RV genset to power a house

[Billstigger]

After spending the last 2 days with out electricity and having to use our 3500 watt Kipor with a ton of extension cords, I am wondering if
the Kipor could be used to power the house. I was told by a friend that if you turn off the main breaker into the house, use a double male extension cord plugged in to an outside outlet that this would allow you to use your homes wiring powered by the genset. Of course you would have to be very careful with what to turn on to keep from overpowering the genset.
Has anyone on the forum tried this? Is it safe??? The biggest obstacle that I can see is that turning off the main breaker is critical, and you won't know when the power is restored.
Bill

[Tvov]

What my electrician highly recommends is this:

http://www.generlink.com/about_generlink.cfm

At least in Connecticut, it follows all electrical codes and the electric company recommends them also.

Just plug the generator in. Automatic switch over, and automatically isolates the street feed to prevent back feed.

[JaxDad]

wa8yxm wrote:
What is wrong with "Just shutting off the main breaker"

It's also illegal in most places because it's dangerous. The neutral / ground is bonded right through the mains and meter base, therefore back-feeding your house will create potential in the entire neutral circuit on the grid around your house.

When the electrical authority up here detects such a setup they just cut off the service to the home and tell the homeowners to get their wiring repaired / brought up to code and call for a re-inspection when done.

[mlts22]

To the OP: I will assume that you will be able to pull off a "widow maker" cord safely.

The problem is that most people out there wouldn't/couldn't be able to pull this off. Most electricians/linemen know this. I know I wouldn't be able to, not because of me, but because there is a chance that even though I'd have a safe setup in case of a disaster, a curious neighbor kid might wander by and pull the cord. Even a gated backyard may not help.

I'd say it is a gamble, most likely the OP will "win", but if Murphy has his way, the consequences can be severe. At the worst, the local press would have a feeding frenzy on the subject, which would essentially force the DA to throw the book at the offender in order to keep his or her job.

[john_bet]

I have not read all the replys, but what you suggest it is not legal in any form in any state.

[wa8yxm]

NEVER EVER put two male plugs on one cord.. And do not try to power a house without a proper interlock kit or generator transfer switch...

Remember Murphy's Law.. IF IT CAN GO WRONG... IT WILL

So what can go wrong with using a double male plug?

Somebody could trip over it, pull the plug out of the house, pick it up and... DIE.. that would be bad, very very bad, because YOU would be liable both criminally and civilly.

What is wrong with "Just shutting off the main breaker" Someone might forget to shut it off... or turn it on without first shutting down and disconnecting the generator.

What happens if you use a proper INLET and a proper interlock or transfer switch:

(I used a transfer switch)

First: Understand the RV's generator on most Class A's is 120 volt only, not 120/240.. Your portables can be either 120 or 120/240 or selectable depending on the movel..

I used a 30 amp 240 volt inlet (And matching outlet on the motor home and custom made cord) only the outlet was only 120 volt on the motor home.

Hooked it up and started fliping switches in the basement
LIGHTS
HEAT
COLD (Fride or freezer)
COLD (other one)
Computers
Televisions and readios
More of the same
More lights

I can not tell you how much it cost but since this was New Years Eve in S.E. michigan.. Warm wife.... Priceless (As master card might say).

[Dave_H_M]

When it comes to powering the stick home with the standby there are really some old and antiquated ways of thinking.

In my area the interlock switch is all you need to satisfy the elec company and light up the house.

However that is not exactly back feeding.

Common folks pony up to the times. :W

[pianotuna]

Hi,

Just because the person making the suicide cord is aware of the dangers--that doesn't help others who might accidentally have quite a shocking experience.

Do it right.

I hope the power outage doesn't out last the fuel supply for the generator.

[tegu69]

When we were without power for more than a month about 10 years ago due to hurricanes, we moved to the camper.

[westend]

I wouldn't do it wrong (without a transfer switch). If there is ever an issue, the utility will drag you across the coals. Actually, if you are only able to power one leg of the service, it's not that difficult to run cords to the devices you want powered instead.

[Ductape]

I'm not going to advocate improper wiring... but as is often the case the boogeyman stories on this forum are in full circulation.

Accidentally try to energize the neutral and it won't leave your property. The neutral is grounded at your entrance, the power pole, and every pole down the line. Might damage your genny, your appliances, or you if the genny neutral should happen to be tied to the frame (should not be).

Any trained lineman will never handle an ungrounded line. They will always handle with protective gear or test and follow up with attaching a grounding lead before working. No one trained in working on live circuitry will let their survival hinge on the action or inaction of others.

[DUNEBUGGYDOUG]

There are two people at my house,my dear wife and myself.We are not drunks and certainly not children.It might not be the perfect set up but works well for us.We have been at this for a few years and she can get powered up just about as fast as I can.I have a 6500 watt genny and we just go about business as usual.We don't try to run all the stuff in house at same time but we don't do that when we are on the grid either.I have # 4 wire from genny to the stove powered female plug and the cord is long enuff for the genny to set outside.I am not saying that this is the correct way to do it just saying it works for us

[RJCorazza]

I installed a transfer switch with 10 circuits mostly because there are simply too many failure points when back feeding. Also, I wanted my wife to be able power the house in my absences as a (former) 24 hour shift worker.

[mlts22]

Interlocks are cheap, are 50 state code (assuming installed by a certified electrician), and you don't need a suicide cord. The main reason I went with one is because of liability reasons. Some drunk or kid pulls the suicide cord, starts licking the prongs or stuffs it in their nose, then gets shocked... bam, million dollar negligence judgement with triple damages.

Of course, there is the lineman issue... if one goofs up and backfeeds, the poco will know it. Here in Texas, the local utility has a policy of pulling meters when that happens (and not reconnecting until an inspector comes out to see that a certified electrician installed a transfer switch.)

I personally prefer a transfer switch (auto or manual), but they are expensive, and only allow a limited number of circuits.

At least get an interlock kit, at the minimum.

[Old-Biscuit]

Yes......
I use my 4K Watt generator that was in my truck when FTng to feed my house when power outages occur (freezer, fridge, lights)

[MrWizard]

Back feeding is a bad idea
No matter what cord you use, the outlet and circuit is going to be 20 amps max, and more likely only 15 amps
You can power more items safely using portable genny and multiple extension cords

Yes the Onan is bigger, but you can't use all the power, when using a suicide cord for back feeding
Get a manual lockout transfer setup and sub panel, or stick with the kipor and multiple extension cords