advice on generator transfer switch needed

[cephas]

Finally obtained a 6500w generator, and am looking at the prewired transfer switches. Any advice, suggestions, opinions on various brands appreciated. Thanks and have a good one!

 

[labman]

I don't know what you mean prewired. This is the only thing I know of not requiring some wiring, http://www.generlink.com/about_generlink.cfm

I have one of these, http://www.interlockkit.com/intro2.htm It only requires wiring an inlet to a breaker in the 2,4 slots and whatever it takes to free up the 2,4 slots. Likely it is the cheapest and easiest, legal way for those able to do their own work. With Square D and some GE boxes, they have their own interlocks much cheaper.

These, http://www.gen-tran.com/eshop/10Browse.asp?Category=MTS6-10 require rerouting all the circuits they supply to them,and only give you a handfull of circuits.

I don't know if there is anything new now or not. I did an extensive search a couple of years ago and settled on the interlock. It was cheap, within my abilities to install, and less work than most other stuff. With my 6250 watt generator, I can run whatever I want as long as I show a little sense, skip the kitchen range and A/C.

 

[cephas]

thanks for the reply. What I am looking for is a transfer switch like this: http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200321029_200321029 No endorsement for or against Northern tool implied. Looks like minimal wiring will need to be done in the main box and from the generator.

 

[labman]

Your furnace now has wires running to the main panel. You have to move wires from the main panel to new panel. They may not reach and may have to be spliced. You do that for each circuit you will have. You also have to install a double pole breaker in the main box and run 4 wires from it to the new box. You then need a 4 wire circuit from the panel to the generator.

After the $339 and all that wiring, you still only have 10 circuits. For $150 or less, with the interlock you only need the generator feed circuit and you can use any circuit in the house. Note, not ALL at once.

 

[Pop_Rivit]

We have a Reliance Model# Q510C transfer switch (50 amp, 10 circuit). It was simple to wire into the circuits that I wanted to run when we lose power and it's mounted directly under our electrical panel. I have a dedicated line that plugs into the transfer switch and runs to the generator outside. If you have basic electrical skills it's not a problem wiring it correctly.

With a 6500W generator you can run quite a bit, but may not be able to start items that require 220v (stove, central AC, etc). We can run pretty much everything with our 12K watt generator and this transfer switch, including refrigerator, furnace, most lights, entire kitchen, etc. I don't have it hooked up to the circuit for the electric ovens-I opted for the AC instead.

We have gone a 3 days without power during ice storms-the generator and transfer switch were great investments. Even in the summer when we have a storm knock power out for a few hours at night it's great to keep the lights on.