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Ryan's 20lb propane generator panel setup

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ryanjharvey

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Joined
Dec 23, 2013
Messages
27
Location
Louisville, KY
Hey all - just wanted to post my propane generator setup in hopes it may help a few people when trying to think through the best way to get backup power in their house. Couple of goals I had:
  • Need a fuel source that storage stable and wont go "bad" from year to year.
  • Want the ability to turn on any 120V breaker in my main panel without "deciding" only which loads could be emergency
  • Want the cheapest easiest setup that is safe and as code compliant as possible

Components utilized:

  • Champion 3500W/2800W 120V propane generator (Champion 76530)
  • Square D Homeline Generator Interlock Kit UL Listed (Square D HOMRBGK2C)
  • Connecticut Electric 30 Amp Power Inlet Box with Hinged Door and L14-30R male flanged outlet
  • Conntek PL530L1430 1.5-Feet Female Locking Adapter for 125-Volt L5-30P Plug to 125/250-Volt L14-30R (Two hots bridged)
  • Conntek 20571 Generator Extension Cord 25-Foot 10/3 30 Amp 3 Prong NEMA L5-30 Eextension Cord

Thought process behind this setup:
I found a good deal on the generator on craigslist so this was what it was. I knew I wasnt going to run a heat pump furnace or any other 240V loads so a small 120V generator didnt bother me. I'm on city water, dont have a well pump, etc. etc.

Started looking at transfer switches but given my panel is outside, I was going to have to order a 120V Nema 3R outdoor manual transfer switch. These were way more expensive than a generator interlock kit and I didn't see much benefit to this vs manual load selection using the breaker panel.

Another issue I had was that since my gen was 120V, I was only going to get one side of the panel backfed with power. I went ahead and wired my panel for 240V with a 30A/2P breaker from the inlet box and the L14-30R flanged male receptacle, but then utilized an adapter cord that bridges the two hot conductors so that both sides of the panel will have power. Just allows me the option to power what I want, when I want and not have to worry about rearranging breakers.

The inlet box is very well made and seemed to be the best option at the time for what I wanted in an outside receptacle. I DO NOT like the receptacles from reliance and everyone else that just plug in with no hood or in-use device in the front. The Connecticut Electric box has the receptacle on the bottom along with a lid to close it off when not in use. A design that should help against rain in the future.

Here is the setup. Panel is a mess. Hope this helps anyone else thinking about a similar setup.

View media item 56212View media item 56213View media item 56214View media item 56216
 
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theoldwizard1

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Feb 22, 2011
Messages
43,114
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SE MI
ryanjharvey said:
Started looking at transfer switches but given my panel is outside, I was going to have to order a 120V Nema 3R outdoor manual transfer switch. These were way more expensive than a generator interlock kit and I didn't see much benefit to this vs manual load selection using the breaker panel.
Click to expand...
I AGREE 110%

ryanjharvey said:
Another issue I had was that since my gen was 120V, I was only going to get one side of the panel backfed with power. I went ahead and wired my panel for 240V with a 30A/2P breaker from the inlet box and the L14-30R flanged male receptacle, but then utilized an adapter cord that bridges the two hot conductors so that both sides of the panel will have power. Just allows me the option to power what I want, when I want and not have to worry about rearranging breakers.
Click to expand...
That "cord" is likely "illegal" (I am not an NEC lawyer). Take the time and re-shuffle the breakers.

Your logic on propane is perfect. If you are going to use 20 lb bottles, you had better have 4 or 5 or you are going to be out of fuel in less than a day.

For homes that are currently 100% electric and want to use propane as the fuel for their generator (eliminating storing and cycling their stored gasoline before it goes bad) I recommend buying a 250 gallon in ground tank and running a line to the house. When you water heater/dryer/range dies, switch to propane. It will save you money in the long run.
 
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C

checkthisout

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Sep 5, 2008
Messages
5,232
ryanjharvey said:
Not sure how it's illegal. It's not a custom made cord. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0050PQ0UO/?tag=atomicindus08-20


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I had a similar solution to use my 120V generator on my transfer switch. I simply put a jumper between the two hots in the cord end. :D

Where it could potentially create an issue, is with MWBC that share neutrals. You now have both branches in the circuit on the same phase sharing the same neutral which can overload it.

However, you would have to operating both branches at close to max capacity which means you would need a generator capable of that wattage (yours isn't). Most MWBC supply a kitchen and it's unlikely you're going to running the toaster and microwave at the same time with the house running off a generator.
 
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pentavolvo

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Sep 6, 2010
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Indiana
checkthisout said:
I had a similar solution to use my 120V generator on my transfer switch. I simply put a jumper between the two hots in the cord end. :D

Where it could potentially create an issue, is with MWBC that share neutrals. You now have both branches in the circuit on the same phase sharing the same neutral which can overload it.

However, you would have to operating both branches at close to max capacity which means you would need a generator capable of that wattage (yours isn't). Most MWBC supply a kitchen and it's unlikely you're going to running the toaster and microwave at the same time with the house running off a generator.
Click to expand...

I run same setup and zero issues
 
OP
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ryanjharvey

Active member
Joined
Dec 23, 2013
Messages
27
Location
Louisville, KY
theoldwizard1 said:
I AGREE 110%


That "cord" is likely "illegal" (I am not an NEC lawyer). Take the time and re-shuffle the breakers.

Your logic on propane is perfect. If you are going to use 20 lb bottles, you had better have 4 or 5 or you are going to be out of fuel in less than a day.

For homes that are currently 100% electric and want to use propane as the fuel for their generator (eliminating storing and cycling their stored gasoline before it goes bad) I recommend buying a 250 gallon in ground tank and running a line to the house. When you water heater/dryer/range dies, switch to propane. It will save you money in the long run.
Click to expand...

Yeah I'm agree - would love to have a larger propane tank. Right now I have 3 20lb tanks. Two are my own and one is trade in. We will see if with the gen as small as it is, if 20lb will get me more than 12 or 14 hours
 
OP
R

ryanjharvey

Active member
Joined
Dec 23, 2013
Messages
27
Location
Louisville, KY
checkthisout said:
I had a similar solution to use my 120V generator on my transfer switch. I simply put a jumper between the two hots in the cord end. :D

Where it could potentially create an issue, is with MWBC that share neutrals. You now have both branches in the circuit on the same phase sharing the same neutral which can overload it.

However, you would have to operating both branches at close to max capacity which means you would need a generator capable of that wattage (yours isn't). Most MWBC supply a kitchen and it's unlikely you're going to running the toaster and microwave at the same time with the house running off a generator.
Click to expand...

Agree this could cause an issue in certain situations but with the location
And loads I'm planning to run I will not encounter this.
 
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LS6 Tommy

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Dec 27, 2013
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Northern NJ
ryanjharvey said:
Yeah I'm agree - would love to have a larger propane tank. Right now I have 3 20lb tanks. Two are my own and one is trade in. We will see if with the gen as small as it is, if 20lb will get me more than 12 or 14 hours
Click to expand...

I looked at that unit for a neighbor. Run time is 10 hours at 50% load. You'll be lucky to get a day out of (3) 20# cylinders if you're running at or close to full load.

Tommy
 
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OP
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ryanjharvey

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Dec 23, 2013
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Location
Louisville, KY
theoldwizard1 said:
OP is going to get cold ! Time for a propane "fireplace".
Click to expand...

Haha. Well it's just the wife, my boxer dog and I so the game plan was to stay in the bedroom room with the space heater and the biggest load would be the refrig (if need be on) or a single 1500w space heater (bedroom lights are led as well)

Your right - the rest of the house will be cold. Just don't have the money for a larger propane gen at this point ( or enough tanks to run it):D

To anyone reading this later on though - these are all valid things you must think through when deciding what the perfect gen size / fuel setup is you will
Be using. It's not always clear... Usually clear as mud.
 
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theoldwizard1

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ryanjharvey said:
... so the game plan was to stay in the bedroom room with the space heater and the biggest load would be the refrig (if need be on) or a single 1500w space heater (bedroom lights are led as well) ...
Click to expand...

I saw a YouTube video where the guy equipped his spare bedroom with a mini-split, microwave, 'frig, TV and other essentials and had it rigged to run off of a Honda 2000 or 3000. He planned to sit out multi-day power outages from hurricanes in that one bedroom.

Sounds like a good plan to me !
 
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OP
R

ryanjharvey

Active member
Joined
Dec 23, 2013
Messages
27
Location
Louisville, KY
theoldwizard1 said:
I saw a YouTube video where the guy equipped his spare bedroom with a mini-split, microwave, 'frig, TV and other essentials and had it rigged to run off of a Honda 2000 or 3000. He planned to sit out multi-day power outages from hurricanes in that one bedroom.

Sounds like a good plan to me !
Click to expand...

Definitely won't have that setup! But we hope we can make it through an outage with something rather than nothing.
 
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Junkman

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Dec 18, 2006
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Location
Northeastern CT
I had an 8000 watt Winco generator powered by a Tecumseh engine that ran on propane. It used a lot more propane than I cared to pay for, when the propane prices were $3.00 a gallon. Ultimately, I removed it, and replaced it with a 12KW Lister Petter 4 cylinder diesel, that takes care of the whole home, and sips very little fuel. We have been known to have outages lasting 7 to 10 days, and the last thing that I want to be worried about are broken water pipes. If I start to run low on diesel fuel, I can take the return line from the oil burner, and divert it into a 5 gallon fuel can, and transfer it to the generators fuel storage tank.
 
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wyliesdiesels

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Modesto, CA
Junkman said:
I had an 8000 watt Winco generator powered by a Tecumseh engine that ran on propane. It used a lot more propane than I cared to pay for, when the propane prices were $3.00 a gallon. Ultimately, I removed it, and replaced it with a 12KW Lister Petter 4 cylinder diesel, that takes care of the whole home, and sips very little fuel. We have been known to have outages lasting 7 to 10 days, and the last thing that I want to be worried about are broken water pipes. If I start to run low on diesel fuel, I can take the return line from the oil burner, and divert it into a 5 gallon fuel can, and transfer it to the generators fuel storage tank.
Click to expand...

How much did that Lister petter cost?

Ive been looking at standby diesel gensets.

Do u have an ATS?

And what does broken water pipes have to do with generators? :headscrat :dunno:
 
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