Price would seem good. Looking back at my records 13 years ago it is almost twice what I paid but mine included installation of a new main box and transfer box. My old box was not a good one and replacement recommended and confirmed by an electrical supervisor friend.
I would do the same as you today so I could handle the whole house. My portable generator is half the size of yours. I think you got a good deal.
It's a hell of a lot less than having a Generac standby one installed, that's for sure. And if the generator blows up, you can replace it for $850, a Generac permanent one would be several times that and most people would be paying to have it swapped out on top of that. Plus you can use the portable for other uses too. Good to know there are other sources for interlock, I'm familiar with Interlockit and they are north of $100 I think.
Interlock sell the my Siemens panel kit for $150. Different configuration but functionally the same. One electrician I called asked if my kit was UL approved before saying he doesn't do generator hookups. As far as I can tell none of these interlocks are UL approved. The electrical company I used boosted his price from $250 to $750 when I told him I wanted it permitted. Didn't phase me. It was a 3 1/2 hour job, then the permit legwork and fees. He supplied the 60 amp generator breaker and moved the 9 breakers on that side of the panel down. Fair enough, and I wanted it all clean. It all started with a Newegg Flash email for the generator at $799 and ended at $2133. The hardest pill to swallow was the 50' cable. But I want to run it in my garage, and not have to wheel it out. My hope is it never sees gasoline, only propane.
Seems so. The generator starts right up at the push of a button. But time will tell.
Some systems have a self check and go on once a month. Since I use gasoline in mine I will to a start and run check every several months. If my generator fails and needs costly repair, I will go for a system like yours. A guy with a much larger house would have given me his generator as it only did one floor where he and his wife lived and he needed a bigger one when his daughter and grandson moved in upstairs. Unfortunately we do not have natural gas service.
Wow, that's some increase. Typically the town permit for that kind of thing would be $50 or so, at least here, just a simple form to fill out. Did you ask him why? Like he would do it half-assed if it doesn't need inspection?
Didn't phase me. It was a 3 1/2 hour job, then the permit
You could make your own extension, out of some UF cable for maybe $100. Of course it's not an approved cord, doesn't look as good or roll up as nice, but depending on how straight a run it is, it might work for me.
Many of the interlock kits ARE UL approved.
Mine took a Model # QOCGK2C from Square D. Most of the panel manufacturers have UL listed interlock kits available for their panels. The interlocks from nooutage.com are all UL approved. All interlocks from Generator Interlock Technologies are also UL listed (interlockkit.com) They are not CSA approved so technically not legal in Canada _(because - in part - portable generators are "bonded" and the interlock solutiondoes not switch the neutral) I "unbonded" my generator - and have a "bonding plug" to make it legal/safe as a portable when not connected to the house.
Typically only the ones supplied by the panel manufacturer were NRTL listed but as they get more popular other companies might be running that regulatory gauntlet. It isn't cheap, hence the cost. If you are buying an unlisted one, you might as well make your own for a buck or so in material. I imagine you could dumpster dive everything but the nuts and bolts from a metal shop. I already had everything I needed in my junk box.
I just figured he underbid on the first price he gave me.
I thought of that briefly, but after pricing the cable and end connections I wouldn't do much better, so went for the easy way.
Yeah, but Siemans doesn't make one for my panel. At least I couldn't find it.
I could easily do it, but I doubt the electrician would be happy with that. It only cost $65 - and comes with everything, including safety stickers!
Took a quick look and I don't even see any interlocks for panels there.
They don't say they are UL listed, they say they are tested by MET Labs to UL 67, not sure what the difference there is or if any inspectors would care.
Probably a better idea to mount a switch on the generator. One position marked House Power the other Portable Power. Too easy to forget to put in a bonding plug. Also, does a bonding plug work if it's a GFCI? I thought GFCI's injected a test signal to detect if neutral and ground are shorted together and would instantly trip.
You'd think some generator manufacturer would make models where the 240V max amp receptacle has a cover where when you lift it to use it, that unbonds the neutral. I guess you could still have some load other than a house where it should be bonded though.
I have natural gas, but there are too many downsides for me to have that type generator. Cost being the biggest. For how many times I'll use it, I just want it tucked in the garage.
I could find no evidence that the kits from nooutage are UL approved. Same with interlockkit.com. Wyle Labs isn't UL. Since mine passed inspection, I guess UL approval isn't required anyhow. Noutage has the typical $145 prices. I'd rather pay $65 myself.
I hope you oversized it a bit. On generator power, voltage drop can become an issue. My generator only starts out with 115v. By the time it gets to the other end of the house that is more like 109-110 and dips when the fridge starts.
They are an identified NRTL
MET Laboratories, Inc. (MET)
914 West Patapsco Avenue Baltimore, Maryland 21230 United States
The only real "cost" issue would be to get the gas hookup. The conversion kit to tri fuel for most portables is ~$100
It took me less than an hour to do mine and the next one would be more like 15 minutes now that I understand what has to happen.
Wyle is not a NRTL but the AHJ has final say on what is "approved". The NRTL listing is just an indicator to assist them in that decision. These are the current NRTLs (there are more than just U/L)
Wyle Laboratories, Inc. (WL)
Date Originally Recognized: July 22, 1994
Date Recognition Terminated: August 24, 2011 (see Federal Register notice published on September 8, 2011)
Reason for Termination: Revocation
Are you actually going to run it in the garage ?
Even on propane it sounds dangerous to me.
It's about 50' of underground gas line to my garage, under a patio and sidewalk. I could do it later if practical. Same with converting to tri-fuel. It would be nice, but given the use of the generator, it's not in the cards now.
Yep, detached garage with doors open of course. Cable is long enough where the gen is 6' from the wall.
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