generator question, probably dumb, but.......

17 years ago

My new house is wired to use a generator in times of power outages. It has the double throw contactor and a L1430 connector.

I recently purchased a 6500w generator as an "insurance policy" as I need to power a sump pump, deep well pump and an oil furnace in times of power outages. Well, a few other items too, such as lights, television (it's a 42" plasma screen if anyone has specific advice about gen power and this appliance, perhaps a UPS might be a wise addition), cooking appliances, etc.

Here is my question:

The genset has a 120/240v switch on it to select output. When hooked up to the L1430 connector, should I be on 240v or 120v? (I live in North America if there's any questions about the local utilities)

The last thing I want is to hook up 240v and fry something in the house (lord, not the plasma!).

Thanks for any advice.

Cheers

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

wayne440
17 years ago
The L14-30 denotes 125V/250V, 3-Pole, 4-Wire so that indicates to me the switch should be set to 240v. Did you get an instruction manual with your generator? If so, what does it have to say on the matter?
great_white
Original Author
17 years ago
It is unclear, at least to me.

Quote;
Dual 120v/240v ac twist lock recepticle
this twist lock recepticle is equipped with a neutral to split the 240 into 2 120v. select the desired voltage using the voltage switch. a nema twist lock recepticle is supplied. if you are unsure about the use of this twist lock recepticle, contact a qualified electrician for more information.

Here is a link to the genset:
http://www.kingcanada.com/Products.htm?CD=417&ID=11905

I think, but am not sure, that the switch needs to be in 120v when connected to the house through the L1430 plug. but in that case, what's the point of having the 240v position? Unless it's meant for running a welder or something. It would be nice if I could connect the 240 to the house and be ablr to use itms like the stove, dryer, etc, in the event of long periods of power outages.

Any ideas?

BJ

Here is a link that might be useful: generator
Related Discussions
I know you probably get this a lot, but.....
Q
Comments (7)
'Tropical' for your zone could be plants such as Serissa. You might also use a 'Jade Plant' which develops a satsifying trunk quite quickly. (You mentioned you were cactus-confident, so a succulent could be a starter - and would be kept indoors over winter.) Before buying books - make good use of the search engines. There are several different expressions of bonsai. The formal Japanese styles are just one form. As you look at what people of various countries have posted on the Web you could find yourself drawn to one or several of the methods and ways of growing small trees artistically in containers. As you look at the pictures you might want to take the time to ask 'I wonder how they did that?!' Then, when you are reading through directions for wiring, or pruning and pinching, or in-ground growing there'll be a mental picture and it will make a lot more sense. Expensive: it can be but doesn't have to be. Those gorgeous pots and elegant stands aren't needed for growing on young plants. In fact, it's probably better to wait a few years until the tree is leaving its gangly juvenile phase and is developing character and style before looking around for the perfect pot to show off your artistry. If you are 'handy' you can quite easily make up wooden pot forms for use, or buy durable plastic bonsai pots, or make your own from hypertufa. The plants don't mind (except for maybe maples and satsuki azaleas in a new 'tufa. Let the cement weather out first.) Tools and wire. Ah, yes. You can definitely spend a lot here - but you don't need to. For example - root rakes. Get an old screwdriver with a comfortable wooden handle and shape the blade on the grindstone before putting it in a vise and bending the shaft to suit yourself. Snippers and loppers - ignore 'stainless steel' - its so hard to put an edge on them and keep them sharp. Go for a steel that will take an edge and that you can keep clean with rubbing alcohol and a touch of 3-in-1 oil. If you have an urge toward forming elegant 'dragon's eye' calluses on the trunk then investing in knob cutters may well be worth it. Chopsticks are excellent for putting earth in around the roots when you're repotting. And they're generally cheap. I personally prefer bamboo ones because they take on a pleasing and useful shape after being used in gritty mixes over time. Something about 'the patina of age' ;-) From what you've said you are already confident with plant care so the annual repot for young stock will find you prepared with mixing bowls, work surface and watering devices, plus mesh and 'copper butterflies' to hold the mesh over the drainage holes. (You can also use plastic mesh.) And an ancient toothbrush, fairly firm, which is most useful for cleaning unwanted moss from trunks without causing harm. If you aren't doing zillions of plants then quite small containers for graded grit and additives, plus any fertilisers you choose should be plenty to start with. Sometimes at my local club there is a "True Confessions' session where the older artists mention their favourite tools - and the ones they bought in Japan which they keep for show and never use! When it comes to special soils - you might want to, and budget accordingly, but many people grow bonsai very well where those mixes are either unobtainable or not permitted as imports. You've already been warned that this is an addictive hobby. Enjoy!
...See More
vent hoods - might be a dumb question, but...
Q
Comments (6)
Another consideration is installation of the hood after the cabinets, counter, and range are installed. Larger island hoods are heavy, and below the hood will be expensive stuff. My remodeling contractor and I put in my hood, but there were no cabinets underneath. A sheetrock lift was used to hold the hood up while we aligned it and installed the mounting screws. If the cabinets are in place first, you would need four tireless strong men to hold the hood over the counter and someone to lie on the anvil, er, range and install bolts and screws. Or, some temporary structure would have to be built to align the hood at the correct height and location. Plan to repaint the ceiling afterward if you don't have a stable lifting scheme. There is also the consideration of having to block between the joists to put wood where the hood or its extension is to be attached. This is not going to be easy with an island in the way except where attics are above, perhaps. At a minimum the range would have to be disconnected from the gas and removed so there was easier working space. Maybe some other aspect of the kitchen can be deferred until more funding is available. Gas ranges should have venting even if one never cooks anything greasy. The gas combustion itself results in more than just CO2 and H2O. Components of gas effluent are considered hazardous, although that is a matter of degree, like most hazards. For 60k years, more or less, humans lived in smokey caves, huts, and such, but then the lifespan needed to teach hunting and gathering to the next generation didn't have to be much more than 40 years. kas
...See More
This probably qualifies as blasphemy but..,
Q
Comments (34)
I know it's too late now but FWIW, I'll eat Stouffer's and occasionally buy it when I have a hankering for lasagna but don't feel like making a big pan. It's hard to make a small pan of lasagna, the way I make it. The biggest problem I have with Stouffer's is that it's pretty bland, like most frozen things. They make it to appeal to the masses and bland has broad appeal. I like a little more flavor but when I want the stack of noodles, it satisfies me for the next year or so. But no, it doesn't replace homemade. And also, I haven't boiled a lasagna noodle for at least 20 years. They're *all* "no boil" around here. I've read a lot of people who don't like the texture of no-boil noodles. I want noodles with some chew. I make them slightly more "al dente" than most would. Some would even say mine just isn't cooked enough. But I like the chew and when you reheat it, it's not a pile of mush. But you can cook it longer and they can be as soft and even mushy if you like - just be sure to have enough moisture to cook the noodles, use a good quality noodle (I stay with Creamettes - no generics for this method) and you're fine. I also think the meat and sauce flavors go into the noodles this way for a better flavor to the dish. I will occasionally soak the noodles in some hot water just long enough to soften the noodles to make it easier to build the lasagna but no need to boil them. Of course drain them well before assembling. Another substitute concoction is a "jumbled" lasagna. Basically break up the noodles (or cut them if you prefer, toss it in the meat, sauce, spices & cheese and it'll have more of the look of lasagna when you plate it up. Works well in an electric roaster or slow cooker too.
...See More
Probably a dumb question (about bulbs)
Q
Comments (5)
I don't know if this helps and I am certainly no expert but we have small recessed lights and the prior owners put in those plastic extenders that have recepticals on either side they are cheep like 3.00 they screw in to the socet and then you screw the light into that. When we moved in we replaced them all cause the plastic when we removed the light showed they melted a little from the heat of the 50 watt light. We have since replaced them again but it works really well and brings the light closer to the surface of the ceiling instead of being so far up in the hole.
...See More
wayne440
17 years ago
The passage "this twist lock recepticle is equipped with a neutral to split the 240 into 2 120v", indicates to me that the switch would go in the 240v position.
DavidR
17 years ago
The description says the genset has a 120v recept that can deliver 50 amps (I'll bet its duplex recpt isn't rated for more than 20 amps, but that's another issue). Sounds like the 120/240 switch parallels the armature windings, reversing one, into the 120v output. So you want the 240v position for running the house.

I hope you don't have anybody in your house who would die without power, such as a person who needs oxygen from a concentrator. That doesn't look like a very high quality genset, and I'd wonder about its long term reliability.

Dunno about the genset and the TV. The safe answer would be just to not use it (the television set, I mean).

I can't imagine burning up $expensive$ gasoline just to watch televison on a big screen set anyway. I don't expect to have all the usual comforts when the power goes off; I'm OK with heat, a working fridge, and a few lights. Different priorities, I guess. ;-)
great_white
Original Author
17 years ago
LOL!
The plasma is just an afterthought really. maybe to keep the kids happy during outages at best. gas has very little meaning when the rug rats are bored and driving you crazy!
The main things I require are furnace, sump pump, deep well pump, fridge, lighting and a few cooking appliances.

From what I can gather, the gen is a chinese honda knockoff. I got it for a good price and it is only intended for infrequent usage as the power doesn't go off very often around here except for major events (ice storm, hurricane Juan, etc).

My main concerns are food spoilage, basement flooding and pipes freezing in winter due to lack of heat. I think this one will fill the bill for my modest and infrequent use.

It's more of an "insurance policy" for me than anything.

Thanks for the responses.

Cheers

BJ
wayne440
17 years ago
I used to feel the same way until I got a larger diesel set. The diesel uses about the same $ per hour in fuel to run "the whole house" as my old gasoline set would to run the freezer, frig, sump pump and a few lights. Even at $5/hr (assuming absolutely no load management) it beats sitting huddled around a space heater, watching the weather forecast on a 12" screen.
pjb999
17 years ago
Hmm well I'm still kid enough, if there was a power outage and no imminent danger, I probably wouldn't be desperate to watch tv and would prefer to enjoy the "adventure" it was when I was little....

On the other hand, you need the plasma to watch, at times like these, the end of civilisation as we know it/the end of the western world/the pre-greenhouse world/the overrunning of hordes of..../alien invasion or insert your own paranoid (or not) fantasy here :)
tss_rocks
17 years ago
Just keep in mind that a NEMA L1430 connector is only rated for 30A per phase. (30amps on each "hot")

Based on what you said your load would be, you'd be approaching the limit rather quickly. You need to take into account that the amperage rating should not exceed that of the connector/conductors when all lights, electronics, appliances, etc. are being used.

You may want to take into consideration that cooking appliances draw a high amperage, because they generate heat.
For example, a circuit for an electric range is rated at 50 amps. Your microwave is usually on it's own 20A circuit, coffee makers, toaster ovens, etc. take up the better part of a 20A circuit.

Cheers!
Matt
dim4fun
17 years ago
Cheap generators tend to make dirty power. Be cautious with what you attempt to run with it. Cheap UPS units will not tolerate dirty power from a generator. They usually cycle back and forth between generator power and backup battery till the charge runs out. APC.com has an application note or FAQ about generators and UPS units.
wayne440
17 years ago
Matt wrote --"...a NEMA L1430 connector is only rated for 30A per phase. (30amps on each "hot").."

The OP's gen-set is capable of about 27A @ 240V, and that is probably an intermittent (and very optimistic) rating. He will run out of generator capacity long before the receptacle's current rating becomes an issue.

generator question, probably dumb, but.......

Comments (10)

wayne440

great_white
Original Author

Related Discussions

wayne440

DavidR

great_white
Original Author

wayne440

pjb999

tss_rocks

dim4fun

wayne440

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

generator question, probably dumb, but.......

Comments (10)

great_whiteOriginal Author

Related Discussions

great_whiteOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

great_white
Original Author

great_white
Original Author