Costs for having a switch for generator power installed?

[alkemyst]

I was quoted $1200 by an electrician, seemed kinda steep, I should probably get more estimates. The FPE "stab-lok" boxes were infamous for breakers not tripping when they should and the company is now out of business, everything I use an outlet for is connected to a power strip with it's own breaker. My dishwasher shorted out once, it has a zener diode across the mains to absorb any spikes and when the diode failed (direct short) the breaker didn't trip, one of the foil traces on the control board eventually cooked enough to stop the current...

What did the $1200 include? That was about the estimate I got for running my power back to the pole underground (the trench would be dug and conduit run already) and connecting to a new breaker panel inside (and all the wiring to it). They'd also add in a whole house disconnect at the meter.

It included the panel in the cost, but any wall refinishing would be outside the scope.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

On a house I'd not consider anything less than 10kW as a minimum.

The Generac's a popular down here, but you have to see if the HOA allows them if they have one.

It's better than nothing, but personally I'd be looking at more into 15kW for my needs.

If they don't plan on running A/C and the like they will probably be ok.

I would also add that you want to carefully consider the placement of said generators. Make sure it is in a place that is protected from the elements, not in a spot that can get flooded, have a tree drop on it, not visible from the road, etc, etc.

 

[BUTCH1]

What did the $1200 include? That was about the estimate I got for running my power back to the pole underground (the trench would be dug and conduit run already) and connecting to a new breaker panel inside (and all the wiring to it).

It included the panel in the cost, but any wall refinishing would be outside the scope.

Just to replace the existing box and populate it with the needed breakers. As for generators it's about the fuel, even my measly 4Kw unit will easily go through 5 gallons/day and sometimes it's damm near impossible to get gas during an outage. Natural gas infrastructure is all underground, should be reliable after the storm goes by to keep you running..

 

[BUTCH1]

I would also add that you want to carefully consider the placement of said generators. Make sure it is in a place that is protected from the elements, not in a spot that can get flooded, have a tree drop on it, not visible from the road, etc, etc.

During the 2004 hurricane season folks were stealing genny's any way they could, one brought an old mower and started it while the owners were sleeping so they would not notice their generator being stolen..

 

[AlienCraft]

These switches are easily installed and work great.
I've installed several of these myself.

 

[Squisher]

Most times people will install Transfer Switches to only 6 or 8 essential circuits to save cost. This will usually not include A/C because A/C will require a generator north of 10,000 watts.

 

[AlienCraft]

Speaking of emergency generators, what is ATOTs opinion on something like this, running off a NG line for emergency power during hurricanes?

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...cStoreNum=6584

My parents are looking at owner-financing the house they're renting and were interested in getting a hardwired emergency generator for hurricane season here in south texas.

Get a Dual Fuel model. Not that more expensive, imo, and well worth the cost if one fuel is in short supply.
I installed a 20kw Propane / Natural Gas model. The trick is to prepare the propane tank pad and connections beforehand, and arrange with local supplier to have a large enough tank "pre-staged" if you will, prior to an emergency.

 

[DrPizza]

I have a generator (for hurricane shit) and this is what I've done:

I made a special cable to take the 220VAC from the generator and connect it to my clothes dryer outlet. When the home loses power, I switch OFF the mains coming into the house and shut OFF all circuit breakers in the panel. After connecting the generator and firing it up, I then turn ON only those breakers which I need (fridge, some lights, etc.).

WITH THIS SETUP ONE THING YOU SHOULD NEVER DO:

DO NOT attempt to reconnect to the power grid with the generator connected.

That's nice. And, illegal. Not to mention dangerous.

OP - sounds like you're in about the same situation I'm in - need electricity primarily for the fridge, well pump, and heat. Not sure what the septic dosing pump is for. I know some of those are hard wired - have you considered un-hard wiring them? I was lucky with our well pump in that there was a junction box installed near the well (well is in the basement.) Instead of a plate over the box, I'm able to put in an outlet, and put a cord on the end of the wire that goes to the well. Then, I can unplug it & plug it into an extension cord. There was enough wire there for me, so the final cost was about $2, plus a heavy gauge extension cord.

To Alkemyst's suggestion that 10k minimum, 15k is better - That advice depends on where someone lives. Up here, AC is not necessary to live. A 10k installation is for most people (people without extra 1000's of dollars to burn) a waste of money. I think in the last 20 years, I've never been without power for more than 24 hours. I think I can go that long without television or a computer. We have several oil lamps for light (which can be quite cozy and create a romantic setting), not to mention all those stupid scented candles. Plus, we don't have the fear of a hurricane wiping out power every few years.

 

[alkemyst]

When installing a permanent generator the extra costs are not much to go up in size, if you don't use the extra power you usually aren't using extra fuel.

Down here though we have gone 1 week many times and 2-3 weeks a few times with no power due to hurricanes.

I use LED lamps now, safer than oil if you have pets.

 

[PingSpike]

I don't live in a hurricane area and the longest we've been without in this house is 2-3 days. We were out a week at my parent's home after the ice storm in '98. No AC either, I don't even own one. I've thought about buying a window unit though. Automatic switch over sounds nice but I don't think its really necessary for me. It would be nice to have a way to know when the power was restored though. I'm really just looking to keep the water flowing and the heater and fridge running so my food doesn't go bad and my toilets don't...get nasty. I'd like to be able to run a light bulb or two, smaller TV and a computer just so we don't get bored. Reading by candlelight is more difficult than it sounds.

My septic is a mound system so it uses an electric pump.

I asked my folks this today and they said they thought it cost about $500 for the switch when they got it done.

 

[DrPizza]

Ahh, I didn't think of a mound system for septic. At $500, it's hard to say if that would be cost effective vs. rewiring the heat, water, and septic to make them plugged in - if you're going to hire an electrician to do this for you.

$500 isn't too bad of a price at all. A quick glance online shows prices for some smaller transfer switches to be around $300. (6 circuit) For me, since I could install it myself, it might even be worth bothering with. My generator should be able to handle my heat (if we lose power during the winter), well pump, fridge, and most of my household lighting circuits. (I use CFLs) In fact, it would free up some space in my main breaker box to do so.

It would be a hell of a lot more convenient to just plug one cable into my generator and flip a switch in the basement. Then, I could use the 120V circuit from the generator (and one extension cord) for something else I might randomly choose to do.