Use generator to power cabin

[tdmanhattan]

Ok, this question involves a not often used cabin that is completely off the utility grid and no way for generator power to feed back in to an electric companies grid. The cabin is wired with a normal residential 220 volt, 100 amp service panel. It could be hooked to an utility company grid if there was one, but there is not. Two questions. First, my generator has a floating ground. The service panel has an earth ground. It is my understanding that the service panel's earth ground will provide the necessary ground when my generator is attached to the the cabin's electrical system. Is that correct? Second question. My generator has two 110 volt outlets. Could I use two power cords running from each 110 volt generator outlet to two different 110 volt receptacles in the house - one 110 volt receptacle that feeds off the L1 in the service panel and the other 110 volt receptacle feeding off the L2. I know that any breakers powering appliances using 220 volts would have to be thrown open. And yes, the two cords with have to be used as suicide cords. Not safe. But, would such an arrangement work?

 

[checkthisout]

Ok, this question involves a not often used cabin that is completely off the utility grid and no way for generator power to feed back in to an electric companies grid. The cabin is wired with a normal residential 220 volt, 100 amp service panel. It could be hooked to an utility company grid if there was one, but there is not. Two questions. First, my generator has a floating ground. The service panel has an earth ground. It is my understanding that the service panel's earth ground will provide the necessary ground when my generator is attached to the the cabin's electrical system. Is that correct? Second question. My generator has two 110 volt outlets. Could I use two power cords running from each 110 volt generator outlet to two different 110 volt receptacles in the house - one 110 volt receptacle that feeds off the L1 in the service panel and the other 110 volt receptacle feeding off the L2. I know that any breakers powering appliances using 220 volts would have to be thrown open. And yes, the two cords with have to be used as suicide cords. Not safe. But, would such an arrangement work?

Your ground is fine.

Yes you can backfeed but why in the hell would you do that when hooking to the panel is so easy, so much cleaner and just makes more sense?

 

[mike93lx]

just add an outlet like this and plug in with a regular cord. no suicide cord is necessary http://www.reliancecontrols.com/ProductDetail.aspx?PB30

 

[LS6 Tommy]

just add an outlet like this and plug in with a regular cord. no suicide cord is necessary http://www.reliancecontrols.com/ProductDetail.aspx?PB30

Sounds like his genset doesn't have an L14R30 oulet. It only has two duplex recepts.

Tommy

 

[tdmanhattan]

It is a 4500 watt genset with a TT30r 110volt 30 amp and a regular 110volt 20 amp receptacle.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

You can use a TT30P to 5-30R RV adapter cord and a 5-30R generator inlet box.
Probably run you under $100.00 depending on cord length.

Tommy

 

[TheEquineFencer]

I have a few questions about this generator. Is it a 120V only? If so, are you trying to get 240V from the two 120V outlets? It sounds like you may have a 120/240V wired cabin and you are trying to power everything from a 120V only generator. If it only has (1) 120V 30A plug, I'd guess it's a 120V only generator. Is there anything in the cabin 240V like a 240V electric hot water heater? If so, you need to decide if you're going to follow code or just do it? If you're going to just"do it" feed 120V to the main and add a jumper to the other hot leg and you will have 120V to everything, anything that's not "compatible" to this wiring is not going to like it, like a hot water heater, stove well pump ect. I'll probably get "flamed" for saying that, but o well....The other choice is to go buy a 120/240V generator and feed the main with it.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

OP the grounding is fine...u want the neutral bonding in only one place.

I would feed through the main via a 30a rated outlet.

 

[checkthisout]

It is a 4500 watt genset with a TT30r 110volt 30 amp and a regular 110volt 20 amp receptacle.

It's unusual to have an RV outlet on a generator.

Anyways,

In my own house, I made a pigtail for the transfer switch that has a jumper wire in the locking end of the plug.

So a few suggestions:

1)Camco RV cords are cheaper than plain old Romex cable. If you want to get your genny out away from your cabin, get the camco cords off amazon.

2) Get a shore power inlet and hook into your panel that way.

3) Since you have no power to the cabin, is it safe to assume that it doesn't have any 220V circuits? Running anything 220 off a generator is super wasteful. I assume all the heating and cooking is being done with propane?

With a proper shore power plug and 50 ft Camco RV cord and a bit of 10# Romex to go from your shore plug to panel, you'll have a nice setup for under $150.00

 

[tdmanhattan]

Thanks Checkthisout, It is a Champion gensit. They seem to put an RV outlet on all their gensets. You are correct about the 220 Volt circuits in the cabin. . . there are none. I think that what you have suggested is spot-on for what I need to do. Thanks for the feedback and idea. Thanks to everyone for responding.