I can believe the price difference isn't that much, but size/weight may matter when you need to move it for use.Originally Posted by Roger Feeley
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I can believe the price difference isn't that much, but size/weight may matter when you need to move it for use.
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"Design"? Possibly. "Intelligent"? Sure doesn't look like it from this angle.
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A problem I can think of when putting two generators in parallel is getting them "in-phase" and matching the voltage levels. My college studies focused on electronics but I had to take a few courses in power transmission. I remember there were some challenges in putting multiple generation stations "on-line".
Personally, I'd keep the two outlets separate and use them to power different things.
Mike
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Hi, if you’re under 1Kw with the dryer running and it’s an electric dryer, there’s something wrong with your instrumentation
A dryer is about 5Kw.
If you want a transfer switch you move all the circuits you want to supply from the generator to a generator panel and size your generator to suit.
If you do that you need a generator with an Isolated Neutral (floating neutral) to feed the transfer switch. Such generators can’t be used as a standalone set as the neutral is floating.
If you want to use a portable generator with an extension cord to run a load you needed a bonded or grounded neutral generator and the generator frame needs to be connected to a good ground
Regards, Rod
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Yes, the voltage will vary from zero to 240 volts as the generators drift in and out of phase.
The 120 volt loads would be fine…Regards, Rod
[OP]
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Rod,
my dryer is ventless. As I understand it, early in the cycle, it recirculates the air through a dehumifier. It uses a small heat pump for heat. It’s a mystery to me which is why I have a very long extended warranty.
BTWwe really like this dryer. It emits no humidity into the house. It does take about 100 minutes to dry a load, but they come out nice and dry. To be fair, we have a good washer with an awesome spin cycle so the dryer starts with a big advantage.
Last edited by Roger Feeley; 07-06-2021 at 11:47 AM.
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Rod, trying to understand this. Are you saying connecting two 120 volt generators in parallel will double the volts instead of increase the amps?
Comments made here are my own and, according to my children, do not reflect the opinions of any other person... anywhere, anytime.
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Sorry I was assuming that you wanted 240/120 volts.
If you parallel the 2;generators then you would double the current and power capability….Rod
[OP]
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Charlie,
Thanks for the hint about the interlock but it won’t work for me. My main panel has no main breaker. It’s a sub-panel supplied by a 125A breaker in the main panel in my daughters house.
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I would size it for you both to run off it in a hot day. Install it at the main house. Cost is not going to be that different between sizing for just you and for both. If you have it power the main panel you would be wired in. If you wire it down by your house you would have to have the switch disconnect you from the main house for safety.
Plus as a bonus the noisy generator will be kids problem
I have a manual transfer switch and a portable 6.5 kw. I find that when the power goes out I wait 2 hours to make sure it doesnt come right back on. Then I have to brave the elements to get the generator outside, wired, and started. I would love a built in
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Yes, that is why I suggested running it the genny to your daughter's house. With judicious use of circuit breakers you could easily run both buildings on the one 7000-10 000 watt genny. She runs her refrigerator on even hours, you on odd sort of thing. Just call her and sort out start-ups to manage that initial rush.
My son has a 3500 watt genny we hooked up, 120 volts. He loses power maybe 2-3 times every few years. Wet basement so the sump pump is critical.
Three days with no power and didn't miss a beat. He has a "cool room" in the basement with a tiny window air conditioner, a low voltage auxiliary pump, all LED lighting, a single burner hot plate that only uses 250 (?) Watts on its low setting, gas heat and hot water. By flipping circuit breakers he has access to everything except his central air, clothes dryer, and stove.
Comments made here are my own and, according to my children, do not reflect the opinions of any other person... anywhere, anytime.
[OP]
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Charlie,
My daughters house is an 1860 can of worms. When we first moved here, we needed some plumbing work. I called a leading company and when they heard the address, they said they wouldn’t come. It seems that previous owner would call trades people out for an “estimate”, pump them for information and then go hire someone from the Home Depot parking lot. There’s a lot of plumbing and electrical in that house that just plain scary to me. My point here is that I’m hesitant to hook anything up to that house.
But we had our house built on the property about five years ago and I was very impressed with the workmanship. The main breaker box is a thing of beauty. The wires move vertically and horizontally with right angle bends. Hooking up to our house would be much easier.
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