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- Dec 7, 2022
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Lots of tree's hit the ground in an ice storm. The last one here in Kentucky sounded like a war zone when they all started falling.
Potential winter storm this week.
- Thread starter jake wells
- Start date
Tom NJ
$100 Site Donor 2026
I'm all prepared - bring it on!
Real winter on Mount Washington NH this morning.
Ok, for that once in a decade issue, you need to get power to your furnace fan. But it’s wired in. Do some of you have a junction box to disconnect and plug into the generator cord? Asking for a friend. 
I have seen some furnaces that aren’t wired in and instead have a three prong plug and a box that is wired in.
I have seen some furnaces that aren’t wired in and instead have a three prong plug and a box that is wired in.
CleanSump
Site Donor 2026
I installed a backup generator breaker box made just for this specific use. When you throw the master switch, the house is separated from the grid. There is no danger of backfeeding to the grid. Certain house circuits now go through the breakers in the backup generator box. Some things like the freezer, fridge, and water heater don't have to be on when the furnace is online. Flip the furnace off and flip the water heater and fridge on for an hour each day, flip the freezer on once every 48 hours. Go back to Furnace and TV. When grid power comes back, shutdown the generator and flip the master switch back to the grid.Ok, for that once in a decade issue, you need to get power to your furnace fan. But it’s wired in. Do some of you have a junction box to disconnect and plug into the generator cord? Asking for a friend.
I have seen some furnaces that aren’t wired in and instead have a three prong plug and a box that is wired in.
Just do a web search for "backup generator breaker box" to see a variety of what's available. An electrician to hook you up will cost as much or more than the system hardware.
There are several ways to wire them in depending on local codes and your circumstances.
I have a switchbox that doesn't do the whole house, just selected circuits.Ok, for that once in a decade issue, you need to get power to your furnace fan. But it’s wired in. Do some of you have a junction box to disconnect and plug into the generator cord? Asking for a friend.
I have seen some furnaces that aren’t wired in and instead have a three prong plug and a box that is wired in.
One of those circuits is the 110v heat pump in my master bedroom so we alway have heat/AC if the power goes down at least in that end of the house.
You could do the same thing with a whole house furnace but you'd need 220v for it most likely so you would need a 220v capable generator.
I just use the system in my camper to export 110v to the house and then charge/back that up with a generator or the onboard power from the F150.
One of these. They have a pile of different models.
https://www.reliancecontrols.com/products/category/pro-tran-transfer-switches
I modded mine to use a standard RV 30A TT input so I can use all of my RV wiring with it.
https://www.reliancecontrols.com/products/category/pro-tran-transfer-switches
I modded mine to use a standard RV 30A TT input so I can use all of my RV wiring with it.
Not a NG furnace (most). 15 amp circuit for the blower and that's it.
We had the house wired for a generator after Hurricane Sandy wrecked the Middle Atlantic states October 2012. We bought our house June 2012. That storm didn’t bother New England too badly but used it as a “what if.”Ok, for that once in a decade issue, you need to get power to your furnace fan. But it’s wired in. Do some of you have a junction box to disconnect and plug into the generator cord? Asking for a friend.
I have seen some furnaces that aren’t wired in and instead have a three prong plug and a box that is wired in.
Easy enough to wire in a plug and there are good videos on YouTube. My nephew wired his furnace for this (actually his neighbor is an electrician and did it for him). When the Colonial Gas explosion happened we loaned him a Honda EU2000 and he heated his house for 8 days with it.
The electrician we use for generator wiring recommends these. They are backed up a bit because cheapskates wait until the last minute. All the small engine service shops have been swamped with work this week.
https://ezgeneratorswitch.com/product/ez-generator-switch/
Meanwhile, Boston forecast is 11-30”.
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Yea, didn't know if the blower was 220 or 110, makes it even easier.
If you need help with that bottom row I'll give you my number.
Tom NJ
$100 Site Donor 2026
Some 50+ year old goodies there, waiting for the right occasion.
This maybe the opportunity if there have ever been one times a wasting lol.
Yesterday the highways had hundreds of bucket-trucks heading towards the predicted states that are going to get a lot of ice and have a lot of downed power-lines.
If it hits those areas as bad as it could, it will require a lot of rewiring. Something like 90 % of all outside power-lines. Weeks without power for many.
Most don't have a clue about how bad a major ice storm can be.
If it hits those areas as bad as it could, it will require a lot of rewiring. Something like 90 % of all outside power-lines. Weeks without power for many.
Most don't have a clue about how bad a major ice storm can be.
Add a output plug near your furnace, add a power cord to the furnace and plug it in for normal operation. To run from a generator just unplug the furnace and plug it into an extension cord to the generator. Be sure N is tied to Gnd. some modern furnaces can detect if there N is floating. My Payne furnace will run the draft inducer while checking and then shuts down without lighting the burners if N has no tie to Gnd.
Cord on furnace is from an old window AC unit.
Wire going to furnace from bottom of receptacle box with switch is Gnd. only to house Gnd.
The 1998 ice storm in Quebec took down miles of high tension power lines. I recall they used helicopters to help string new lines in remote areas.
Patman
Staff member
I remember that storm well because my 1998 Firebird Formula was being built in Ste Therese Quebec at the time and it delayed my delivery by about a week.
Using a old Johnny Cash song.......How high is the snow moma.....5 inches and rising....here in Louisville KY....
