running my house off coach generator

[Ernie Ekberg]

Jack- its so good to hear from you. Hope all is well. Ernie Ekberg 88 PT40 817-475-3991 www.ernieekbergflooring.net --- On Sun, 1/22/12, jackcj7 wrote: From: jackcj7 Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: running my house off coach generator To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Date: Sunday, January 22, 2012, 6:21 PM One thing you might check into, is how to hook it up. Here in the Peepoles Imperal Republik of Kalifornia, you must have a professionally installed main box, (with permits), so you can select EITHER the Power Companys service OR your generator. The object is to prevent "backfeeding" from your generator back out on the power lines. It is a safety measure that will prevent "Zapping" a Lineman working on the line... NOTE: Some of those Linemen are pretty BIG and Nasty...Don't get them mad at you.! ! ! Jack Smith 73FC31 In Sunny&Warm SoCal.. --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "chaunceyboyblu" wrote: > > So our power in Olympia has been off for three days now. Our 88 wb coach is plugged into the house via a 50 amp hookup at our panel. Is it possible to run the generator in the bus and have it power our house? What would I have to change in order for this to work? > > > ROBERT RAHN > Kalispell Mt./Olympia Wa. > 1988 pt 40 >

[D E BARNES]

Ernie and Bob are correct. Just running your Bird genny backward into the
house is unsafe. You need a dedicated power transfer system. These are
available at most of the home stores (Home Depot, Lowes, Etc.) but if power
has been off for some days it is likely that hose outlets are sold out of
both the transfer switches and portable generators.

Bob Villa did a video on how to safely install a genny to back-up power a
home some years back. It is probably still available online. Search "bob
villa back up generator" and you will probably find it.

We had to do something like what you asking after hurricane Ike hit the
Houston area. That video gave us some good clues. Everything in Houston was
sold out, but we found the switch we needed at a Lowes store up here in
north Texas.

Donn


On 1/22/12 6:18 PM, "BG" wrote:

> The quick, simple, and temporary solution is
> as Ernie described.
>
> For a permanent solution, have a 50 amp
> receptacle installed in your coach. There
> may be room in the coach panel for a 220v 50
> amp breaker, or you may need a small
> sub-panel. Then, if it hasn't been done
> already, have your house panel wired for a
> generator. Run a cable from the coach's new
> 50 amp receptacle to the generator connector
> on your house and you are in business.
>
> Bob Griesel '84 FC31 WLII, Olympia WA
> (currently parked at Q)
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On
> Behalf Of chaunceyboyblu
> Sent: Sunday, January 22, 2012 3:14 PM
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] running my house
> off coach generator
>
> So our power in Olympia has been off for
> three days now. Our 88 wb coach is plugged
> into the house via a 50 amp hookup at our
> panel. Is it possible to run the generator in
> the bus and have it power our house? What
> would I have to change in order for this to
> work?
>
>
> ROBERT RAHN
> Kalispell Mt./Olympia Wa.
> 1988 pt 40
>
>
>
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[Wilhelmus Schreurs]

Hi all: Running the household from the coach is a complicated system. - according to the NEC, same applies in Canada, there must be a certified generator transfer switch, this will not allow backfeed to the utility system . - the neutral wire has to be hooked up correctly - it is also good to have a sub panel which it feeds then all the unneccesary load will not be picked up by the generator. You should try to get a dedicated circuit just for the 50 amps if you wish to supply most of your house - otherwise you have to consider the loads of the coach as well. Bill 1988 40WB XXV "Anniversary Special Edition" Kitimat, B.C. Canada eh