before you buy a generator and can't run it.

Jim

 

[Lelandwelds]

There are condo associations that won't allow owners to run portable generators during outages - you might want to check that before you buy a generator and can't run it.

Jim

Some are just obnoxious and never shut down. The little Honda are quiet especially if you put them in a box. An inverter with battery is silent and can handle all the piddling little loads. Fire up the genny at intervals for the frig and larger loads. The battery gets to soak up the surplus.

You could put up a couple of solar panels to keep the battery up. It would take a lot more to run a frig.

The trick is to not keep every electrical thing you own turned on. Save the food. Power the cell. Shower at the gym. Adjust amount of clothing for comfort level.