Generator plug-in & interlock install - questions for the Electricians

[kmack]

Finally got a generator big enough that we can run more than just the fridge, gas heater, and a few lights. Now it's time to start looking at what all is needed to install the interlock kit into the main panel. Here's what I have coming in at the meter. This is the main panel on the back, outside corner of our house, and the meter box is just to the left of this box.





This is the only info I have:
House was built in 1981.
The outside panel box is a GE, and I believe it to be a 100A box (this is based on limited internet searches on trying to figure out what interlock kit I need).
20A breaker (lower left) is for an outside plug installed on our deck that was used for our old hot tub.
60A breaker (lower right) is for our AC unit (outside condenser).
50A breaker (upper left) I believe is what feeds the inside panel (in our garage) and the entire house.

So would the 70A breaker be the "main shut off" for power coming into the house? That appears to be where the two main line feeds come in at.
There is nothing listed on the face of the outside panel box, except a little note marking the AC unit. The 20A breaker I had installed (professionally), but I don't remember what they used to shut off power.

The generator we bought is a Westinghouse WGen9500TFc (9,500W continuous) Tri-Fuel. We do not plan to use it to run the whole house. Just looking for more power than our little 3,500W generator could provide.



I plan to install a 50A plug connection for the generator, and run it off the Natural Gas line right next to the outside panel box (NG line already has a capped port for installing the quick-connect).

So here's where some of the questions start.
Based on what I have for the outside panel box, do I even have room for a 50A breaker to run the generator thru?
I can remove the 20A circuit from the old hot tub as that is not being used for anything now, is that what is needed to get set up for the generator?

I'm looking at 50A plug connections for mounting on the wall next to the outside breaker panel. I want to start collecting all the pieces/parts.
But I'm unsure what to get yet for the actual interlock that goes into the panel. Is this something I need to wait on until any/all final configurations are figured out?

Maybe the easiest plan would be to:
- remove the 20A breaker/circuit
- move the 50A breaker (upper left) down (lower left)
- install generator 50A breaker in upper left spot
- find an interlock for between upper left and upper right breaker spots?

I am not planning to hook all this up by myself. Electricity and I have never been good friends. But I would like to get all the stuff needed ahead of time, that way whomever comes out to install only has to come out once.

I realize that there is probably more information needed and more questions need to be asked/answered before my final plan can be implemented, so feel free to ask away and provide any/all suggestions. I have a general idea of how this needs to go, I just don't know all the specifics yet. And I don't want to back-feed thru my electric dryer plug connection - that's too dangerous.

[kmack]

A little better view of the inside of the outside panel...

Main service feeds come into the box from the side on the lower left. House service leaves the box and enters the wall in the rear of the box on the lower left corner.

If that helps...

[Txhunter3000]

I would say that the 70 amp breaker is going somewhere as it's not a main breaker. You do not have room in that panel to install a main breaker and a generator breaker. There should be a wiring diagram on the lid that will tell you if you can add a main breaker.

[kmack]

Should I just look at getting a new box installed that would include a main service breaker, and allow for more room to install the generator breaker?
That may just be the easiest route.

[Scubasteveo]

Should I just look at getting a new box installed that would include a main service breaker, and allow for more room to install the generator breaker?
That may just be the easiest route.

I would go this route to make sure it is done 100% correct.

[Txhunter3000]

Should I just look at getting a new box installed that would include a main service breaker, and allow for more room to install the generator breaker?
That may just be the easiest route.

Yes. The electrician can trace out where the 70 and 50 amp breakers go. Most likely your ac breaker doesn't require 60 amps anymore and the electrician can size it correctly.

[Twist]

Agreed with the posts above about the new box. Here’s a before and after pic of mine, yours may look somewhat different even with a new box, but you get the idea.

And add a soft start to your AC if you plan to run it. I have the same spec Westinghouse in dual fuel configuration and it runs our 4 ton unit.

[buckfan50]

This page has been a great help to me after purchasing the wgen9500 dual fuel. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1716967438485868

[kmack]

I would go this route to make sure it is done 100% correct.

Yes. The electrician can trace out where the 70 and 50 amp breakers go. Most likely your ac breaker doesn't require 60 amps anymore and the electrician can size it correctly.

Agreed with the posts above about the new box.

When I looked at the outside panel last night and didn't see what looked like an "obvious" main disconnect, I thought this project might go this way. Might be more expensive, but I'd rather have it done correctly & safely.

And add a soft start to your AC if you plan to run it. I have the same spec Westinghouse in dual fuel configuration and it runs our 4 ton unit.

This was going to be a secondary part of the plan. I don't remember what size our AC unit is, but we're only cooling a little over 1,500 sf. But a soft-start would make it easier on the system in general. That is something I can install, after graduating from YouTube.University! I've already "taken" a few of the pre-requisite classes!

Any Electricians on here that are in the SA area willing to help me tackle this project? I'd prefer to support a local member here before hiring out to someone else.

[Bill]

I have the same generator, only it was painted ‘Cummins’ at the factory (in China). I have only run it on propane for backup, and it ran great. I keep in the garage but need to roll it outside on the apron to run to avoid CO issues indoors.

I can take a picture of how I attached a larger propane tank directly to the frame if you want.

[kmack]

I can take a picture of how I attached a larger propane tank directly to the frame if you want.

With being in the city, I don't really have an option for a larger LP tank, unless I go out and buy my own 50+ pounder. Not really looking to do that. Yet.
Would interesting to see your generator though, and what (if any) differences there are between the two.

So far I have run this generator on LP using some 20-pounders I have here at the house. We have a 1" NG line coming into our house that ties into a 4" main in our backyard. NG service should be good unless the entire municipal system goes down. Then we're all f'ckd at that point!

I do not plan to run gasoline thru this generator (if possible) - LP or NG only. But the generator will have a 2nd use (if needed) and that is to run my 225A stick welder at the lease when needed. But I can run it off LP there.

If I ever have to run gasoline, it will be with a stabilizer. My little generator only sees gas with fuel stabilizer in it (Seafoam) and it regularly sits for months (6+) at a time, but will start right up by the 2nd or 3rd pull. Been that way for the last 8 yrs, but I do run the carb empty after using it.


Thank you all for the responses so far. Keep the suggestions coming.

[Bill]

Here’s some pictures. When we built the house, we knew we were going to need a sub panel. The main breakers are inside in the mechanical room, and then we put a subpanel in the garage. We put all of our mission critical circuits in the garage subpanel, and that way we have the plug-in for the generator right below it.

[friscopaint]

Here’s some pictures. When we built the house, we knew we were going to need a sub panel. The main breakers are inside in the mechanical room, and then we put a subpanel in the garage. We put all of our mission critical circuits in the garage subpanel, and that way we have the plug-in for the generator right below it.

I was looking at dual fuel and what I read seemed the propane goes pretty fast, is that your experience ? One I read said 20lb bottle last 5 hours. 7 gallons of gasoline last's 13 hours if NOT at full load.

[Greenheadless]

……..but I'd rather have it done correctly & safely.
.

This is the best statement of this thread so far, hence why there are qualified and licensed professionals that do this stuff. The amount of misinformation n this and other sites is scary……like burn your house to the ground scary…..or worse.

[kmack]

Bill, I like the setup you have for attaching the LP tank to the generator itself. Pretty cool!