HALLMARK 6X12 CONVERSION

[flboy]

Tommy, I thought about something after we talked and you said your main was in your panel. Is your main inside your panel like this pic? If so, you can make an interlock or buy one like this for $69.00 that prevents the backfeed if the main is on. May have to move a 240ac breaker to get the backfeed breaker in position up top. This with a simple inlet and cord made just for your big generator and you will have a safe whole house generator hookup with no other wiring or extra panel required. Just flip off the AC, Hot water heater and other breakers you do not want to use. You can do this whole thing for less than $150.00 and it will meet electrical codes. I could make one of these with some Luan 1/8 plywood and a few screws. Just have to have the main co-located in the same panel. If you have. separate main outside like I do, it is still possible if it has room for breakers as mine does.

You can then do the emergency circuits as we discussed for the smaller generator and put in a 15A transfer switch.

All stuff to think about.

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[Tommy B]

NO Don. Not on top as the punch out is still in place. When I needed to shut it all down I would flip off every thing to be sure. I never went outside and pulled a main cut off. When I get home I am going to go out and look. For some reason I think are two breakers in the panel labeled main. One on each side, but I still would turn them all off. I did see where you could move those main breakers up top on the panel where the punch out is. I think that is what I should do. I did see that in a video but did not realize it was code compliant. Nice Info.

I think we are on the same page, yes?

So glad we spoke. I still need to see what you did but based on what you told me I have a picture in my head of the dryer outlet set up. Will see you no later then SAT but maybe after work this week. Still dragging some. In bed by 830 or 9pm. Just wiped me out.

Thanks brother and please take some time and get that KTM tuned up. I would like to run that forest road right behind the camp ground. What little I checked out was pretty cool. Some terrain and oak hammocks. Nice grassy road in parts. I think it goes into salt springs maybe. Exploration! Dehydration, prostration!

[Tommy B]

Don I just saw the forest is closed 9/12/17.

[flboy]

Don I just saw the forest is closed 9/12/17.

Say it isn't soooo! I can take a lot of things... did they say when they will re-open? If not, I will go to Lake in the Woods. It is private and right off SR40. I can ride the KTM out of there as it backs right up to a forest road. It may be closed, but they will never catch me on the KTM. :-)


Let me know on your main shutoff. If there is an outdoor panel that will accept a dual pole breaker, this may be easier all the way around.

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[Tommy B]

Area(s): oracle.sql.CLOB@1e12254e

Date(s): Sep 12, 2017


The Ocala National Forest remains closed due to impacts from Hurricane Irma. The forest will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so.

Never catch you?

Well you better have that carb and starter fixed or you going in the back of the cruiser mister! ( But if you want to ride renegade I'm in!) The only adrenalin rush I've had lately is watching the weather channel.

[flboy]

Lol.. I will have the KTM ready to ride. Should be less trees to hit now. :-) lol

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[Tommy B]

Lol.. I will have the KTM ready to ride. Should be less trees to hit now. :-) lol

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Less trees to hit but more to maneuver over or around you can bet on it. But boy do I look forward to it.

I been in this house for 22 years and never once did I even lift this cover but there it is!

Give me something to think about.

What next as far as hardware purchase. A parts list.

[flboy]

Yes.. knew you had one somewhere. That doesn't appear to have cutouts for breakers.

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[Tommy B]

Don I found an awesome video that at least helps me understand a LITTLE what you already know

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkbBt8hv8mQ

Its highly praised. he used a sub panel next to his main panel and its totally legal. But I will confess its a bit over my head and I would never attempt any of this with out knowledgeable help. I understand how dangerous it is.

The sub panel seemed very cheap vs. a transfer switch/panel. The video is very short and only meant as an over view if you get a chance to watch it.

What do you think of a sub panel. Said like $35.00 at HD.

I am going to watch it a few more times. I don't quit get it just yet.

Just info.

[flboy]

Tommy, I watched the video. What he did from a hardware standpoint is legit and cheaper from a hardware perspective, but he had to entirely rewire his breakers and most likely extend wires. In this case, you are better off with the transfer switch. You will notice all he did was take what emergency circuits he wanted and isolated them to the new breaker box and then fed power to the box through interlocked breakers. That whole process being avoided is why the transfer switch panels are made and a good value for the do it yourself types even if you hire it out as it saves alot of labor.

That is why I installed a transfer switch. Easier, much less labor, and not dependent on an interlock mechanism for the safety.

He is correct about the backfeed dangers for sure. Gotta know what you are doing and the correct precautions to take.


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[Tommy B]

Man just as I was going to order a transfer switch a co worker said I did not need that. He said He had a licensed electrician wire the Reliance Controls Corporation PB30 30-Amp NEMA 3R Power Inlet Box straight to the electrical panel in the garage. No transfer switch as the main panel has all the breakers in it already. It makes sense to me but I know nothing here really.

hahah, what do you think? Said he just used it for 5 days straight and has used it for years. HELP! $833.00 in labor to have a licensed electrician do the panel and I can not afford both panel and install anyway.

I would like to put this to rest.

Hey about OCALA. On Monday I saw 10-12 FORESTRY TRUCKS heading south on I-95 in a convoy. No doubt they were from Ocala. So I have to wonder just how long it will be before they have time address the forest.

I will still see you Sat.
Thanks!

[flboy]

Unless your friend has an interlock switch somewhere on the main to the breaker that switches in the outlet, it is no different than a back feed where you must remember to disconnect the main before engaging and rather dangerous the way the plug terminals are exposed . Ask him for pics of his panel. There is no magic about having the connector, it is all about the interlock and not being able to switch on commercial power with generator online and vice versa.

I did that same thing which I will show you (except I use a suicide cord for the generator so outlets are safe if breaker accidentally switched over during normal use.) but I do not have an interlock. I do have a breaker lock so no one but I can activate... and I know the sequence.

I may move breakers around and put in the interlock I showed you just to be code legit or remove the backfeed altogether . I would only use that in the rarest events as I have a transfer switch and 1800W is enough for short term comfort for power outages. The other feed is for whole house and not needed really unless outage was long term and I wanted to use my 6KW gen for wash machine an element on the hot water heater, and etc..

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[flboy]

Tommy, I think you will find that this what your friend has because his breaker panel will accept the interlock:

Square D by Schneider Electric QOCGK2C QO Cover Generator and QOM2 Frame Size Main Breaker Interlock Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CONDIGO/re ... WzbGBFYHNY


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BQT47S/re ... WzbJ2DJ62N


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[Tommy B]

BINGO!
Yup that's the only way I can afford to do it right now. If its code compliant I will do it that way. I have to right now. But do I need to install main breakers in the panel? In that top punch out? This guy is from another part of the facility not in the lab so I don't see him all the time.

If you could maybe answer that question it would help a lot.

Thank you sir.

[flboy]

I will look at my panel, you may be able to add another main in series with existing main and solve the problem. I will investigate and let you know. I need to do something similar for whole house to be code legit.

Our panels are similar in that the main is outside with punchout available on inside. I just don't know if the rails will take the main breaker in the main panel.

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