Back up generator help....

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Oct 12, 2004
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HI everyone,
Last year about this time I had an electrical contractor rewire my home, and also install a generator transfer switch. When he installed the generator switch, he put in a 50 amp recepticle on the outside of my home for the generator to plug into. Well I am finally getting around to buying the generator, and I have run into a snag. I found a great deal on a Honeywell (Honda Motor) generator at Costco for $700.00. The generator is a 7,000 watt running/ 8,750 watt peak power machine with a 30 amp plug. So is it possible to build a cord with a 50 amp plug on the house end and a 30 amp on the generator end? Is there a problem with safety is doing that with the wire set-up? If it is possible, is building this cord something I can do myself with a trip to the electrical supply house?
Also I realize that this is basically a hard question to answer accurately but does this Costco generator sound about right for my needs? My specific needs are : well pump, oil furnace, ice box, a few lamps and plugs, and the hallway light. I checked on line, and anything with a 50 amp plug in the generator is at least $2,000, so if this Costco unit fit the bill for $700 that would be great!

Thanks,
Zack

(PS : I would ask the electrical contractor, but he retired and moved to Florida.........)
 
Yes, totally. You are fine to install the appropriate plug end on the end of the cord w/ the generator. The 50 amp plug is overkill for that7 kw generator- it's just right!!! Write down the nema configuration number that is stamped into the front of the 50 amp receptacle(read:plug). It will be an l14-50 or something like that. The plug end you will need will have matching NUMBERS-it may have a different letter prefix...I would be happy w/ a genset that size if I were you. HTH
 
I am assuming that your contractor installed the mechanical interlock type of transfer $witch...Post up pics if you can...
 
Pics.........

generator 1.webp


gen 2.webp


gen 3.webp
 
I installed the exact end you need to install this morning at a jobsite. Standard 50 amp single phase 4 wire twistlock female plug end. We refer to them as California style 50 amp twistlocks. I'm sure it is not specific to California...Glad to see the weather tight flanged inlet. Have at it!:cheers:
 
What does the actual transfer $witch look like??? Is it a toggle or plate inside of the gen panel that you have to move in order to shut one breaker off and another one on, or...??? There is something in place to prevent the gen power from powering up the utillity line, right?
 
What does the actual transfer $witch look like??? Is it a toggle or plate inside of the gen panel that you have to move in order to shut one breaker off and another one on, or...??? There is something in place to prevent the gen power from powering up the utillity line, right?

here is a pic inside of the generator panel...

gen 6.webp
 
excellent. carry on...
 
Sheepsqueezer gets sweaty and starts breathing hard when he talks wire and amps........................but he does damn nice work.............
IMG_0741.webp
 
Sheepsqueezer gets sweaty and starts breathing hard when he talks wire and amps........................but he does damn nice work.............

Nice garage! I want one like that! What is the story on the Military truck?
 
I installed the exact end you need to install this morning at a jobsite. Standard 50 amp single phase 4 wire twistlock female plug end. We refer to them as California style 50 amp twistlocks. I'm sure it is not specific to California...Glad to see the weather tight flanged inlet. Have at it!:cheers:

So can I build this wire set-up myself? What gauge wire should I ask for at the electric supply house? And you mention 4 wire, both the 30 am p and the 50 amp end plugs are 4 wire I assume? The 30 Amp plug would be the male end, and the 50 amp would be the female end, correct? Is this just a matter of stripping the wire and screwing the plug ends on?

So the Costco generator it is!! I love that store...


Thanks very much for your help!

Zack
 
:cool: nice.

I need a 80 bumper like that... and 45 :flipoff2:
 
I put a transfer panel in that was matched to my generator. Also had local utility co out to inspect as a courtesy.

They get kinda nervous when they roll up and hear generators running after power outages:D

sorry for the second sideways shot
DSCN3301.webp
DSCN3302.webp
 

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