How to connect a Generator to your home Transfer Switch, Generator Adapters needed for Back-Up power 

Great tips just note that once you adapt 4 pin to 3 pin you can't use any 240v loads

Gavin is reading minds now. I was wondering about this for a bit. Thank you again.

Excellent explanation on the adapters thank you so much that’s what I was looking for

I have a feeling you’re the most popular guy on the block when the power goes out. “Hey, buddy, pal and my favorite neighbor. Can I use one of those generators I see on your RU-vid channel?” Haha

Thanks for taking the time to make this video👍

Awesome content. I knew it was possible to use a 2000watt generator if you were careful with loads. Thanks so much for sharing the adapters and going through the different sized generators. Awesome.

You are ready for the next Texas freeze. Nice!!!

God job going through the different connections.

Great video! I've got the Predator 3500 and installing a transfer switch in our new home.

Great video! Simple, but some times simple is not always clear for some, even me. Lol!

When picking/ sizing the transfer box, should I first decide what size generator I will be using to determine the size of transfer box, OR pick my transfer box first, and from that, then pick a generator to match the transfer switch?

Hugh help! Thank you for showing us those adapters.❤

How about a secondary vedio on just using extension cords into the house and using a spliter to appliances??

Gavin you're the best you saved my day Thanks

Thank you, Thank you Thank you great video great explanation. This is just what I needed but can you also put a link in the description for the 4 to 3 adapter New Sub

I did not know this. THANK YOU!!!

Wouldn’t it be best to install a 50amp transfer switch and use the appropriate adapters. This way you have the most flexibility?

Great review 👏

I need the RV plug thanks for not forgetting me

On the 30a 3-prong to 4 adaptor, is X & Y bridged to feed both legs of the panel or did you internally bridge it?

If you run a 240v generator, does it change how you wire your transfer switch?

50 amp inlet box to 30 amp L14-30 4 pin twist lock generator wold be a L14-0 to L14-50 then, right?

Thank You for this information really must needed.

Great video, Gavin. Was wondering if you could help me understand something. If I were to connect the two 15a plugs of the 2X 15 Plug Male to Generator Twist Lock L14-30 Receptacle Female Y Adapter Cord STW 3 Feet 120V/240V listed on your website to my two 120V 15a generator outlets, would I be providing 15a or 30a to my L14-30 transfer switch? Thanks!

I have an EU7000 and an inlet on the side of my house and an interlock on my panel that I currently use for power outages… If I bought the predator 3500 just to have as a second generator and used the adaptor you showed in this video and plugged it into the inlet on my house will it harm any electrical items in my house because it’s only 120..? I understand the items that require 240 won’t work but want to make sure I won’t damage them…

You so such a wonderful job.

Even with the largest generator that you have in this video, if you are NOT going to run anything 240v, then it would be best to use the 120v L5-30R output rather than the L14-30R (120/240) output and thus only feed 120v to the house. That way you are not having to manage load by the two legs but rather just the total load. Much more efficient. Of course nothing 240v is going to work.

Hi, Gavin will the RV adaptor that is included with the Predator 3500 work as well in connecting generator to home even though it is not a twist lock?

Wouldn't you want to unbond the genorator before plugging into your home to be up to code

Ok, clearly there are some incorrect things in this video. The 4-pin is designed to run split phase 240v. The 120v 3-pin’s aren’t going to run the 240v appliance (even within the load range). Also, how a breaker box/transfer switch breaks out the 120v your re going to put all of the critical appliance on a single leg of 240v if using a 120v generator which means you aren’t balancing across legs.

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Can the 4 pin cord handle the full load of the Predator 9500? Im electrically retarded, so pardon me if thats a silly question.

Blows my mind that this video only has 11k views after a year when he does such a great job of explaining technical info everyone can use at a Sesame Street level of ease of understanding. After seeing several of his videos, he definitely gets likes and a sub from me. Thanks for your contributions, this is important and relevant information anyone can use as disasters and failures in our country grow in frequency and severity.

I appreciate the tutorial. I was thinking I had to buy a bigger generator just because of that connection. 😅

Great simple explanation on how to use different types of genny outlets to the transfer switch. I use a dedicated genny inlet on the outside of my house that the genny plugs right into and an interlock kit at the circuit breaker panel. Only needed it twice in 15 years but glad I had it when it was needed. Yeah, it's a little more work to get it set up if/when the power goes out but I can use the exercise.

It amazes me how little electricity modern houses use with energy efficient appliances and fixtures. I have gas appliances so my electric demand is almost always less than 2,000W unless my central AC is running. If anyone wants to know how much wattage they need for an outage I suggest a whole home electricity monitor like Emporia. Obviously very few (affordable) generators are going to handle the surge of an massive AC compressor (although I'm sure the 9500 can) So no sense in me worrying about that during a power outage. My small 2200/1800W inverter can basically power my whole house as long as I'm careful and not doing something like running the microwave or coffee maker while my furnace blower is on high. Your next video should be about how to choose the right size generator for the bare essentials during a power outage. Heat, water, fridges, lights, etc. Keep em coming!

Thank you for this great extremely thorough informational video! Outages in South Texas are happening too often. Will now be prepared.

Your generator has to be a pure sine wave correct? If not you would destroy your home appliances? every thing that has a circuit board or micro processor. Fridge , home pc computer, smart tv, lab top? Thanks Mate.

Can you show how to use the 12vollt outlet on Predator 3500. I heard you can only use it alone. Is this true? Maybe show how long to recharge a battery.

As always great informative video!

I have a 30 amps inlet with a firman generator that has 7500 running watts. My home AC unit has 40 amp breaker. Can I run the whole house with AC using the current 30 amps inlet or I need to upgrade to 50 amps inlet. Last power outage, I was able to run one frig, two portable AC and some ceiling fans and lights. When I need to run the microwave then I need to turn off one of the Portable AC. So now, should I upgrade to 50 amps inlet to be able to run the home AC unit, the frig and the microwave all at the same time? Thank you

The last two have no business tuning directly to the house lol. Refrigerator and lights might be enough to knock the generator out Minimal should be 2000 watts true not surge

Thank you very much for your detailed explanation of those different cable adapters!

if you go from 4 prong to 3 prong it's good practice to switch off all of your 240V appliances (even though since there is no 180deg shift the voltage across is 0)

Great info thanks

Please I need your advice, I bought the predator 3500w, I sent it to Africa but unfortunately they uses the 240v which the predator 3500w doesn't have the 240v outlets, if I buy this adaptors, and plug it, will it still be able to run the house and the appliances without any issues

Thanks so much. Searched and searched for an answer and you’re the only person that has provided one!

Gavin, how do you handle keeping the adaptors dry when using it in the rain? If you plug directly into the generator and you have something like the GenTent, you have some rain protection. But with the extension adapter, it’s away from the protection and laying on the wet ground.

I have the WEN 5638oi 3800watt gen. I have a RV adapter to a 4 pin to a 4 pin cord to a 120v 4 spliter outlet for 4 appliance straight into the house, extention cords only! Gen is brand new and haven't tested it yet. Waiting on my Lucas break in oil today. So I'm getting the full 30 amp 3400 watt straight to my appliances, one is a 1140 watt AC Wall unit! Hoping all works well!👍

Sir , I have a igen4500w Westinghouse generator. What size breaker can I use coming out of my home electrical box ?

My generator has a 20 amp outlet, can I get a 20 amp to 50 amp adapter and hook it up to my 50 amp box at house???

Can you run somenthing 240 with the predator 3500 that way?

Gavin you are the man Sir! Teaching me knowledge every video, thank you! 👍🏾

Are both legs in the 4 prong bridged together? That’s the only way that you would have 120 on both legs in your panel.

Thank you

Thank you great info😃

Awesome thank you!

Great advise Thanks

Excellent. Thank you.

Watched again Thank you 😌

Thank you!

Good info..i have a 50 amp generlink transfer box on house...i now have a 30 amp Genny..i need adaptor

Bro!!! Now I can use my BRUTE 3500 with TT30 plug thank you! appreciate the links to order adapter as well!

Thanks, I needed the last plug conversion the RV one! Appreciate the video

Wow man , you don't know how glad I'm now. You just solve some issues that I have with my generators. Thank a lot. GBY

so if the generator only has 120v plug will it run a 240 volt well pump in a home? using the adapter to 30 amp? thanks! great videos!!

hi, how is the 4 prong to 3 prong adapter wired from the inside ? are both hot lines put together or 1 is disconnected?

Still waiting on the video on how to get all of the power out of the 9500 Predator... Looking forward to that one. Thanks.

Thanks! Whew! You made it simple. Great video!

Will both legs on my transfer switch be available? I already have the Reliance 30a 6 circuit Transfer Switch. Planning to buy the Westinghouse 4500DFc inverter (similar to the Predator one, but a bit more power). I will purchase the “AC Works” (brand) adapter. Adapt from 3 prong TT-30R to L14-30. MY QUESTION: Will I have both legs of the transfer switch available? No circuits are 240v. Just 120v refrigerators, lights, a 1/3hp 120v sump pump, etc.

I've heard that you need to be careful when using an adapter if you have Multi Wire Branch Circuits, where two circuits share a neutral. Is that really a problem? I will have a 30 amp L14-30 inlet box and a generator interlock Kit. I'll be using the L5-30 to L14-30 adapter with the 120V generator to connect to the inlet box.

I have a Generac 17500 generator with a THD above 5. I’m afraid it can hard my tv and refrigerator. Do the make anything that can plug into the wall from generator power that will clean up the signal. Do they make a inverter box that plugs into the wall as a pass through or should I use a line conditioner that plugs into the wall then plug the appliance into the line conditioner.

do they make a dryer style plug male to generator plug. My old generator used the dryer style on the wall. I need to get my new DuraMax generator 9500 to the wall plug. Any Ideas? I might just have to make it.

You are awesome 👌 👏 😎 ❤

Hi gavin I just got the predator 9500 I don't know if I can use a extension cord with spliter to power a fridge and other stuff can I use the 120vac 30a plug if yes what gage cord should I use can you please help .

Are these converters safe to use?

An interlock is a better way to go. An interlock can be cheaper to install (if you have some empty breakers) and you can power ever circuit in the home. Now you might not be able to run everything at once, but you don't have to pick what outlets and appliances you want to run in advance. Interlock puts 120 and 240 everywhere in the house.