Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

OldEnoughToKnowButtr t1_j22epuj wrote

So how did you do the math on what size to get? Add up the critical items (In my case well pump, furnace, fridge) add in some other circuits, assuming you wont be using everything at once. My house has a 200 amp panel (200 amps X 120 volts = 24,000 watts, but all breakers aren't used, subtract big ones like 30s for welder, air compressor, hot tub...)

I realize this is not a slick total house solution, those are $6-12,000. Still any would be a step up from my 1,500 watt 30 year old Honda that requires moving the cord around to power the fridge after coffee is made...

1

scajjr29 OP t1_j22osao wrote

We installed ours in 2012, put in a Reliance 10 circuit manual transfer switch. Has 2 240v, 8 120v. So the 240v circuits handle well pump and hot water heater, then we have kitchen circuit with fridge & microwave, lights, living room (TV, internet equipment, lights) back room outlet with mini fridge & small freezer, 2 bathrooms, 2 bedrooms, front room outlet for pellet stove.

What gets used in an outage is living room, back room, fridges & freezer, a couple lights , pellet stove (in winter) and the well pump & water heater (but not constantly). So there is usually only a 40-60% load on the gen most of the time.

Reliance has newer model transfer switches , ours is the older Pro/Tran, I'd go for the new Pro/Tran 2 series as it uses standard breakers, the old Pro/Tran uses proprietary breakers that supposedly can't be replaced. Generac makes good transfer switches as well. Ours is wired to an outside connector that the generator connects to with a 15 ft 240v cable.

1