quote:

Originally posted by NeilV:
Please lets not endorse unsafe or illegal activities here.

To Neil's point, I think a reminder of iRV2's rules might be in order:

quote:

By participating in the Forums and Private Messages, you agree that you will not upload, post or otherwise transmit any content (including test, links, communications, software, images, sounds, data or other information) that:

1. Is not consistent with the permissible uses outlined by the Terms of Service (TOS) including, but not limited to, content that is unlawful, harmful, threatening, abrasive, harassing, hostile, defamatory, inciting brand wars, libelous, invasive of another’s privacy, vulgar, profane, sexually explicit, obscene, racially or ethnically offensive, religious,political, illegal substances, illegal activities or otherwise objectionable.

Thanks for everyone's cooperation.

Rusty

This thread is more persistent than the national debt..

Again... supplying a house from a gen set without a transfer switch when done properly is safe. This is my opinion. If some think it's not safe, that's your opinion.

Pronouncing it illegal or non-code presumes quite a bit. For example, in Florida it is legal for a homeowner to do their own electrical work. A transfer switch requirement most likely is in the National Electrical Code, but I can tell you from experience not every municipality follows that to the letter or even cares. Our own house has electrical work that was not done strictly to code.

The forum TOS of prohibiting unlawful or harmful postings is a good one, but it is a real stretch applying it in this case.

Here's the State of Washington's take on the subject - see page 2 of 4:

quote:

Connecting a generator directly to any point of the home’s electrical wiring without a transfer switch is illegal and dangerous due to the possibility of “back-feeding.”

As I said earlier, a check with you own governing authorities is highly recommended.

Rusty

[QUOTE]Originally posted by John_Canfield:This thread is more persistent than the national debt..

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Good one John! Had not heard that one before. Now thats persistent!!!

Dieselclacker

I believe the original question was: will the generator provide electricity thru the "umbilical" power cord and that answer is NO. At least my trailer won't. My trailer has a transfer switch so that it either uses the power cord supply or the generator. That said I don't know of a way, without physically re-wiring the trailer, of providing generator power thru the power cord.

What I have done is fire up the generator and use an extension cord from the trailer external power receptacle to the house (thru a window) to power the `fridge. and maybe the TV if it were a race day.

Thanks K-Star
That's the answer I was looking for.

Technically turning off the main will isolate the generator from the utility.... that is if it is in good working condition. I do a lot of large generator connections for commercial clients during natural disasters. We turn off the main and padlock it so it cannot be turned on, that being said I've had a number of mains that even though turned off, did not open all connections to the utility. Corrosion and infrequent use would cause the breakers not to open. Especially in areas like Florida where salt air corrodes everything. Be safe and use the proper transfer switch, there has been many linemen killed or injured by improperly installed generators. Their life is in your hands if you forget to turn off the main, or it fails to open.

I agree with K-Star and Hillbilly2 as a temporary short fix. I have a 10,000-watt gasoline type Generator that I originally had hooked up without a transfer switch. You turn the main breaker off from the Utility company, fire up the generator then turn another breaker on that would allow the feed from the Generator to back feed the house. My opinion is! Do I want to take the chance and possibly end up standing in my yard watching a First Responder trying to revive a Utility worker who has come in contact with a hot feed because something, for whatever reason was not done properly? This is in all probability being done during a storm or possibly in the dark. And the feed back to the Utility does not get disconnected. Thus back feeding to the Utility Company. Of course you know that they are experienced enough to check first to make sure the line is clear. But then there is always the possibility that some one could energize the system while the Utility is in the process of working on it after they checked it out. Do you want to add all the extra factors to the mix? They have enough to worry about as it is. My opinion is if you are without power that often that you would need to try and feed off your MH Generator. Take K-STAR or Hillbilly2’s recommendation. Or spend the money and install a standby system that runs off Natural or Propane gas. When the Utility power drops out it automatically drops the Utility side starts the Generator, which then feeds the house. When the Utility comes back on again the Automatic Transfer Switch puts the Utility back on line to the house disconnecting the power from the Generator. Again there is the possibility that this system could have a malfunction. Although it is programmed to start on it’s own and run a diagnostics check once a week. At least this way the possibility for human error has been removed. We have eliminated all the issues about rights and wrongs and legal codes. Frankly I think it should be a law in every state that you cannot tie into the Electrical grid without Automatic switchover. My system now has 125 hours on it in about 4 years. Well worth the money spent to have piece of mind. Plus I don’t have to try and talk my other half into going out in bad weather to get it all switched over while I sit by the fire. (Just kidding) And like the other John that’s just my opinion and I have no idea how I ended up on the Winnebago site and will now go back to my on house.


John

The transfer switches rusty referenced are not all that expensive. For everyones safety, $300 or $400 is not all that much money. For the piece of mind of everyone, it is owrth the little cost to do it right the first time.

Depending on written instructions for someone else to follow, leaves something open to interpretations. The transfer switch makes sure that the designated circuits are off the grid.

ken

will follow advice of all of you and do it. thanks. question please. distance from mh generator to house plug is about 70-80 feet. if i use 3-30' 50a extension cords is that a problem? will need male 50a at each end. do they sell 50aF to 50aM connectors?