Hooking back-up generator to main electric panel

[carlyai]

It's probably a bit late now but the pics show what I did.

I bought the changeover switch from China.

I bought the digital volts/amp meter from UK Ebay.

I bought the voltage stabalisers from Global House.

I got the design ideas from Crossy.

My single phase gen set supplies my 3 phase house.

I load share to keep the gen set output below 22 A.

[Crossy]

It's never to late Carl

To learn how to rotate images that is (sorry)

[carlyai]

It's never to late Carl

To learn how to rotate images that is (sorry)

[carlyai]

Rotating image. Its this new phone. Looks ok when i take them but uploads from phone incorrectly. Will have to upload to drop box first or design a better phone ?

[IMHO]

My setup with Crossy's cheap eBay changeover switch goes in this weekend

In my case, the generator needs to remain portable, so it interfaces via 32A 2P+E plugs and sockets.

[IMHO]

Rotating image. Its this new phone. Looks ok when i take them but uploads from phone incorrectly. Will have to upload to drop box first or design a better phone ?

.. or take your photos in landscape orientation

[IMHO]

My setup with Crossy's cheap eBay changeover switch goes in this weekend

In my case, the generator needs to remain portable, so it interfaces via 32A 2P+E plugs and sockets.

This all went in on Saturday as planned, and I'm happy to report it works just fine

I now have 2x AC's, 3x fridges, and lights/fans able to run off my 5.5kva genset - thanks Crossy!

[Gary A]

I am a simple guy so I did my generator hookup a simple way. My generator is a little guy, 2,500 watts. I isolated a 10 amp circuit the runs the house lights, TV and refrigerator. I put in a double pole double throw knife switch. One direction it is hooked to the grid power and the other position is is connected to the generator. Even my wife cannot get confused. No double ended plugs for me.

[billd766]

The power outages are starting to get to me and I have the urge to get a standby generator.

I think that a 6,500 kva petrol generator will be sufficient to run the 2 houses provided that I don't have the a/c running as well.

My problems are that I have 2 houses running from 1 meter although the small house now only has 2 freezers, 1 fridge/freezer, 1 fridge and a couple of fans.

The big house has a couple of a/c units, mostly on at night, 1 fridge/freezer, lights, fans, computers etc.

The problem is that the power comes from the meter via 2 power poles about 15 metres apart where it is split to each house. I want to put the genny into my work area another 15 metres along and make the cable split there running back to the big house and forward to the small house. I would need a changeover switch that can take 2 mains power cables, alternatively a connector that will run 2 cables into 1 and a good simple c/o switch with 1 leg in from the meter, 1 leg in from the genny and 1 leg out to the houses.

I think that I will need the PEA to do the wiring from the meter to the c/o switch and on to the houses and while they are there they can wire the genny in also.

I will have to find somebody to run an extension exhaust pipe from the genny through the wall and vent it outside.

Any advice or suggestions will be gratefully accepted.

Cheers

Bill

Edited May 19, 2016 by billd766

[carlyai]

The power outages are starting to get to me and I have the urge to get a standby generator.

I think that a 6,500 kva petrol generator will be sufficient to run the 2 houses provided that I don't have the a/c running as well.

My problems are that I have 2 houses running from 1 meter although the small house now only has 2 freezers, 1 fridge/freezer, 1 fridge and a couple of fans.

The big house has a couple of a/c units, mostly on at night, 1 fridge/freezer, lights, fans, computers etc.

The problem is that the power comes from the meter via 2 power poles about 15 metres apart where it is split to each house. I want to put the genny into my work area another 15 metres along and make the cable split there running back to the big house and forward to the small house. I would need a changeover switch that can take 2 mains power cables, alternatively a connector that will run 2 cables into 1 and a good simple c/o switch with 1 leg in from the meter, 1 leg in from the genny and 1 leg out to the houses.

I think that I will need the PEA to do the wiring from the meter to the c/o switch and on to the houses and while they are there they can wire the genny in also.

I will have to find somebody to run an extension exhaust pipe from the genny through the wall and vent it outside.

Any advice or suggestions will be gratefully accepted.

Cheers

Bill

[carlyai]

Hi bill.

Don't know if you are out country with no neibours or have neibours close, and spose the gen set us a little noisy if you run it in the night.

Maybe it would be easier to have the gen set installed in a little house near where the power comes in from PEA, or before it splits?

[carlyai]

Rotating image. Its this new phone. Looks ok when i take them but uploads from phone incorrectly. Will have to upload to drop box first or design a better phone ?

.. or take your photos in landscape orientation

[carlyai]

The photos that turn upside down are taken in landscape ?

Before i post to thaivisa i check them on the phone and they are correctly oriented.

Ill have yo get the phone manual and see if there is a gyro setup.

Photos posted to facebook are correct.

[billd766]

Hi bill.

Don't know if you are out country with no neibours or have neibours close, and spose the gen set us a little noisy if you run it in the night.

Maybe it would be easier to have the gen set installed in a little house near where the power comes in from PEA, or before it splits?

I am living out in rural Thailand. and if the mains power goes off after we have gone to bed I wouldn't bother doing a changeover. If I cant get it right for my house then I will probably do the same thing for my neighbour.

I have known her for some 20 odd years and we have helped each other out many times over the years and we are sort of honorary family to each other.

I am looking at a 6.5 kva which will be OK for either of us with the genny coming in around 15,000 baht. Add the cost of the c/o box and the main power cable rewiring and it is not too expensive.

However I have 2 houses and she has one and I feel that if I were to put 3 mains cables together through the c/o switch it will get a bit complicated plus I would have to get a genny of perhaps 15kva to run all 3. The cost and availability of that will be much higher than 2 smaller generators plus with 2 gennies if one fails then there is still power to the other house.

Another advantage of siting them in my workshop is that they will not be visible from the road, though obviously people will know we have them when we have power, during a power outage and they will be more secure there too in case of theft.

[carlyai]

Hi bill.

Don't know if you are out country with no neibours or have neibours close, and spose the gen set us a little noisy if you run it in the night.

Maybe it would be easier to have the gen set installed in a little house near where the power comes in from PEA, or before it splits?

I am living out in rural Thailand. and if the mains power goes off after we have gone to bed I wouldn't bother doing a changeover. If I cant get it right for my house then I will probably do the same thing for my neighbour.

I have known her for some 20 odd years and we have helped each other out many times over the years and we are sort of honorary family to each other.

I am looking at a 6.5 kva which will be OK for either of us with the genny coming in around 15,000 baht. Add the cost of the c/o box and the main power cable rewiring and it is not too expensive.

However I have 2 houses and she has one and I feel that if I were to put 3 mains cables together through the c/o switch it will get a bit complicated plus I would have to get a genny of perhaps 15kva to run all 3. The cost and availability of that will be much higher than 2 smaller generators plus with 2 gennies if one fails then there is still power to the other house.

Another advantage of siting them in my workshop is that they will not be visible from the road, though obviously people will know we have them when we have power, during a power outage and they will be more secure there too in case of theft.

[carlyai]

Hi again bill.

The reason i suggested to have the gen set before the power split to the two houses is so it would'nt be too complicated.

Seems like you've thought it thru. ☺

I would start a new thread with this topic, as it is hidden in this thread.

Also provide a drawing in the new thread of exactly how you want to set it up and you will get some knowledgable replies.

I feel you need to keep the switches to a minimum so/if you ever get drunk and disorderly SWMBO can can get the genset going without getting too excited. ?

[billd766]

Hi again bill.

The reason i suggested to have the gen set before the power split to the two houses is so it would'nt be too complicated.

Seems like you've thought it thru. ☺

I would start a new thread with this topic, as it is hidden in this thread.

Also provide a drawing in the new thread of exactly how you want to set it up and you will get some knowledgable replies.

I feel you need to keep the switches to a minimum so/if you ever get drunk and disorderly SWMBO can can get the genset going without getting too excited. ?

I went back through the posts until I found Crossy at #15

He suggested that this may be a good option for a changeover switch.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/272117440663?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

This looks ideal to me and it seems fairly simple.

Both the Gen and mains input are on the top of the switch and the output is on the bottom.

In the normal mode the switch is up, the mains is on and the generator is off. The mains and the load out are connected. When the switch is down the mains are cut off and the generator is connected to the output.

Fire up the generator normally and the generator powers the load.

If I wire a low wattage bulb across the mains input when the mains are on the bulb lights up. This means that if I am on the generator I can shut it down, put the changeover switch back to up and it is back to normal mains supply.

What I will need to do is to clamp the live and neutral for each house together, then run a short piece of 10 mm/sq to the c/o switch. Put the connections into a small plastic container and fill it full of sealant which water proofs it and also insulates the connections. I have to do that for the mains input and also the output to the houses as it looks as though there is only room for 1 cable on the c/o switch.

When I am ready for the change over I will get the PEA guys to do the outside cabling from the meter to the c/o switch and from the switch to both houses as they have the equipment and the man power to do it.

This won't happen for a while as I have another small house that has a roof problem and I need to possibly rebuild the roof on new beams first and I have no idea how much that will cost me.

[Bantex]

If I wire a low wattage bulb across the mains input when the mains are on the bulb lights up. This means that if I am on the generator I can shut it down, put the changeover switch back to up and it is back to normal mains supply.

Depending on where you put the generator / mains switch, you may not immediately notice the light, indicating main power is restored, is on.

I use the same principle but instead of a bulb, I used a doorbell.

Mains power into isolator switch, into bell power step-down transformer into bell. When main power goes off turn the bell on and when the mains power is restored, the bell rings, just turn the bell off at isolator switch.

[billd766]

If I wire a low wattage bulb across the mains input when the mains are on the bulb lights up. This means that if I am on the generator I can shut it down, put the changeover switch back to up and it is back to normal mains supply.

Depending on where you put the generator / mains switch, you may not immediately notice the light, indicating main power is restored, is on.

I use the same principle but instead of a bulb, I used a doorbell.

Mains power into isolator switch, into bell power step-down transformer into bell. When main power goes off turn the bell on and when the mains power is restored, the bell rings, just turn the bell off at isolator switch.

Now that is a smart idea and something that I hadn't thought of.

Thank you very much for a brilliant idea.

I certainly don't need an an alarm when the mains power goes off, but an audio alarm is much better and cheaper to run than even a low wattage light bulb for when it comes back on.

[IMHO]

Well, we had our longest mains outage ever overnight - 10 hours - and I'm happy to report that we all slept well, and I'm now drinking ice cold beers and eating some great BBQ ribs (that didn't defrost until I wanted them to) with my friends right now, all due to Crossy finding us a reasonably priced changeover switch

[Crossy]

Well, we had our longest mains outage ever overnight - 10 hours - and I'm happy to report that we all slept well, and I'm now drinking ice cold beers and eating some great BBQ ribs (that didn't defrost until I wanted them to) with my friends right now, all due to Crossy finding us a reasonably priced changeover switch

Please post beer and ribs to ...

[billd766]

Well, we had our longest mains outage ever overnight - 10 hours - and I'm happy to report that we all slept well, and I'm now drinking ice cold beers and eating some great BBQ ribs (that didn't defrost until I wanted them to) with my friends right now, all due to Crossy finding us a reasonably priced changeover switch

What model standby generator do you have?

I am looking at one like this

Dynamo quality brand Typhoon Model TGS-5000 is ideal for applications such as electrical work or in large stores, so ups. Electricity can power up to 5,500 watts at 220 volts, fuel tank capacity of 24 liters with pull starter rope with both. And electric start with key. The system is in a strong steel frame. Anti-shock and breakage. 4 wheels with wheels for easy transport.

Technical details. Dynamo TGS-5000.

Dynamo

Frequency (Hz).

50th.

Power (kVA).

6.5.

Voltage (V).

220.

Watt (kW).

5.5.

W average power (kW).

5.0.

Average Current (Amps Pere).

7.22.

Power (volts / amps).

12 / 8.3.

Engine

Model.

TGX390.

Horsepower (hp).

13.0.

Displacement (cc).

389.

Noise (dB).

72.

How to start.

Rope to pull / electric start system (ES).

The engine.

4-stroke, air-cooled gasoline engine.

Ignition.

Transistor

Fuel tank capacity (L).

24th.

Oil capacity (L).

1.1.

Proportion

Size L x W x H (mm).

700 x 530 x 565.

The total weight (kg).

78th.

Transposition

A convenient 4-wheel casters.

Note: The above details are subject to change, update or modification without prior notice.

[Crossy]

Many "badge-engineered" versions of this unit, we have the KwaiThong one.

'Chonda' (Chinese copy Honda) engine, change the oil regularly and it will last forever (we give it a full-synthetic, coz that's what the car gets).

Easy to modify for full-auto, see my thread linked earlier.

[Isan Farang]

Well, we had our longest mains outage ever overnight - 10 hours - and I'm happy to report that we all slept well, and I'm now drinking ice cold beers and eating some great BBQ ribs (that didn't defrost until I wanted them to) with my friends right now, all due to Crossy finding us a reasonably priced changeover switch

What model standby generator do you have?

I am looking at one like this

TGS-5000.jpg

Dynamo quality brand Typhoon Model TGS-5000 is ideal for applications such as electrical work or in large stores, so ups. Electricity can power up to 5,500 watts at 220 volts, fuel tank capacity of 24 liters with pull starter rope with both. And electric start with key. The system is in a strong steel frame. Anti-shock and breakage. 4 wheels with wheels for easy transport.

Technical details. Dynamo TGS-5000.

Dynamo

Frequency (Hz).

50th.

Power (kVA).

6.5.

Voltage (V).

220.

Watt (kW).

5.5.

W average power (kW).

5.0.

Average Current (Amps Pere).

7.22.

Power (volts / amps).

12 / 8.3.

Engine

Model.

TGX390.

Horsepower (hp).

13.0.

Displacement (cc).

389.

Noise (dB).

72.

How to start.

Rope to pull / electric start system (ES).

The engine.

4-stroke, air-cooled gasoline engine.

Ignition.

Transistor

Fuel tank capacity (L).

24th.

Oil capacity (L).

1.1.

Proportion

Size L x W x H (mm).

700 x 530 x 565.

The total weight (kg).

78th.

Transposition

A convenient 4-wheel casters.

Note: The above details are subject to change, update or modification without prior notice.

That is basically the same as the model I have, I am looking for a air filter for mine and that one you have shown looks very similar.

Can you let me know whare that TGS model is for sale.

[billd766]

Well, we had our longest mains outage ever overnight - 10 hours - and I'm happy to report that we all slept well, and I'm now drinking ice cold beers and eating some great BBQ ribs (that didn't defrost until I wanted them to) with my friends right now, all due to Crossy finding us a reasonably priced changeover switch

What model standby generator do you have?

I am looking at one like this

TGS-5000.jpg

Dynamo quality brand Typhoon Model TGS-5000 is ideal for applications such as electrical work or in large stores, so ups. Electricity can power up to 5,500 watts at 220 volts, fuel tank capacity of 24 liters with pull starter rope with both. And electric start with key. The system is in a strong steel frame. Anti-shock and breakage. 4 wheels with wheels for easy transport.

Technical details. Dynamo TGS-5000.

Dynamo

Frequency (Hz).

50th.

Power (kVA).

6.5.

Voltage (V).

220.

Watt (kW).

5.5.

W average power (kW).

5.0.

Average Current (Amps Pere).

7.22.

Power (volts / amps).

12 / 8.3.

Engine

Model.

TGX390.

Horsepower (hp).

13.0.

Displacement (cc).

389.

Noise (dB).

72.

How to start.

Rope to pull / electric start system (ES).

The engine.

4-stroke, air-cooled gasoline engine.

Ignition.

Transistor

Fuel tank capacity (L).

24th.

Oil capacity (L).

1.1.

Proportion

Size L x W x H (mm).

700 x 530 x 565.

The total weight (kg).

78th.

Transposition

A convenient 4-wheel casters.

Note: The above details are subject to change, update or modification without prior notice.

That is basically the same as the model I have, I am looking for a air filter for mine and that one you have shown looks very similar.

Can you let me know whare that TGS model is for sale.

post-1136-0-48383600-1430895231_thumb1.jpg

The one I was looking at was in a small shop in Khampaeng Phet that specialises in stuff like, generators, water pumps, well pumps, strimmers, lawn mowers and things like that. There is usually one or more in most small towns but they are sometimes hard to find. OTOH as they are mostly family run their prices are lower than the bigger chain places.

I would tend to avoid places like Global House etc simply because whilst they will sell you a new item they never seem to carry any spares.

[IMHO]

Well, we had our longest mains outage ever overnight - 10 hours - and I'm happy to report that we all slept well, and I'm now drinking ice cold beers and eating some great BBQ ribs (that didn't defrost until I wanted them to) with my friends right now, all due to Crossy finding us a reasonably priced changeover switch

What model standby generator do you have?

I am looking at one like this

TGS-5000.jpg

Dynamo quality brand Typhoon Model TGS-5000 is ideal for applications such as electrical work or in large stores, so ups. Electricity can power up to 5,500 watts at 220 volts, fuel tank capacity of 24 liters with pull starter rope with both. And electric start with key. The system is in a strong steel frame. Anti-shock and breakage. 4 wheels with wheels for easy transport.

Technical details. Dynamo TGS-5000.

Dynamo

Frequency (Hz).

50th.

Power (kVA).

6.5.

Voltage (V).

220.

Watt (kW).

5.5.

W average power (kW).

5.0.

Average Current (Amps Pere).

7.22.

Power (volts / amps).

12 / 8.3.

Engine

Model.

TGX390.

Horsepower (hp).

13.0.

Displacement (cc).

389.

Noise (dB).

72.

How to start.

Rope to pull / electric start system (ES).

The engine.

4-stroke, air-cooled gasoline engine.

Ignition.

Transistor

Fuel tank capacity (L).

24th.

Oil capacity (L).

1.1.

Proportion

Size L x W x H (mm).

700 x 530 x 565.

The total weight (kg).

78th.

Transposition

A convenient 4-wheel casters.

Note: The above details are subject to change, update or modification without prior notice.

Mine is a Polo KT-6500DDC. Same copy-of-a-Honda-13HP-engine as the rest of them. The USP that got my money was the wheels - if you've even tried to move the standard wheel-less sled version, you will know why wheels are an awesome thing on a genset I'm not sure about the whole thing being on castors like your photo though - these things do shake around pretty violently - you might find it walking out of your house

[billd766]

Well, we had our longest mains outage ever overnight - 10 hours - and I'm happy to report that we all slept well, and I'm now drinking ice cold beers and eating some great BBQ ribs (that didn't defrost until I wanted them to) with my friends right now, all due to Crossy finding us a reasonably priced changeover switch

What model standby generator do you have?

I am looking at one like this

TGS-5000.jpg

Dynamo quality brand Typhoon Model TGS-5000 is ideal for applications such as electrical work or in large stores, so ups. Electricity can power up to 5,500 watts at 220 volts, fuel tank capacity of 24 liters with pull starter rope with both. And electric start with key. The system is in a strong steel frame. Anti-shock and breakage. 4 wheels with wheels for easy transport.

Technical details. Dynamo TGS-5000.

Dynamo

Frequency (Hz).

50th.

Power (kVA).

6.5.

Voltage (V).

220.

Watt (kW).

5.5.

W average power (kW).

5.0.

Average Current (Amps Pere).

7.22.

Power (volts / amps).

12 / 8.3.

Engine

Model.

TGX390.

Horsepower (hp).

13.0.

Displacement (cc).

389.

Noise (dB).

72.

How to start.

Rope to pull / electric start system (ES).

The engine.

4-stroke, air-cooled gasoline engine.

Ignition.

Transistor

Fuel tank capacity (L).

24th.

Oil capacity (L).

1.1.

Proportion

Size L x W x H (mm).

700 x 530 x 565.

The total weight (kg).

78th.

Transposition

A convenient 4-wheel casters.

Note: The above details are subject to change, update or modification without prior notice.

Mine is a Polo KT-6500DDC. Same copy-of-a-Honda-13HP-engine as the rest of them. The USP that got my money was the wheels - if you've even tried to move the standard wheel-less sled version, you will know why wheels are an awesome thing on a genset I'm not sure about the whole thing being on castors like your photo though - these things do shake around pretty violently - you might find it walking out of your house

Where did you find that one?

I like the wheels too.

I have thought about building some concrete supports and bolting the genny down to that.