Ready To Wire The House

[CM_in_TX]

There's a good Facebook Group that has good info on this topic. It's mostly a Northwest Houston community called "Bridgeland" but the Group is open to all across the USA. It is a Private group, so you need to request permission. To find the group, search up (in Facebook) "Generators: portable generators to power entire house" but the topics include Panel modifications, whole house surge protectors, cable sizes and lengths, soft starts, etc. The featured posts have some good electrical advice.

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[PungoteagueDave]

OK, next time there's a hurricane outside and the power goes out I'll go out and start my truck.

Uh, yeah, that's how it works.

 

[cool rod]

Uh, yeah, that's how it works.

Which transfer switch are you using? I think the Generac 6852 will let you hook up the truck and if the power goes out you can go into your garage and flip a switch and you're up and running. The truck can run in generator mode almost indefinitely as long as you have the fuel. This person ran it for 72 hours on 1/4 tank, but he must have the smaller KW model. The 7.2 will run for 36 hours under full load according to Ford, so with less draw it will run longer.

Definitely no reason to go outside when stop signs and 2x4s are flying sideways.

"I am doing the same thing in texas. My power boost is running fridge lights cable modem router tv dtv receiver my power recliner coffee pot. It has been running constantly for 72 hours. It has used 1/4 tank of gas. Also am using extension cords as I haven’t wired my house yet. The Ford pass works great. This truck is amazing."

 

[Sentinel1201]

Which transfer switch are you using? I think the Generac 6852 will let you hook up the truck and if the power goes out you can go into your garage and flip a switch and you're up and running. The truck can run in generator mode almost indefinitely as long as you have the fuel. This person ran it for 72 hours on 1/4 tank, but he must have the smaller KW model. The 7.2 will run for 36 hours under full load according to Ford, so with less draw it will run longer.

Definitely no reason to go outside when stop signs and 2x4s are flying sideways.

"I am doing the same thing in texas. My power boost is running fridge lights cable modem router tv dtv receiver my power recliner coffee pot. It has been running constantly for 72 hours. It has used 1/4 tank of gas. Also am using extension cords as I haven’t wired my house yet. The Ford pass works great. This truck is amazing."

So you are asking how to put the truck in high power generator mode? Not sure why you need instructions to do that as its pretty simple, but here you go.

Turn ignition on, select high power generator mode via settings in the screen or by pressing the generator hard button 3 times, turn off headlights, climate control, windshield wiper, turn off the infotainment screen (there is a button beneath the screen that you press twice), close door and walk away.

I have power tailgate so it will typically sense my trailer's jack as it goes down in the back and want to power back up to closed position, but just holding it firmly for 2 seconds will override power tailgate and leave it open partially closed. Then you can snake the generator wires through the back of the truck to wherever you want them.

I have run the generator to power RV AC and a few other appliances (~2500-3000 watts total draw) for 12 hours and used about 6-6.5 gallons of gas. So if you are not drawing constantly (keep in mind the interior power outlets in truck will draw about 200 watts whenever generator is on), you will get many days of running on a full tank of gas.

 

[cool rod]

So you are asking how to put the truck in high power generator mode? Not sure why you need instructions to do that as its pretty simple, but here you go.

Turn ignition on, select high power generator mode via settings in the screen or by pressing the generator hard button 3 times, turning off headlights, climate control, windshield wiper, turning off the infotainment screen (there is a button beneath the screen that you press twice), close door and walk away.

I have power tailgate so it will typically sense my trailer's jack as it goes down in the back and want to power back up to closed position, but just holding it firmly for 2 seconds will override power tailgate and leave it open partially closed. Then you can snake the generator wires through the back of the truck to wherever you want them.

I have run the generator to power RV AC and a few other appliances (~2500-3000 watts total draw) for 12 hours and used about 6-6.5 gallons of gas. So if you are not drawing constantly (keep in mind the interior power outlets in truck will draw about 200 watts whenever generator is on), you will get many days of running on a full tank of gas.

Thanks, that's a great answer. I thought that the doors had to be locked after the generator mode was selected, but that was a misinterpretation of the Ford How-To video that says the doors "can be locked". That's a reasonable idea if a person is going to leave the truck unattended and ready to steal.



So the process is simple: install a transfer switch that's designed to work with a bonded neutral to prevent GFI faults

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Generac-HomeLink-Upgradeable-30-Amp-Manual-Transfer-Switch/999908117

http://www.reliancecontrols.com/x-series-panel-link.aspx

plug in a suitable 30 amp cord

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0881CP1GT/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A2IHZFOHOQ0WG8&psc=1

Press the start button and go to the icon for Pro Power and select Generator mode. It doesn't matter whether the engine runs or not

Leave it all like that. Later if the utility power fails throw the switch on the transfer switch and your house should be back up. It could be a good idea to turn off all the circuit breakers before you change over to the generator power and then add them back in one by one.

The other way of doing it is to just run extension cords from the 120 outlets to individual appliances and lights/TV/Internet but that could be a chore.

Cheers

 

[cool rod]

I’ve never heard of the split outlet solution. With the cost of Romex these days and the length of multiple runs for different outlets, I’m not sure that its cheaper than a regular transfer switch. Also, Ive done the extension cord game, unplugging appliances, etc. Its painful.
I just had a 50a transfer switch installed. Cost was ~$1000, in FL panhandle. My cost was higher due to length of wire run to main panel. (Opposite corner of house, attic wire run)
I’d suggest starting with an electrician for the install. They can match the outlet or even make you the patch cord. I don't think you need Generac in the discussion. If you need any dogbones or cords and dont want to use your electrician, all are available on amazon. Just make sure you know your NEMA outlet designation on both ends.

Thanks

 

[cool rod]

Since we're on the subject...
https://fordauthority.com/2021/09/2...shipped-to-louisiana-from-michigan-after-ida/

Later: I just saw that was already posted. Sorry.

 

[Caniki]

Approximately what are people paying for this to be done by a professional electrician?

 

[Hullguy]

Approximately what are people paying for this to be done by a professional electrician?

I’m a Master Electrician. Every quote is going to be different. It all depends on the location of the panel in regards to where you locate the transfer switch and the plug for the truck. My panel is 50’ away from where I would plug the truck in.

 

[diesel97]

I’m a Master Electrician. Every quote is going to be different. It all depends on the location of the panel in regards to where you locate the transfer switch and the plug for the truck. My panel is 50’ away from where I would plug the truck in.

So as a reference at 50' away what would it cost you without markup?

 

[Caniki]

Sure, I appreciate that every installation is different. Trying to figure out if i'm looking at hundreds or thousands to have something like this done.

 

[Ajzride]

Sure, I appreciate that every installation is different. Trying to figure out if i'm looking at hundreds or thousands to have something like this done.

most likely over $1,000 if they are supplying the materials.

 

[Hullguy]

So as a reference at 50' away what would it cost you without markup?

I figure in Massachusetts about $1500 in material. We run on the current NEC code and are required to have most circuits on AFCI/GFI protection. The breakers can run about $80 apiece. My materials price is based on 10 of these breakers. Jim

 

[diesel97]

I figure in Massachusetts about $1500 in material. We run on the current NEC code and are required to have most circuits on AFCI/GFI protection. The breakers can run about $80 apiece. My materials price is based on 10 of these breakers. Jim

thanks, brother just asking to give people a reference

IBEW 34years. Local 300 vermont

 

[cool rod]

Just an FYI, I haven't been able to find either a Generac or a Reliance Controls X-Series anywhere, online or in a Big Box store. They're on backorder.

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