Generator interface panel in soffit

[matt_i]

Curious if there's a good reason I can't put the bulk of this panel hidden inside of a soffit (the male plug prongs would face straight down perpendicular to the ground) with just the exterior flap as the access point? It would seem to improve the weather resistance of the setup, plus not have a box hanging on the side of my building.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

How would u make it accessible?

And thats a 3R rated box so it would be hard for it to take on water...

 

[matt_i]

Good question, the soffit is essentially like vinyl siding. So its possible to unclip pieces of it and access what's behind, if necessary, just takes a tool and a little doing.

If I put it on the outside wall I'd have to buy a vinyl siding "block" of the correct size and integrate that as well.

More or less the plan would be to scribe the keyhole shape of the cover and allow that to stick below the soffit surface. The last piece of vinyl could be snapped into place when the electrical work was completed and the box was closed up.

I realize its nonconventional but I am too sort of

 

[ard]

Technically that box should be mounted in the 'usual' orientation to retain it's rating. (so plug facing sideways not down, the 'thickened' cover part that forms a cap over the box on the top)

I think.

 

[penright]

@matt_i, what size generator and what transfer switch was you looking at? There are thousand threads discussing the plus/minus and I am not trying to stir it up, I was just curious what you were looking at.

I was considering do the same thing. Mounting a box under the soffit on the patio where there is a NG hook up for the grill. I am looking at a 7500 watt generator and adding the tri fuel adapter, hence the NG hook up.

Could we not use a remodel box, as long as the cover was an "outside style"?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/1-Gang-20-cu-in-PVC-Old-Work-Box-B120R/202077323

http://www.homedepot.com/p/1-Gang-Vertical-Mount-Weatherproof-Flip-Lid-Device-Cover-5030-0/203638320

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Leviton-...nding-Locking-Receptacle-White-2715/301304814

I could not find a 50amp version of the Leviton. Since I am going with 7500 watts, 30amp is all I need. My main reason for posting the URL was to help clarify the question.
Would we (me and OP) be in the same situation by using the weatherproof flip in a flat position? The issue .... It is not how the cover was designed to be used.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

So you'd have to reach up to the soffit to plug in the cord, how far is that above the ground?
I looked at flush mounted connectors for mine, I believe that all I found were for RVs.
I ended up mounting that style.

 

[mrobins297aaa]

this has a bottom opening, I'm not sure how you would access it if you put it in a soffit.
I didn't use this one on my setup but something very similar

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Generac-30-...441793?hash=item210b4bdc81:g:f60AAOSw37tV-a7E

edit: I don't have mine mounted in the soffit, just on the wall outside my garage