Looking to setup my furnace where i can plug it into the generator in case we lose power… I too would like to run a sump pump and a few other devices.
What I am looking to do is have a couple of “emergency” outlets located in my garage so I can just run my generator on my patio in the backyard, and then just take four 7’ extension cords and plug them into the “emergency” outlets located in the garage. Then all that I would have to do is unplug my furnace and sump pump, so to speak and then plug them into another “emergency” outlet (these outlets would be located next to the devices (sump pump, furnace, fridge)). So now this would be an easy transition in an event of an emergency. My whole theory around this is so that my wife can do this in case I am not home, and there is no need of running 100+’ of extension cords throughout the house…
Has anyone done anything like this? or have recommendations?? or simply just a bad idea???
I can sell it to you for $300. By the time you wire up all the outlets and go through all that hassle you will be spending more for a much less efficient system.
Why not just get a transfer box? Then it’s one chord from the Generator to the box; then it’s just a matter of flipping a few breakers, and you’re good to go? The cost of doing it your way would be about the same, if not more if you DIY it.
Your way would work, (I’m not sure about the legality about it); but as long as the outlets are completely isolated from the rest of the wiring in the house, I don’t see why it would be an issue.
If you’re going to try and wire the generator into your house do it right with a transfer switch designed for hooking a generator into your panel.
If you want to rig up the furnace and few other things to run on extension cords just make a cord for your furnace. More than likely there is a junction box right near your furnace. Turn off the power to the furnace at the breaker, open up that junction and undo the wire nuts. Connect the wires going to the furnace to a piece of wire with a male outlet plug on the other end. Either make this plug or sacrifice an extension cord. Doing this your furnace is now a plug in item just like every other electrical device in your house. When the power comes back on you just unplug it, reconnect it via two wire nuts, and flip the furnace breaker back on. I keep the cord I made for mine during the Oct storm wrapped around that junction box so I know right where it is.
Eventually I plan on having a weatherproof plug installed outside and run into my main panel with a transfer switch but for now I’m doing what I described. I run a heave gauge extension cord from my generator to my furnace room, where I plug in a power strip. From there I plug in the furnace, run another cord to my sump pump, and a cord upstairs to run some lights, the fridge etc. It’s pretty ghetto but cost me nothing but the generator. One of these days I’ll get around to having it hooked up properly so all I have to do is plug the generator in to a plug on the outside of my house and throw a switch downstairs to cut me off from street power.
I would have never thought of a transfer switch. I could throw this right in the garage and run my wires to my current box, and plug in, flip and go! They don’t look to difficult to install either.
They are very easy to install and it is a good code compliant method. The biggest benefit is that when the power goes out you can just drag out the generator and flip a switch without having to drag out a ton of cords and pull wires all over in the rain/snow.
^ This… I really need to get this project on my list. It’s one of those things I just keep putting off since I haven’t even used my generator since the Oct storm.
I am an electrician’s apprentice which means I’m in the process of learning the trade. I know residential pretty well though. Its mainly just learning code and how electricity works in different applications at this point.
I am not licensed but many electricians are not. Typically contractors hold the licenses and you work for them and under their license. But you don’t need licenses to do side work. If something needs an inspection or a permit, my boss will pull it for me. Or we just call underwriters depending on the jurisdiction. As long as the work is done to code and correctly, there is nothing to worry about. And not every job requires an permit. Mainly just service updates and remodels.
Bobby (carbonfiberhooded) knows what he is doing. He fixed a mess of crap the previous homeowner screwed up at my house along with running new lines and installing all types of outlets, light boxes, and switches. I definitely recommend him for side work!
Well with the crazy amount of rain the past few days… I noticed that my electrical breaker box panel in my house was dripping a little water… Called NYSEG and the only thing they can do is send someone out and turn my power off.
Long story short… I later found out that my exterior wire coming from the box outside to my panel inside was missing the sheathing in a little spot, and with the rain, it trickled down into my panel. I patched the spot up with duct tape, but now i need to get it replaced…
Carbonfiber, what do you typically charge for something like this… and is this something that needs a permit?
As far as the transfer switch goes… I think I am going to do what JayS and I had talked about with my furnace and then eventually throw a transfer switch in my garage.
Sounds like you’ll need the service entry cable from the meter to the panel replaced. Where do you live?? It all really depends on where you live. Buffalo for example wants permits pulled for EVERYTHING!
From what he’s describing it’s just the outer jacket of the cable assembly. There is still insulation on the conductors. That’s probably fine. Unless that’s missing too, he’s safe. Water getting in there will cause eventual problems though.
