http://www.pensacolafishingforum.com/fishingforum/Topic659-55-1.aspx?Highlight=transfer+switch

I simply have a single 5500 watt generator.  I run two refigerators, stand up freezer, 5000 BTU window AC Unit, and lights and fans as I need them.  And I can use the TV and computer as I need it as well.  Granted, everything can not be turned on at once.  You just have to make sure to turn stuff off as you don't need it.  But my food stays cold and my bedroom stays cold and I have lights.  I can store enough fuel for a week without power with this small generator. 

I would highly recomend that you do not hook a generator up to your house wiring without the use of a transfer switch.  Number one, it is not safe.  A transfer switch is the easiest way to hook up your generator to your house wiring.  No need to hook up any wires etc...  Just start your generator plug it in and throw the switch and you're cooking with juice.  My time to come take a look is free. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jon

I would like to get a transfer switch put in one day but it's going to have to wait a little while.

Until then, I just run 12 gauge extension cords. I usually run my fridge, an 8,000 BTU window unit, the TV and a couple of lamps. Haven't had a problem and it's pretty good on fuel.

I'll be moving out of this area soon and I'm taking my 60 ft cable and breaker off of this breaker box...The box is on the outside by the meter....When I get to the new home it will be installed properly.

Cape Horn 17, 115 Yamaha   

Catching what I can and keeping what I'm allowed.

I took a dryer plug and wired it to my 5000 watt Cheap gas generator 220 volt plug with a heavy duty cable. I then open the circuit breaker going from main box to inside box and plug generator with dryer plug into dryer outlet, Turn my hot water heater off, start the generator and I have everything in the house with power except no central AC because it comes off a separate breaker in the main box. I even have a small 6000 BTU AC in the living room that I could run if I watch what else I have running. NOTE you must have that second box fed from the main box for this setup to work otherwise you will be back feeding to the electric company. It worked fine for Ivan for over two weeks. I would run most of the daytime and secure it at night we had two freezers and a frig never lost a thing.

The spin stops here
"I'm Sealark and I approve this message"

"From birth, man carries the weight of gravity on his shoulders. He is bolted to Earth. But man has only to sink beneath the surface and he is free."
-Jacques Yves Cousteau,

I did things like drain the pool (220V), run the irrigation well, wash clothes, ran 2 refrigerators and an upright freezer. The water well and freezer were used to make ice for other households. Every one can over at night to take a well shower, jump in the drained and patched and then well water filled pool to cool off. They then carried a bucket of water home for flushing the commode.

Extensions cords are not good to use. They will drop voltage and increase amperage, thus loosing the full capabilities of the generator.

My generator was connected with #6 wire on a 50 amp connection mentality. It produces 30 amps. Therefore, the full 30 amps were delivered to my electrical distribution system, and then delivered to all appliances through the normal house wiring and protected by that system.

Power cords ran through the house will not deliver the proper voltage to items like refrigerators. Low voltage delivered will cause an increase in amperage. Yes, they will work, but you have caused permanent damages to the windings within the compressors and fan motors and have shortened its over all life span. 

Power cords will also over heat and get pinched in doors and windows. Many fires did occur due to the use of extension cords. So if your plan includes extension cords, be very very very careful, as I believe this is the most dangerous application of a generator.

If you are not having fun, why the Heck are you doing it!!!

I imagine that's why it's recommended to not use smaller than a 12 gauge cord.

5 gallons in a 12 hour period ?? I've got a 5500 and it uses about 8  gallons in a 12 hour period. The tank is 7 gallons and I believe the manual says a tank full will run it for 10 hours at half load. 

http://www.generac.com/Portables/GP/Products/GP_15000E/

Natural gas is cheaper, and you have a supply (assuming that the lines are not broken by tree roots).  Alternative is to have an LP gas conversion and a 300 gallon tank on skids delivered.  The gas can be both hard to find and expensive.  During Ivan we had 30 gallons of gas, and got another 50 gallons in a drum.  By the time this was used up, (about 5 gallons a day) we were able to get gas in Alabama.  We have 150 gallons of gas in the boat, and 90 in the RV, as well as 30 gallons in cans, in a separate locked shed away from the house.  

Perdido Bay

Tom Cat 255
Century 18 CC

Caracal 18 CC

we also have an underground river through our neighborhood with a well pump tapped into it so we ran i circuit to the pump n ran a hose 2 a outside spicket n ahd running water n full power the entire month our area was outa power n water  

  What's Fishing Without Beer? 

... And If That Aint Country, I'll Kiss Your Ass

Please do not support any of the captains or vessels on the list below. They support the SOS plan and intend to lie to you and steal from you so that they can stay fat and happy.

http://saveoursector.com/supporters/supporters_full.aspx

If you agree with the above, please copy and paste this as your signature as well.

sure it will work, but WHAT all do you need it to run?

im sure Jon can tell you better than me, BUT yes ...plug them in 1 at a time....if the breaker ever trips then you have too much on there...but what you have mentioned running, i have ran on a 6000 and had a few other things going as well.....

add 1 at a time...if it overloads dont do it again........

Jon correct me if im wrong....

How many amps is the generator?  It's probably a 20 amp output.  You could probably run one refrigerator, one standup freezer, TV, lights, fans as needed.  Adding a second refigerator to that 20 amp output is going to be taxing it pretty good expecially if both refrigerator compressors try to kick on at the same time.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jon

Do you have a transfer switch hooked up?  If not, do not start trying to wire things up.  One breaker is probably your main that feeds your subpanel and the other one is probably feeding your air handler/heat.

Your 30 amp generator should be able to handle what you talked about earlier.  Just let the generator settle a bit between loads.  Meaning let one fridge come up and wait a bit.  Then turn on the other one etc...  Your generator will definately let you know when you are overloading it.  It will bog down when overloaded or trip one of the onboard breakers if so equiped.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jon

How many inside panels do you have?  How many sq feet is your house?  Is it two story?  No your house is not 180.  If you have two main breakers outside, that means you have two inside sub panels.  Your generator is only going to run one.

Without a transfer switch, I would highly advise against even trying to wire your generator up to the house wiring.  It's illegal and not to code.  Will they throw you in jail during a storm, nope.  But you could kill you or a lineman if not done right.  A transfer switch will allow you to not touch any wires.  Just simply plug it in and throw the switch.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jon