a couple of days ago, we had a power outage. so I went to the business and picked up my 15Kw (60 amp) generator.
I figured I could back feed the power from my 220 outlet in the garage into the house. Unfortunately, it took a bit of doing to get the correct plugs to fit into the outlet.
and yes, i threw the maine 200amp switch in the main box prior to back feeding.
I got it working, and I know I should not do it that way, but I wanted to get some power in the house that night.
Anyway, now I want to add some sort of transfer switch or somesort of subpanel where I can flip a switch and power up the essentials appliances, heaters, lights etc.
I want to feed off the main panel, with this "subpanel" and then cut a whole in the wall and place a water prooff box with either a long extension cord and plug coming out of the box, or provide a long "extension cord" with a female end from the generator to a receptacle (male) inside a waterproof box.
I do not want a two plug extension cord for the obvious reason that if I or someone else plugged such a cord into the running generator, I would have some hot leads on the other end.
Any ideas (which means most cost effective ((which means cheap)) ideas) on how best to accomplish this task? Brands of transfer switches, supbanels etc? how many circuits could I run in a normal house off a 60 amp generator?
any help is appreciated
thanks joe