what is the furthest the inlet box can be from the main panel? My main panel is pretty full and if I recall I have only 2 spaces left. My shop is about 100ft from the main panel and has a subpanel that I could put the inlet box at. would that be to far for the generator to operate as it should. Thx for the help
generator power inlet box distance from main panel
- Thread starter hfdff
- Start date
If connected to a sub-panel, it defeats the required interlock with the main service disconnect.
You will need a 2 pole cb (typically the first two righthand spaces) directly below the main cb so the mechanical interlock can function. Consider using tandems or quad cb's to free up some room in main panel.
You will need a 2 pole cb (typically the first two righthand spaces) directly below the main cb so the mechanical interlock can function. Consider using tandems or quad cb's to free up some room in main panel.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
You cannot power your main panel from a subpanel generator inlet and interlock out the incoming utility power in the main panel at the same time. And then have utility power available in the subpanel when not using the generator. Not physically possible.
Either install the inlet at the main panel or run a separate feeder from the inlet at the shop to the main panel.
Either install the inlet at the main panel or run a separate feeder from the inlet at the shop to the main panel.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Last edited:
75gmck25
Well-known member
You might want to try using something like this kit. It’s expensive up front, but you set it up so there are 10 circuits (in this device) you can cut over to generator. You have control of the amperage draw, and it prevents any dual feed or back feed issues. They are available from different companies for 30 amp, 50 amp, etc.
www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com
Reliance Controls A510C Pro/Tran 2 - 50-Amp 120/240V 10-Circuit Transfer Switch w/ Interchangeable Breakers
Buy Reliance Controls A510C Direct. Free Shipping. Check the Reliance Controls Pro/Tran 2 - 50-Amp (120/240V 10-Circuit) Transfer Switch w/ Interchangeable Breakers ratings before checking out.
www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com
Sorry havent had the chance to get back with this. I appreciate the comments. I think I should of clarified my setup a little better. That was my fault. So in my main panel I have a separate beaker for the shop that feeds the subpanel. My thinking was to put the generator inlet at the subpanel and it would do the same thing as having it at the main panel. I understand that having a traditional interlock kit would pose a problem and something would have to be done in order to not have the main breaker on while the generator is in use. I'm not sure if this cleared some things up.
Nope.
You can't interlock the generator, you can't have this setup work correctly.
The purpose of the interlock is to force you to turn off the main breaker(connected to the grid) before turning the generator breaker on. There's no way to do this in a sub panel, unless you only want the generator to power that sub panel.
I just get a kick out of how it's so common now that you can buy premade suicide cords.
still doesn't make it a wise or safe setup.
anyone that thinks otherwise,
well, Fill in the blanks or read between the lines ...
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
You can absolutely have the generator hooked to the sub, but that requires the interlock to be in that panel and you can only feed circuits that come from there. You cannot safely and legally feed the house from there.
You need to run wire back to the main panel
Just think of all these people with their batteries like that Jackery thing and a suicide cord. You won't even hear it running. 7.2 Kv is kinda spicy
It's impossible to power the grid with one.I just get a kick out of how it's so common now that you can buy premade suicide cords.
How do you figure that?
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Because it's yellow?
A 5 or 10kw gen set doesn't have the *** to do it. At best might be able to power 3 or 4 houses.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
There is no way you thought he was suggesting it would light up the entire grid. I hope, at least
I don't care about the grid.
I care about the guy down the road that's supposed to be working on a dead line, but some ******* is back feeding the transformer through a suicide cord.
One lapse in judgement and that guy is now dead.
Suicide cords and non interlocked generator inlets are plain unacceptable in my mind.
Ok so this went in a direction not intended. 
It would not be my intention to do something unsafe or hurt someone. but it could be done just not in the correct way. Ok so here to ask the rest of my question if done "correctly" running dedicated wire from my main panel to my shop (aprrox. 105"away) for the generator inlet. It being that distance would that keep me from reaching the generators full potential?
It would not be my intention to do something unsafe or hurt someone. but it could be done just not in the correct way. Ok so here to ask the rest of my question if done "correctly" running dedicated wire from my main panel to my shop (aprrox. 105"away) for the generator inlet. It being that distance would that keep me from reaching the generators full potential?mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
No. Just need the right size wire. The generator doesn't care about distance, just resistanceOk so this went in a direction not intended.
Assuming a 30a feed (7kw generator), #10 then in conduit should do it fine. Run #8 for the two hots if you want some extra capacity
You're welcome!
Let me know if you want me to waste anymore of your time. I'll be busy tonight but should be free tomorrow afternoon, which is probably late morning for you.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Personally I like water cooled 1800 RPM units. I've got an old 7.5 KW Kohler here that will run all my single phase loads. Running them on propane is good because it eliminates fuel problems from sitting, it's just a slight decrease in power, but I never notice it
Ive looked at those but unfortunately i have a 5ton ac unit I'd like to run and a well pump i have to run with septic system and dont think that can handle it. ive looked into the new duromax 16000 duel fuel. think i could get by with that and run a couple of other things. ive been using a champion gen 6875 5500 running watts with extension cords to run the essentials and it has served me well. I've been lucky that the times without power no more than a day or two. looking to upgrade. Ive been looking at this option and home standby gens for sometime just have never pulled the trigger.
So what is your generator output? Wire size is a function of distance and load.Ok so this went in a direction not intended.
These Onan JC series are really good reliable units. We had a bunch of them in the Police Districts in Philly. I had one district that had an outage and theirs ran for like 3 months because they didn't notice. Finally a detective with an office next to the utility room complained about the noise and said the door to the utility room was hot
This one is a 15 KW
This one is a 15 KW
Im looking at the duromax IH16000 dualfuel gas/propane 13000 running for gas and 12350 for propane. The biggest electrical loads i would have would be the ac, water well and septic. I would also run the livingroom and kitchen. My stove and water heater are gas, I can run my stove without power. If i were to do this i would put a soft start on my AC to help. I could just turn on the well pump when the pressure gets low. Keep in mind I wouldnt be running my house as usual I know that I would have to be as conservative as possible.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
You need a soft start more than a 16kw generator