I switched off the main breaker, the furnace breaker and a light switch that operates the furnace.
WX Seed; are you warning against the double male cord as the exposed male will be powered? how about plugging in everything but the cord to the generator and then plug in to the generator last that way you are not holding a powered cable?

 

With all due respect this type of advice is contrary to the electrical code, even in emergency if your going to wire a generator it should be done the proper way. The actual transfer switch is inexpensive the major cost is to get a qualified Electrician to install it and have it inspected, that's the only way to be free of liability. With saying this, I do believe if the furnace is hooked directly to the generator as it is implied in the video that would be fine.

EDIT: Since 2003 I've had a generator for this very scenario, fortunately or unfortunately depending on how you look at it our section of Markhan wasn't affected but I would have been nice to see your investment in action.

My setup: Transfer Switch is wired to use the 220 side of the 6250 Watt (peak) generator that I purchased at CTC, power cable is heavy duty weather proof RV cable purchased at Walmart ($55). The the 6250 watt genarator cost $600, initially I wanted to get 2 3000 Watt Honda generators to run in parallel to get almost the same output but the cost would have been $5K. For Fuel I have the 944 with 70 litres of gas on stand-by . I thought about natral gas as fuel but I don't know alot about trouble shooting that so I decided against it, you know murphys law and all.

 

You are absolutely correct, and I was certainly not advocating doing anything contrary to the electrical code, however people will do what they need to do in an emergency to survive, including the dangerous practice of making up electrical cables with male prongs on both ends which exposes live electrical voltage/current in a very dangerous manner.

The right thing to do is get the house electrically prepared properly for generator use BEFORE a blackout like the one in July 2003 and the one a week ago, such that dangerous practices would not be taken by people in desperation for power to keep the house warm for their family.

 

Hi Kevin, I didn't mean to come across to "bust your *****", I saw that you were doing your best not to advocate, surviving during cold weather is paramount on all our minds but we don't want to hurt others.

Any how from what I'm hearing on TV, after this ice storm our nanny state will be doing their best to renforce codes and by-laws on the use of generators and BBQs,... .

 

The other option is that most hydro utility companies will install a meter base generator transfer switch. It is mounted at the meter, when you plug the generator in (using the twist lock cable) it disconnects the main power supply. Then you just select the circuits you want to use from your main panel. Ont hydro sells and install them but i couldn't find the link to paste.

The other thing to keep in mind for those of you buying inexpensive generators from the US. They are not CSA approved which is a safety issue. Most of the low cost gens don't have an automatic voltage regulator to control voltage, they use capacitors so you can get large spikes in power output. Make sure to use a surge protector power bar when plugging in sensitive electrical equipment like a computer, TV. The ideal generator to use is an inverter model because of the low noise and really clean power output. I have a Honda EU series, super quiet and runs 12 hours on a tank of gas.

 

No affiliation... just in a related industry.

http://www.paramountpower.com/sales/...l/products.cfm

 

No worries Mark, it was necessary to clearly identify the consequences of bad practice, especially when human lives are at stake.

I have not decided on the transfer switch yet, what I have in mind is a "dumb" transfer switch by wiring a set of receptacles near the furnace and hot water heater with the receptacles terminating to a male plug, upon a blackout, I'll unplug the furnace and the water heater from where they are normally connected to and plug them into this "generator only" set of receptacles, I will then connect the output of the generator through a proper extension cable with the male end plugging into the generator output and a female end which the male plug from the "generator only" receptacles will plug into.

This setup will automatically ensure the generator power is always isolated from the fuse panel and can never backfeed into the grid, and it also does not require rigging up a electrical cable with males prongs at both ends which carries a huge risk of electrocution to either the homeowner or the hydro workers if not handled correctly.

 

Thanks for the link, Jonathan. Although we were unaffected by the power outtage, my wife and I are going to look into getting a generator. Because you know another power failure is sadly an inevitability...

Tommy

 

Those Kohler's are reasonably priced too. I used the calculator and it recommended the 13 KW unit which is about $4K.

 

After the " Big one " in 98 this one paled in comparison in Kingston.Most of the hydro grid was upgraded from that storm. It held up except downtown but that was mostly due to the fire. Outlying areas were down though. A major fire an ice storm and earth tremors ? Sounds like a verse in a Hip song to me.

 

Didn't know that, have to look into this.

I've come to recognize all of these also while looking through various websites in the past couple of days, I am seriously considering the Honda generators for exactly these reasons, plus the warranty coverage over the border will be a PITA if ever required. The Honda generators also carry 3 year warranty regardless of commercial or residential, you have to get extended warranty at additional cost for the inexpensive ones.

 

Pricy but if you buy it through Home Depot you can finance over several years.

 

Hi Kevin, if you plan on using any generator to power the furnace you need to ensure that the initial current draw does not cause the generator to shut down due to the excessive draw. A single Honda EU3000 is "pretty smart" , depending on your furnace motor it may not tolerate the excessive current draw and shut down, thats why I went with the "dumb" 6250 watt. The guy in the video explains a bit about this. The great thing about the Honda generators is that the are designed to work in parallel but 2 EU3000 in parallel will cost about $5k. The other thing to keep in mind is that the wattage that they quote is "peak" the actual operating wattage is somewhat lower (rms). i.e. 6250 watts (peak) is about ~4500 watts (operating).

 

This hysteria over buying generators is interesting. Remember the same thing in '03. Everyone was guying them up as if the end of the World was here and then never use them. Isn't it easier to just drain the pipes and go to a hotel for a few days?

 

I agree with the comment about a lot of resources will now go into generators that will likely never get used.
In our case, it was a bit ironic that I have two perfectly good generators at our cottage, which, because it is off-grid, also has a perfectly functional electrical system and (wood) heating system.
But is is more or less inaccessible in the winter.

We were without power for 65 hours. We kept the house warm by connecting a couple of batteries I had in the garage to a cheap 1000 watt inverter, which I then connected to the electrical panel.
<insert all the disclaimers and warnings about the electrical code. Make sure the main breaker is off>
By wiring to the L1 and L2 on my garage panel, I powered up both phases, and so had power to all the breakers in the main panel.
All of the main panel breakers were switched off except one for the furnace, one for the kitchen lights and, of course, the Christmas tree.
The batteries would last for a few hours, then I'd run my truck a couple of hours to recharge them.
At the end, I don't have a generator to store, no double ended extension cords, and the setup can be reassembled in a half hour or so.

My furnace on high fire draws 345 watts; others may draw a bit more but a home furnace will easily run off a 2000 watt generator.
Couple of generator comments - the Honda and Yamaha inverter types provide a true sine wave output, and so will run anything in your house. Any of the non-inverter types, and in particular the cheap ones, have disclaimers with respect to electronic equipment damage. Also, the inverter ones are really quiet - I have a 3000 watt Yamaha that is drowned out by my lake neighbours CT special - he is about 1/4 km away.

all fwiw
Happy New Year