After a 4 day power outage last year I set my house up to back feed, 4 days in the middle of winter was the last straw for me, I have my inlet box in my garage, separate building from the house, I like it in the garage, it’s out of the weather and chained to my Harley, only problem with my set up is I cannot use an interlock I would have to dig another trench and put in another line, but I have reminders on the inlet box that says make sure Main breaker is off and One right on the generator. I also put a battery back up on my garage door because I don’t have an entry door just a big door that I can get my garage door open even when the power is out and lights will come on so I can see what I’m doing in the dark, also installed the power return alarm.
I installed a 30amp interlock last year after we had a 5 day power loss. There was a tornado in our area and we were very lucky to have sustained minimal damage. Between our neighbors, we shared generators to keep freezer/fridge and sump pumps running. Last night I made an impulse buy at Costco of the generator you have. ( hence how I found your channel today) I will be upgrading to the 50amp now. The inlet box with twist lock is a great and safer idea. Glad I found your video, was headed to store after work.... You have a new subscriber. Cheers from Wisconsin!
Well, welcome to the channel the workshop community. If you happen to be a Telegram user, we have a telegram group as well that’s in the description but beyond that I just love having you here and I always love hearing about people’s backup power experiences. Great to have you.
I have found dozens of videos on the same subject. But, I have not seen the following questions asked or answered in any of them. It was a bit surprising actually. The questions is this: Do I use a floating neutral or bonded neutral generator configuration. They sell them both ways, and there are videos that show how to change a bonded neutral generator to a floating neutral. But, I do not see anyone discussing or adding content around this so that I can make a researched decision what is safe. There is a lot of great content about how not to get shocked, but if even one questions remains you are 100% safe. All comments appreciated!!! If it turns out that a floating neutral is required for interlok systems to a home, I'd hope that is retroactively added to all these similar videos
Thanks will I do my damndest to do these generator videos in a way that answers all the questions I had. If you have any more questions feel free to send them along
The circuit breaker for the 50 amp outlet (14-50R) is a 31 amp breaker. So why use the 50 amp outlet? Won't it trip the breaker once it detects more than 31 amps? Why not just use the 30 amp outlet (L14-30R).
so your electric panel is feed by two 110 volt lines coming in hence the 220 one 110 feeds one side of the panel and the other the other side so if you were to feed into a 110 outlet only half of your panel would actually work. but when you feed into a 220 outlet it feeds both sides of your panel hope that makes sense. if its something you aren't comfortable with make sure you get help from someone who is :)
@@TOOLMANTIMSWORKSHOP I think Im understand now. So I believe anything 220 has a double breaker which gives it 220 and anything 110 has a single breaker. Am I close? lol
@@PhillyTechCheck If you look at the 4 wire 220V outlet on a generator, it's 110V 110V Ground Neutral. The double 220V breaker that you install will put a single 110V on each of its sides and the ground and neutral connect to a bar in the breaker box where all the grounds and neutrals are bonded.
Maybe I don't understand thw lockout mechanism fully. During normal everyday "grid is up" usage and nothing is plugged into the waterproof twistlock outlet with the three male prongs, what keeps power off those 3 male prongs? Doesn't this need a way to lock thT outlet (or a throw switch that can be padlocked? Or am I overthinking this.
No worries took me forever to figure it all out the lock out device doesn’t allow me to turn on the 50 amp breaker to the inlet box outdoors until the main breaker is turned off and then I slide the lock out up allowing me to then turn on that circuit but not allow me to turn off the main. I will do a follow up the next time I do a test of the set up
