Using MH Gen for emergency

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Ricky Rigsby - 08 Jan 2006 03:56 GMT

Has anyone ever thought of using the gen in a Motor Home to power your house
in emergency's? I know you would have to back feed your electrical box in
the house and kill the main breaker. Also kick most breakers only using the
few needed in an emergency outage.

Is this posible or do I just need to go back to my padded room?

Rick

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AJ - 08 Jan 2006 04:18 GMT

Ricky Rigsby wrote:

> Has anyone ever thought of using the gen in a Motor Home to power your house
> in emergency's?

BTDT ... old hat but works fine in a bind.. but standby for a bunch of
flack.

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Jim

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Figment - 08 Jan 2006 05:02 GMT

> Ricky Rigsby wrote:
> > Has anyone ever thought of using the gen in a Motor Home to power your
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> BTDT ... old hat but works fine in a bind.. but standby for a bunch of
> flack.

Just move into the MH - that's a lot simplier and still provides the
shelter you need.

Signature

Figment

We need more imagination and less reality

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Will Sill - 08 Jan 2006 13:02 GMT

I see where "Ricky Rigsby" <bum1952@joimail.com> contributed:

>Has anyone ever thought of using the gen in a Motor Home to power your house
>in emergency's? I know you would have to back feed your electrical box in
>the house and kill the main breaker. Also kick most breakers only using the
>few needed in an emergency outage.

It is possible but dangerous to backfeed, and unnecessary. Been
covered many times for many reasons, but continues to be done by some
in spite of the danger and illegality.

The safest low-cost method is to simply run a heavy extension cord
from the genset to the house, and use additional cords as necessary to
run essential stuff.

Next best cost wise is to install a transfer switch for the essential
stuff. This will be some form of a DP switch which guarantees you
cannot accidentally backfeed.

Will Sill
The Curmudgeon of Sill Hill

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Jim Redelfs - 08 Jan 2006 16:59 GMT

> It is possible but dangerous to backfeed

Amen, thank-you, right-on and SAY IT AGAIN!!

I am a lineman that has worked my share of storm recovery. This particular
point canNOT be overstated.

> continues to be done by some
> in spite of the danger and illegality.

The practice of illegally "backfeeding" jeopardizes the LIFES of the very
people that are working outside to restore downed services. If anyone wants
the reasons WHY this is so, simply ask.

> The safest low-cost method is to simply run a heavy extension cord
> from the genset to the house, and use additional cords as necessary to
> run essential stuff.

I agree.

The advice to temporarily move into the motorhome is good, too, especially if
the outage is protracted. You can live more comfortably in the MH and run the
extension cords to the freezer and/or refrigerator to keep food from spoiling
and perhaps even the furnace (if properly equipped) to keep the pipes from
freezing.

> Next best cost wise is to install a transfer switch
> for the essential stuff.

A properly, professionally installed transfer switch for the home is best but
I'm sure it's also quite expensive. I am seeing more and more upscale, new
homes built with a standby generator outside.

This reveals again that what was once a LUXURY is now within the reach of mere
mortals.

> This will be some form of a DP switch which guarantees you
> cannot accidentally backfeed.

If one has a nice motorhome with onboard genset next to the house, it would
simply be an extension of that luxury to install an official transfer switch
for the house in order to power the house from the MH genset when needed.

:)
JR

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Will Sill - 08 Jan 2006 17:17 GMT

I see where Jim Redelfs <jim.redelfs@redelfs.com> contributed:

>The practice of illegally "backfeeding" jeopardizes the LIFES of the very
>people that are working outside to restore downed services. If anyone wants
>the reasons WHY this is so, simply ask.

As you probably know, I agree strongly - and the reasons for the
danger include the fact that backfeeding from a 120v receptacle
through a transformer to an open line can and will put high voltage
(numbers vary by application) on the line - clearly a potentially
fatal condition.

But I think it is also true that all competent linemen (is that
politically correct these days?) ground ALL conductors before working
a break, and as such would be at risk only if they foolishly assume
nobody would backfeed!

FTR, we have a permanently-installed 240v standby genset, connected
through a 200A transfer switch. We can run anything in the house,
though obviously not all at once! For anyone interested, there are
many complete systems available today (for example from Northern Tool)
that come complete with such features as auto transwer, auto-start,
etc. Price are cheap compared to a few years back, certainly well
within the budget of anyone who can afford a DP!

http://www.dealtime.com/xDN-tools_and_hardware-generators-price_range_2900_23098
~V-rows

Will Sill
The Curmudgeon of Sill Hill

Will Sill
The Curmudgeon of Sill Hill

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Jim Redelfs - 08 Jan 2006 17:43 GMT

> But I think it is also true that all competent linemen (is that
> politically correct these days?) ground ALL conductors before working
> a break, and as such would be at risk only if they foolishly assume
> nobody would backfeed!

You are correct. My telco insulated gauntlets are rated to 20kv. The power
company issues gloves rated to 35kv.

"Lineman" is OK, even to most of the few WOMEN that do the job. Regardless,
the term has not been officially used for many years, coinciding with the
arrival of women to the field.

When that happened, we became Outside Plant Technicians. That was promptly
superceded because too many laypersons thought we were the ones that tended
the planters and plants outside the headquarters building(s)!

We are now, and have been for many years, Network Technicians.

The underground "holes" that are used for pulling and splicing cable, and
where mice go to drown, is no longer called a "manhole".

No, it's not a PERSONhole, it's a "utility vault". :)

:)
JR

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Will Sill - 08 Jan 2006 17:52 GMT

I see where Jim Redelfs <jim.redelfs@redelfs.com> contributed:

>The underground "holes" that are used for pulling and splicing cable, and
>where mice go to drown, is no longer called a "manhole".
>
>No, it's not a PERSONhole, it's a "utility vault". :)

LOL

I wonder what the little box on the side of a motor is called, now
that "peckerhead" is outa vogue except as a description of <insert
name of person you like to bash>.

Will Sill
The Curmudgeon of Sill Hill

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PaulT - 09 Jan 2006 12:33 GMT

>I see where Jim Redelfs <jim.redelfs@redelfs.com> contributed:
>
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
> Will Sill
> The Curmudgeon of Sill Hill

I had this installed by the power company:

http://www.dom.com/products/generators/hub.jsp

The manufacturer is here:

http://www.electromn.com/res/html/transfer.htm

Paul

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GBinNC - 08 Jan 2006 17:54 GMT

>A properly, professionally installed transfer switch for the home is best but
>I'm sure it's also quite expensive. I am seeing more and more upscale, new
>homes built with a standby generator outside.

FTR, the 200-amp transfer switch for our Onan 20kw (LP-powered) was
around $1300. It includes all the circuitry for automatic weekly
exercise plus completely automated standby operation.

The genset will run *everything* in our carriagehouse at one time,
including two heat pumps, the well pump, the oven, clothes dryer, two
small point-of-use water heaters, and every light, fan, TV, etc. (The
main hot water and cooktop are gas.)

Once we get the main house built (now under way), it will handle that
house too. There will be a separate transfer switch for it.

This is the only way to go, IMO, for safe, reliable backup power.

GB in NC

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Mickey - 08 Jan 2006 15:57 GMT

Ricky Rigsby wrote:

> Has anyone ever thought of using the gen in a Motor Home to power your house
> in emergency's? I know you would have to back feed your electrical box in
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Rick

I've done it a time or two. First to prevent any back feed, I just
poped my meter. When power was restored, removed the genset,
reinstalled the meter and called the power Co to stop by and replace
the seal. Not a question or bad word from the power Co.

One thing you'lll have to deal with is an RV's genset is only 110V and
the need to be able to control which item you'll power from the
limited power available. I'm on a well so I even had to rewire the
pump to run on 110.

When you're on a well, no power, no water. Hard to get by in todays
world without a water supply for the bathroom.

Mickey

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William Boyd - 08 Jan 2006 17:09 GMT

Ricky Rigsby wrote:

> Has anyone ever thought of using the gen in a Motor Home to power your house
> in emergency's? I know you would have to back feed your electrical box in
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Rick

If you have two A/C units in the MH that you could run at the same time
on the gen set, this tells you you have both circuits in the gen set
providing power (50amp). This is not the same thing as having 50amp
shore power connection. In this event you will be able to locate two
branch recepticals in the MH to connect extensions to, use 12 gauge
heavy duty cords. Connect the 110vac appliances in the house to these
extension cords in a balanced load.
Only 110vac service can be provided, due to this and other reasons it is
not beneficial to connect to the power box in the house.

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BILL P.
Just Dog
&
ME

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Jay m - 11 Jan 2006 23:12 GMT

fwd: boom-040915-03-8.jpg

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